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www.Muggaccinos.com The Bullsheet Rap-up of 2004 ANZAC w'end "Tour de Wiseman's Ferry" - 229km - 29 participants
A more folksy,
'Mamma's apple
pie' post-ride, smultzy
'in detail' rap-up follows: 23km later we were chewing the fat amidst brill sunshine at Mt White. After a 20 click 2nd Leg to Peat's Ridge the crew was engaging in similar idle banter. After 70km from Berowra station and only one real climb to Mt. White, our Peloton rolled into Spencer “The Hub of the Universe”, twds midday where we shared our patronage between – (i) the café on the corner, “The Hub”; and (ii) the yellow, prefab feature wall, Art Deco, atmosphere-less noshery next door. But we didn’t care, ‘cause under a warm, vivid blue sky, with marvellous weather in the early 20s, the ambience of the glistening Hawkesbury River was delightful. We’ve made two visits to Spencer and the weather conditions treated to us on both occasions have been fab - must be something in the water in Redneck Country. 5km into our final leg, most of us dismounted and prudently walked a scary timber bridge with 30mm crevices waiting to devour a skinny racing wheel. Because we don't need a death or a paraplegic. [Bank Teller knows of two cycle deaths (Tamworth Triathlon '87 and Bike Vic Ride '88) from a bike wheel getting caught in a timber bridge and the cyclists instantly snapping his neck.] Our final 29km leg into Wiseman’s ended with a ferry ride, whereupon we shortly arrived at NSW Ski Gardens Camp Gnd, where those camping weren’t disappointed at the sight of a lush, verdant grassy knoll. But the 11 Sardines who’d booked into the two tiny pigeon-hole cabins might 've had second thoughts. Bank Teller found a freezer to chill his bots of 9½% Ball Terror in time for pre-dinner drinks approaching Six Bells. But not before several of us had to assemble our tents. Watching some crew fiddle with the poles ‘n pegs, painstakingly pondering each next step, could cause you to ponder how do they held down a day job? There is something therapeutic about watching grown adults seemingly take forever to assemble a tent which is as basic as your backside. Spanner and Flaxen ‘et al’ kindly provided lots of snacks to soak-up our aperitifs before we walked to town under an almost moonless sky for din dins at the pub. Next morn', Steve and Glenn acted as head scouts for our sortie south into the heartland of Deliverance Country, where the panoramic views of the Hawkesbury River off to our right and sometimes up-front, were spectacular. No one hanging out for a Cappuccino at the cafe counter at Cliftonville Lodge Resort 4575.5220 after 15km was fazed to be told, “We only serve Instant”, ‘cause the serene, glistening water views were a handsome trade-off. After pedalling 21 clicks with the most awesome backdrops of the majestic Hawkesbury on a pristine morn', we were all charged-up with a head full of therapeutic nature stuff. Cycling with your buddies along the Hawkesbury on a "10 out of 10" Autumn morn' doesn't come much better!!! Ian, Lynda, Nerida and others opted for the safer/longer return along the river bank to completed a 71km journey. Whereupon Ian/Lynda “upped-stumps” ‘cause chores were a beckoning back in Sydney. Sunday night was more of the same with pre-dinner drinks amidst a balmy sunset before again adjourning the lazy 1km walk to the Wiseman’s Ferry Inn, where a strategically located leaky handbag under our table mitigated our Red wine bill. T’wasn’t the Fountain of Youth, but it proved to be the Spring of Life, and kept our Booze Bill buttoned. On Monday morn' we broke camp, snapped a few team pics and held a brief meeting then tackled the 2.5km Killer Climb to Hawkins Lookout from 9:25am on another marvelous late Spring morn’. Bank Teller copped a verbal tirade, a veritable oral shellacking from Kaza and others, ‘cause he'd overstated the ride leg to the Stone House Café by a lousy four clicks, reputedly ‘causing Kelly and Lesley to overshoot their Sag Wagons. Scribe pondered "Stupid Dumb Broads". But others articulated that the blame lay elsewhere. Perhaps Kaza was getting her own back after Scribe had prudently/tactfully pointed out in the mildest tone, the folly of Kaza cycling one-out in the Death Seat squeaking bulldust to a smiling face with not a lot inside, what with so many RedNeck Derros thundering by in their shabby 20 year old V8s, always in a hurry going no where, with many exhibiting scant regard for cyclists. They're the accommodating ones, as others displayed blatant contempt intent upon passing by real close, seemingly to warn those pedal pushers to get off their road. Kaza's friend, Nerida, snapped lots of the pics including these and Bank Teller took a few more on the road at the exit of Wiseman's Ferry Rd. Mid-arvo after negotiating a 12km stretch along a car-less Halcrows Rd, 9km along Cattai Ridge Rd, 700m down Old Northern Rd, 2km on the down/up Wylds Rd, we settled-in for lunch at Grumpy’s Café on "Arcadia Rd". With bellies bulging, we pedaled the 9km to our final ferry ride, and a further 6km back to our cars at Berowra, après a delightful w'end of soaking up all kinds of nature. NB: That night Scribe repaired a few typos and mis-directions in the Tour de WF Ride Description, and would welcome hearing from anyone who will prepare Ride Descriptions for the two rides from the choice of 3 rides penciled-in for Tour de Macarthur on 5/6 June.
Bank Teller has booked the entire 8 rooms at George IV Hotel Picton for the Sat night, 5 June (see Bullsheet), where -
(i) Brenda 'n Berglund have taken one of the 2 twin rooms;
(ii) Yamaha 'n wife Linda have one of the 2 large double rooms;
(iii) Kaza, Tornado and Flaxen the triple room; (iv) Bank Teller has one of the 2 small double rooms; and (v) Rummager has another twin room. Tornado, Rummager 'n Kaza arrive Picton on the Friday and staying an additional night at the George IV. If you want a room in the George IV, clunk on (see Bullsheet) and e-mail Scribe or Kaza, your "room mates". Otherwise you will be staying down the road at the Picton Hotel or one of the B&B's in Picton.
The Scribe - 27 Apr 2004 |
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