Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists - The Bullsheet

Sunday, 26 August, Ferry Boat to Patonga, Pearl Beach brief lunch & Iron Horse from Woy Woy -  between 46 & 93km

Ride Leader:   Brian Willis - 9807.6439 hm

Hardcopy these directions and bring on Sunday

There will not be a Ride Leader at Hornsby

Due to 11am ferry, we depart -

(i)           Turramurra car park [N/E side of station in Rohini St] at 8:20am; or

(ii)          Hornsby station car-park [100 metres nth of Railway Hotel in Jersey St] at 9:10am (there will not be a Ride Leader at Hornsby),

to arrive at Red Herring, Brooklyn Pier by 10:30am for 1^st Nosh  Stop (20min) to catch 11am ferry to Patonga (ride + bike $10 - they let us on for $8 last time.)

After 35 min crossing the delightful/majestic/blue Brooklyn Waters at 11:35am we commence 2^nd cycle leg [8km] scaling Patonga Rd, then descending Pearl Beach Drive for our 2^nd Nosh Stop (20min) from 12:15pm at splendid Pearl Beach - recommend Fish 'n Chips.

By 12:40am we begin 3^rd cycle leg, climbing out of Pearl Beach and after a mega steep climb, R into Mt Ettalong Rd and descend for a glorious view of southern end of Umina Beach before proceeding twds Ettalong, thence Woy Woy train station [$3 fare] by 1:20pm for 1.27pm train to Brooklyn {or 2.27pm}.

We arrive Hawkesbury River station at 1:41pm {or 2.41pm} where we begin 4^th cycle leg, pedalling 3km out of Brooklyn and climbing another four clicks for 3^rd Nosh Stop (20min) at Pie in  the Sky from 2:15pm {or  3:15pm}.

Around 2:35pm {or 3:35pm} we commence 5^th and final cycle leg, a further:

a.    19km to Hornsby - ETR 3:25pm {4:25pm if we miss
      1:27pm from Woy Woy}; or

If you commenced at Hornsby and take the train from Woy Woy directly to Hornsby, ride is 46km “in toto”.

Whippet’s rap-up of "Hornsby, Cowan to Calga" ride – 19 August - 84km

On a ride that didn't get off to a great start, a small band of landlubbing Muggs departed Hornsby on a chilly winter’s morning eager to warm up smack on time, depending whose time. The widespread hurricane force winds had abated, but road edges were littered with debris.  This produced an early casualty; Bazza’s drawl and tyre parted company.  Temperate Tony suggested the train option; this would allow him to chase the pack.  Whippet/Scrivener with the added pressure of keeping this outfit moving, on track, to schedule, like a well-oiled train, hard to stop going down hill, would we have time now that Widget Jones had taken her diary off shore, but where was Spreadsheet Johnston? USA ? (unsure sick abroad).  Was this from a fond farewell?  He’d climbed out of sick bed with flu to spread his bugs far & wide, but back to cycling.

At Cowan station we picked up Pacific Pete, where by this time the morning had warmed a tad, with outer layers being pealed-off by Hawkesbury River, as we commenced the onerous Mt White climb, this time on to the Calga Interchange and back to Mt White for the first Nosh Stop.

For the first time in a while all tables were occupied, Pete, Claude, Tony, Caroline, who’d battled headwinds the previous day in her Cycle Club’s T.T. was still standing and going quick, she and ToothFairy added charm, in the lush, green paddock before Ann was off to waiting guests, flagged out by the roar of an uncharacteristic Old Fire Engine ‘’Rrrrrr’um’’amongst the two wheel "Brum Brr’um ‘’ So long as the sun is shining, this serene, unique petrol-head, ambience, seemingly always enables a pleasant meet on Sunday Sorties, but try explaining that to a non-cyclist.  

On our way to the second stop at Pie in the Sky, for real pies, coffee ‘n cakes evidenced Whippet pull up suddenly at Mooney after a stick flipped into front wheel removing a spoke, computer striker & pride (one must have the correct km).  His mishap opened up the field for the last climb.  Would new leader Temperate Tony take KOM to the Pie in Sky?  Or allow our now lone female to the forefront?

Today Top Spot out of the wind, lots of sunshine, meeting up with Eric, who is on track for another Fitz’s Challenge,  Ian, Sig, Annie Get Your Gun and friends, Jamie (lots of ski talk about some great masters), Jean Claud Killy, Ingemar Johansen, Stenmark, Claude Tomby, just name dropping & getting things mixed up.  

Six Muggs had over stayed designated Nosh Stop, so it’s a mad dash back to Cowan Station, whereupon five continued back to Hornsby.

'Twas a most pleasant ride up the Old People’s Highway with a half dozen or so riders participating amongst the vintage cars on a barmy Spring like day.  Confusion was array at Pie in Sky with the deep red Willies Whippet Overlander resting beside the high & dry Ark, and where was The Willis Whippet ? delayed before the last climb doing temporary repairs.  Alas, the bike still needs fixing, but luckily only a small stick.

Following Sunday, 2 Sept, Brunch at Bayview Marina – 50km to 93.2km - 8:15am rollout from St Ives.  ETR 2:15pm

The Whippet   21 August 2001