The Tour de Hills – Contribution to a Grand for Charity 100 Km

The one ride I have always wanted to nail was the Tour de Hills and this year I finally got the 100 Km done. I went to Ruth’s place for the weekend and picked up Black Magic the new CRX4 I bought with the Rudd money. I got myself to Dural Country Club at 7:00 am on Sunday having done a ride out to Gundaroo which I estimate took 90 Km.

I preregistered for this ride to avoid the situation I copped last year where I was kept waiting at the registration with the $50 and the registration form as the 100Km ride took off. I got my number pinned to the back of my jersey and was on my way to the Country Club to visit the gents, when I met a couple of guys I knew from Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club.  I caught up with them before continuing to get myself ready.

When the ride did get under way we had the usual safety briefing at the start. It was pretty much the same as always. The mass start would have caused some to wonder about the issue of the RTA guidelines suggesting a limit of groups of cyclists to 20. We got underway and the ride began to sort itself out. Riders who were faster got their way to the front of the group while other riders dropped back.  As usual the Century consisted of 2 laps of a 50Km loop.  The first loop had to be done by 10:00.

Given that it is the Tour de Hills it would not be complete without some really steep ascents. In this case there is a climb of a hill at a 15 % Gradient. This is what I was told by one of the  DHBC riders who happened to rate this ride as tougher than the weekly training ride to Waterfall. I managed to overtake some of the early riders and dropped both my DHBC friends before the 20km to go mark on the first loop. I did have my doubts about doing the 50 km in time to avoid the cut off.

Much to my relief and surprise (pleasant) I did. I got to the water point outside Dural Country Club at 09:50. I got some water and went on my way. I then stopped at the next water point where I got some sunscreen and some water. While at this water point I met one of the international contingent. This ride is generally a local ride with plenty of recreational and sporting cyclists but on this occasion there was a group from the Pinoy Roadies. These guys were from the Philipines and were riding this as a training ride. I got talking to one at the water point and was surprised at his outlook on the ride. He was quite happy with what would have to be one of the toughest rides in Sydney. 

I got myself going and aimed to make sure that I beat the rides curfew of 12:30. I also had a strong desire to get to the club for what would have to be a really good celebratory meal. As I rode on the second lap I began to enjoy the scenery. The ride takes in Dural, Box Hill and the country areas near by as well as the suburban Glenhaven which is heavily built up. On this lap the 15% gradient was a bit more tolerable and the determination really paid off. What also paid off was the preparation, particularly the ride to Gundaroo and the inclusion of 2 energy bars in the back jersey pockets.

These energy bars – Cadel’s Mountain Blend provided me with the energy to take on the second half of the course. Fortunately for me they worked quite well. I also used the Staminade provided at the water points as well as the water. This provided some glucose for the ride, which took place on a really hot day in Sydney. The preparation of the bike was also vital to success. I made sure that the tyres were pumped up to the max and I lubed the chain before the ride.

I was relieved to go from the fire station at Glenhaven and onto the Old Northern Road. On the second run the motorists were well behaved. So much so that I was content to give them opportunities to pass. Some of the opportunities I would not have given previously.  No matter how much I enjoyed the ride the sight of the country club at the end was a welcoming one. I calmly road in to the driveway and found a place to park the bike. I then got the number taken off my back and I was given the traditional lunch voucher and a voucher for an extra cheese burger should I visit McDonalds (I rarely do). I got to keep the number and found another patch for the collection. In previous years the rotary club of Castle Hill (who run the ride) provided a patch. Last year was an exception, so this year it was good to get 2 patches.

When I got to the dining room of the country club I got a serving of the lasagna  and some salad with a bread roll for lunch. They had run out of bananas so I missed out on the fruit – not to worry. I caught up with the other riders from DHBC. They had bailed out after 75 Km. I told them that it was my first century for the year and that I would put a report t on the ride on the DHBC forum. Today I did just that.  The good thing about this ride is that I have been able to do the 100 Km ride. This will be useful training for the Amy Gillett Ride which is coming up on Sunday. I hope I will  see some of my mates from DHBC at that ride. I have already spoken to 2 guys at work  and I know 1 is definitely doing it.

In short this ride was the achievement of somthing I have always wanted to do since I started doing serious charity rides. I am happy to have taken the time out to go to Sydney for this ride. Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Castle Hill, The RFS and the Dural Country Club for a good ride and their excellent efforts for the day.

The Central Coast Century Challenge report – Contribution to a Grand for Charity 100 Km

On Sunday the 24^th I took part in the Central Coast Century Challenge. I spent the night before at my uncle Brian’s and auntie Jean’s then went to the Mount Penang Gardens at Kariong for the ride. On the way I went to BiLo to get some energy bars. Unfortunately there were none so I got a couple of mars bars and a sneakers bar. I have done the ride before but given that the turn off to Kariong is not well sign posted. I wound up back on the freeway heading off to Sydney. I got to Kariong after I headed back to Gosford via the Old Pacific highway. As a consequence I got to the start late. I parked the bike late and watched the 50km riders head off.

When I went on the Tour de Hills, I had intended to do the century ride but wound up having to do the 70Km ride because I was stuck at the lineup for registration. This time it was different. I pre-registered; I collected my number and got a map of the course. I got briefed on when the various turn backs were going to be closed. Although I was tempted to do the 50 km course I resolved to do the 100. I got on my bike and began riding all out. I began pegging back 50Km riders as I went along.

As I headed towards Calga I began to relax and enjoy the countryside as it changed from light industrial sites to rural villages like Somersby and then onto the bush. It was a pretty good day. We had a week of rain and now we had sun and things got warm as we went along.

When I reached Calga I was faced with the choice of continuing with the 50 km course or doing my century. I chose to do the century and headed towards Mooney Mooney along the Kowan Road. As I road along I could see the other Century riders heading back toward Calga. Some of them called “lots of hills” as they went past. As I went down towards Mooney Mooney, I was some riders who appeared to have been in a mass crash. They were being looked after by the organizers. A short time later I was passed by an ambulance. Then a couple of moments later I was passed by two tow trucks. As I reached Mooney Mooney I was passed by the last of the 100km riders. A couple of girls as the end of the riders called “we thought we were last”. When I got to the turn around I got some water and rode on I slowly caught up with the last riders of the 100km ride and got talking to the girls who called out to me earlier.

When we reached the crash site the tow trucks and the ambulance were still there. I picked up the pace and left the other riders behind. When I got back to Calga I had a chat with a couple of people at the water point. One was a teacher who was supervising a student teacher who has a position lined up at the Kinross Woloroi school Orange. I am from the Central West area myself and we had a good chat. As the day went along the temperature got warmer and I unzipped my jersey to cool myself down. It worked.

I headed down Peat’s Ridge Road. The road was hard and I wound up having a mars bar to give myself some extra energy to climb some of the toughest hills on the course. I rode on and went though Peat’s Ridge Village Eventually I pegged back some more riders who were still plugging along the hills or in one case eating getting supplies at a service station.

I got to the drinks post at the 61 km ride and I stocked up with bananas and water. I was relieved that the drinks post was still there because I was told that it would be closed at 12:00 or 12:30 I got talking to the people at the drinks post and found out it would not be there when we came back from the drinks post at the 71km point. Another rider who was with the Central Coast Triathlon club said he was uncertain about continuing on with the century ride as it was his first big ride after tearing a muscle in a triathlon event last year. We were assured when we came back from the 71km point the course would be a lot easier.

 I then headed down George Downs Drive towards the 71 km point at Kulnura. As I headed towards Kulnura, the motor traffic picked up notably. Most motorists were well behaved except an idiot P plater in a ute who made a screeching turn out of a drive way behind another rider. The hills on this section were reasonable and the sight of the water point at the general store was a welcome sight. I took my time refilling the water bottles and had a couple of bananas. I took a brief look around and noticed a yellow MG near the general store. I got myself ready for the ride back and headed off back up George Downs Drive. I As I rode back I was a few other riders heading towards the turn back point. When I reached the site of where the 61km point drinks station, it began to rain so I stopped and put my rain coat on.

With 83 kilometers under my belt things did get easier. Wisemans Ferry Road was smooth and relatively flat. I noticed the area had undergone some hazard reduction work for bushfires done. I got closer to the finish point the countryside began to change again. We went through bush again to rural villages such as Somersby which still seems to be protesting against another sand mine in the area. When I got to Kariong I went along some tough roads. One in particular had patches over the surface which gave the effect similar to riding across the cobble stones of the Paris-Roubaix. I there were also some issues with gravel in some parts. I wound up riding with some recreational riders as I got closer to the finish. I wasn’t sure if they were part of the ride but they were a lively group.

When I reached the finish point I rode in as the organizers were getting ready to pack up. I got a round of applause from some of the organizers who were waiting for the remaining riders. I got a couple of sausage sandwiches and a cup of coffee. I missed out on the show bag that was supposed to come with entry. Not that it mattered. I had finished what I intended to do. I got talking to one of the organizers form Erina Rotary about the charity which they were supporting with the ride. Coast Shelter is an organization that looks after the homeless on the Central Coast. It may be hard to believe that homelessness would happen in such a beautiful place but it does. The organizer explained that there were people who came up to the coast from Sydney and beyond believing that the rents and housing would be cheaper. However they have often been knocked for six but the expense. I am on the verge of getting my own home (with a bit of luck). I feel for those who are homeless. It is a situation I hope to avoid at all costs. So Coast Shelter is a good cause to support.

If I were to rate this ride I would rate it as a hard ride but it is not as hard as the Blaney to Bathurst but better than the Tour De Hills. I would like to thank My Auntie Jean and Uncle Brian as well as Liz and Peter Murphy for looking after me the night before and the Central Coast Touring Cycle Club for organising the ride.

Amy’s Ride Victoria

 “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”:  John F Kennedy

 

 

I would like to thank the people from Belly’s Bikes (a bike shop in Bathurst), Cheeky Transport & people from everyone who answered my questions of packing the bike from the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club Forum & Sydney Cyclist for their advice on packing the bike. The guys from the King Street Cyclery for the pump and Velcro strap. I would also like to thank the people from the Aberdeen Motor Inn on Aberdeen Street Geelong for looking after my pack containing personal clothing and the bike bag, while I was riding. Importantly I would also like to extend my thanks to the volunteers on Amy Gillett Ride who made the ride work, these include the Rotary club members & St John Ambulance Victoria First Aid Services volunteers who made the ride work. Finally I would like to thank a workmate Diana Vangelovska for allowing me to leave work early on Friday the 2^nd .

 

 

Getting there

 

 

 

Getting there
On Friday the 2nd of January I left for work on my Shogun Katana, with a day bag containing the 3 days of clothing and toiletries. I strapped the Look Bike Bag & sleeping bag to the straps. I felt like a sail on a yacht as I rode, but I got to work on time as usual.
I found myself in a mild panic when I found that I had left that ride number at home. Fortunately Diana allowed me to head off early. After picking up the ride number I rode to the King Street cyclery and bought a pump and got a Velcro strap to keep it on the frame. I then went to Office Works on Ross Street and bought some bubble wrap.
I got to Central station with over an hour and a half to spare and began disassembling the bike and putting it into the bike bag. This is where the only problem of the trip occurred. I found that the shifter I had brought was not suitable for removing the pedals. I had a crack at taking them off with the Allen key and was able to get the left pedal off but the right pedal was going nowhere. Fortunately the bike fitted into the bag with the pedal still on. I checked the bike in and got myself changed into some street clothes. I then went and got myself fed.
When the time came to board the train I stowed the day bag and got myself settled in. I was travelling in a first class seat and I had some leg room. When we left Central we were told that the train was a fully booked service and that there would be no spare seats on the train. When we got to the Southern Highlands the lights went out and we all tried to get to sleep. For most of us it was easily done but for one young guy it was all too much and he got kicked off at Goulburn. The rest of the trip was uneventful;
We arrived at Southern Cross station 15 minutes late which changed my plans for a V-line service to Geelong. I picked up the bike (It was the only one on the train) and bought a ticket for the V-line service to Geelong. When the train turned up I was reminded that I was not in NSW. The V-line trains are single deckers and there is a luggage storage area where people put bags and bikes. On this train there were 4 others beside myself. Curiously enough they allow bikes on the train fully assembled – contrary to the advice I was given by the customer service agent on the phone when I rang them from work and their website. Unlike City Rail, I was even able to get a ticket for the return journey the next day.
I got talking to four cyclists who were on their way to South Geelong to ride the Bellarine Rail Trail. They were interested in the ride but were not keen on doing the 120 kilometres. One thing that got me was one of them admitted he did not know how to change a tube despite having been cycling for 4 years! I asked him what he did when he copped a puncture and he told me about the RACV bike assist plan which (if the mechanic cannot fix the bike issue) gives the rider a $50 cab charge voucher (I won’t be holding my breath to wait for the NRMA to do the same).
When I got to Geelong I had a bit of a walk to find the Aberdeen Motor Inn where I had booked a room a few days before. Fortunately I found it after I spoke to some locals. After I checked in I went out for a look around town and bought some food for the ride and breakfast. I also visited a bike shop and bought a pedal wrench for the reassembly of the bike. I noticed that there was a lot of riders in town. There is quiet a lot of bike lanes on roads – most of them are quite wide. Drivers in Geelong are similar to Sydney in that they sound their horns when someone is late taking off on a green light.
When I went out for dinner that evening I was approached by people asking for directions to restaurants (Geelong has a number of Thai restaurants and Pizza parlours). I had to tell them that I wasn’t a local that I was from Sydney. They took that with good grace.
That evening after dinner I was able to reassemble the bike. I found that the plastic ring around down tube shifters were damaged during the train journey. I found that they still worked after I had reassembled the bike. I set out my gear for the ride, I decided I would wear some gear that would clearly show that I was from Sydney. I wore a pair of nicks and a Gong Ride jersey. After I had got myself as ready as I could, I went off to bed.
The Ride
When I got up I found I was not the only guest at the Aberdeen Motor Inn who was going to the Amy Gillett Ride. I found that there were several other riders getting themselves ready for the ride. Most of them had better bikes than the Katana. Once I got myself ready I took my bags to the office and arranged for them to be locked in the dining room till I came back from the ride.
I rode down Ryrie street to Eastern Park which I found was where the third stage of the Jayco Bay Classic Criterium race as well as the Amy Gillett ride. I watched as the trade teams for the ride set their tents at the start of the race. I also visited the Amy Gillett Foundation tent and the Barwon water point and filled up my biddens. I saw Amy Gillett’s parents giving an interview to a television crew. I also saw a few other television crews filming the riders assembling.
When it came for the ride briefing I went to the start area and I listened to the ride directors instructions. It turned out that there was a change in the locations of some of the water points. The riders wearing the Amy Gillett Foundation jersey and Amy Gillett Foundation kit were called to the front of the ride and they were the first to head off with Amy Gillett’s parents who wore the numbers 1 and 2. After these riders left the other riders left in waves. When it came time my time to go I found myself catching up with the riders from the previous group quite quickly.
As we headed along the Port Arlington Road I got talking to one of the riders who noticed the Gong Ride jersey. We commented on the similarities between Geelong and Wollongong and Newcastle. We particularly had an interest in the music from Newcastle – with bands like Silverchair and The Screaming Jets.
When we got to Port Arlington I noticed how similar the landscape was to parts of the Hunter Valley, with Vineyards and market gardens giving way to the coastal towns and beaches. We rode through Port Arlington and I found we had missed one of the water points. There were some people who treated the ride as a pub crawl by bike with some people going to the local early opener. Others visited the local shops.
As I rode through the costal areas I was stunned by the number of people who turned out to clap and cheer us on. I have done more than a few rides in NSW and we seldom get people turning out to watch the rides let alone cheer. At one caravan park children leaned out with their hands out to get a 5 as we passed.
When we got to the first water point I filled both my biddens and had one of my energy bars.
After we headed away from the Port Arlington the landscape changed yet again, with the coastal residential areas becoming grazing land. We could still see the sea however and it wasn’t long before we arrived at Point Lonsdale and the second water point. While I was here I got talking to some other riders about the Gong Ride. It seems that the Gong Ride jersey was the right choice for starting conversations.
While we were on the way to the next water point many riders elected to stop in Ocean Grove for lunch and it was obvious that this tourist town was going to benefit from the arrival of so many riders in addition to the usual holiday traffic. I stopped at a small shop on the outskirts of Ocean Grove and bought a chicken roll, a mars bar, a cereal bar and a iced coffee (to keep the caffeine level up. While I was there I got talking to some riders from the Bicycle Victoria Forum group (that is what they had on their jerseys), I rode with one of them Barwon Heads and on to Black Rock Road. We discussed riding in NSW and Victoria and the famous Beach Road and the Hell Ride.
While we were on our way to the water point at Barwon Heads, I rode through the beach area near Torquay, these have to be some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. It is a very popular area, it was also here that some motorists decided to let us know a little more than they intended about their knowledge of the road rules when one of them leaned out and shouted “Single File Mate” as they passed.
When we arrived at the water point at Barwon Heads we got some fruit (1 apple) and the water. I got talking to some members of St John Ambulance who were there with a large Ambulance that St John in Victoria had bought from the Victoria Ambulance. They had some work that day but were more worried about what was going to happen at the Criterium Race at the end of the ride.
When we finished at Barwon Heads, we rode through a farming area where things started to get hot. We had more than a few motorists who passed close to riders including myself. I also saw a Tiger Moth towing an advertisement for a skydiving school run from a farm nearby. It was on this stage that my concentration began to fade and I nearly went off road a couple of times.
When We got to the final water point I was able to score a energy bar from one of the Rotary Club volunteers, I cannot speak more highly of people who volunteered for the water points and these people were no exception, from this water point on I only had 20 kilometres to go to the finish at Eastern Park. On this stage the landscape changed from a rural farming are to industrial and then to residential areas. The roads were in good condition mostly and the riders were able to ride in peace. The only trouble we had was turning right at an intersection on a main road. As I approached the final turn toward Eastern Park there was a slight climb and in my state of exhaustion I had to dismount and have the last of my water before riding on.
When I got to Eastern Park I rode through the quite shaded roads and on to the finish. As I finished I took some photos for a couple who took the photos of me at the finish (I know I was a bit of a poser but what the hell!) I went to the Amy Gillett stall and picked up some brochures and saw the closing phases of the elite men’s Criterium. I then got a complimentary massage and a brochure and jersey from a stall advertising the Holden High Country Challenge (I will think about it but there is limited public transport to the ride).
After the presentation ceremony for the Jayco Bay Classic. I headed back to the Aberdeen Street Motor Inn and collected my bags.
I then headed to the railway station where I caught the train to Southern Cross Station. On the way back to Melbourne I got talking to another cyclist who came down from Melbourne to watch the racing. She had intended to participate in the ride but had felt ill the day before and just decided to come down for the racing. We exchanged stories about riding. Her sister had been waiting at traffic lights when they changed and she had not noticed. A motorist behind her decided to nudge her back wheel with the nose of his car and sent her flying into the intersection for a crash. I told her about the issues I have had on Coward St particularly with arrow turns etc.
After I got to Southern Cross Station headed up to North Melbourne to the hostel that I had booked myself into for the night. I got there in good time although I wound up walking the bike because I was too worn out to ride. The hostel willingly stowed the bike in a bike room they use for their hire bikes and I got myself washed and changed and went out for dinner.
Getting Back
When I got up the next morning I found I had to get some information on the bus to Avalon. I tried to get information from a website that would not open but got the timetable for the bus from the hostel reception. Fortunately I had enough time to get the bike and my clothes backed. I then took the tram (with the bike in the bag) to the GPO and posted off a lot of my clothes and bike tools that I did not need when I got back to Sydney. I also got a cardboard box from Office Works and used it to line the bag.
I then walked to Southern Cross Station and got my ticket to Avalon & waited for the bus. When I came I was pleasantly relieved to find that the bike would be accepted for carriage. The trip was quiet and uneventful. When I got to Avalon I was anxious about if the bike would be carried by Jetstar and was not sure if it would attract excess baggage charges. I was pleasantly relieved to find that the bike was right to go and was under the 20KG baggage allowance. I was also given a seat at the emergency exit which had more leg room than other seats. After a pleasant flight to Sydney. I reassembled the bike in the arrivals section of the domestic airport and made myself ready for the return to work. After disposing of the cardboard and bubble wrap I wished a group waiting for the arrival of a bus to the Northern Beaches a good day and then headed off. I followed the path across from the hotel opposite the domestic airport and then caught up with the cycle path alongside the Alexandria Canal.
I had a shower and a shave at work and had a pleasant half day (I had worked during our Christmas Party so I could have the morning off). After work I was able to return home with the bags and the gear I had brought.
Conclusion
The Amy Gillett Foundation are very interested in having a regular ride in NSW, they particularly would like to have one in Sydney but have been surprised by the administrative costs (police, road closures etc). They are keen to get something going in the Hunter Valley. There may be a NSW ride sometime this year but I will write again to confirm. This has to be one of the most positive experiences I have had in cycling. I highly recommend we Sydney Cyclists give all our support to the Amy Gillett Foundation in their efforts to get a NSW ride going

 

Firstly I would like to thank the following people. Firstly I would like to thank my sponsors, your support provided the motivation to get going, when the going got tough on a long ride. These people were

Adrian Emilsen, Geoff Semon, Suzanne Spiropoulos, Stuart Hickson, Leigh Gibbens, Kay Lefevre, Kim Ryan, Brenda Bailey & Adam Butler

 

 

The politics of Bicycle NSW.

The peak body for cyclists in New South Wales is bicycle NSW, it used to be The Bicycle Institute of NSW but over time like most other state based cycling organisations it adopted the brand Bicycle NSW in 1994.

In it’s role as a “member-funded and -owned, not-for-profit peak community organisation” it is supposed to provide the advocacy for cyclists that NRMA provides for motorists. This year there has been more than enough evidence that the organisation is departing from that aim. In the first instance is Bicycle NSW’s response to the Pat Farmer’s press release claiming cyclists “should pay registration fees to help legitimise their place on the roads and pay for infrastructure and safety campaigns”.

The press release seen below is best described as short on detail (despite the tons of evidence provided by the Cycling Promotion Fund and other groups). Bicycle NSW said “A form of bike registration or levy may help legitimise cycling, however Bicycle NSW does not at this time have a policy position in this area. We have a clear purpose, which is focused on getting more people riding bikes more often, because life is better on a bike”.

Instead of pointing out the screaming obvious that Pat Farmer who is a member of a party which had lost government by a thumping big landslide and had only just held on to the seat of Macarthur by 1000 votes. Instead of getting down to the task of representing the people who had just elected him, Pat Farmer had “moved more than 60 kilometres away from his western Sydney seat to live in one of the city’s most expensive suburbs.” The Mosman Farmer needed something to take this issue off the front pages of the newspapers and so decided to use cyclists to take the heat. Bicycle NSW decided to issue a poorly worded press release. I even heard that when the television media asked a spokesperson for Bicycle NSW for a response to The Mosman Farmer’s comments the spokesperson repeatedly said “life’s better on a bike” and the walked off.

The other issue is the relationship between Bicycle Users Groups and Bicycle NSW and the need for joint efforts in advocacy. I received an email from someone who commented on a post on this Blog and has provided an insight into what is happening with Bicycle NSW and BUGS council. My informant met with a member of the Bicycle NSW board and was told ”

“BNSW will not put any resources (by which I mean funds or paid staff) into supporting BUGs – Andrew Dodds, who runs the BUGs Council does so as a volunteer and if I wish to support Andrew, I would be welcome, but also as a volunteer.

1. Any improvements that BUG members would like to see must be implemented by the BUGs themselves through Andrew Dodds or amongst the volunteer BUG members themselves.
2. BNSW wishes to restrict its dealings to implementing the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, as presented at the 2007 AGM.
3. BNSW sees itself as operating at the Federal and State levels and will not put any resources into local or regional projects.
4. The only events that BNSW are interested in allocating resources to are the Spring Cycle, Gear-up Girl and as co-hosts of the Ride to work and Ride to School programs with Bike Victoria.
5. The stated policy of BNSW is to get “more people cycling more often”, which does not mean they will place resources into building the membership numbers of BNSW as people can ride bikes without being members.
6. BNSW employ a “Volunteer and Operations Coordinator” (currently Michelle Herbert), who is the contact person for allVolunteers who wish to communicate with BNSW.
7. BNSW have no intention of running a NSW Big Ride in the future, but both Alex and Jenny said if I was interested in doing so, then that would be great. However, BNSW will not provide any resources (as above – funds or paid staff). All Big Ride equipment has been sold.“

Bicycle Users Groups are local cycling organisations, they put a lot of effort into advocacy at a local level and know their local area better than anyone from Bicycle NSW. Roads in NSW are the responsibility of either the local council or the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA), the RTA is responsible for major roads (highways, arterial and subarterial roads).  Given the different levels of responsibility for roads, bicycle advocacy would be better delivered by a common approach from Bicycle NSW and BUGS (BUGS are more effective with local government than with the RTA). By abandoning BUGS, Bicycle NSW is abandoning local advocacy.

Recently Bicycle NSW has begun to cherry pick it’s campaigns. It campaigned on the Harbour Link proposal that would see a shareed path way that would cut out some of the hills near the harbour bridge and link the harbour bridge cycleway to North Sydney. They have now published a statement from the North Sydney council regarding the harbour link project on their website (http://www.bicyclensw.org.au/E-news.asp#128)  This while at the same time a major commuter route is under threat from the V8 supercar race at Homebush bay. The total silence on the Homebush Bay issue is worrying.

Yesterday my heart was broken when I heard a long time volunteer with Bicycle NSW, who is a member of DHBC expressing his disgust at what the organisation was doing for the Sydney Spring Cycle. Spring cycle has 2 new starting points this year. It includes Blacktown and Liverpool. The Liverpool riders have been charged the same rate for riding on bicycle paths (the Liverpool to Parramatta Rail Trail and the M4 path to SOP), that the riders from North Sydney who will ride over the Harbour Bridge and along partially closed roads. I have no doubt that the riders from Blacktown will be riding along similar bike paths (they may even have the chance to find the alternative path along the Prospect Creek Cycle path which was partially destroyed by road expansion by Boral!). The rip off is added to by the fact that Bicycle NSW was ignoring the work of most of the BUGs in Liverpool.

I find that there are many people disillusioned with Bicycle NSW. The disillusionment is now fueling an alternative movement. Some are joining interstate bicycle organisations, such as Bicycle QLD and Pedal Power (the ACT organisation). There are also moves to get insurance through BUGs and organise an alternative advocacy organisation for NSW.

Personally I do not want to destroy Bicycle NSW. It was and is the peak advocacy body for recreational and commuting cyclists in NSW. It has done some good work in advocacy and it has had some success, but the direction it’s board is taking it is alienating a lot of it’s membership including myself. Issues like the silence on Sydney Olympic Park are linked by many to pandering to the NSW government. The failure to criticise the government is based on the dependency on government money for financial viability. This means that advocacy is compromised seriously.