www.Muggaccinos.com        The Bullsheet

Sunday, 10 Aug – Cinque Montagnes (anti-clockwise) from -
Turramurra station 8:15am  100km  ETR 2:20pm;
or Hornsby station 8:50am    72km   ETR 1:25pm

•           Cyclists commencing at Turra' do not pass Hornsby start point, rather usually catch those departing from Hornsby when approaching Pie in the Sky

•           Ride Leader:  Brian Willis 9807.6439 hm 

•           Hardcopy these ride directions and bring on Sunday

Both below ride start points to arrive at initial Nosh Stop -  Pie in the Sky for Brunch approaching 10am:

 ¨        Longer Ride - Cinque Montagnes [104km]

Arrive Turramurra car park [North/East side of station] in ample time for a 8:15am rollout in/out of Bobbin Head, arriving at Kalkari Reserve 1st Sag Stop (5 min) after 13.5km from 8:50am.  4km later, take a R onto Pac Highway at lights after passing Asquith Golf Course. Then due N to the Hawkesbury.

 ¨        Shorter Ride - Three Hills [72km]

Arrive at Hornsby car-park [100m Nth/West of Railway Hotel in Jersey St] for 8:50am roll out cycling 600m north up Jersey St and turn L and 60m later turn R [at traffic lights] onto Old Pacific Highway for the 26km ride to the pie shop, after scaling the 3.9km climb from Brooklyn Rd.

Both groups pass Cowan station from 9:20am.  After passing Pie in the Sky and descend to water level, we U turn at Brooklyn Rd around 9:45am for the hard fought slog back up to the pie shop for 1st Nosh Stop (25 min) at Pie in the Sky approaching 10:05am (skip the climb from Brooklyn Rd if you're slow).

10:30am we return S for about 8.2km before taking a right into Berowra Waters Rd and descend to picturesque Berowra Waters for 2nd Sag Stop (15 min) and ride on the punt. [Or continue south and return to either Hornsby [46km] or Turra’ [76km] car parks]. 

After cycling thru rural Berrilee and Arcadia we arrive at 2nd Nosh Stop (35 min)  - Green Shades Nursery Café Galston [9653.1500ph] (10% surcharge) for lunch from 12:15pm - leave bikes outside the rest rooms and inside the green metal doors on LHS.

Allowing a 35 min repast if the weather is pleasant, we commence our return home via Galston George at 12:50pm pulling in at the familiar Hornsby Heights' bus shelter at 1:15pm for 3rd Sag Stop (5 min).

ETR -
¨                  Hornsby 1:25pm - 72km - 3 hills

¨                  Turra' 2:20pm - 100km - 5 hills

Whippet ‘ rap-up of Sunday, 3 August,
Brunch at Nautilus Café Warriewood - 94km

Perhaps ‘twas the earlier sunrise, or maybe Muggs are insomniacs, or just ToothFairy’s body clock was out of sink after recently returning from attending a family bereavement in the U.K.  Whatever the reason, Ann ‘n Publican jumped the start and had headed off due east.  Whereupon there was a small group [the late shift] waiting to rollout at the advertised start of 8:15am.  As the car park was empty, we’d wait until 8:30am to collect any stragglers.  Ex pat Bazza was heading out to ride with another group, but where were others who had supported Muggs in past weeks. 

With JackFrost evident in many places our lean crew including, Navigator, Katrina & BigGears set a rapid pace along Mona Vale Rd where the normal re-grouped at Myoora Larool Rd, wasn’t required, we collected Pacific Pete.  Our growing caravan was now in full flight to catch the "Duffy Duo", eventually linking up as they were returning from Cow Corner. In keeping with the ride description, the late-brigade turnaround on meeting the lead of Tooth Fairy n’ Publican, whereupon it was then back to Terrey Hills (22km) for our first Sag Stop.

We entered the National Park at the second entrance on cue around 9:35am, were Katrina left us for other homely things were beckoning.

The route to West Head (40km) was fought out between Navigator and Big Gears as the pace setters made a break away towards the headland to munch on Monkey Food (bananas).  The view over Pittwater, Lion Island and Palm Beach was at it’s glimmering, shimmering best, with a flying boat doing take off and landings seemingly joy rides.  The sunny headland was most enjoyable and not being in any hurry to roll on, we hung around until 10:45am.

Whippet checked his schedule and cracked the whip, there was a mass scramble from the headland as if the flag had dropped for a sprint down the Champs Elysee, Whippet was surprised to collect two bidden bottles which had been left behind to pass our human genomes to the wildlife.

The group made an unscheduled Sag Stop at the intersection of McCarrs Creek Rd, (54km) approaching 11:30am as Whippet had picked-up a flat prior to the ‘T’ to Akuna Bay.  Navigator bade us farewell for the slog back up McCarrs Ck Rd thru Terrey Hills to St Ives. 

Our next turn was Cabbage Tree Rd, Samuel St, McPherson St, and Hunter St to our Nosh Stop on the water’s edge at Warriewood beach.  On the coolish Winter’s morn’ the nor-east aspect of the Sunshine Café (living up to its apt name) was all but packed-out, so we opted for the Nautilus Café where Facias and Pumpkin soup were the popular choice.  Out in front the hang gliders showed off their skills and control agility, made possible by the gentle breeze for a great display at head height along the beachfront, then using the uplift towards the headlands, to soar, turn and drop down for another sweep along the beach.  Our corner table now out of the sun was a little cool, but a delightful spot, so inviting was there time to join ToothFairy back along Wakehurst Pk and Forrest Way for the customary 6.5km Shoot- Out back along Mona Vale Rd to Pattisons Patisserie. 

Publican’s impeccable (fortuitous) timing at the lights, blew Whippet away who had been patiently waiting at the traffic lights before the final straight.  Tony’s good fortune in fluking the green light evidenced us put the Pedal to the Metal, only to be beaten where it had all started 5 hours earlier; ‘twas time for further refreshments at PP.

A lean team of seven had enjoyed a fast-paced 94km coastal hit-out with lots of medium hills.          

The Scribe   6 Aug '03