The Gong ride contribution to a grand for charty 90Km

Before the ride on the first of November, I was weighing up my options for doing this ride or going on the Fitz’s challenge. I know people who live in the Dapto area who were keen to have me around after I finished. I also thought it would be a good ride to do (as it always is). I haven’t done Fitz’s challenge yet and will definitely do it next year. I decided to do the Gong ride this year because I needed something that would remind me of the people who I rode with in Sydney. I also wanted to do it because it is a good ride.

Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club has a team in the Gong ride bust so did Pedal Power.  In the end as much as I wanted to ride with Dulwich Hill, I signed up with Pedal Power in the hope that I would meet other cyclist from the ACT. I signed up then contacted the team organiser Chris Mann. It turned out he had done some research with Google and knew something about me from Sydney cyclist and other forums.

I arranged to meet Chris and the other riders at Steel Park, St Peters in the morning around 7.30. I took myself and the Red Hybrid to Dapto the night before and got myself settled down. In the morning I got myself ready and took the down to Dapto station in time for the train to St Peters. I was expecting an older train as I was told that an old red rattler was used by city rail last time to bring riders from the Illawarra to the start point at St Peters. However we got the usual train that is used on the Illawarra, Hunter and Blue Mountains lines and it made a good difference. I got to the start point on time. I hung out and absorbed the atmosphere for a while waiting for Chris and the other riders to appear.  I know St Peters very well. I have rode through the area many times and knew some of the Cafe’s and Pubs on the lower end of King Street.

Chris finally showed up and I met the other riders. They were mostly older riders. Chris and I were the younger riders. We had the usual hiatus at the start point, getting the last-minute things done and then had the team photo. I will see if I can get any of the photos on to this site as soon as I can.  We were also delayed at the start because of safety concerns as the traffic lights along the Princes Highway were delaying riders. Everyone was also reminded about an incident that occurred earlier in the week where a cyclist using the Parramatta T-way had got involved in a road rage incident and attacked a bus driver. This incident had got a lot of media attention including the usual trolls from the Terror and the likes of John (Bong Head) Birmingham and Miranda Divine.

When we finally got underway I had a good look around for Dulwich Hill riders and only noticed some who must have one the training ride to Waterfall and were on their way back. I also enjoyed a good look at some of my old haunts around Tempe, Sydenham and later Brighton Le Sands. We rode as a group for a while before we wound up being separated.

We went through some of the best areas in the St George area and enjoyed a good run to the first rest point at Loftus. After a comfort stop I got the customary muffin and cup of coffee and got myself ready to carry on. I caught up with some people I know from my days as a St John volunteer in Sydney and caught up with them for a while before finally getting under way.

As we rode through the Shire I caught up with Chris and discussed the differences between Canberra and Sydney as regards cycling culture. It turns out Chris has done some time in Sydney and was used to commuting to the CBD with the cars doing less speed than his bicycle. He also has some family in the Illawarra and had caught up with them every so often. He has done a lot of rides in NSW and was fully aware of the cycling and road culture in Sydney. I have met Canberrans who were not aware of the differences in road rules and other issues.

We finally got to the stage where we went through the Royal National Park and it was here that the group split up again. The ride went well and I was able to make good time getting to the clearing where lunch was served.  It was here that I caught up with Brian Yap – a member of Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club and MASSBUG. He was riding his recumbent. I think his recumbent was the only one I saw that day. We discussed the ride and how Dulwich Hill was going. Apparently the Saturday Slowies Group is getting big and is more often split into 2 groups. for the ride to and from Centennial Park. I also found out that everything was fine with MASSBUG which was pleasing to hear.

After Lunch I set off down the escarpment to Lawrence Hargraves drive. I made to the lookout and then began the descent to Wollongong. It was on Lawrence Hargraves Drive that  I copped a puncture in the front tyre. It happened a the worst time and in the worst area. I was able to dismount and begin working on it although I had to put myself and the bike on the other side of the crash barrier as the police were holding back the cars at the start of the road and were letting them through in dribs and drabs. I began working on the puncture when I found that the valve on the pump had gone. Fortunately there was a guy on the other side of the road who had a pump but no spare tube. I asked him for a lend of his pump and he tossed it over. Unfortunately for me it was too high and it got caught in the tree behind where I was.  I was on the sloping side of the road and had to almost climb the tree get the pump ( I held onto a branch and jumped/swung out and got the pump) and then had to fight my way back to the bike. While  was getting the spare tube in the traffic passed and there were some interesting looks and a laugh from one of the lazy weak bastards in a XR6. I got the tyre pumped up and was joined by some of the roving mechanical helpers who were patrolling the course. I bought a new spare tube and headed off after giving the other rider his pump with the welcome news that he was lucky it didn’t go further down.  I also saw some of the Dulwich Hill riders including Simon Sharwood riding back to Sydney.

I got myself under way and eventually got on to the Sea Cliff bridge. I was eager to catch up with some of the people ahead and began to ride hard in some parts. I calmed down by the time I made it to the fruit stop at Scarborough. I got the tyre pumped up with the floor pump at the mechanics that were stationed at the Fruit stop and after a couple of bananas, I got myself under way. I began to enjoy the scenery as I went further along the beginning of the Illawarra region.

When we finally reached the outskirts of Wollongong I picked up the pace a little. We joined a bike path briefly and went through Woonona and Bellambi before reaching Fairy Meadow on the final stretches of the ride.  It was good to reach the finish. I wound up meeting Brian again and we went all out to join the DHBC group at the Five Islands Brewery. We got to the brewery as the others were leaving. I caught up with Geoff and Marion and found out that it was indeed their tandem that was in a Bicycling Australia magazine article on Mudgee.

After all of the days exertions it was good to relax with a Dapto Draught and some wedges at the brewery. After I caught up with Brian, I headed back to Dapto via the train. I got myself washed and then headed home to catch up with Mum and Dad.

My last ride in Sydney

On Friday I got up and rode to Office Works in Camperdown. It is easy to get to, all you have to do is go through Sydney University and then get to Ross Street. The Office Works shop is directly opposite the uni. I bought myself a Kodak camera to use the going away party.

I then rode to work and got myself ready for the party and the cleaning out of the locker. I got through the party alright, but found had a bit of difficulty taking all the remaining stuff from my locker. There was a bit of head scratching as I worked out how to put a coffee percolator and the other gear into the pannier and a day pack. I used the you beaut Aussie invention Occy Straps to secure some of the gear in a plastic box to the rear rack. I also had to hang a green bag with stuff in it and a pair of boots from the rack before heading off.

It kind of worked. Some stuff came off before I left and some of the razors, pens, and a shaving brush wound up under a bus. However when I repacked the goods again it all worked. I did get some interesting looks from police who were talking to people on South Street Tempe. I made sure I got home OK.

When I got back home I unpacked some of the gear from the bike into the car. I did another ride back to work to make sure that I had not left anything along the way. The police were still at South Street and I found nothing so I did reasonably well. I got myself home and moved the rest of my stuff into the car.

On Saturday I got up and 5.00am as I usually do on a Saturday for my ride. I had already got the bike and the riding gear ready the night before. I got myself fed and ready and rode out for Saturday Slowies. The day was shaping up to be a find spring day for Sydney.  I got to Mick Mazza’s before any one else had turned up.

I watched as one bunch of riders rode down Marrickville Road. After a while the riders began to turn up. Some of the riders knew that this was to be my last Saturday Slowies ride from a post I put on Sydney Cyclist. At one stage we had about fourteen riders at the start and we were to collect more as we went on.

We headed off and rode up Illawarra road toward town. We turned into Newington Street and had a dream ride up the hill to Enmore. We had a reasonable ride through Enmore and Newtown. We got to Redfern and we had the only fly in the ointment. An idiot in a Four Wheel Drive decided to rev his engine and then over take the bunch over double unbroken lines and then roared along only to be stopped two hundred meters along at the traffic lights.  His petrol and car maintenance not mine.

We rolled through Surrey Hills and into Moore Park. We then rode into Centennial Park where I had a good look around as I rode. I did one regular lap before I did the hills with a lap. I noticed the Triathletes having issues, one of their coaches was screaming at them because of a mistake. It was a good day to be out and about in Sydney. The sun was out, the sky was clear and the traffic was minimalist. 

On one of the hills I got talking to Lindsay as he was doing his preparation for the Mont. I would love to see how he does on the Mont and  I will definately make time to see how they go when the go for that ride in Canberra.

I returned to the group at the traditional time and we headed off back to Marrickville. We had a reasonably good ride back to Marrickville.  It was quite a good ride. I have done the Slowies ride for about 2 years and have found it to be a very good introduction to cycle training.

We got to the Marrickville Road Cafe, where we have coffee at the end of our rides. I got talking to people about their up coming rides. I was sitting near some new riders who asked me if I do the Sunday ride to Waterfall. I had to break it to them that I don’t and won’t be doing that ride.  I got talking to the other regular riders and got the photo taken under the 3 signs. On the forum on the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club website the Marrickville road Cafe signs has become a celebrity landmark. I hope one day I will see it and the riders I have ridden with again.

It turns out that there will be another Fixie Century ride that will happen on the same day as the Gong Ride. Lindsay has planned that in fine detail. Suzy has been retrenched and is looking for work. I thought she was in a secure job in the HR department of Stockland. It turns out the jobs done by her and an offsider have been combined and offered as a senior managment job. She is now looking atgoing into the public sector.  She cited work – life balance. I promised Lindsay I would try to turn up and catch up with them at the Mont in Canberra.

After we all left for our individual activities, I went home and finished my packing. I took off and went to Deus Ex Machina to do some browsing. I went to Glebe and bought my Fathers day present. I decided to have my last meal in Sydney at a place I like – the Badde Manners Cafe on Glebe Point Road. My last meal in Sydney was a piece of Hungarian Cheese Cake and a skinny latte. I then went back to mum and dad’s place, where I got myself ready for the trip to Canberra.

Tale of two rides

Adora cafe

On Friday I borrowed a camera for Fridays ride to Bronti for a ride to watch the sun rise. Some would wonder why anyone would bother getting up at 4.00am to watch the sun rise. However watching the sun rise over the sea can be a pleasure. I got up at 4.00am and rode Black Magic down to Bronti.

The traffic at 04.30 was quite good. I was able to ride all the way down Unwins Bridge Road and then rode most of the way up King Street. I was able to turn into Wilson street and rode all the way to Little Everleigh street with out any traffic. I was quite fast and it was a bit surreal riding through King Street Newtown.

When I got to Redfern I was able to ride all the way up Redfern Street and followed the Saturday Slowies route to Centennial Park. The thing that struck me about riding at this time was the number of other cyclists out and about at that time. I was followed from Wilson Street through to Redfern Street by a roadie and I met other commuters at Centennial Park.

When I got to Centennial Park I found myself riding to Bronti along the road that goes up from the TAFE opposite the park. I made it up the hill and then rolled through the streets of Waverly. I rode into Bronti after I got lost looking for Gaerloch street. I found myself near Tamarama. I found the spot where I had last watched the sunrise and got myself set up I took some before photos. Yes they are almost useless with the sky still dark. But when considered with the other photos things became interesting. I waited and waited and watched the sky turn from black to grey and then clearing to a beautiful azure.

The running track behind the place where I had set up became busier and I noticed an increase in the traffic on the streets near where I was waiting. Eventually the sun began to rise and I took the photos of Bronti, Tamarama and Bondi. Eventually things got to the point where I packed up and rode to work. I rode through Tama, to Bronti and then went through Charring Cross and Waverly to Centennial Park.

As I got closer to Centennial Park the idiot level of driving grew. I rode into work, through Newtown, Marrickville and used the Cooks River Cycle path to make right into work. I was amazed at the number of riders out and about early on a cool spring morning in Sydney.

In contrast yesterdays ride was interesting ride. I as a prologue I did the Saturday Slowies ride with Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club as I usually do.While I was waiting for the ride to begin I met Simon Sharwood, who told me Mike had decided to have a go at the hands free record. I asked if this would be the world, Australian or club record but was told it was a record. Eventually more riders turned up and we were joined by many a new face. This included a couple who were Audax riders. They were a lovely couple but the reminded me of a power couple for some reason.

We took off for Centennial with just over twenty riders. We broke the group into two bunches. I rode with the last bunch. We had a few riders who were obviously new and in one case was using new cleated pedals which they were not used to. Mike joined us and we stuck at the back after the guy with the new pedals almost came off.  We had to shepherd the riders at the rear when the bunch broke up. However we got the bunch to Centennial Park.  We all went about doing what we normally do but eventually I caught up with Mike and Weiyun opposite the cafe.

Mike took off on his fixie with his hands either by his side or on his hips. I went off to follow him as a witness if required and he dropped me riding on his fixie. Mike made the record or so I am told and he got some photos done. I don’t know if it is official but I would say that it is pretty much up there.

When we got back to the Marrickville Road Cafe we had the usual coffee and raisin toast and other goodies. We also had our good old chat. I found the power couple charming. I was still confronted with what to do for the rest of the day.

 I did not have anywhere to go afterward so I contemplated my options. I had thought about riding to Penrith. It was one of my favourite rides when I began riding but some uncertainty over the diversions to the prospect reservoir ruled it out.

I decided I would go to Olympic Park and have a look at the Newington Armory. I needed a second bidon cage and went to Cell Bikes in Stanmore to get it. I rode to the shop in Stanmore and found myself eying up a pair of shy shorts which I could use for commuting in Canberra. I picked up a bidon cage and went to pay for them and found that I had left my wallet back at home. With the radio story of a female cyclist being struck by an idiotic P plater ringing in my ears I rode back home to pick it up.

I returned to Cell Bikes and completed the purchase. I got lunch at Subway in Stanmore and then headed off to the Cooks River Cycleway, via some of the streets in Hurlstone Park. I took the photo of the Hurlstone Park war memorial after the smoke had cleared from a car hoon’s doughnuts. I then rode on to the Cooks River and rode up to Olympic Park.

When I got to Olympic Park I met a guy who had been cycle touring. He had is bike panniers loaded and was going to head back to Queensland as soon as he could. I rode to the lookout area and took the photos of the surrounding wetlands and how the urban growth encroaches on them. I then rode on to the Newington Armory which is an old munitions depot near Olympic Park. It is now a museum and art space. I took some photos there.

While I was at the armory it turned out that there was an art exhibition on. I decided I would go and have a look at the exhibition after I had a look around. I have been on Army bases before and took some photos of the armory because some of it is extremely old. Some of the buildings were built in the 19th century. I was on my way to the art exhibition when I came off after my wheels got stuck in the tracks. I landed heavily on my right side and have bruised my right thigh and my right shoulder. I was helped up by a couple walking close by.

I went to the exhibition after I had sorted myself out. It was quite interesting. There was an installation and one of the oddest treatments of a drawing I have ever seen. There was a room hived off with black curtains. On the curtains was pinned a sign saying “This exhibition contains material that may offend. Viewing recommended only for those over the age of 15”. Curious I went into the room and found it only contained a large drawing of the female pubic area. In my opinion there are few people who would be offended and many people over the age of 15 have seen this time and again. There was a video installation of a cover of Bette Middler’s “Industry”, which was set in the armory grounds. It was a good exhibition.

I got myself together and rode to Olympic Park which was being set up for the Bledisloe Cup match that evening. I had an iced coffee and headed off. I got back home and got myself together to catch up with Ruth.

The farcical case of Hassan Bakr liar and convicted criminal

 

 

 

 

Nothing quite brings out the inner Tory than justice gone wrong. People who would ordinarily be quite liberal and even quite radical in some circumstances come out with comments from the National Party or the Country Liberal Party (The political party that brought in Mandatory Sentencing in the Northern Territory) criminal justice policies the moment the judiciary makes a monumental stuff up in sentencing some one for various offences. In the case Hassan Bakr the Sydney Cyclist members are quite right.

In the space of two months we have seen a teenage girl –

” A poll by 2GB found 85% of their listners supported the goal sentence for the graffiti artist. Cricket Australia code of conduct commission hearing today upheld a charge that Symonds breached the CA code of behaviour relating to detrimental public comment” after he made a “lump of shit” comment about New Zealand and NSW player Brendon McCullum.

A couple of weeks ago I heard that Hassan Bankr finally faced court after missing yet another trial date with the excuse that he was in “Albury with a busted head gasket waiting for his pay to go through so he could get it fixed”. For those who are aware Hassan Bakr aka Jason or Hus was the moronic motorist who attacked the Colluzzi bunch – while they were riding on Southern Cross drive.

For an online community I am astonished that Sydney Cyclists on both the Sydney Cyclist website and other web forums allowed themselves to be caught out with the seemingly sudden arrival of the court date which was listed at the Downing Centre before

 The good news is that Bakr was found guilty putting an end to farcical attempts to bring him to justice. Given that Bakr missed 4 court appearances I was beginning to wonder how far one has to push the envelope in NSW to be charged with contempt of court. He argued the cyclists should never have been on the road without a police escort” (The people who normally get that sort of treatment in Sydney happen to be the president and vice president of the United States and the Queen of Great Britain – Not even the Prime Minister gets that sort of treatment in NSW!). Bakr also came out with the line “that his hazard lights should have given them enough warning to avoid his car“ (The riders would have if he had not stopped suddenly in front of them). This claim by Bakr is obviously a lie with one of the cyclists Glen Vigar, who was at the back of the group stating “Bakr’s Ford Falcon overtook the group in the right lane, but repeatedly veered into the left lane within half a metre of the riders before finally pulling in front of the pack and coming to an abrupt halt.” ( This from someone who works as a hired goon aka in security).

According to Optus news “

Most cyclists did not have time to swerve out of the way and either hit the back of the car or those who had already fallen.”

“He also said he sped off because he was scared of the cyclists who approached his car after the crash. “I was a bit scared, a bit intimidated and so … I just left,” he said in the witness box

Magistrate Roger Clisdell on Wednesday the 28^th of January.

Another case Andrew Symonds was fined $4000 according to the Courier Mail when a “

Cheyane Back convicted and sentenced to three months goal by Magistrate Ian McRae for writing “her graffiti signature “2shie” on the wall of a café in Hyde Park on February the 3^rd despite the Back’s first offence. According to the Daily Telegraph “The owners of Hyde Park Cafe were seeking $200 damages for the clean-up bill but were pleasantly surprised with the tough sentence.

Bakr demonstrated the ignorance of the road rules typical to Sydney motorists when he “suggested to Ms Nicholls (A professional cyclist involved in the incident) that she had incriminated herself by admitting she was riding in the left lane. “By law it’s not your lane, your lane is the emergency lane,” Bakr told Ms Nicholls“. Fortunately “Magistrate Chris Clisdell said that cyclists were permitted to ride in traffic lanes”.

Many cyclists now see this as a dangerous precedent. I believe that the problems are two fold. Firstly given the evidence of Bakr’s driving the police should have charged him with Road Rage. It is a Criminal offence and unlike the driving offences does carry a goal sentence. The other charges should not have been dropped and the case should have proceeded accordingly.

Secondly the magistrate should have taken into account Bakr’s previous record of driving offences and made sure he was also banned from driving for at least 12 – 24 months.

Further more the damages should have been addressed at the trial. In this case Bakr cause injury to the riders and $40’000 -$45000 worth of damage to their equipment. Far in excess of the damage caused by Symonds’ comments or Back’s graffiti. It would be appropriate for those who have suffered property loss and or injury to also get some form of damages from the criminal process. Tony Harris the former auditor general of NSW suggested using income contingent loans much like the HECS loans used for Tertiary Education places for offenders to fund victims of crime compensation and pay larger fines. I particularly like this suggestion as it would provide a further financial disincentive for motorists to engage in dangerous conduct towards cyclists and pedestrians or other road users. Coupled with something like mandatory sentencing eg a goal sentence on top of the compensation payable those who engage in road rage would be made to think twice about engaging in that conduct.

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While defending himself in court (some one once said something about those who defend themselves in court have a fool for a client)

He also demonstrated his contempt for the cyclists with his cross examination of Khalid Toefy. In his cross examination “Bakr asked Mr Toefy: “What gives you the right to say it was intentional? Are you a psychiatrist?” Mr Toefy replied: “That’s just my opinion.”

Bakr said: “Just your opinion; it’s not worth enough.”. It’s almost certainly admissible anyway as an expression of lay opinion, which is admissible where the opinion is based on what the person saw, heard or otherwise perceived about a matter or event, and evidence of the opinion is necessary to obtain an adequate account or understanding of the person’s perception of the matter or event.

Ms Clisdell found Bakr guilty of not keeping wholly within the lane, negligent driving and not supplying particulars after an accident. Justice when wrong in the sentencing Bakr was fined $1,200 plus court costs. A fourth charge of cutting in front of a vehicle after overtaking was dropped (in spite of all the evidence against him). Furthermore Magistrate Clisdell denied the damages claim of $45,000. I am reliably informed that this is likely to be pursued in the civil courts.

The comments in Sydney Cyclist and other online sites was scathing of the sentence. One comment went “So he has been completely let off the hook for causing the accident. His only charge is for the other offence of leaving the scene and not giving the police his details. It gives the green light for car drivers to get their revenge against cyclists by suddenly pulling in front of a group of cyclists and slamming the brakes on.”

Some others with legal knowledge have stated “the “light” punishment was strictly based on the traffic offences he committed” and “. In normal circumstances, you can’t get civil damages out of a criminal trial” So the $45,000 may still come from Bakr or his insurer (if the insurer doesn’t just hand liability to Bakr). Last Saturday there was an altercation between a truck driver and some riders in the Saturday Slowies ride. The driver got out of his truck and exchanged words with the riders (I was riding with the group on this occasion). It almost came to blows with some riders citing the case as a reason why the law wouldn’t do much to protect them and so justified a potentially violent response to the driver.

New Years resolutions and a brush with fame

It has been a tough week at work and generally, I have been working on a public counter and am getting pretty tired of it. I do occasionally go out on the road but this week was dealing with the ugly beast that is the general public for all 5 days. To make matters more interesting one of the guys who was in the work area when I first arrived is coming back from military leave. He was an officer in the army reserve and went fulltime for 3 years (after having a pretty rough year with Customs). He is not far off becoming a major (I could say what kind of major but will leave sleeping dogs lie). I don’t know if he will want to stay. He was saying he was happy earning $75000 a year tax free while on overseas service (when he sees his first payslip from Customs he may want to call Arthur Scargill!).

With all of these issues on the horizon I began to make plans for the rest of this year. I had a look at the ride guide from Sydney Cyclist (the online edition) and did some research. I came up with a selections of charity rides which sound interesting and challenging and could (with a bit of luck!) enable me to ride 1000 kilometres for charity.

Some would call it a New Years resolution but New years resolutions are so difficult to keep and are often a complete and total waste of time. However there is one that I am deadly serious about. I have called this project “A Grand for Charity“. What is it? Well normally I ride in a large number of charity rides. These are rides frequently organised by Rotary Clubs and other service groups as well as the MS Society and other interest groups to raise funds for their activities. Distances range from small rides such as 25km for the Woodford to Glenbrook Classic & the Big Canberra Bike Ride which I did on the Fearless Gearless, up to the 120 km Amy Gillett Ride which I under took earlier this year.

I have always been interested in how many kilometres I go when riding for charity and I have decided that this year will be the year I start calculating how far I ride to raise those desperately needed dollars for charity.

There are a number of charities that I am committed to. These include the Amy Gillett Foundation and charities such as Coast Shelter (which look after the homeless on the NSW central coast).

I will also give an idea of how much I give/raise for the charities and write a profile of the charities I ride or raise money for.

To qualify for the project the following rules will apply

1. The ride must be in support of a registered charity

2. The organiser must give the distance. I will record the distance given by the organiser and write about the ride, how I got there and what the conditions were like etc.

3. Rides selected earlier in the year may be substituted for rides that are easier to get to. These rides may be or lessor, equal or greater distance.

4. As I am on the redeployment list at work the project may be suspended or cancelled if I am rotated to a shiftwork area and thus limit’s the amount of charity rides I undertake.

5. I am not a machine, the project may be cancelled or suspended if I am injured or sick.

6. I will endeavour to give a profile of the charity I ride for – this will enable readers to understand why charity rides are a good event and why (In My Humble Opinion) we cyclists do more for charity than most other road users.

I will also try to do a couple of rides interstate with the view of being able to ride in all 3 states on the eastern seaboard. I have already taken part in my first Victorian Ride and will be looking at doing one in Queensland.

The other issue of interest that I will add was on Saturday I rode with a celebrity. I met Antony Green, who comments on elections & politics for the ABC on television, radio and on the internet. I never knew he rode much less lived in the Marrickville area! He rode with us all the way to Centennial Park and joined us for coffee when we returned to the Marrickville Road Café.

I also began riding the Fearless Gearless this week as a commuter. She works quite well although I suspect that another service is coming up soon. She will need some minor wheel trues and probably a new chain. I was considering getting a new rack after the pannier got caught into the wheel Friday and Saturday rides.

It was quite a good ride though. As usual we had some interesting discussions about rides. Some people went on a ride from Marrickville to Mona Vale and back which is about 85 Km on a weekday morning. They apparently had little trouble although there was a lot of traffic on the road at the time they went.

I also had some news on the health front. I went to the Red Cross Blood bank on Thursday. It was the first time I used the new facility at Elizabeth Street. I did the usual filling out of forms and had the usual tests when I was told that the Iron level had dropped. This is concerning – It was still normal though although it could explain a lack of energy over part of the holiday period. There are a number of ways I can deal with this. One way would be eating more red meat – steaks, beef etc, eat more green vegies and take supplement. I am of the opinion that I would do well to eat more of the meat and green vegies. Supplements can be useful but they do need to be monitored.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

This week has seen the Good, the Bad and the Ugly come out in a really big way. Most weeks see the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in much lesser strengths but this one they came out in almost maximum strength. I have to say that it has been a week of extremes but I will write about the good first as it is the bit we use to take our minds off the bad and dilute the ugly.

The good is that I have signed up for the Amy Gillett ride in Victoria and have sighed on as a fund raiser. I am normally a doubter but a doer and put the word out on Sydney Cyclist, The Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club Website Forum and the MASSBUG and Critical Mass email lists. I really doubted if I would raise much at all but I am pleased to say that so far I have raised $210. This is in spite of an economic down turn and the closing proximity of Christmas.

The good also flows into the logistics I have organised for the ride. I have been able to get a promotional first class seat on the train to Victoria on the 2^nd of January. I have booked the bike onto the train and have been able to get a flight on Jetstar with carbon offset to return to Sydney on the 5^th . I have also been able to book a motel room in Geelong for the evening of the 3^rd (the ride is on the 4^th). I will book a room in Melbourne for the 4^th and Vline ticket for the 3^rd on Wednesday when I get paid. I intend on travelling light and will get a day bag soon.

I now have to give you an idea of the bad and believe me I have had some interesting times. I have been doing some training for the ride and was using the Fearless Gearless for some hard training. I rode out to Olympic Park as a Training/Recon ride. I had a reasonable tail wind most of the way there and was able to get there quite comfortably. I have to say that I have encountered what athletes call the “bonk” on previous occasions. One this occasion I was hit pretty bad. I was able to keep myself going but had to stop at a service station on the way and got a cereal bar which got me the rest of the way home.

The problem with the bonk in my case is that it is a condition that can raise it’s ugly head and affect me for days. I have only limited time before the Amy Gillett ride and am anxious about copping the bonk on the ride.

I also had a moment which could have qualified as an “Ugly” moment but just works out the be a bad one, when I left my keys at work and went to the Broadway Shopping centre for Christmas shopping. I found out that I left my keys at work when I went to lock the bike to a rack and got the shock of my life. I searched my jersey pockets and the bag I had desperately. In the end I put the cable lock on the bike in such a way that it looked like the bike was locked. I went to Rebel Sport and bought a cable lock and locked the bike securely. I got my shopping and emails done and then went to the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club roller training session. I had a dream run to Tempe Velodrome and got through the training session. I then helped one of our guys out with some advice on a first aid course before heading back to work to collect my keys.

While I was on my way to collect the keys I ran into Paul Johnstone and we got talking about what was happening. It sounds like I will have to put the link to the Amy Gillett Foundation page on the Critical Mass email list again soon. Fortunately I got to work and found the keys. Things would have been ugly if I hadn’t been able to get them. The Broadway shopping centre is known for bike theft so it was a good thing that the bike was still there when I came back with the new lock. Curious thing about the new lock is that it is not all that good , I found this out when I had to lock the bike outside the office when I went to get my keys. The lock literally unlocked without keys. I will have to tinker with it to see if I have done anything with it or if it really is a useless lock.

On the Ugly side I am sad to say that I and other rider with Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club were witness to some of the worst demonstrations of driving I have ever seen. We rode to Centennial Park on yesterday as part of the Saturday Slowies ride. We got there and did out individual training and were waiting for the group to regroup before heading back to Marrickville when we saw a black BMW 4 wheel drive do a left turn and drive the wrong way up a one way street. It seems that with drivers with big cars and no brains have come out with the drop in petrol prices.

We then headed out towards Marrickville and I and a few others got separated from the main group. When I caught up one of our guys was rendering the air blue with expletives directed at (from what I could see through the tinted windows) a woman in a small sedan. The others had moved off and I asked what had happened. It turns out that our idiot driver had either almost reversed into the group while reverse parking. Our rider was quite irate and I decided to hang with him until the anger subsided and we headed off. I did this because if could have turned violent and it may have been necessary to restrain either party. When I caught up to the main group I checked if everyone was OK – they were fortunately.

While motorists actions imperilled the safety of the group of riders, our riders reaction to the motorist’s actions was not good . I would not be surprised if we see more issues with drivers not all of whom will have the good sense to stay in their cars.

The other ugly incident I had was with a white HSV Commodore on one of the back streets behind King Street. I was on my way to the Rocks Markets and turned into one of the side streets off King Street Newtown and he followed me. The driver started yelling something unintelligible and revving his car’s engine. When I got onto the back street he sounded the horn and overtook me at speed. It was unsettling but I got to the Rocks OK.

These incidents have made me determined to do the Amy Gillett ride. I will do it and raise the funds. I will let you all know how things go.

Getting ready for the Gong ride

With the Gong Ride coming up I will move the training up a notch. The good thing is I got the green Trek serviced at Woolys Wheels on Friday. I rode there and got there at 8. As they open at 10 (why do all bike shops in Sydney open late) I did a few laps around Centennial.

The Green Trek made it down to Wollongong two years ago when I did the ride. I may need a new seat but however given that I have only been using the single speed for training for quite a while it may be a case of me getting used to riding the Green Trek all over again.

When I got back to Woollys I found we were in for more than just a $89 service, I had a feeling we would be in for a new chain but a new cassette was also in the mix to. Further more the bike is going to need new chain rings very soon. I didn’t get them this time round but I will next service. It was a very expensive excursion to Paddo – all of $250 blown on the Trek. I will hopefully be able to use it until it is dead (frame is in perfect nick – almost!) but that will be a while.

I also scored some new shoes and a couple of jerseys at the Netti sale. I found that the jerseys were from the same group. But at least I scored the shoes. I saw heaps of people I know at the Netti Sale. Fiona Campbell took the bike bus to the sale from Marrickville. There was a guy I worked with when I was at Clyde and who lives up the Mountains. He came down to score some goodies. I put cleats on the new shoes yesterday so it will be curious to see how things go.

I also had trouble with the Fearless Gearless. The wheel is chewing up spokes quickly. I have come to the conclusion that I will need a new wheel. I spoke to the guys at Cheeky Monkey and they have come up with a single speed wheel with BMX cog etc for $380 or there abouts. I will probably have to go with that, although I may ask the guys at Bike Repairs what they can do. In short the Fearless Gearless isn’t working all that well. The only good news from it is that the slicks work well – really well.

If my legs are good and the wind doing the right thing (still or even better still behind me) the fearless gearless can go as fast as 31 or 32 km/h. I have been able to use it for general commuting and for the occasional shopping trip. She can also do well as a MTB but for general use. I like the fearless gearless enough to think of it as a good ride. Once she gets a new rear wheel I will start looking at the other modifications I am looking at doing to her up even further with riser bars and maybe even some fancy handle bar grips.

Yesterday I went to the Saturday Slowies ride with the Green Trek and enjoyed riding it around Centennial. I am getting stronger as a rider (at least that is what I think. I know that I have been able to do most of the stuff I used to do with the granny gear with just the upper 2 chain rings. This is good in someways because it means I am becoming fitter.  It was an interesting ride in more than one way.

I noticed a guy with a bike with bull horn handle bars similar to the Kat. The Shogun Katana or Kat as I call it has the bull horn handlebars previously used by triathletes, time-trials and more recently messengers and couriers who want the rest of the world to think they are messengers. The difference between the Kat and the other bike was the other bike was a Pinerello and was pretty much in good shape. The Kat has been lingering in my bedroom with some issues with the old wheels.

I am going to do it up. I have a set of wheels from an old road bike that doesn’t fit me. They are 700 wheels but the Kat’s brakes will need to be adjusted for them to work with the new wheels. Further more the Kat will need the cables repaired and a new chain and a good old fashioned strip down service. I will have to get the bike ready soon for the summer season of rides. It may be a good step in case of the Green Trek or the Fearless Gearless going bung.

I also got a bit of sageous advice from Lindsay yesterday. We were at the cafe after the Saturday Ride. We were discussing bikes and he mentioned that a really good investment would be a good road bike. Something in the vacinity of $2000. Something from Giant, Trek, Avanti? or a similar brand. NOT CELL or any other dodgy brothers brand. I like the idea quite a lot. If I am going to be a serious rider I am going to need a serious bike. I am considering something like a top of the range Cell but that has changed. As I had yesterday off from the Rocks Markets I went out to Parra to checkout the bike shops there. I operate on the suspicion that everything is cheaper out west for a reason. They don’t use bike for commuting all that often (serious roadies live out there somewhere but by and large the bicycle is regarded as a leisure vehicle).

When I got to Parra I was checked out Blackman cycles. They also have a shop in Penrith that I have visited before but there is always the possibility of cheaper things elsewhere. I didn’t see much except the Giant Bowery that is cheaper than it is in town. I went to Universe cycles and saw where most of the bikes advertised on Ebay go. There were more bikes that were 2nd/umpteenth hand there than anywhere else. I asked about how much they cost. It turned out that they buy ’em up cheap and sell ’em of dear!

I also went to the Parramatta Bike Barn and saw what has to be the last remaining Masi single speed in the country. There are some good deals from trek and Giant but the usual story from Apollo et al. I will still keep my options open though.