Muggaccinos Pedlars Sunday Cyclists The Bullsheet

Inaugural "Thunderbolts Way" w’end ride - Gloucester to Stony Creek headwaters and back, via Barrington and Nowendoc:

Ø       Saturday 21 Sept - 78km

Ø       Sunday   22 Sept - 122km (may be shortened by turning around earlier)

Presently, 10 have confirmed for next w'ends "Thunderbolts Way":

  • Ian Houghton aka Daddy Bear

  • Phil Johnston aka Bank Teller

  • Brian Willis aka Whippet

  • Terry Perram aka Navigator

  • Caroline Smale aka Princess of Monaco

  • Simon Rock aka RockSolid

  • Ray Scott

  • Heather and two others from Leichhardt BUG, arriving early Sat morn'.

  • Others, such as Mick McCarthy, Tony Spillane have indicated a strong likelihood.

Organised by Bike North member, Ian Houghton, aka Daddy Bear, on new sealed road, "from the base to the apex of the Great Dividing Range", and back - spectacular views of the Barrington Tops with a long arduous climb on 2nd half of Day 1 and early on Day 2 to the turn-around at "Stony Creek".  Then its 102km back down the roller coaster.

Friday, 20 Sept:

 

By 3:30pm commence 3½hr drive from Sydney to Gloucester.  Take F3 at Wahroonga and remain on it to its far end, whereupon (just short on Newcastle) it becomes the Pacific H'way which we remain on and continue over Hexham bridge twds Taree, passing Raymond Terrace.  Approx 5 to 10km later, turn Left into Buckett’s Way and pass Stroud and continue on to Gloucester Holiday Park (previously Gloucester Caravan Park) Denison St, 700m West of Post Office. (02) 6558.1720.  

 

Teller has booked three "Basic cabins" [@ $36.75 if occupied by 2, plus $12.10 for an additional person] each containing a double bed and 2 single bunks.  Hence, a double bed is $21 and bunk is $15.75 if occupied by two.  However, if three persons occupy, the bunks cost $27.85 / 2 = $14 each.  Bring your own bed linen or sleeping bag for Friday night.

 

Arrive at Gloucester Holiday Park by 7pm for restaurant meal at 7:30pm.

Saturday 21 Sept:  78km - Gloucester to Nowendoc (upwards)

Depart:  8:30am, from front entrance of Gloucester Holiday Park (altitude 100m)

Ride to Barrington, join Thunderbolts Way, and continue up humongously, wonderful precipitous hills "cause hills are your friends" and past spectacular views of the Woko National Park, and Barrington Tops to Nowendoc (altitude 860m).  [Ascent 2,095m, Descent 1,320m].

We stay at Nowendoc Country Motel - Tel: (02) 6777.0952. Most have booked accommodation and meal directly with the proprietor, Lyn Henderson.  Accommodation is booked for 1st six names above.  Understand that Ray is camping.  Assume three cyclists from LBUG will also book with Lyn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 22 Sept: 122km - Nowendoc to Stony Creek and back to Gloucester

Climbing for 24km along the Thunderbolts Way to Stony Creek [apex of the Range (alt 1,320m)].  After taking in the majesty/ambience of the spectacular views of the verdant Barrington Tops, retrace back down to Gloucester.  Distance: 123km [Ascent 1,850m, Descent 2,625m.].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What you must bring:

¨                     Unsupported ride ie. no Sag Wagon, but Ray's wife has offered to drive a small o'nite bag per cyclist to Nowendoc on Sat and return our bags to Gloucester on Sunday.  PJ proposes a nominal $5 min. per bag fee to cover Ray's petrol and wear 'n tear on his campervan for undertaking this vital chore.

¨                      Waterproofs and enough warm clothing to avoid hypothermia if weather turns nasty.

¨                    Lunch/snacks.

¨                    Ridgy didge repair kit

¨                    Good water supply

¨                    Reliable low geared bike (road/touring/mountain) or big quads.

¨                    Toothbrush, after-shave, bug rake.

¨                     A gynormous elephant gun and a good eye.  If you don't book digs in time at the only lodgings in Nowendoc, and ipso facto have to camp out, you'll be sharing the prickly, back paddock with the wolves 'n dingoes and other local varmints ‘n critters in the one-horse-town of sleepy Nowendoc.  A blunderbuss of a musket and a keen eye might save your bacon!

Further details: 
Ian Houghton at caronian@mail2me.com.au or 9440.0467 (H).  
Scribes' mobile is accessible on 9312.3319

Scribe's rap-up of Sunday 15 Sept, St Ives to Whale Beach returning by Akuna Bay - 81km - 19 starters

A beaut Spring morn' evidenced 16 crew rollout of St Ives carpark just after eight bells.  With daylight saving approaching, it seemed that the sun had been up for "yonks", but there was still a nip in the air as we high-tailed it east along Mona Vale Rd.  After 6.6km at Mona Vale Fruit Barn we picked up three more [Pacific Pete, Karen and Tornado].  Following fleeting Sag Stops at Church Pt and just after we had hooked a L into Darley St, we pedalled N up the coast road with the glorious Blue Pacific on our RHS.  Tornado ably performed 'point duty' as a Sign Post at cnr of Barrenjoey Rd and Whale Beach Rd, which facilitated everyone arriving on schedule at 9:40am.

Some of the team stretched out on the grass o'side Whale Beach Café after 35km.

Who says we never get action pics of "Birds on Bikes"?  Check out the pretentious Maggie at Akuna Bay today.

Tornado, Rick, Karen and one or two others continued Sth along Barrenjoey Rd when the rest of us peeled-off for Church Point.  

We lost a few more at the entrance to Akuna Bay, when Whippet, Rocket and Pacific, continued back to St Ives, 'cause they had Nigger Chores a beckoning.  

Consequently, it was a leaner bunch in the below pic at Akuna Bay after 61km around midday.

Following the final 20km leg, on schedule at 1:40pm we rolled back into St Ives after 81km at breakneck speed with the likes of Tornado, Whippet, Navigator 'n Karen averaging +25km/h, and the sloggers all coming in over 22km/h.

The Scribe   15 Sept '02