Report by GH 4/12/2011

Weekday rides are still more popular than weekend rides, a combination of reasons for this, all reliant on each other, but not one reason alone. Two new riders this week Gary & Michelle Collard, young, fast and full of energy, I did sight them a couple of times in the distance. Welcome to you both.

Five days after a total knee replacement John McCormack was sitting up at the café drinking coffee. He is just waiting for the doc to give the slightest little hint about getting back on his bike and he will be on it. Bob  & Lynn Cooper and Betty Hudson continue with their break-away group the “ Boardwalk Bombers “ in competition with the bikers. To join you have to be able to walk, which most bikers avoid like poison.

Sunday was a marathon ride with some riding in excess of 120km in nice cool conditions. Ride started at Urunga at 6.30 am with Colleen Henry setting the pace for much of the way ably supported by Phil Jones, with the Georges keeping them in sight (sometimes ) . Dave Hunt rode from Bellingen and realised he did not have his helmet with him after he had ridden about 5km, and turned back. What he should have forgotten was his on ride snacks of rice. More of the group caught up with the early starters in Coffs and we all headed along the highway to Bruxner Park. Gary Collard appeared from nowhere and rode with us as did Mike Flood. Mike had completed a Coffs Triathlon earlier and then caught up to us by car and then completed our ride. Herb Simpson was at it again and tried to pass me going up hill, fixed that with the old pump in spokes trick.

Wonderful ride with magnificent views up Bruxner and a cool ride down through the Rainforest and along through the farmland to Bucca ‘ T ‘. Collen Henry took advantage of the flat section from Bucca ’T’  to Nana Glen to set a great pace. There were some sections that didn’t appear all that flat. Amazing what a flower will do. Coffee at Kafe Kookaburra.  George Smith made the decision to backtrack to Eastbank rd and ride to Coramba. This wasn’t as flat as we all hoped, but there were some great downhills. At this point we were all looking forward to the magnificent ride down Red Hill at breakneck speed. A tailwind from Coffs to Urunga to finish off a great days ride.

Don’t forget our Christmas party on Saturday 10th at Star Hotel Macksville, drinks at 6 pm.

Sunday next 11th December a 7.30am start from BP Urunga. Ride is Old Highway to Lyons rd  on to Bunnings R/about and Hogbin dr into Coffs for coffee.  More info phone 66527464.

As usual Wednesday and Friday rides from Urunga BP at 7.30 am about 35 easy kilometers, see you there. More information 66527464