August/September 2011

Cyclemania Mandurah Over 55 Cycling Club Newsletter Inside this issue:

From the President’s Desk With the end of the club year fast approaching it seems timely for me to remind all that the AGM will soon be upon us and the members will have the opportunity to elect a new management committee and to make clear their wishes for the direction of the club in 2012. Nomination forms for the various club positions are available and if you are interested in any of them now is the time to make your interest known. Just so everybody is aware of my position I will not be making myself available to stand in 2012 for any position, Helen and I have other things planned. We seem to have reached a point of stagnation in our club’s touring programme with two recent tours having to be cancelled for lack of numbers. One of them resulted in a substantial deposit loss by the club, along with a large amount of organizational time, a fact of which I am not particularly proud. Yet, the recent survey results as outlined further into this newsletter indicate an interest in supported touring. Even more perplexing is that I hear that a group of riders are preparing to ride a version of the recently cancelled Southern tour as an unsupported tour. What, as a committee are we doing wrong? Some hard thinking by all members needs to be done for the 2012 programme.

Brian Chapman

From the President’s Desk

1

From the Editor

2

Committee 2011

2

And from the Ride Captain...

3

Committee Meeting Notes

3

Under the Pump

4

Did You Know? / Wanted

5

The Riding Raconteur

5

Results of Club Survey

5

Myalup Cycle Tour Photos

6

How to Repair a Puncture

7

Cycling Fairy Tales

8

Herd on the Highway: King’s Park

9

Social Scene

10

Soup Day

10

Coming up

10

Albany Tour dates please mark your calendars Sunday 20 #ovember to Sunday 27 #ovember

Birthdays September 4 Beth Backshall 5 Charles Ashley

24 Ray Edwards

Spring means swooping birds!

26 Georgie Coumans

The nesting season has begun for various territorial species of birds.

October

10 Barbara Behets

2 Judith Higham

10 Bill Clare

3 Marion Brophy

18 Elaine Calder

3 Pat Garrett

18 Roslyn Willox

23 Gael Bennett

18 Ivan Wingate

31 Bob Lenson

August/September 2011

Bikewest has produced a fact sheet to help in dealing with swooping birds which can be accessed online @ http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/ mediaFiles/ cycling_factsheets_birds.pdf Or telephone (08) 9216 8000 Mandurah Over 55 Cycling Club (Inc.) PO Box 979 Mandurah WA 6210

Website http://www.mandurahover55cycleclub.org.au

From the Editor After a wonderful extended holiday in beautiful, balmy Broome it was nevertheless great to get home last week, just in time for a club ride in perfect spring conditions. There were quite a few holiday makers returning to the club that day so there was lots to catch up on. Luckily I’d done a bit of riding in Broome (with some members of the M.M. Viet. Vets who’d also relocated there for the winter), so I still remembered how to get on the bike. While Broome is a bit short on cycle paths the Vets and their wives introduced me to a variety of good rides there. Particularly memorable is the ride which incorporated the 6km stretch from Cable Beach to Gantheaume Point...on the beach! Ricko and Jan led off and it was a real buzz...at first...with the tropical breezes blowing across the azure water and boats bobbing about at the Point. But the going got tougher as we left Cable Beach behind and by the end if felt more like 16kms than 6. On another occasion we did the beach ride again, starting at Gantheaume Point this time, and led by the intrepid Margaret Golding. After my initial experience the week before, I’d anticipated a

Committee 2011 President: Brian Chapman 9581 8606 [email protected] Vice President: Andy McLeavy [email protected] Secretary: Pat Garrett 9581 7000 [email protected] Treasurer: Daryl Calvin 9534 8412 [email protected] Ride Captain: John #aughton 9586 1408 [email protected] Publicity Officer /2ewsletter Editor/Website: Anne Bourke 9537 7296 Committee Members: Fred Abbott Sue Saunders

August/September 2011

Phil Shorthouse Dick Turner Bruce Williams

challenge but it turned out to be even more difficult than the first ride. By the time we reached the banana lounges and sun worshippers at Cable Beach we were more than ready for a coffee, and unanimous in our decision not to ride on that beach again. We heard later that the sand on the nude beach was well compacted and good for riding, but that’ll have to wait till next year. Thanks to the VVs for some fun rides! In this edition of the Newsletter I’ve included some photos taken by Dick Turner on the Myalup Tour (see page 6). No doubt those of you who completed the Club Survey will be keen to see what came to light as a result. See page 5 for Brian’s summary. Bike maintenance goes hand in hand with cycling but the most annoying task must be having to change or mend a tube on a ride. While guys brought up with bikes would be able to run a workshop on the subject, How to Repair a Puncture (see page 7), has been included in this edition so the girls can get skilled up too. By all accounts the Kings Park/Subi ride was well worth the effort although on reading the report it appears that some riders were lucky to escape serious injury. I noticed on Tuesday that Margaret Kuca, one of the victims, is still sporting some nasty chain kisses on her leg. (see page 9 for full report) Finally, Soup Day, traditionally held at the club during the winter months, was held at the clubhouse late last month - see page 10. Thanks again for your contributions this month. Special thanks to Pauline Winnett who kept me in touch with happenings at the club and for her help in organizing reporters for events which have taken place since the last newsletter. Got any news, cycling photos, or suggestions for future articles? Please pass them on to me at the club, by phone (9537 7296), or email to: [email protected]

For your information, I will be stepping down as Publicity Officer at the upcoming AGM. While I’ll miss putting the Newsletter together for you I will continue to maintain the club’s website. I have been on the committee for 2 years now and so it’s time for a little break. If you’d be interested in taking up this position please contact me anytime (see contact details above), or speak to me at the club.

Anne Bourke (Ed.) Page 2

And from the Ride Captain… It was disappointing to have to cancel the proposed Manjimup Tour due to a lack of interest from the members. We have been putting together a proposed tour program as early as possible in the year so the members have these important dates early and can plan their annual activities accordingly; obviously tours to Hillarys and Manjimup were of little interest to members. So now is the time to put your thinking caps on and come up with ideas for activities you desire. These can then be passed on to the new committee so they can provide the activities you want.

Now that all finances have been finalized for the Myalup Tour it is of interest to note that 21 people went on tour for 4 days and 3 nights and the cost per person was only $90.00 each. This low figure was possible because of the way the catering was arranged; and I have to say we all ate very well. Your ride calendar group has been busy for the last few weeks to put together your ride and social program for the remainder of the year. This has now been printed for distribution at the club and published on the website. You will find there are lots of good riding and social activities for you to enjoy. From now on we will all enjoy the warm spring weather to be out and about.

This is also the time of the year when you all should think about what YOU can do to help form the committee to manage your club for the next year.

Committee Meeting #OTES

Committee members at the July meeting heard that the PA battery had been located. If unserviceable Phil will source a new one.

At the August Committee meeting it was noted that the battery in the PA system has been replaced and that the PA system is now operational without mains power.

Correspondence has been received from the Council and Peel Regional Development outlining possible grants and funding for local groups. Fred will look into this and see what is available.

The grants information which was handed on to Fred was not in time for the next round of offers, or not applicable to our Club, but information will be passed on to next committee.

Regarding the upcoming “Deep South” tour, it was noted that there were few expressions of interest, making it unviable. In light of this all agreed it should be cancelled. The Myalup Tour was successful however, but it was also pointed out that numbers were very slow coming in and that we do need to do something about having members make commitments by required dates. Daryl suggested that perhaps we limit the tours to two a year, these being the most successful ones. He also suggested that in reports to the AGM it be outlined about the need for commitment to tours and how we are out of pocket $450 this year due to the lack of interest and having to put deposits on accommodation when booking for tours. In terms of social outings Sue suggested we should perhaps limit these to the main annual events - eg. Melbourne Cup Lunch, Christmas Dinner, and the Granny Rides. Sue also raised the matter of the Melbourne Cup format as this should be in place prior to the AGM. It was resolved that we stick with the same program as in the past. Brian asked to check the time line for publicizing and advertising prior to the AGM. Daryl queried whether it actually was a requirement to advertise in the local paper as per the constitution. Pat will check. Brian would like us all to canvas for possible Committee Members leading up to the AGM. It is likely only 2 current members will re-stand for next Committee. John Coumans is in hospital - a Get Well Card will be sent.

August/September 2011

Safe cycling to you all - John 2.

Information gathered from the recent club survey was tabled and passed on to committee. The results generated much discussion regarding numbers and figures. Nothing conclusive came out of the results, and committees will just have to schedule rides and see what happens. It was interesting to note that 28 people indicated that they are interested in supported tours but 2 tours have had to be cancelled this year due to lack of numbers. It was agreed that Brian summarize the Survey Results for publication in the next Newsletter. Andy thanked Pat for collating the figures for the Survey. He said it was a pity that tours have had to be cancelled this year. He was coordinator for the Myalup Tour and said that the 3 day tour only cost $90pp. Fred was disappointed in the Survey Results showing interest on forms, but not for the two tours he has tried to hold this year. The Northern Suburbs tour was only going to cost $21 a day! Sue reminded the committee that as we are not using the Old Yacht Club for our Christmas Dinner we need to cancel the booking. Daryl will do so when in office paying rent invoices. Sue will also try and find another roast meat supplier for the Melbourne Cup luncheon as the butcher in Halls Head has closed. Regarding the Club notice board - any person or persons wishing to organise their own group ride or function has the approval of Committee to advertise it on the notice board. For your information, full minutes of the meetings are displayed on the club notice board. Page 3

Under the Pump

Originally from… Renmark on the River Murray, South Australia. Moved to Adelaide when I was twenty one, married Pauline two years later. Retired in 2001 then moved to Mandurah the following year. My schooling was at the Renmark primary and high schools and I suspect that I discarded my bike in 1954 when I left. At school I played the usual cricket and footy but not all that well. I was always a keen social swimmer and could swim across the Murray at quite a young age but did not take up competitive swimming until my late teens when all the other kids were dropping out (as they did in those days). It was through the swimming club that I met Pauline but she had stopped competing when I started. Being one of the older kids, I become Captain of the club and as the coach had retired, I started to assume those duties too – and still coach swimmers today. I was fairly successful in winning a number of country championships so moved to Adelaide in 1959 where I had two seasons with coach Harry Gallagher. The best I could manage against the city kids was a few State bronze medals. Whilst I kept swimming competitively until I was 30, I took on the role of club coach at a couple of clubs but also became heavily involved in the State administration and officiating. I became a qualified referee in the early 60s and still do a bit from time to time. I became involved in Masters Swimming in its early days, graduated from club president, to State then National President, then twelve years as National Executive Director which took

August/September 2011

……Ivan Wingate! me through to my retirement. On my retirement I was awarded Life Membership. My national involvement took me to Canberra many times where I had an involvement in the formation of the Australian Masters Games through the Confederation of Australian Sport. Along the way I was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for services to Masters Swimming then later the Australian Centenary Medal for the contribution I made to sport in SA. I’ve been on the FINA Masters Committee since 1997 and last year was presented with the FINA Silver Pin. I’ve now been to (and swum in) ten FINA World Masters Championships all around the world – the most memorable (for various reasons) was as Chief Referee in 1998 at Casablanca. Pauline and I will go to the Championships in Riccione, Italy next year but I intend standing down after that. In my mid fifties, I said to Pauline that I had two regrets in life, in that I hadn’t done a “City to Bay” nor a triathlon. She said: “Well, just do it, and I’ll do it with you”. We chose to do the triathlon at the Alice Springs Masters Games where it wouldn’t matter if we looked stupid. This began our renewed interest in cycling. We resurrected one of the kids bikes for Pauline and I bought a Super Elliot at a Rotary Fair for $15.00. Mine certainly turned a few heads up in the Alice, alongside some of the exotic machines the triathletes have, but hey!, I won my age group – as I was the only over 55 there. The last two times however, I’ve had to beat other 70 year olds. Family? We have two daughters and the elder, Karen, presented us with two grand-daughters who are both now at Uni. in Perth. Karen moved over here when her husband got a job with Alcoa about 25 years ago. We had therefore gotten to know Mandurah over a long time through frequent visits so it was an easy decision to move here for our autumn years. Our other daughter, Sandy, was living in Sydney at the time but her husband who was working with Mirvac Hotels at the time, was transferred over here. They lived in Halls Head too for a couple of years but are now in Perth.

I ride an…Avanti Carbonio which is a carbon fibre road bike. It was a 70th birthday present from my wife and as Karen pointed out, other 70 year olds get zimmer frames and gophers. Some O55CC members will remember that when I first joined I had a rather large “pink” bike – boy, did that stand out in the triathlon transition racks. It used to go quicker than the Carbonio though – of course it had much younger legs pushing the pedals then. Favourite ride/s… We only do the Tuesday Club rides and used to enjoy the “away” rides every other week. I miss riding around Safety Bay/Rockingham, Murray Bend etc., even that ghastly ride up to Dwellingup – but that’s our problem, the Club has plenty of away rides on offer if we changed our priorities. Best time I ever had on a bike… What I like best is getting back into transition ahead of my triathlon adversaries, because I know they’ll shoot past me in the run. Favourite time of the year... Summer – for the ocean swims. Bike riding is good then too if you start early. Favourite holiday destination...Early this year we had our first “nonswimming” holiday for decades and it was in Bali. Yep ! – I reckon Bali’s the best. Best book...I don’t read so can’t answer this one. Favourite movie… I rarely go to movies, nor watch them on telly, but like the previous two in “Under the Pump”, I did see The King’s Speech and enjoyed it immensely. When not on the bike I enjoy… Swimming, music and photography. I enjoy all forms of music but my preference is jazz in all its forms. I have hundreds of CDs (used to have hundreds of vinyl LPs) and now have quite a collection of DVD concerts in different genre.

Ivan Wingate Page 4

Did

Yo u

Know??

As required by the Road Rules, the minimum distance at which a front bike light must be visible is 200 metres. Because of water proofness, rear lights tend to fail in the rain. Probably because they are too close to the rear wheel. Sealing them with electrical tape seems to work in all except the heaviest rain.

Wanted 2011/12 Do you enjoy talking about other people? Can you make a little bit of the truth go a long way? Do you have access to a computer? If you answered “Yes” to these questions then you could be the club’s next #ewsletter Editor Publicity Officer really… Full support guaranteed!

Please consider nominating for a position on the MO55CC Management Committee for 2011/12

The Riding Raconteur John Bowles and Billie were riding the tandem on a club ride recently when they kept falling behind. After about the third call of stop, and wait, the enquiry was made “what is the matter with your bike?” to which Billie replied – “it’s the back wheel, I’m sitting on it…..” Everyone has their own theory on how to ride uphill. Perhaps this method may help. Try to always control your pedalling and breathing. This will help to keep you smooth. Look as far up the road as possible and choose certain markers along the road. Riding to these points is helpful because it breaks a climb (especially a long one) into smaller, more doable pieces. A newer member of the bike club who normally rides in Lawrie’s group was complaining about the cold on a bike ride held on a bitter wintry day. She decided to borrow her husband’s leggings. “These are really warm”, she was heard to comment the following week, “but they don’t really feel right.” Another member then asked her if they were the latest in modern clothing as so much stitching was exposed. On further investigation she found she had been wearing the leggings…..inside out!!

Results of Club Survey 2011 Forty two members completed the recent survey and I for one thank them for their interest and willingness to share their thoughts with the club community. Listed out below are a few of the major points which emerged. • All members agreed that Tuesdays was the preferred riding day. • Sixty percent of members were interested in Friday rides, whether they are local rides or away rides. • Members prefer to ride for up to three hours with a maximum distance in the range 20 - 40 km. • Less than 20% of members are interested in mountain bike riding. • Seventy five percent of members like static tours with locations other than Busselton and Albany to be considered. • Tour duration of seven days is preferred staying in caravans or chalets. • There is some interest in unsupported cycle touring i.e. 50% of responding members, although supported cycle touring is preferred by 75% of responding members. • Members prefer lunches to night time social functions in the price range $20 - $30. There are many points which can be drawn from the survey and in general the results will be passed onto the 2012 committee to take full advantage of the information.

Brian Chapman August/September 2011

Page 5

M Y A L U P T O U R

August/September 2011

Photos courtesy Richard Turner

Page 6

How to Repair a Puncture addendum by an anonymous male cyclist Firstly, find a safe place to stop to carry out your repair. If you’re a girl you will know the best place will also have men. Visually check to see which wheel is punctured. In most cases the brake will need to be “opened” to allow the easy removal and replacement of the wheel. Most racing bikes have a quick release lever on the brake calliper for this purpose. Mountain bikes and hybrids with “V” brakes require the cable to be slipped from the slot at the end of the brake calliper and in some cheaper bikes with calliper brakes, hub brakes or on bikes with internally geared hubs, it will be necessary to break out the tools and undo a nut or two. Disc brakes are probably easiest as the brake requires no attention at all. If you are one of the majority, and have a puncture in the rear wheel it is always a good idea to click through the gears until the chain is on the smallest sprocket at the rear. The next step is to flip the bike over so it is sitting on the handle bars and the seat. Try to find a clean and safe position for your repair, especially if you are on a bike path etc. Oh! And remove your water bottles. Loosen the offending wheel. If it is quick release, pull the lever outwards, then unscrew the opposite end (with the knurled nut) until the wheel comes free, usually about 6 turns. If the wheel has wheel nuts you will need a decent spanner, or if really desperate use a shifting spanner (technically called a ‘crescent’ spanner). Turn the nut anti clockwise. Removal of the rear wheel is probably the most daunting prospect for many people but it really is a simple matter when you go about it correctly. Many current road bikes have a small lug on the inside of the rear downtube, for hooking the, now loose, chain onto. It makes refitting the repaired wheel easier if the chain is held out of the way. Disposable latex gloves are useful in limiting how far the road grime and chain grease gets spread. Once that stuff gets on to your handlebar tape it usually quickly shows up on your backside. 2ot too bad if you wear black knicks. Once the wheel is out of the frame you need to completely deflate the tyre, if it isn’t already, and then loosen the tyre from the bead of the rim by pushing the tyre away from the edge of the rim with your fingers. And on both sides. Once the tyre is loose you may need to use a bike tyre lever to pry between the tyre and the rim to pull the tyre off the rim. Be careful not to pinch the tube with the levers against the rim at this stage. When removing the tube take care to note the position of the valve relative to the tyre (as a point of reference), thus making it easier to find the actual point and cause of the puncture. And always first check the tyre, both externally and internally, for embedded material. And for more than one source of deflation. And also check where the valve stem is bonded to the tube. It may well have given way at this point. Positioning the tube next to the wheel with the valve adjacent to the valve hole in the rim will help locate the cause of the puncture.

August/September 2011

After you have removed the tube, inflate it and find the puncture by feeling for escaping air. It might look weird but holding the tube up close to your nose makes good use of an otherwise current useless appendage. Ones nose is quite sensitive. If you are at home or at some convenient place, immerse the tube in some water and watch for the tell tale bubbles. Once you have located the hole, dry off the water and then take some sand paper and roughen up an area around the hole a little bigger than the patch. This rougher area will help the glue adhere to the tube and patch. An easier and more effective approach is to wash the area with petrol. This removes not only any talc and water but also the wax finish of many tubes. The glue will now bond better. An easier and more effective approach is to wash the area with petrol. This removes not only any talc and water but also the wax finish of many tubes. The glue will now bond better. 2ote! Only carry petrol in small strong glass bottles (pill bottles) as petrol will dissolve a plastic container, or evaporate. Now you are ready to apply a thin layer of rubber glue over the area you have prepared and which now needs to be left for a minute or so to allow the glue to become tacky and almost touch (but not) dry before applying the patch and pressing it into position. If the hole is on the inner circumference of the tube (rim side), check that the rim tape is in good condition and is covering all of the spoke nut holes. Rim-tapes made of rubber are often insufficient for a high pressure tyre (over 100psi). A fabric rim-tape covering the spoke nut holes, is better than rubber. Slightly inflate the tube so that it has some shape, then reinsert the tube into the tyre and refit the tyre, starting opposite the valve stem. Before fully inflating, take care to push the valve well out into the tyre, to prevent the tyre sitting on top of the valve base and failing to seat correctly. After full inflation, screw in the presto nut 2ot necessary if ones tubes are ‘Schraeder” valves. ie; car type valves. Refit the valve cover. Refit the wheel onto the bike, taking care to reposition the chain over the small sprocket, and if the bike has disc brakes, ensure that the disc is carefully guided between the disc pads. Then retighten the wheel nuts, or the quick release lever. Turn the bike up the correct way. Reconnect the brakes (opposite of the disconnection step), then squeeze the brake lever a couple of times before checking that the wheel will rotate freely. If the brake pad rubs the rim, loosen the wheel and then retighten it while the bike is vertical, ensuring that the wheel is sitting evenly within the forks. Job done! The slightly easier and quicker operation is to carry a spare tube thus avoiding needing to repair the tube on the road. 2ext step. Click the brakes back on, replace your water bottles, repack all tools and thank the men. Put on your helmet, jump back on the bike and enjoy the rest of your ride. Happy Cycling! Reference: Ivanhoe Cycles http://www.ivanhoecycles.com.au//articles/how-to-fix-apuncture/cat_215.php Page 7

Cycling Fairy Tales: Once upon a time, there was a little, ugly bicycle, that was always being made fun of. Other vehicles said to his mother, "It would be all right if he were a little Honda or Civic. We could even accept a little motorbike. But we see no reason to be kind to a bicycle."

When

the little bike went for rides, the cars would honk at him and sometimes try to shove him off of the road. They said, "We don't think bicycles should be allowed anywhere except on a cycle path." And the motor bikes would tease him mercilessly. But most dangerous were the big RVs, who liked to pretend they didn't even see him.

But

the ugly bicycle persisted. He started riding farther and farther away from home, hoping to meet someone like him.

One day at a store, he met some mountain bikes who were strapped to the side of an SUV. The mountain bikes suggested that he pull off his fenders, get some fat tyres, and spend the rest of his life being carried around on a car. But the ugly bicycle said, "But I like to ride for long distances on the road," and that remark so offended the mountain bikes that they wouldn't talk to him any more. Then, one day, the ugly bike saw a large group of beautiful bikes following him. They quickly caught up to him and continued to pass him without August/September 2011

The Ugly Bicycle

even giving him a glance. These bikes had no fenders, carriers or bags, just tiny rear cogs and beautiful paint jobs. Some of them were Italian. These bikes didn't seem to mind riding on the road, and the cars seemed to treat them with respect. He tried painfully to keep up with them, but he was too slow.

The

ugly bike thought, "One day, I'm going to be like them," and he decided to pack his bags and run away from home.

But his trip was very difficult. He wasn't being carried on an SUV, nor was he travelling in a pack of other bicycles, so he had to face indignities from other vehicles. Because he didn't have fat tyres, he sometimes bogged down in the mud of a back road. And because he was carrying all that weight, he was slow at crossing the mountains. But he persisted anyway. He kept going km after km, mountain after mountain, state after state, and he kept getting stronger and more selfconfident. As he continued to travel, a strange thing began to happen. He started liking himself for what he was. The mountain bikes might be better on rough roads, but they weren't as fast on the smooth roads. The lightweight bikes might be faster on the smooth roads, but they couldn't get on the dirt roads at all. Neither the mountain bikes nor the lightweight bikes had racks and panniers to carry supplies and equipment for a long trip as he did. Neither could ride

after dark as he could because they didn't have lights. Neither had fenders like his to allow riding in the rain. He had the qualities necessary to travel long distances under adverse conditions.

Then

one night, when he was looking for a place to camp, he discovered another bicycle that looked a lot like him. This bike had a stout frame, racks front and rear, lights, fenders, and big bags just like his. He thought it was the most beautiful bicycle he had ever seen. And it was a woman's bike, too! He thought the smaller front wheel, the narrow handlebars, and the slightly wider seat were so beautiful! Even more to his amazement, he discovered that this beautiful bike found him to be very attractive too. She was impressed by his bravery and his long journey, and she had been on a long trip also. They talked and talked about their travels. While talking, he realized that it was OK to be himself and not try to be like other bicycles. Indeed, the ugly bicycle realized that he wasn't really an ugly bicycle after all; he just had qualities that the other vehicles either couldn't see, or didn’t appreciate.

The End Page 8

Herd on the Highway: Kings Park Ride Friday 26 August - a beautiful day for a bike ride, and 9 members made the most of the excellent conditions. After the train ride from Mandurah to Esplanade - well 6 of us made the whole journey. Fred rode from Mandurah and met us at Mathilda Bay; Eddy and Helen took the train to Canning Bridge and cycled the rest to meet up with the train travellers at Esplanade. The ride along the Swan River to Mathilda Bay was, as always, very beautiful. Sun shining, water glinting, shags sunning themselves, no wind - what more could you want! Morning coffee was taken sitting in the sun by the river, watching the boats and enjoying some idle conversation. Almost forgot, Bruce also enjoyed a rather large chocolate muffin. Then it was up through Kings Park where Eddy took the lead and shared some of his wild flower knowledge with us. Freesias bloomed along the roads (maybe not a wild flower as such, but very pretty), together with donkey orchids, cowslips, hardenbergias, kangaroo paws, everlastings. It was easy to see why the wild flower festival is held at this time of year. But wild flowers can be very dangerous! We meandered along, soaking up Eddy's knowledge, careful to stay together to avoid any menaces that might be lurking. And then they struck! Helen's bike reared up on its back wheel, Pauline's bike thought Helen's arm was a road hump and promptly ran over it; Margaret's bike, unable to get out of the way, tumbled sideways, throwing its rider soundly onto her tailbone, hand-

August/September 2011

ing out quite a bit of bruising and lacerations at the same time. What a muddle! Seriously though, this "pile-up" certainly caused considerable concern and we were relieved when those who were hurt were able to get up and continue the ride. Never trust a donkey orchid! Fortunately, we were all able to enjoy the ride through the back streets of Shenton Park, through the park itself and on to the Subi markets for lunch. There was plenty of choice on offer with many of us opting for Turkish gozemos. Mind you, I don't think Arthur will be going to Turkey for his next meal. Nothing like a good old Aussi pie! We concluded our ride by following the freeway north to Glendalough station where we caught the train home. A very pleasant day indeed. Many thanks to John, our ride captain, for organising the ride, to Eddy for leading us most of the way, and to all those who participated and provided good company. P.S. I think Pauline must have been very tired as she was spotted wheeling her bike somewhere between the train station and Madora Bay. She was spotted again a couple of hours later, still wheeling her bike. Maybe someone can throw some light on why, after a lovely day's riding, she chose to walk all the way home. Report by Lorraine 2ielsen

Page 9

Social Scene, from Sue

Soup Day: 23rd August Tuesday 23rd was quite windy and threatening to rain when the groups started their rides.

Grannie Ride Day on July 19th was enjoyed by about 6 children who followed John for a fun ride and icecream on the foreshore followed by a sausage sizzle on return to the club. All children took home a goodie bag and some were lucky enough to win a raffle or two. Thank you to Moyra and Keith for your ever generous raffle donations.

We all had an enjoyable outing with only a few spots of rain now and then, but not enough to dampen our spirits. Coffee break was the usual fun time of the ride.

Soup Day on August 23rd attracted about 30 members who devoured some yummy soup and fresh bread rolls. Thanks to all the people who cooked those delicious soups.

Thirty five cyclists returned to the "Base" to consume the lovely hot pots of soup all set out by Sue and her team. Eight varieties of soup were on offer, and fresh bread rolls and butter if desired. We were able to share a very pleasant lunch and plenty of it because of relatively few there on that day.

Next outing will be Ten Pin Bowling (quite a change from our usual events but should be a lot of fun). A full range of snacks and drinks are available at the venue. Melbourne Cup Day is almost upon us. A notice will be on the board soon and once again we will require some members to make salads and desserts. Please remember that reimbursement is available from the club. As stated previously I will be stepping down from the position of Social Secretary at the upcoming AGM. If you think that you may be interested in taking over from me and have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me at home or see me on Tuesdays at the club.

A very big thankyou must go to all the soup chefs who cooked up a treat.

Report by Pauline Wingate without such willing slaves and a very supportive committee. Thanks also to the people who have passed on ideas for outings as it is not easy constantly coming up with something or somewhere new to try.

Thank you to all my helpers over these last two years, you have been wonderful and I couldn’t have done it

Coming up...

Cheers, Sue

Amendments or updates to the calendar will be posted on the club notice board. You can also check the upcoming events on the club’s website at www.mandurahover55cycleclub.org.au/calendar.htm

September/October Date

Activity

Location

Time

Friday 23 September

Away Ride

Dwellingup Picnic Day

9:00 am

Wednesday 28 September

10 Pin Bowling

Mandurah

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Tuesday 4 October

Club ride + committee meeting

Halls Head

9:00 am

Friday 7 October

Away Ride

Midland/ Mundaring

TBA

Tuesday 11 October

Club ride followed by AGM Light Lunch included

Halls Head Groups 2&5 to help

9:00 am

Friday 28 October

Away Ride

Kwinana/Byford

TBA

Tuesday 1 November

Club Ride followed by Melbourne Cup Lunch

Halls Head Groups 3&6 to help

9:00 am

Club ride every Tuesday Free advertising for members! If you’ve got cycling gear or other items to BUY or SELL you might like to advertise in this Newsletter, or on the For Sale page of our website. Please contact the Editor on (08)9537 7296, or email [email protected] with details. August/September 2011

Safe Cycling, and may the wind be always at your back

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