SCC Ride for a Reason 2012 (Sydney - Bowral 22/09)

Here is Mark Luton's (SatNav) report (NB various photos are included), I rode a loaner bike from Cyclery northside;

"A quick report from yesterday’s annual Bowral ride run by Sydney Cycling Club.

4.40am the first time check of the day, with six ER’s (Wilson, Stealth, NNNick, Schleck, Phantom and myself) loitering with intent at Gordon for the heart starter to Centennial Park, with Andy, Graham, Zlatko and VD boarding the rattler at Turramurra. Various forms of nightlife in various states of disrepair on our way through Oxford St made us all wonder what it was like to be 40 again…..

All arrived and accumulated in good order at Centennial Park, where the Dominator awaited, together with Chindo and new ER Michael (Phantom’s intro). “Strong as an ox” described Phantom, which proved to be a fair assessment. Welcome mate.

Choice between B1 and B2 (not Mike and Chris, but groups) made all the easier given the B2 support vehicle was more like a mini than the van that supported B1, so we flocked to the latter for the briefing. 22 in B1, a good choice. The standard SCC rolling paceline was prescribed – “roll off the front to the left etc etc” – better in theory than in practice unfort.

Our leaders were Fran and Dan. Introduced by (someone we assumed to be) Jan. Stealth instantly won the hearts and minds of the SCC members with “don’t you just love these made up names”.

The Pinarello crowd which formed the majority of the ER group compared notes as to where they got their matching bidons from. NNNick fiddled with his Garmin sensor on the rearstay until the Trek owners club pointed out “don’t those things have a Duotrap?”. Look it up if you’re in envy. You should be.

Out we headed towards the airport and noticed we also had our good mate Pete Kemp (from Bowrals and Gongs past) aboard, fresh climbing legs from Les Dix Alps, and equipped with backward facing camera to catch anyone workshy to present to the judiciary. Look forward to any footage Pete unless I’m in it.

ER’s were unfortunately too late to nab our Scott from the Renegade peloton; great to see you out there mate and consider yourself contracted to ER next year….

First stop unexpected at a servo in Sutherland to unload the bladder, then onwards to Stanwell Tops, then into Gong proper. Pace was OK if not a bit slower than expected, and stops a lot longer. No complaints, we’ll bank any excess energy for that hill up the road…..

A different route to prior years around Albion Park to the servo stop just before Macquarie Pass proper. Everyone consulted their “BT’s Pocket Guide to Nutrition before busting your…self up a hill”, and on we headed.

Into the climb proper and we each settled into our own rhythm as best we could with c140km in the legs by then for some. 12km to the Pie Shop at Robertson, although the last 3km of those are better described as “undulating”, and not Drastique’s “undulations” between Thredbo and Khancoban either. NNNick and I found ourselves following a decent wheel up the hill – who later turned out to be a mate of mine from Uni that I hadn’t seen for 20-odd years. He managed to pull away (annoyingly) in the last 2km before it flattened out, with Nick and I coming in together. Everyone finished strongly, not a bead of sweat to be found one some (Andy, Graham) and some wishing they’d inhaled more water before setting out (VD).

The final 30km or so into Bowral were pretty easy going for all – no-one looking particularly fatigued by the time we got to Bowral even allowing for the extra 5km we must have done to locate The Don’s home ground.

A great effort by all combatants; proud to be one of the crowd; ER strength goes from strength to strength it seems…..PR’s all over the place per Strava.

Edward (a smaller version of Stealth) present and waiting at the finish line with football in hand to offer some drop punts around the oval to loosen up any stiff legs – much appreciated and I won’t tell your Dad all that stuff you told me about his antics mate….until the ER Xmas Party.

VD played a master stoke for those of us returning by train, craftily sniffing out some recuperative “roadies” for absorption by bidon….he too mentioned something about his ride name “causing problems at home, do you think the FM’s will change it”……Next outing the Gong Ride, and G2GGvG for those wanting an express ticket southbound and to stretch their legs on Bulli Pass on the return. Spreadsheet pending.
Garmin link here Sydney to Bowral Ride for a Reason 2012
YouTube link here SCC "Ride for a Reason 2012"

6am at Centennial Park

the Duck Ponds

Easyriders at briefing

briefing

briefing

looking down towards Stanwell Park and Sea Cliff Bridge

start Centennial Park

start Centennial Park

Bald Hill

ready for descent to Stanwell Park

Wollongong waterfront

coffee stop Wollongong

Easyriders at Mango Tree coffee stop

Sutherland servo stop

puncture near top of Macquarie Pass (Fran is assisting)

Pie Shop

Macquarie Pass photo

climbing on Macquarie Pass

Pie Shop

Bradman Oval

with "The Don"

letter regarding driver behaviour towards cyclists

I recently sent this letter to local newspapers

"Over the past 5 years I have been riding my bicycle on roads around Hornsby I have noticed a decline in the level of respect shown to cyclists by some motorists. Roads in this area are very dangerous for cyclists due to lack of adequate shoulder or bike lanes. The increase in the number of cyclists using our roads is also significant.

I know that a few cyclists are guilty of poor etiquette by riding two (or more) abreast on narrow roads like Bobbin Head and Kuring-Gai Chase Roads, giving none or poor signals when turning or changing lanes, occupying traffic lanes when perfectly good shoulder or bike lanes exist and moving to the front of traffic lines at lights and holding up following cars. Cyclists should improve their behaviour in order to improve the treatment they receive from motorists.

However, I do find it alarming that some motorists and motor cyclists find sport in aggressive behaviour towards cyclists simply because they are using these roads. One argument they tend to use is “these people do not pay vehicle registration, and they have no right to use these roads.” If this argument were pursued to its logical conclusions then we would be charging the elderly or infirm for use of scooters and pedestrians for crossing the road!

I was the victim of two such incidents on a recent ride along the Pacific Highway between Mt Colah and Brooklyn. First was at 9.12am last Thursday northbound on Pacific Hwy at Mt Colah corner Northumberland Ave. As I rode along the bike lane (very narrow) a TransDev bus driver approached from behind at 60kph and the pressure wave off the front of his vehicle knocked me off balance. I was lucky to avoid falling into the guardrail or under the wheel of the bus or a following car. I understand that large vehicle cannot easily move across or within lanes, however is it too much to ask that they overtake a cyclist in close proximity at a safe speed.

On the same ride at 9.50am at the start of the descent to Brooklyn from “Pie in the Sky” a following motorcyclist came to within .5 metres and revved his engine loudly. With plenty of room to overtake on this excellent road and full vision, behind and ahead, this behaviour is purely designed to intimidate cyclists to discourage them from using roads that we should all share with courtesy.

I ride alone on most of my training rides and am at higher risk of such incidents; however I refuse to be intimidated by this type of behaviour and will report it.

What can be done to reduce the risk of death or serious injury to cyclists? Governments and councils must act to improve access to bike lanes and cycleways throughout the area. Some cyclists should try harder to improve their road-sharing skills to improve respect from drivers. And cyclists and drivers who witness instances of aggressive and dangerous behaviour towards cyclists (and pedestrians for that matter), should assist in addressing the problem by reporting it.

Peter Kemp

Mt Colah"

I hope this letter gets a few people thinking about their behaviour on the roads around Hornsby

Recieved a reply to my email complaint to Transdev this week.

Dear Mr. Kemp

In relation to your complaint, all drivers have been spoken to by the depot manager, they have been reminded to take care when passing a push bike and, if possible move into other lane.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Kind Regards,

Service Representative

Veolia Transport NSW Pty Ltd

Phone: 8700 0517

Fax: 8700 0594

Email: businfo@veoliatransportnsw.com.au