Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists - The Bullsheet

Sunday, 30 Sept, Mt White, Peats Ridge Somersby "Bellbirds" - Hornsby 125km or Cowan 97km

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

Hardcopy these directions and bring on Sunday

·                 Park in Hornsby train station car park [70 metres north of Railway Hotel - NW of rail line] by 7:50am for 8am rollout. 

·                 Or pick up the caravan around 8:35am at Cowan train station. 

The Bikie Hangout at Mt White [35.5km] is our 1st Nosh Stop (30 min) around 9:25am.

Around 9:55am we roll on to/past the MidCoast Petroleum, Peats Ridge [55km] for 1st 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 [11:30am] pull in at Somersby General Store (4372.1269ph) for a 2nd 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 L (at "Scenic Road" sign to Brooklyn) and continue 7km returning to Mt White Village Store [92km] around 12:45pm for 3rd Nosh Stop (25min).

Around 1:10pm we head for Pie in the Sky descending to Brooklyn Bridge over Hawkesbury River and passing Brooklyn Rd [106km] taking our 4th Nosh Stop (25 min) around 1:50pm at Pie in the Sky [108km].

Around 2:15pm we commence the final 19.2km leg to Hornsby passing Cowan [112km] around 2:24pm, returning to Hornsby [125 km] at 3pm. 

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.

Bank Teller’s rap-up on 23 Sept, Yarramalong Manor “Iron Horse” ride – 93km

Thanks to recent lobbing from the Whippet to some BN members to try a Muggs’ ride, a record 18 cyclists donned their lycra on another balmy Spring morn' – Whippet, Peter C, Bazza, ToothFairy, The Flash, Papa Bear, Temperate Tony, Jim W. from Bankstown, Tony McD, The Scribe, Ray S, Peter J, Terry P, Jan M, Dieter, Blonde Bombshell, Pacific Pete and Annie Get Your Gun.   We were a tad light on in the fairer sex, particularly as Widget had ‘phoned in Butcher’s Hook and Caroline was a “no show”.  Hopefully, Ros, who took a nasty bingle a few week’s ago, will give Muggs another go, ‘cause rumour has it she can hammer.

Peter C and Bazza bailed-out at Mt White having to return early for Squaw Chores, as did The Flash, with the rest of us rolling north from the Bikie Hangout around 10:15am. 

We lost ToothFairy and Jan M. who both forged on twds The Manor when the rest of us pulled into Peats Ridge for our 2nd Nosh Stop (under the shade of the Coolibah trees) at around 11:15am, at which time Bankstown Jim lumbered in looking like Death Warmed Up, having been lugging a Jerry Can and a Tool Box in his backpack.   The Bulbous Bloke bade his customary vociferous farewells and did a “U” turn at The MidCoast Petroleum; Papa Bear reasoning that he could kill more kilojoules by cycling back the 69km to his St Ives mansion, than sticking the Nose Bag on a Yarramalong Manor and sitting on an Old Rattler for over an hour.

Dirty Cheat and Annie Get Your Gun snuck off early from The Ridge “‘cause we’re the slow ones”.  About 15 min later, the main Peloton of 11 remaining Muggs’ cruised up alongside with Whippet at the fore.  The Cheat immediately took off like Shit out of Shanghai causing a breakaway, which evidenced two younger guns, Peter and Ray, in hot pursuit.  Dirty Cheat muttered to Peter "I'll die in a few minutes, but I just want to upset Brian!"  True to his word, Bank Teller ran out of puff not long afterwards, and Brian took particular delight in reeling him in, and leaving him in his wake.  But the front runners, Peter and Ray, were unstoppable, and The Teller's antics g’teed a cracker pace for the remaining 15km to Peats Ridge. 

Around 12:30pm following a R at Springs Rd, the Peloton descended notorious Bumble Hill, with many a gripe over lunch about the sheer and corrugated sections to contend with, following which Scribe assured that going down was still a darn sight easier than the uphill.  The veggie pie took the honours at The Manor, after Ray had snuck in an early order and was Filling His Face when the menu came around.  And we struggled to pay the bill, but that was ‘cause they were undercharging us.

Alas, a headcount revealed we’d lost Tony McD. shortly after leaving Peats Ridge.  Whippet undertook to ‘phone affable Tony to ascertain if he’d hooked a hard L twds Wiseman’s Ferry and wandered into inbreeding country, or taken a R twds Somersby to the pleasant dulcet tones of Bellbirds.  (Later that night Brian established that Tony had seen the sights of Gosford).   Losing Tony merely re-enforced the need for Muggs to provide highly explicit/detailed ride descriptions on the Web, and for crew to each hardcopy and carry with ‘em.

After a familiar cracker-pace over the final twenty clicks from The Manor to the Iron Horse at Wyong, most of the crew scrambled aboard the 2:42pm Express, with the slowcoaches Bank Teller, Get Your Gun and Jimbo taking the All Stops at 2:55pm.  You could have shot off an Elephant Gun in any carriage in the All Stops and not hit anyone.  So there wasn’t anyone to complain when we hoisted our bikes on to the seats and settled in for a snooze over the 72 min return journey.

Another agreeable Muggs’ ride, with a record 18 starters.

Muggs' annual pilgrimage to Canberra for 150km Fitz's Challenge or 90km Tharwa Challenge on Sunday 28 Rocktober

All requisite stuff re the upcoming Fitz's longish w'end is at "Annual Interstate Rides" - 3rd hotlink on homepage:

  1. Booking arrangements for Victor Lodge/Monaro Motel
  2. Discounted $12 team entry and ride routes
  3. Restaurants / sightseeing 

Also included is an update on the 2002 Audax Alpine Classic (moved back to the Sunday of the Oz Day long w'end after Premier Bracks brought Vic into line with the remainder of Oz).

Fitz's is only a month off.  A contingent of 4 is coming up from Melb - regulars in John Fladgate and Mark Keillor, as well as expats Sue Berglund and John "ActionMan" Mann.

Muggs has attended Fitz's since '96 and always enjoyed the weekend. We are hoping to attract a contingent of 20 this year.

Following Sunday, 8:30am 7 Oct - Tour de Macarthur – 105km

At Sparrow Fart, Campbelltown is only 50min drive from Gordon via Homebush Bay Drive, Roselands, M4 and M5.  Back in ’97 Sig took us on a route around his neck of the woods.  He mapped it and captioned it Tour de Macarthur - commences at Campbelltown and proffers a serene cycling alternative - passes thru Narellan, Elderslie, Camden, Cobbitty, Theresa Park, Orangeville, Oakdale, Mowbray Park, Picton, Menangle Park, before returning to Campbelltown – 105km.  Alas, only one big hill – Razorback Mountain which is a mere pimple on the backside of an elephant.  ETR Campbelltown 3pm.

The Whippet   25 September 2001