SICBUG Manly Beaches

Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Alternate Dash

Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Church Point Akuna Cottage Point

Only six SICOs today for Cottage Point! Check out my ride on Strava

"Go For Broke" Sunday Social Calga

Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG West Head

Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Wed Alternate Dash

Check out my ride on Strava:

SICBUG West Head

Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Four Gorges

Check out my ride Strava

SICBUG West Head

Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Mt White (part)

Only 5 riders today. Frank, myself, Sam, Jane and Craig. Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Wed Alternate Dash

Just three tonight. Bro Pete, Steve "no show" and myself. Check out my ride on Strava

GO FOR BROKE! 2016

A great ride with 17x determined Randonneurs from Berowra to Broke in the NSW Hunter Valley. This event raised over $10K for Beyond Blue in the fight against depression. Check details of my ride and pics on Strava. Donate to Beyond Blue to help in the fight against depression at my fundraiser page. Click here for the 8min YouTube video

SICBUG rides Sept 2016

SCC Ride for a Reason 2016

6am start at Centennial Park means the alarm goes off at 4am! B2 bunch this year left with 18 riders lead jointly by Fran and Sam. With Sam on the front it was a brisk pace along Southern Cross Dr and down to Sutherland. Sam punctured at Sutherland shops. Then he punctured again at Ingleburn. Then he broke a gear cable at Helensburgh. Time to pull the pin! After a brief stop at Stanwell Tops the bunch motored along Seacliff Bridge and the rolling climbs through Thirroul and Bulli. Another puncture stop at Bulli Beach. Terrific food and coffee at North Wollongong although the wait for food was a nuisance.  After a solid clip through Wollongong to Dapto and Albion Park. On to the big climb of the day  at Macquarie Pass. Motor Cycle left the road on one of the tight hairpins. A lady had to be winched out of the bush and helicoptered out. Pies and coffee were popular at Robertson and vests and jackets were needed for the remaining 30kms into Bowral. Temperature dropped from a pleasant 22 degrees in Wollongong to 15 at the top of the Pass. A beer and sausage on a roll at Bowral capped off a great day on the bike. Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Ettalong (via Kariong)

Today was an excursion into the northern parts, and a test for the "mustard" riders (as in "Keen" as...). The 6am off was probably a limiting factor as most SICOs were probably still ensconced under their doonas. Leader Lefty Wright delivered the ride briefing with a warning that lack of bike kms in recent weeks could require the group to "carry" him up the final climbs. Fortunately this didn't eventuate and our group of 6x all managed to stay aboard our bikes and survive the fairly testing course. Lefty, Sam, Craig, Bro Pete, Ian (AKA Roger Wilko) and myself cruised to the top of the first climb at Mt White. Speed at the front provided by Ian meant that we were running ahead of schedule. After leaving Ian at "Old Road Cafe" (he returned on the same course) we set out for Calga and Kariong via Mooney Creek gorge. And what a beautiful part of the world it is! Early morning sunlight (and not too many motos) plus the ringing of the Bellbirds made for a most enjoyable climb. After descending on the new "improved" surface of Kariong Hill it was Sam who led us at speed along Brisbane Waters Drive with Lefty leading the way through the back streets of Woy Woy to the ferry (and coffee) stop at Ettalong Beach. After coffee and (rushed due to slow service) breakfast we joined the ferry for a pleasant cruise across to Palmie. A quick regroup and water stop at Church Point prepared us for the final climb to Terrey Hills. Beer and lunch at Papas St Ives capped off a perfect morning on the bike. Thanks to Dave for his organisation and lead, and to all of our small band of bikers for their company. Check ride details and pics on Strava

SICBUG Cottage Point Church Point

All the SICBUG fathers were busy attending their Fathers Day activities today, so the ladies almost outnumbered the men on todays ride. 7am St Ives at the "off" were Ride Leader Anne, Jill, Caroline, Jane and Sophie  (Craigs daughter) along with the men including Sam, Craig, Neil, Mustafa and yours truely.
A quick trip out to the Cottage Point turn-off and the girls were happy to assign the climbing duties to the men. Craig and Sophie opted to miss the joys of clambering out of Cottage Point in favour of a trip to West Head. The four remaining males went to the bottom of Cottage Point to sample the delights of the 23% 300m ramp. After a slight mechanical halfway into the steep section I got going again after walking 150m. At the top the 4 waiting ladies offered their encouragement as we each sweated our way over the crest.
After a brief attempt to split the ride into two parts - the girls "soft" option to head straight back to St Ives versus the mens "lets stay on the chosen path" option, we all stayed together and cycled out to the scenic turnaround at Church Point. At the top of McCarrs Ck Rd we met Craig and his daughter Sophie again and ambled back to Eden Cafe while Sam and Neil did their lap of the Terrey Hills Golf Course. Weather conditions were perfect and announced the start of the spring cycling season. Check out my ride and photos on Strava

SICBUG August rides

Check out SICBUG August rides here

SICBUG Maraylya

The "Infamous Five" mounted up at 7am and headed westward towards the hills. Led by chief rustler Neil, the gang was made up of a small band of 'ornery varmints including myself, "Wrangler" Robin, "Cowhide" Craig and "Shotgun" Sam in the caboose. After a steady warm up through the Galston Gulch it was off to "Rawhide" Round Corner at a measured trot. Neil took the reins from Kenthurst along the Pitt Town trail and lifted the pace to full on gallop. With the Law well behind us now it was time to ease up in the saddle and water the horses on the Maraylya "mail route". With no signs of the chasing posse we took the Cattai Creek crossing to conceal our tracks. Then suddenly ALL HELL breaks loose! Gunshots ring our across the valley! Sam calls from behind for the mob to "take cover". I quickly realise that the problem isn't an ambush; it's my horse which appears to have thrown a shoe and pulled up lame! After Sams expert farrier skills have been called into action we set off back towards Hookhams "Hideout", somewhere hidden in the rugged hills around Hornsby Heights. Nursing my steed on all the tricky descents we made it back to Galston Gultch with Sam and Robin taking the climb at a canter. Back at the "Florence St Saloon" it was time to for a round of "moonshine" to sooth those dry and dusty throats! What a ride...once again the "Six Gun" SICOs have dodged the Law. Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Warriewood

A splendid winters morning with the SICOs. Wet 'n wild Warriewood was our destination today. On board the "Dawn Patrol" were "Gnarly" Neil, "Cowabunga" Craig, "Maui" Mick and Tony "The Tube" plus yours truely. To the strains of Little Patti and "Stompin at Maroubra" we stomped on the pedals out to Terrey Hills. 

First stop at Illawong Bay was a total "Wipe Out" - not a wave...not even a ripple! By the time we reached Church Point, "The Tube" had pulled the pin and headed home. Despite the roads to the beach being closed for the annual Pub 2 Pub fun run we managed to paddle through the Rip and get out the back for a few sets before "chucking a 180" back to St Ives. Met a few surf chicks in the form of Jane and Jill on the return trip through Bobbo. Thanks to everyone for coming out and "carving it up" this morning. Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG Calga

Today promised great things with the rain clearing and the forecast of more pleasant conditions in the days ahead. Today there were 8x at the off! from Hookhams Corner. A minor mechanical forced a stop at Mt Colah but soon we were rolling again towards Berowra and the Brooklyn descent! The ladies, Caroline and Jill, turned for home at Brooklyn leaving the "blokes" to tackle Mt White. Soon it was clear that the run to Calga was going to be more of a sprint with Sam on the front. The return trip was no different once Sam started to pace the group back to the Old Road Cafe (formerly Road Warriors). Last climb of the Brooklyn Hill tested the legs all around with most of the group keen to get to the coffee stop in Hornsby. Neil proved most keen setting a cracking pace along the Berowra to Asquith section. Thanks to Bro Peter for leading us to the wilds of Calga and back! Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG The Pie Run

The 3x Musketeers (Neil, Glynn and myself) set off from Hookhams Corner at 7am with the prospect of a couple of very chilly descents and maybe a hot pie and coffee at Glenorie. After a foggy ride down through Berowra Waters the pace stepped up a notch through Arcadia as Neil and Glynn peeled off towards Galston. They missed the turn into Wylds Rd and couldn't hear my shout from 100m behind as they pushed on ahead. A short wait at the corner saw them return after realising I was no longer with them. Pies, bacon and egg rolls and sausage rolls were devoured at Glenorie Bakery before setting off back to Hornsby via Galston. At the bottom of Galston Gorge I heard the rear derailleur cable on my bike snap leaving me without gears for the climb to Hornsby Heights. On closer inspection it was not the cable which had broken but the rear cable guide had snapped off the frame. With no resistance for the outer cable this meant the inner cable was totally slack. With the help of my co-riders I managed to lift the derailleur high enough up the cluster to give me a climbing gear. An eventful ride now followed by a trip to the bike shop. Thanks to my two riding companions for their assistance. Check out my ride on Strava

Kai's 2nd Birthday

Photos from Kai's 2nd birthday. Family and friends. Moments link here

SICBUG Palm Beach

9x SICOs made the cold 7am Depart this morning. 2× (Tom and Tony) made the turn at Chuch Point to head home. Bro Pete led us toward the sea using his trusty new Garmin to keep us "on track". No sooner had we arrived at Palm Beach and we were "off-course". Never mind, using the ocean as a fairly good reference point we headed clockwise around the Palm Beach/Whale Beach circuit and made a collective wish that we could have bought a beach shack up this way sometime in the '60s! Even the most basic dwellings with any type of view start at $2mill! Back to MVR after climbing McCarrs Creek Rd and Sams invitation to bike out to Duffys Forest went largely unheeded. The overwhelming vote was to head straight to coffee at St Ives. A chilly but enjoyable mornings ride. Check out my ride on Strava:

SICBUG West Head

A brisk morning with a brisk pace. 8x SICOs braved the cold with a slightly reduced group of 7x going all the way to West Head. Check out my ride on Strava:

SICBUG Cottage Point plus Church Point

This was a very chilly morning. I was the only rider to turn up. Di nuovo solo! Un inizio molto freddo. Check out my ride on Strava:

Calga with Gra

Battling the cold with Gra Domestique. A wet and cold ride with Gra to Calga. This was designated SICBUG ride but only two of us turned up. Check out my ride on Strava

SICBUG The Long Track

A super mornings social ride with the gang. SICBUG riders did not show. Apart from Neil. Check out my 22.5 km Ride on Strava:

SICBUG Warriewood

Today's outing was possibly the coldest of the year so far. About 15x shivering SICOs gathered at St Ives for the off. Despite the low temperatures no fog through Akuna Bay and a steady pace ensued with many other cyclists enjoying the dry weather after last weeks big wet. After a brief stop at West Head Rd the group split up. Caroline and Jane decided that two Akunas are better than one and pedalled off to return to St Ives that way. The rest of us took the low road to Church Point and cold, windy Warriewood. Fortunately the beach and cafe were still there after last weekends huge storms which washed away half of Sydney's northern beaches. After coffee and checking out the surf we teamed up with Hamish and Mustafa who had arrived earlier at the cafe. A brisk return home saw our new recruit "Big Ring" Robyn, along with Sam, Gra and Hamish set a cracking pace along McCarrs Ck Rd up to Terrey Hills. Coffee at Eden Café topped off a great morning ride. Check out my ride on Strava:

Two Gorges plus Somerville Rd

A beautiful evening ride. Check out my 48.7 km Ride on Strava:

Capertee NP MTB

Kathrens birthday weekend. We rode our MTBs all over the park. This included Wallaby Creek trail and Carinya trails. This ride was the longest on this weekend -  check out my 35.5 km Ride on Strava:

SICBUG Narrabeen

About 20x pedaleurs gathered for the "off" at St Ives. Today's ride was a steady loop of the familiar northern Sydney suburbs which took in the long and smooth descent of the Wakehurst Parkway following the western side of Narrabeen Lakes. The final scheduled climb after regrouping at Church Point saw the group split into the "have" legs and the "have not" legs at McCarrs Creek turnoff. So the "haves" set out for Akuna Bay while the "have nots" headed straight for coffee at St Ives. A brisk morning but most enjoyable. Ride details and photos on Strava

SICBUG West Head

A superb morning with just a tinge of winter to greet us as we left the "off" at St Ives 7am. 13x SICOs made their way out into the early sunshine on MVR. Kevin departed for Duffys as the rest of the group slipped down McCarrs Ck Rd toward the first climb of the day. A split into "medium" v. slow paced groups occurred at WH Rd and the group reformed for the trip back through Akuna. After coffee at Eden Café I was accompanied by Gra Domestique for the trip home throu Bobbin Head. For photos and ride details check out my 90.1 km Ride on Strava

Kariong - Woy Woy - Kariong MTB

A super evening hitout on the mountain bike. Called in to see Lance but he was not at work. For photos and ride details check out this link Strava

Convict 100 MTB 2016

Placed 2nd in "Old Farts" age group (60yrs plus). Won't mention that there were 3 entries in the male 60yrs plus category. Well.. at least I beat one poor soul. Had a stack at 50km mark on the Old Great North Road after Shepherds Gully. Skinned my knee and bruised it but was able to get going again after a quick check. For photos and ride details check out my 100.2 km Ride on Strava

A chance to try out my new (old) bike on the hills near home.

This bike is a Avanti Sportivo steel frame racing bike from early 1980s. I acquired it for $80 and rebuilt it using nearly all original components. It has been repainted red with white trim on the lugs and fitted with new tyres, chain, groupset and clipless mtb pedals. Check out my 25.6 km Ride on Strava

West Head Akuna Bay with Kath

This was our coffee ride on Anzac Day. Saw a small (6x) group of SICBUG riders coming back on WH Rd. For photos and ride details check out my 44.8 km Ride on Strava

SICBUG Maroota

With showers forecast and some dark clouds gathering it was likely that this ride was not going to be too popular. After arriving at "The Off" at 7am no starters were around so it looked like a solo outing might ensue. Slowly signs of life emerged as firstly Michael and then Mustafa appeared. Through Galston and on towards Glenorie the plan was to maybe shorten the ride to a "Pie Run" (Glenorie) or maybe even the ferry option at Berowra Waters to complete the loop. At Glenorie the pedals kept turning as the prospect of coffee and bacon and egg rolls at the "Stone House" Cafe lured us on. After a brief rest stop at "Yoothamurra Kiosk" (Forest Glen) it was all stops out to Maroota. At the "Stone House" Cafe the kindly staff gave us the sustenance required to complete the 85km ride. Mustafa announced that he had no front gears as his cable had broken. We briefly discussed a possible fix with two other cyclists from Arcadia, Ricci and Ingrid. They were on the same loop although much shorter than ours. The fix was not possible, So the small chainring would have to do for the climbs remaining. After a brisk canter along Wisemans Ferry Rd to Halcrows Rd, we started the long but not too steep climbs back to Glenorie to complete the loop. Michael lifted the bar a notch with a sprint up Galston east and a coffee stop at Hornsby completed a most enjoyable ride. For photos and ride details check out this link Strava

SICBUG West Head

Today was the gathering of the faithful for the promised "Ascension" including the climbs of Bobbin Head, Galston, Berowra Waters, Mt White, Brooklyn and return via Bobbin Head. Many of the faithful claimed they would be sacrificed on these climbs and so declared their desire for a shorter ride including two gorges and return to Hornsby for wine, bread and the Confessional. I met this group of 12x riders at Galston Gorge and promptly latched at the back only to be told that this group were not the "true believers" I assumed.
So after a further 10 mins wait in the morning mist I was greeted by Sam followed by Mustafa, Jane, leader Craig, and Saffa Rob. A change of the route had been discussed with the intention of riding to Berowra Heights and returning via the Gorges thus eliminating Mt White and Brooklyn.
So it was off to the ferry where we were greeted by a fine mist stretching along the river. Mustafa practiced his "Selfie on the bike" skills on the climb. At the turnaround we met up again with the "short group" who were surprised to see us turn around and head back down to the ferry.
The second ferry unloaded what appeared to be a limitless number of cyclists. They just kept coming!
After the climb to Berilee Sam took the helm and led us at a gallop back through Galston to Hornsby Heights. More traffic to contend with on the gorge now. At this point Jane opted to wait at the Café on the corner of Somerville Rd and restore her energy ehile the "Famous Five" rode a lap of Somerville.
Rolling together again toward Hornsby and Jane "pulled the pin" on thr final climb through Bobbin Head. After the Bobbo climb the "Famous Five" met her again at North Turramurra park entrance and completed our ride with coffee, pastries and prayers at N Turra. For photos and ride details check out this link Strava

SICBUG Five Gorges

This was just a glorious autumn day. For photos and ride details check this link Strava

SICBUG Reverse Gorges plus Crosslands

13x SICOs turned out for this mornings "climbing feast" or as the Swedes say a "Smorgasberg" of hills. Bro. Pete, Dave, Rob, Robin, Michael, Craig, Mustafa, Sam, and myself gathered at the "off" at N Turra.
Soon after our early push through Bobbo we were joined by the Torodes and Kevin at "Bite Me Bakehouse" Mt Colah.
After a super smooth descent to the ferry at Berowra Waters we formed up a tidy peleton for the run though Arcadia to Galston.
The Gorge provided the usual challenge with traffic in the narrow sections and a small tipper truck nearly took out 3x riders with its wing mirrors.
At the top of the climb it was time for the decision of whether to inflict the pain of Crosslands on the legs or to retire for coffee and cakes. DT and Kevin set out for the Hornsby coffee and cake option, while Robin, Bro. Pete, Dave and Sam headed home. ET and Craig joined the last four crazy Crosslanders for the ride along Somerville Rd. Myself, Rob, Mustafa and Michael descended the "Road of Tears" to Crosslands Reserve and after brief words of despair regarding the gradient we had just observed it was time to head up into the "Parcours of Pain".
Having survived the 20% sections of the 2.5km ramp we regrouped at the top. Only "Bobbo" to go and a well deserved coffee break. Water bottles were refilled at Kalkari and Michael led us a brisk chase to N Turra to finish a most enjoyable ride. For ride maps etc check out this link Garmin Connect link here

SICBUG West Head

With 13x SICOs. Gra Domestique for company on return through Bobbo. Led by Stuart. Garmin Connect link here

South Arm Loop

An early spin with Kathren and Iain. The roads around Bellingen are very badly potholed and worn due to cattle crossings and farm gates. The valleys in this region are beautiful. Coffee stop at the "Old Butter Factory". Garmin Connect link here

Valla Explorer

Down and up the Sacred Mountain with a short loop to Deep Creek and Valla Beach to check out the surf. Garmin Connect link here

Newcrest Orange Challenge 2016

With Tony and Harry. Broke rear derailleur cable 5km from start. Bugger! So this was a two speed effort. Every climb was a slow grind out of the saddle. I managed to tie off the cable and bring the swing arm and guide pulley up to middle of the cassette to give me two reasonably usable gears. Certainly makes for a challenging ride - 175km with only 2 gears on a hilly course. Garmin Connect link here

A memory from one year ago with Lefty Wright

Lefty and I took on the Peaks Challenge in February 2015. This year he returns to join our group of friends; Paul, Anne and Jane for another attempt at the 250km assault on the Vic Alps. Bonne Route! This ride is one of the longest and most difficult Cyclo Sportif events in Australia

Rider briefing on the evening before the ride

SICBUG Mt White

A splendid morning on the bike. A total of approx 12x SICOs were assembled at the off 7am from N Turra shops with Caroline leading the way.
A few stray emus joined along the way; Kevin at Kalkari and four others (Torodes and Anne/Paul) at "Bite Me Bakehouse" (formerly "Rubber Duckies"). On the warm up to "Pie In The Sky" (PITS) a steady pace in the cool morning air was just what the group needed to set them up for the climb to Mt White and Calga. Several riders turned at PITS and a few others turned at Mt White. I enjoyed breakfast at the "Old Road Café" as the remaining group of 8x rode on to Calga. After a quick dash out and back they were back at the Café before I could finish my bacon and egg roll!
After the usual scenic descent to the Hawkesbury River the group once again called upon their legs to get them back up to PITS. After a quick water stop it was a solid paced clip back to Mt Colah where the final climb of the day through Bobbin Head was followed by a much anticipated coffee stop at N Turra. Thanks to all for an enjoyable ride. Garmin Connect link here

Cowan Creek early morning

"Old Road Cafe"

"Old Road Cafe"

misty morning at Mt White

St Albans MTB with Jonesy and the boys

With Jonesy, Neil, Dorian and Pierre. A very cool and pleasant morning to bike in the MacDonald River area and up Jacks Track through the Womerah Range. After a quick trip from the ferry to St Albans (pub not quite open!) along the blacktop we decided to skip the morning coffee and head up Jacks Track (steep!). The weather started to heat up but we were fortunate to have shade from the gums most of the way. After a dash back along the Webbs Creek Rd to Del Rio we crossed back over on the ferry and met up with Mike and Felicity for a chat and a coffee to celebrate Pete Jones' birthday. Garmin Connect link here

Webbs Creek ferry

MacDonald River

MacDonald River

Pierre

Dorian

Peter Jones

Neil Rees

Pub Wagon

Settlers Arms

Settlers Arms

Jacks Track (steep!)

Pierre at the top of Jacks Track

Jacks Track Lookout

Jacks Track junction with Womerah FT

waiting for the ferry

Terrey Hills MTB with Jonesy

A very enjoyable spin along the Cowan and Neverfail trails with Jonesy. Managed to fall off on Neverfail track. Enjoyed coffee at T Hills Garmin Connect link here

Glenorie "The Pie Run"

The morning started with drizzle and mist and looked pretty uninviting as I set out from home at 0715am to "Bite Me" Bakehouse (formerly "Rubber Duckies") Mt Colah.

After waiting 10mins it was apparent that no-one from SICBUG was on the road this morning. Then an email message came through to cancel the ride.
I checked the horizon ahead and saw the clouds moving north and decided to go for it. Some spots of rain through Berowra Heights but mostly dry roads through to Berowra Waters.
Quite a few riders gathered at the ferry crossing and it was then that we were joined by ex-PM Tony Abbott and his group of 4 riders. They looked pretty chuffed to be out in the back-blocks and enjoying their ride. One of the group was on an e-bike. I was going to suggest to Tony that he grab the seat post for a "tow" up the Berilee Hill but thought better of it. He did make a Wong turn though and I asked him if he was trying to Shorten the ride.
Anyway, I was now determined to beat Tony and his e-bike friend up the hill and after following for 2km I mounted an attack! It was an attack similar to Cadel's on the Corkscrew climb in TDU 2104 (at least in my mind). It was unchallenged all the way to the top when one of his mates edged his wheel ahead just as we reached Chilcott Rd.
Never mind, at least I aced Tony! After a friendly rer-group I joined them for the dash through to Arcadia. Tony took a turn at the front and I enjoyed taking his wheel for a few kms. At Arcadia they waved me "Goodbye" and stopped for coffee at Andy's takeaway. 

On my pie-seeking mission to Glenorie I scoffed down a very tasty pie with sauce and coffee at the Glenorie Bakery. I headed back through the Gorge and on to Hornsby where I met my wife Kathren for a further refreshment break.
The weather was quite comfortable by this time (11am) so I elected to complete the full course with a spin out and back through Bobbo.
An enjoyable outing after a dodgy start! Garmin Connect link here

Glenorie Pie Shop

Plenty to choose from!

Pie and coffe - much needed energy for the return trip!

SICBUG Manly and Northern Beaches

An early start (630am) meant that we had the sun rising ahead of us as we headed out along MVR. About 10x riders turned up at St Ives to join Stuarts Manly spin.
Fortunately the 630 start meant that the riding was cool and traffic not too heavy.
Arriving at North Head we joined a triathlon in progress around the roads through the park.
After the mandatory photo stop it was off to do battle with the Manly tourists and traffic. The Police were waiting with their breathalyzer at North Manly but we managed to get through without getting hauled over.
Through Manly, Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why we stuck together until DT, ET and Kevin decided to skip the Turimetta and Warriewood climbs and head straight to Church Point.
Brief stop to fill water bottles and have an energy bar at Church Point before the final climb up McCarrs. Excellent coffee at Eden Café St Ives and some lively biking discussion surrounding the proposed changes to road fules for cyclists. Garmin Connect link here

The "Ascension"

As the peleton were leaving N Turra at 630am I decided to forego the ride out through Bobbo and head straight to Galston. After a quite climb in cool conditions up Galston I arrived at the top to find Charles already there. Soon the usual suspects arrived including Sam, Jack, Hamish, Mustafa. Eventually we had a good size group of about a dozen riders.
Off to Berowra Waters at a steady clip and the cool morning made for very pleasant cycling. After crossing on the ferry we were then split up at the top of BW climb unto the "Mt Whiters" versus the rest who elected to return to N Turra or Hornsby.
Craig and his slightly smaller peleton headed up to the "Old Road Café" Mt White while the rest of us (about 5x) turned right at Berowra for the home run. After coffee at N Turra I made a pleasant return home through Bobbo. Thanks to Craig for his leadership on this ride. Garmin Connect link here

Past teh Monastery

BW Ferry

Bobbin Head Marina

SICBUG West Head

15x SICOs left St Ives bound for West Head and Akuna. Rain did not dampen their spirits. 1x SICO pulled the pin at Terrey Hills Thai due to a severe deformity in his rear rim. Weather God and cycling Guru Jim Jam decreed that "no further rain will fall on this ride!" Unfortunately he left the group 5 minutes later to take the path of least resistance to Akuna Bay along with 3x of his disciples. Rain promptly fell again as the remaining 10x splashed their way along to McCarrs Ck. At the West Head turn 2x SICOs decided to skip the scenic delights of West Head and disappeared into the mist heading towards coffee followed by a hot shower. The 8x steely and steadfast surviving SICOs set their sights on seeing out the final spin to WH and up the Akuna climb back to St Ives. Spirits slightly wet but definitely not extinguished, the SICOs satisfied their coffee cravings at Eden Café. Mount Colah Cycling

Seven Survivors

SICBUG Patonga

Misty Bobbo West

Hawkesbury River Bridge

"Old Road" bridge

Mooney Creek

Kariong stop to repair Annes flat

Tascot

Phegans Bay bridge

Fish 'n Chips Patonga

Patonga Ferry Wharf

Cottage Point

Bobbin Head

Our group headed out early (6am) from North Turra as the key issue seemed to be the timing of the ferry at Patonga (1130am) and allowing time for the keenly anticipated "Fish 'n Chips" at the ferry wharf.
Our group consisted of 13x riders as we headed up the Pac Hwy. Some turned at Mt White which left us with 10x. The ride through Mooney was particularly pleasant as the Bellbirds and Lyrebirds sang their merry tune as we pedalled along. Leader "Lefty" Wright managed not to repeat his 3x flats from our previous ride to Ettalong along this same section of road.
A steady clip to Umina brought us to the foot of "that bloody awful Patonga climb" and the prospect of working out in the mid-morning heat to earn our coke/coffee and fish 'n chips at the ferry wharf.
Of course the usual suspects (Sam and Gra Domestique) led the way up the "bloody awful Patonga climb"and into the tiny hamlet of Patonga and that tricky descent. There we met up with Tats and after assuring us that "no, he hadn't come across on the ferry" we placed the order for fish 'n chips and enjoyed the very pleasing outlook from the front verandah of the cafe.
Our trip across to Bobbo was quite relaxing and helped to erase the memory of "that bloody awful Patonga climb"! Coffee was enjoyed by a few of the remaining SICOs at North Turra.
Absolutely maaarvellous day for a ride to the Central Coast for fish n' chips and a ferry ride back to Bobbin Head.  Garmin link here

Audax Alpine Classic Extreme 250km 2016

The usual body jarring, gut wrenching, smash yourself up and down the hills affair! Thanks to my riding mate Tony Gasparre for stopping with me to fix a flat 10km from the start. Marshals reported that tacks had been thrown on the road at Germantown. Some people are just stupid! Garmin link here

Jan 2016 Strava update (click the badges below for details)

SICBUG Maraylya

Top of Galston Gorge

fixing Kevins flat (Pitt Town Rd)

Pitt Town Rd Kenthurst

Top of Galston Gorge Hornsby Heights

A superb ride into the Hills District northwest of Sydney. 12x keen bikers joined this ride led by Neil. Garmin link here

SICBUG Ettalong

An enjoyable loop to Ettalong and return via ferry to palm Beach and St Ives. 12x bikers started this ride, and 10x completed the loop back to St Ives for pizza and beers with Birthday Boy Andy. Well led by Dave in spite of the rain and three flats along the way. Garmin link here YouTube link here https://youtu.be/jxz762kryL4

quick stop at Berowra servo

Calga re-group

M1 looking south from Pac Hwy overbridge

Somersby re-group

fixing Dave's first flat on Kariong Hill

Ettalong ferry wharf with 5 minutes to spare

"Fantasea"

Umina and Ettalong from the ferry

Sag wagon Andy arrives with supplies and a cheery smile!

Church Point

Andy's birthday cake!