SICBUG August rides

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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