www.Muggaccinos.com  The Bullsheet

Anzac Long W'end - Sat 24 April, Sun 25 and Monday 26 - 249km Tour de Wiseman’s Ferry:
Sat 24 April            Berowra to Mt White, Peats Ridge, Spencer, Wiseman’s Ferry - 101km

Sun 25 April           Wiseman’s Ferry, Sackville 'n back - 71km

Monday 26 April    Wiseman’s Ferry, East Windsor, Cattai, Old Northern Rd, then -
                                *        Berowra Water to Berowra car park - 67km; or
                                *        Galston Gorge, Hornsby  - 65km

If you are participating in this long w'end ride, hardcopy and soak-in the below, 'cause nobody wants you to be the one who stuffs up!

WARNING:  Two dangerous timber bridges with 30mm gaps where you must dismount and walk across:

*        1st dangerous bridge on Day 1 about 5km past Spencer on final leg to Wisemans ferry

*        2nd dangerous timber bridge on Day 2 about 5km into our 1st Leg to Cliftonville.

A year ago, 25 cyclists embarked on Muggs' inaugural Tour de Wiseman’s Ferry 'anti-clockwise loop' ride on a balmy w'end.  Our second sortie to Wisemans Ferry is three days, with a leisurely 65km saunter down the Colo River on Day 2 with a Nosh Stop at historic Stone House Cafe. 

As detailed below, 19 thus far have indicated their attendance this ANZAC long w'end, although with accommodation exhausted, late starters will camp at NSW Ski Gardens 4566.4212 - River Rd, Wiseman's Ferry, where Kaza has booked two cabins which are already allocated to the early nominees:

*        Cabin 1 - Kaza, Chris, Lesley, Sonya, Kate and Trevor. 

*        Cabin 2 - Alana, Pete B, Martin and his two friends and Kelly. 

Tent sites are $6 per person plus $2 per tent.  If you are on your own it will cost $8 per night to pitch tent at NSW Ski Gardens.  There is no need to book a site, just show up.  If you are a twosome, it will cost $14 per night 'in toto'.

When lots of others will be gridlocked/log-jammed in long w'end traffic, you'll be cycling the back roads.  We start/finish at Berowra due to road traffic from Hornsby to where the Old Pacific H'way forks left around Berowra likely to be heavy:

  • 7:59am (or 8:59am) train from Hornsby to Berowra, arrive 8:12am (or 9:12am); or

  • 8:19am train from Hornsby to Berowra arriving 8:29am or Cowan 8:33am.  

[NB: No SRA trackwork on long w'ends on this line.]

Day 1   Sat. -  101km from Berowra station car park:

Commence from 8:30am after dumping your o’nite bag and sleeping bag in one of the two Sag Wagons - See heading "Sag Wagons" further below where each cyclists pays over $8 to the TaxMan before putting you o'nite bag, incl sleeping bag, in either of the two Sag Wagons, plus $2 for a tent. 

  • 1st Nosh Stop after 24km at Mt White Village Store (30min) from 9:40am to 10:10am,

  • 1st Sag Stop after 44km at Mid Coast Petroleum, Peats Ridge (10min) from 11:10am to 11:20am,  

  • 100m Nth of Mid Coast Petroleum, take L into George Downs Drive for 3km to Central Mangrove,

  • Left SW down Wisemans Ferry Rd, thru Mangrove Mtn, Lower Mangrove following the river 24km to Spencer for 2nd Nosh Stop after 72km (40min) from 12:40pm to 1:20pm with choice of two adjoining cafes,

  • SW, then NW for 29km adjacent to the river via Gunderman, Laughtondale to Wisemans Ferry - 101km - ETR 2:45pm.

Day 2   Sunday - 70km following the Hawkesbury River to Sackville, and return:

1st leg:  Wiseman's Ferry to Cliftonville  - 15km  (the most scenic 15 clicks you'll ever pedal)

By 9am pedal SW along flattish River Road passing Webbs Creek Ferry on RHS offering marvellous Deliverance views with some short diversions into intriguing side-valleys.  One or two small climbs and a two @ 250m sections of reasonable gravel road, and 1 dangerous timber bridge where Martin's wheel dropped into one of the 30mm abysses and Martin was lucky not to seriously injury himself. 

 

 

After 15km pull in at Cliftonville Lodge Resort cafe for 1st Nosh Stop (30 min) offering magnificent panoramic views of the pristine Hawkesbury).  Cyclists wanting an easy 2nd day can turn around at Cliftonville for a lazy 30km ride.

 

2nd leg:  Cliftonville to the Gas station at Sackville - 20.5km

 

 

Continue 8km to Lower Portland Ferry at junction of Colo River and cross to the West bank for a wonderful 5km climb up West Portland Rd. 

Follow the river South for about 4km losing sight of the river as you climb before a short sharp downhill to Roberts Creek bridge.  After 2km flattish riding another short climb to Bull Ridge Rd intersection and steep descent to Sackville Road 'T' intersection.  Right for 500m to Sackville gas station for fish 'n chips, arriving around 11:30am 2nd Nosh Stop (30 min).

3rd leg:  Sackville to Cliftonville - 16km

Backtrack 1 km to ferry.  RTA insists that cyclists walk their bikes onto ferry.  4km NE up Sackville Ferry Rd; a nice gradual climb.

Left into River Rd for 5km back to Lower Portland ferry, passing Dargle Ski Park and another dangerous bridge which could catch a wheel with serious consequences.

R 7km along River Rd to Cliftonville Lodge Resort cafe for Sag Stop (10min) arriving around 1:10pm.

4th leg:  Cliftonville to Wiseman's Ferry - 15km

Continue along River Rd to Wiseman's Ferry

Backtrack along River Rd to Wiseman's Ferry.  ETR 2:30pm.

 

NB: There is an embargo on visiting the pub at Wiseman's until 5pm, 'cause the precipitous climb out the next morn' ain't pleasant if you got a skinful the night before.  We all remember the fragile faces on Day 2 of our last two annual Linger 'n Die rides after copious jars at the Wollombi Tavern being sociable with the locals.

Day 3   Monday - 65km to Hornsby or Berowra - 66km:

By 9am:

  • Sth down Wisemans Ferry Rd for 11km, commencing with a killer 2.5km climb to Hawkins Lookout,

  • R into Wisemans Ferry Rd [at Maroota - junction of Old Northern Rd - see our human Sign Post] and head SW for 5km arriving Stone House Cafe 4575.0155 Maroota Sth on RHS for 1st Nosh Stop (30min),

  • continue SW another 15km thru Cornelia to Cattai for 1st Sag Stop (10min) near junction of Halcrows Rd after 32.5km, 

  • L into Halcrows Rd [heading East] for about 8km which joins Cattai Ridge Rd at KOM from Cattai Creek;

  • Ahead along Cattai Ridge Rd a further 9m to Old Northern Rd for 2nd Sag Stop (10min) at bus stand after turning Right into Old Northern Rd, then either -
    TO BEROWRA

  • 400m Sth down Old Northern Rd,

  • Left into Wylds Rd (for 2km) commencing with 500m steep descent and 700m climb and further 800m to Arcadia Rd,

  • Left on Arcadia Rd for 400m to Grumpy's Cafe for 2nd Nosh Stop after 47km (35min) from 12:20pm to 12:55pm,

  • 9km N along Arcadia Rd thru Arcadia and Berrilee to Berowra Waters ferry,

  • 4km up Berowra Waters Rd to Berowra Park 3rd Sag Stop (10min),

  • 2.5km NW along Berowra Waters Rd to Old Pacific H'way,

  • 300m L on Old Pacific Highway to Berowra station car park - ETR  2:30pm

           OR

           TO HORNSBY

  • 3½km Sth down Old Northern Rd and turn L into Mid Dural Rd,

  • 2km E along Mid Dural Rd and Galston Rd to Galston Park for 2nd Nosh Stop after 52km (35min) from 12:30pm to 1:05pm,

  • 7.5km via Galston Gorge to familiar Hornsby Heights bus shelter 3rd Sag Stop (10min) from 1:35am to 1:45am,

  • 3.1km along Galston Rd to Old Pacific H'way,

  • R for 1.5km to Hornsby station carpark - ETR Hornsby 2:15pm.

Accommodation on Sat and Sunday night:
Karen aka Kaza has booked 2 cabins at NSW Ski Gardens 4566.4212  - Those attending our 2nd TdeWF include:

Rummager, Alana aka Spanner, Kaza, Scribe, Leslie, Sonya, Ros (if accommodation available), Kate, Trevor, Simon/Kirsty, Martin + 1, Matt aka Printer, Kelly, Mark Carrington & Nerida.   Annie is driving up Sunday morn' for a Day ride and festivities on Sunday night.  Heineken/Sarah and Ros are cycling up Sunday morn'.  And Yamaha might be visiting also.

 

Din dins on Sat night, and brekkie after church:
Last year Kaza and Samurai reconnoitred a venue in order to feast on 'Vino and swill' and grab some carbos on Sunday morn', from:

  • The Wiseman’s Ferry Inn  4566.4301 ph.  Mick the Publican, and Toni/Cathy 4566.4739 provide a Bistro from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

  • Other cafes/restaurants in Wiseman's Ferry.

Below are a few handy hints from local knowledge provided by Steve Cooper who completed last year's PBP and may be visiting us for the Sunday ride:

"St Albans is a tiny village. Things 've slowed down some since the river silted-up. The picturesque Settler's Arms pub is the main attraction and maybe a guest-house.  That's about it. They have meals but not sampled by me, possibly just frozen pies microwaved.  Off course there's the local specialities of Catfish, Crawdads n Pork Chittlins or Roadkill Combination (no two meals the same) on a Friday night but these are only available to those on intimate terms with the cook (ie her cousins, uncles etc).  For entertainment there's Elroy the amazing blind Banjo player and his famous bluegrass lament "I've only got one Gramma".  Some say his skill comes from having two extra fingers.  There's a bit more choice at Wisemans. Reasonable bistro at the pub, plus another restaurant or two as well as licensed club.

Sleeping bag:
 Bed linen is not included, and costs an additional $11 p/h.  Hence, your trusty sleeping bag will "do the trick". 

Sag Wagons:
 Alana and Peter B aka Rummager have graciously offered their cars which each will have triple bike racks.  Each participant's "small o'nite bag" and sleeping bag will go in a one of two Sag Wagons at Berowra station car park before 8:30am. 

Each Sag Wagon provider will receive not less than $50 (made up from "$8 per head bag delivery fee" plus $2 per tent) to cover wear and tear and gasoline.

Kaza is the TaxMan to garner all the $8s before dumping your bags in the trunk, 'cause "no $8 beforehand, no bags on-board".  Kaza will have a sharp cutlass to remove a few private parts from anyone who sticks their bag on-board before paying the TaxMan.

Sag Wagon drivers and Volunteers thus far:

                                                                 Pete's Toyota             Alana's RAV
* 23.0km to Mt White                                    Kate                              Kelly

* 21.0km to Peats Ridge                           Bank Teller                  Alana 
* 24.0km to Spencer                                   ???                               Nerida
* 30.0km to Wisemans Ferry                    ???                               Kelly

  98.5km

* 16.0km to Stone House Cafe                 Kate                             Kelly

* 32.0km to Grumpy's Cafe                        ???                              Nerida

* 19.0km to Berowra car-park                  Bank Teller                  ???
  67.0km

Warning:

We venture into Deliverance Country where some of the locals have kept the race pure thru selective in-breeding.  Hence, there are a few strange RedNeck dudes frequenting the thoroughfares.  Some are powerful friendly, but a few think they own the roads, so it pays to keep well to LHS, and not ride two abreast, even if you are bored and what to while-away the hours squawking bulldust with a nearby cyclist.

Maps and directions:
Scribe will endeavour to mark-out some A4 maps, scan 'em and bung 'em on the website.  But he's only a Bank Teller.  Hence, if you know technically stuff like looking at a street map, he'd welcome you e-mailing to philipj1@tpg.com.au any route maps for T de WF scanned as jpgs or gifs on A4, so that crew can study the route beforehand, instead of playing 'follow-the-leader', 'cause we're visiting Deliverance Country and it pays to undertake your 'due diligence', as we found out last year when Bank Teller didn't know about the Killer Climb out of Wisemans.

Link to "Bank Teller's rap-up of last year's inaugural Tour de Wisemans Ferry w'end - 180km

 

Whippet's rap-up of last Sunday's Tour de Woy Woy - 7km to follow soon - 67km - 14 starters

Initially 9 starters on a morning after a "hale & hearty Bucks Arvo" for NoPlay & Linda, who the knot in 10 days.  With late starters our contingent increased to 14 at Mt. White, some opted for the shorter Mt. White & return. The As + Ss (Arno, Adam, Simon & Samurai) returned from Kariong.  Dennis, Chris, Sputnik Scribe & Whippet, continued on to Woy Woy 68km & caught the train back to Hornsby.

 

The ride from Hornsby departed on schedule with Scribe arriving late, setting a bad example for many others who were also running late. The Might wasn’t Right & rolled out late, along with others.

 

Chris was the early pacesetter, with Navigator slowed from dragging his Mayoral Chains n’ Chattels.   The pace was brisk with Chris & Whippet loosing contact with the pack on the climb over fire tower pass.   Navigator then passed ‘em, fresh back from seven days trekking in the high country of Kosciusko Park.  But Whippet kept in touch to Cheerio Point, but fell off the bunch over that nasty climb.  Adam, Dennis 'n BeanCounter powered on to Mt. White.

 

Our 1st Nosh Stop after 35km at Road Warriors Café became protracted due to late arrivals doing their own thing. The pace setters watched in amazement, as another type of bike rider in leathers put on a display out front.  One rider was alternating between front & rear wheel stands, getting almost vertical on the rear wheel. Then standing on the bike’s seat like a scarecrow with arms out stretched while in flight, travelling along the OPH. These stunts were repeated many times to the danger of other road users, lucky our late starters, of Heineken, Engineer, Samurai, The Teller & Sputnik hadn’t arrived.

 

Heineken, who was just back from a loop around Tasmania with Sarah on their bikes climbing up some rugged peaks, suffered a flat from broken glass on the climb from Cheerio Point.   Our next 30km to Woy Woy, with another climb from Mooney Mooney bridge, where again, NoPlay’s KOM time of 9:58min remained unchallenged.

At the Kariong round-a-bout, Arno, Adam + Simon, Samurai, (As + Ss) opted to backtrack for more clicks, but then Adam n’ Engineer after the climb to PitSky accepted a lift home with Eve who wasn’t riding.

Arriving at the familiar Kariong Shell garage we went on to the look-out to take a peek over Point Clare, Koolewong & Brisbane Water & the Rip Bridge.  It was then down hill to Woy Woy. (aboriginal for deep water).  We opted to catch the express train at 10:52am which pulled into Hornsby at 12:07pm, with our ride all done.  Alas, we missed the delightfully Sit ‘N’ Chat Café at Pearl Beach.  But our wallets didn't complain.  Fortunately the small goods store around the corner at Pearl Beach enables a cheap meal where at sit at the beachfront park.

 

 

As you can glean from the above two pics, Bank Teller didn't put a lot of effort in snapping worthwhile pics from a pristine Mt White Road Warriors' Cafe this morn', 'cause 14 participated, yet all The Teller snapped were a few disinterested derros.

Scribe - 9312.3319 - last updated 27 April '04