Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists – The Bullsheet

Sunday, 8 July, Mt White, Peats Ridge Somersby Bellbirds - 125km from Hornsby or 97km from Cowan OR backwards

Ride contacts:
*   Phil Johnston  9498.3684 hm or 9312.3319 wk.
*   Brian Willis     9807.6439 hm

Hardcopy these directions and bring on Sunday

If attendees/riders agree on the 8^th, we may ride the loop north from Mt White/Somersby/Peats Ridge anti-clockwise instead, ‘cause we’ve done it clockwise lots.

·                  Park in Hornsby train station car park [70 metres north of Railway Hotel - NW of rail line] by 8:20am for 8:30am rollout. 

·                  Or pick up the caravan around 9:05am at Cowan train station. 

The Bikie Hangout at Mt White [35.5km] is our 1^st Nosh Stop (30 min) around 9:55am.

Around 10:25am we roll on to/past the MidCoast Petroleum, Peats Ridge [55km] for 2nd Sag Stop (10 min) to re-group.  About 700m after departing the familiar gas station, rather than taking a L to Central Mangrove, we veer R remaining on Peats Ridge Rd and head due E then S/E twds the coast to Somersby, then to Somersby Downs to the pleasant dulcet tones of "pinging", Bellbirds.

After 66km we take the off-ramp [at sign to Somersby/Gosford] and shortly thereafter [midday] pull in at Somersby General Store (4372.1269ph) for a 2^nd Nosh Stop (20min) - strictly burgers 'n coke territory.

Six clicks further on [74km] we turn R to Gizzaroll and descend to the bridge over Mooney Mooney creek and then commence a steady, delightful climb where, at the Calga Interchange after 85km we turn L (at "Scenic Road" sign to Brooklyn) and continue 7km returning to Mt White Village Store [92km] around 1:15pm for our 3rd Nosh Stop (25min).

Around 1:40pm we head for Pie in the Sky descending to Brooklyn Bridge over Hawkesbury River and passing Brooklyn Rd [106km] taking our 4^th Nosh Stop (25 min) around 2:20pm at Pie in the Sky [108km].

Around 1:45pm we commence the final 19.2km leg to Hornsby passing Cowan [112km] around 2:54pm, returning to Hornsby [126 km] at 3:30pm. 

Shorter options:

(a)     Continue NE from Somersby to the Shell Garage at Kariong and then turn right for 12km down hill to Woy Woy and catching an all stops Iron Horse at Woy Woy [six stations back to Hornsby] at 1:26pm, 2:26pm and 3:16pm.  Express trains, which take 34 minutes to arrive at Hornsby depart from Woy Woy at 1:02pm, 2:02pm and 3:02pm. 

(b)    If you fade fast twds the end, climb aboard an Old Rattler at Hawkesbury River Station in Brooklyn [109 km from Turra'] at 2:40pm; 3:30pm or at Cowan [112 km] 2:52pm, 3:42pm.

(c)     Turnaround at Mt White for a 72km round trip from Hornsby.

Raconteur’s rap-up of Sunday 1 July, Brunch at Bayview Marina – 84km

The prospect of a shorter, local ride may have been the catalyst.  Or perhaps ‘twas another idealic winter’s morn’ with the weather man predicting above ave temps.  In any event, 11 cyclists partook an uneventful, but thoroughly agreeable 84km local outing for pick-me-ups, grits ‘n a squawk at a sunny nook at delightful waterside Bayview Marina.

Three ladies provided civility to a potentially disorderly lot - “Return of the ToothFairy” and Widget rolled out with the Peloton from St Ives at 8:30am, and Suicide Blonde met us at The Headland.  Andrew A, Gareth, Tony McD, Whippet, Temperate, and The Scribe made up the Peloton, with phlegmatic Pacific Pete and SpeedMachine Tyro Trevor joining the caravan after 6.2km at Mona Vale Fruit Barn.

The pace setters missed the Tepko Rd shortcut, but a loud “Hoy!!!” from Trev soon rendered the Head Scouts re-pointed in the right direction.  Then it was a Helter Skelter dash west down Booralie Rd to the countryside feel of Duffy’s Forest.

On schedule at 10:20am with 41km “all done”, the convoy halted at West Head, where the sun was shineing and the blue Pacific glistening.

Enough of the cycle stuff, our next feed was after 62km from 11:30am at Bayview Marina where the accompaniment of Trev’s woman, Anne, added further respectability.  A roll call evidenced we’d lost Andrew and Gareth.  We recollected that they’d proffered their apologies “from the saddle”, however,  a subsequent e-mail from Gareth established that we lost him at Terrey Hills shops when PJ pulled the Peloton up at the juncture of Dandenong/Booralie.  Hence, apologies to Gareth.

With tummies burgeoning, except Dildo Widget who never rec’d her “butter-less bread”, no one opted for the Akuna Bay adjunct on the return route, preferring the straightish-route back to St Ives where Whippet and Temperate stole all the accolades, and the coveted Yellow Jersey, each registering a staggering 25.8km ave over 84km.

Pedal Power ACT’s details of this year’s Fitz’s Challenge
Below is Greg Cunningham, organising committee Pedal Power ACT, e-mail to PJ of Tues, 26 June which responds to Muggs’ enquiry for details of this year’s 150km Fitz’s Challenge in Canberra:

“Fitz's will be held on Sunday, 28 Oct.  We are preparing a 2 or 3 page add/entry form that will appear in next "Push On” (in style similar to "Loop the Lake" add.)  Our promo will include the terrain profile.

Last year at the request of Geoff Nash, BNSW, I submitted a Fitz's Article and photos for "Push On" but unfortunately it didn't make it into the mag.  I'll re-submit it with the new add in mid-July. Great to hear that Muggaccinos hopes to bring even more riders than usual.  To clarify for others who haven't yet done the ride, we start at Eucumbene Drive, Duffy, near Cotter Road.”

Temperate and Whippet advocate that amongst Bike North's ranks are several other serious hill climbers.  Hence, Muggs are aiming to attract +20 crew to tackle The Dreaded Fitz's on Sunday 28 Roctober, and party before/after at the plethora of fine restaurants available within the stately Kingston Plaza, which have been well frequented by Muggs over recent years.