WA Tandem Cycling Advisory Council

Victory in Sight

Our Legal Warrior, Trevor Maslen, is on the verge of a great victory in his long running battle to restore WATCAC to constitutionality (is that a word?) After countless changes and consultations with the WA Department of Commerce, our new constitution is ready to be approved at the AGM. Make sure you are there for the vote to make it official and to congratulate Trevor and thank him for his persistence.

A Great Big Thankyou

Member Jennifer Musgrave has two sons, Rohan and Aaron. Whilst on the West Australian Great Bike Ride, the boys raised $500 dollars by selling bracelets to the participants and have donated the proceeds to WATCAC. That is just awesome, thanks boys!

Annual General Meeting

WATCAC will be holding it’s annual Christmas ride and AGM on Sunday 11 December 2011. We are trying a new venue in Maylands which won’t be so windy, fingers crossed. An email has already been sent inviting all members to attend.

Recent Rides

On the last club ride, three tandems and one solo bike rode from Victoria Park to Jandakot and back. Just to show that even the most experienced tandem riders can stack it, Adriana and Hab met some trouble with an oil patch on a roundabout near Jandakot. They got back on the bike and rode home, but Hab didn’t really wake up again until Monday. They’re both a bit sore, but can smile about it now.

On the 6th of November, ten tandems and 2 singles rode from Guildford to Whiteman’s Park and back. That is a lot of tandems. Good work everyone.

Rottnest Weekend

Well the year got away from us and our plans fell through. Never mind, we can go in 2012. Stay tuned for details.

Rate your Favourite Cafe

A bright idea from Hab – let’s share our favourite cafes. I rated my favourite – Antz in Your Pants in Vic Park – as a 9 but then found out that 5 was the top mark. Too bad, Antz coffee is great, I’m sticking with my 9 out of 5. Not to be outdone, Hab has rated Jezebel’s in Guildford as a 9 too. Which is your favourite cafe?

Come and Try Day and New Members

Hab, Adriana and Jennifer helped out at Cycling WA’s come and try day on the 5th of November. There was a good turn out and we’ve enrolled two new members who have already taken a tandem out on loan. Welcome Paul and Sharon.

Dwellingup 100 Mountain Bike Event
Member Beau Tang participated in the very challenging Dwellingup 100 mountain bike event in September.
The course is a killer with tough climbs and long sections of technical single track. A relative newcomer to mountain biking, Beau crashed at least 12 times, but managed to finish tired and sore in 6 hours and 50 minutes.

Round the Bay in a day
Members Hab Collier and Adriana Lepore, participated in the Round The Bay in Melbourne on Sunday 16 October 2011. It was a 6am (3am Perth time) start at Alexander Gardens. Thousands of cyclists took off for the challenging 210 kilometer ride round the Bay in Melbourne. The first 100 kilometers of the ride took us over the Westgate bridge and on to the Freeway to Geelong then down to Queenscliff, the downside was, we encountered rain and very strong headwinds just to make it exciting and test us. On arriving in Geelong Hab and I were a little tired and the thought that we had another 140 kilometers to go didn’t help. we boarded the Ferry for a rest as we crossed the Bay then it was back on the bike for the last 100 kilometer journey to reach the end of our ride. At least we managed to get a tail wind for part of this leg but we did have to climb over quite a few hills, in particular, Mt Martha, she was a beauty. Not sure how we actually managed to keep pedalling, the last 17 kilometers never seemed to end. Then from the silence came a familiar voice telling me we had 1 kilometer to go, by this stage delirium had set in and according to Hab, I asked him six times “how far to the end”. It was challenging to say the least but we did meet and get to ride with quite a few really nice people.

Cape to Cape Mountain Bike Event
Member Beau Tang and long time WATCAC supporter Janelle Graham participated in the 4 day Cape to Cape Mountain Bike race from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturalist. The tough course covered 210km of fire roads, farm tracks, single track, bitumen and beaches. It was a fantastic event and both Beau and Janelle had a great time with Janelle coming third in the Female Masters category. Well done Janelle! Whilst the technical and sand sections of the course would not suit a mountain bike tandem, the gravel roads and fire trails would certainly be worth a try.

Ocean Ride for MS
Members Trevor Maslen, Greg Madsen, Jennifer Musgrave and Deanne Ferris participated in the Ocean Ride for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) from South Fremantle to Hillarys (55kms) on Sunday 23 October. It was better organised and a lot safer this year. Weather was fine with a slight tail wind until the last 7 kms where the ride change direction into a headwind.

Recreation Rides
There was no Recreation Ride in October and the September rides were cancelled, re scheduled and cancelled again, due to inclement weather.

The next Recreation Ride is expected to be on Sunday 6 November and will be from Guildford train Station to Whiteman Park commencing at 9am. Adriana will notify all members shortly.

Club Rides
Due to unavailability of some riders and inclement weather, there have not been any Club rides for some months. However, with better weather just around the corner we are hoping to get back into the swing of things, shortly.

Committee
Committee met on 24 October. Items of particular of interest to members:
Due to some misunderstanding about dates for Rottnest, this event is not now likely to occur until the new year. A proposal to possibly apply for a grant for the purchase of two mountain bike tandems was discussed

WATCAC AGM
Our AGM and Christmas wind-up will probably take place on Sunday 11 December, information will follow shortly.

Upcoming Rides

Winter huh? It has certainly put a dampener on things. Anyway, spring is in the air so come out and enjoy it. The next Recreation Ride is scheduled for the 18th of September and the next club ride is scheduled for the 25th. For more details, contact Adriana.

Ocean Ride for MS

October the 23rd will see the second running of the Ocean Ride for MS. Trevor, Greg and Beau and his son David rode in the inaugural event last year and had a great time. The course is a 30km or 50km ride from Fremantle to Hillarys Beach. The course is undulating but there are no mountains and the course does take in most of Perth’s beaches and some great scenery. Definitely a ride that you should consider. See www.oceanrideforms.org.au for details.

Entertainment Books

A big thank you to everyone who purchased a book, we know you’ll get great value from them. As a result of your generosity, WATCAC received over $500 which is very welcome. If you know anyone who has missed out on a book, we still have two left! Contact Adriana or Beau to get one.

Rottnest Weekend

This is still scheduled for the 19th and 20th of November. We’ve had a good response from members and so may have to cap the numbers. Get your $20 deposit to Adriana by the 18th of September to make sure of your spot. We won’t know how much it will cost each member, but remember that WATCAC has budgeted $2000 to subsidise this event for members. Family members are welcome to attend but will not receive a subsidy.

Kep Track Ride

On the 15th of May, member Beau Tang on his mountain bike played guide dog to his good friend and vision-impaired cyclist Leon who was riding a borrowed mountain bike. The Kep track is part of a network of bike trails following the old railway lines that run through the hills east of Perth. After a slow first few kilometres while Leon gained some confidence, the boys completed a 55km out and back ride from Mundaring with Beau riding in front and calling out the trail conditions and Leon using his limited vision to keep station. The only incidents of note being several skidding halts where the track crossed roads caused by excessive speed as Leon’s confidence grew.

Cyclo Sportif Garden Island

The 15th of May was a big day for vision-imaired cyclists as three WATCAC tandems rode the Cyclo Sportif at Garden Island. On a perfect course for tandems, Jennifer and Dee rode the 32km event while Hab and Adriana, and Margaret and Paul rode the 64km event. At the presentations after the event lunch, Adriana won the “le revolver” prize for “feats of strength, daring and chivalry” after being nominated by Hab for her expert drafting (behind Hab) for the whole event. The winner’s jersey looks great! Oh and by the way, 999 other bikes participated too.

Recreation Rides

The 22nd of May was a big one as 4 single bikes and 5 tandems enjoyed a cruise by the river to Matilda Bay for a coffee. During the next ride on the 12th of June, the conversation turned to flat tyres leading Jennifer and Dee to anger the Gods with their “never had a flat” talk. Pop, hiss, guess who got a puncture? The next Recreation ride will be on the 10th of July from Bayswater to South Perth, contact Adriana for more details.

Rottnest Reminder

Remember to keep the 19th and 20th of November free for Rotto!

More Tandem Talk

If you’ve got a tandem or vision-impaired cycling story to tell, tell it to Beau at beau.tang@gmail.com and he might put in into Tandem Talk!

Clackline to York and Back Again

WATCAC members Hab, Trevor, Adriana, Janelle and Beau with friends AJ, John and Forest took the opportunity to get out of the city on Saturday the 23rd of April. Driving out to Clackline, the intrepid bunch had a leisurely 45km ride to York stopping there for a coffee and a snack – in John’s case a pie and sauce – before saddling up for the return.

While they were taking their ease in York, the wind freshened and swung to the south, so the 45km trip back to Clackline was more of a challenge, but everyone made it back in good spirits. Janelle and Beau’s spirits were further raised by lunch and beer at the Parkerville Tavern.

Busselton Half Ironman 2011

Following up from last year’s successful debut, WATCAC again entered two teams in this prestigious event and they performed very well finishing 43rd and 61st out of 246 teams.

Team Out of Sight Deep South consisting of Monica (swimming), Hector (accompanying Monica in a kayak), Gerald and Darren (cycling) and Paul Garwood (running) finished in 5hrs 28mins. Team Out of Sight Metro consisting of Margaret (swimming), Paul (accompanying Margaret in a kayak), Hab and Adriana (cycling) and Steve Atherton (running) finished in 5hrs 43mins.

Additionally vision-impaired athlete and tandem cyclist Jeremy McClure competed in the solo category, exhausting his three guides (one for each leg) in the process. He won the Athletes with Disabilities section in the very very good time of 5hrs 3mins and also received a standing ovation when he was awarded the “Courageous Award” after being judged to be the athlete who displayed the most courage on the day.

Once again, the organisers were very welcoming and very inclusive, allowing our swimmers with their kayaking guides to start ahead of the pack and once again, the commentators and the spectators were vocal in their support. Of the 7 disabled athletes that competed, 5 were vision-impaired and all received a commemorative medal.

Well done to all who participated and thanks to Hab, Adriana and Gerald for all of their work in organising the teams.

WATCAC Members in The 3 and 5 Dams Challenge

On the 17th of April, members Janelle Graham and Beau Tang participated in this event, Janelle taking the 150km 3 Dams option and Beau taking the 235km 5 Dams option. Both options started and finished at Barrack St Jetty.

Janelle and her mate Shirl rode past Mundaring Weir, Canning Dam and Wungong Dam had a riot and could be heard miles away. Riding up the very steep hill out of Canning Dam struggling riders looked on in disbelief as Janelle passed them by singing “She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain”.

Beau was to ride on a tandem with his mate Leon, but with a bad case of the flu keeping Leon off the bike, Beau rode his single bike. Unavoidable delays and a flat tyre saw Beau start well behind the main bunch, but undeterred he completed the ride alone in 9hrs 40mins, passing Mundaring Weir, Churchmans Brook Dam, Wungong Dam, Canning Dam and Serpentine Dam.

Well done Janelle and Beau. We’ll get some vision-impaired cyclists out next year!

Rottnest Weekend Update

Plans for the weekend are progressing well. The proposed dates are the 19th and 20th of November. Participants will have the option of making it a day trip on Saturday or staying overnight and returning on Sunday.

The Committee has budgeted $2000 to contribute towards ferry fares and accommodation for members. Depending on the number of attendees and the number of Companion Cards that are available, this will cover 30% to 60% of those costs. Members’ families are welcome to attend but will not qualify for a subsidy.

The accommodation will have cooking facilities but at this stage WATCAC is not planning to do any catering. Last one to the pub is a rotten egg!

Upcoming Rides

The next Recreation Ride will be from Victoria Park on the 22nd of May and the one after that will be on the 12 of June. For more details, contact Adriana.

Trevor has Left the Building

Member and Club Secretary Trevor is off to the USA for the holiday of a lifetime. Among the highlights, he will be looking for the King in Memphis Tennessee and cruising California’s Pacific Highway in a Mustang convertible. Trevor being Trevor, the minutely planned itinerary was developed in one of his beloved spreadsheets!

Entertainment Books for Sale

WATCAC has 50 of these books to sell and they’re going out the doors quickly. For $65, purchasers get a thick book full of discount offers at restaurants, hotels, activities and retailers around Perth. If you use two vouchers for dinner you’ll get your money back. For each book sold, WATCAC will receive $13. To order your copy, contact Beau (beau.tang@gmail.com).

New Format for Tandem Talk
We’re trying a new format for Tandem Talk. Briefer but published more frequently, this new format is aimed at keeping members abreast of recent and upcoming news and events.

Freeway Bike Hike 2011
Four tandems took part this year, 2 taking the 60km option and 2 taking the 30km option. Darren and Gerald – The Southwest Express – completed the 60km in 1hr 27min which must be close to an all time WATCAC record. Adriana and Hab took an extra 10mins but considering the extra years being carried, that was a damn good effort. Well done also to Trev and Shirl and to Les and Alex for completing the 30km ride. Congratulations to everyone that took part.

April Recreation
In windy but fine conditions, 5 tandems took to the roads of the Swan Valley for an enjoyable 24km ride and mandatory coffee stop. An honourable mention goes to Debbie and Kerry who hit the bitumen but got up and still had a great day.

April Club Ride
Poor Trevor and Greg – no mates – but that didn’t stop them from doing the Club Ride solo. Well done boys.

Upcoming Rides
The next recreation ride is scheduled for the 22nd of May and will depart from Victoria Park. For more details, contact Adriana. There is a treat in store for the Club Riders with a ride from Clackline to York scheduled for the 23rd of April. This is a great road and with the cooler weather should be a great day out in the country.

Great WA Bike Ride
Front rider Jennifer and her family took part in this multi-day feast of cycling and socialising in WA’s Southwest around Manjimup. Well done to them all.

Tandem on Mt Buller
In March, WATCAC Treasurer Beau with his long-time friend and stoker Leon entered the Scody High Country Challenge. This annual two day event takes place in and around Mansfield in Victoria. The boys had a great time with a challenging 165km ride on Saturday including a 16km ascent of Mt Buller and a slightly easier 125km ride on Sunday. Mansfield is a great town with pubs and cafes, the countryside is beautiful and the event is well organised. The climb of Mt Buller is do-able on a tandem and less strenuous ride options are available. Definitely well worth doing!

Membership Renewals Are Due
A quick reminder that membership fees for 2011 are due. If you want to continue enjoying the benefits of Membership including insurance cover and participation in our calendar of rides but have not yet paid then please contact a Committee member to arrange payment.

Busselton Half Ironman 2011
Planning is well under way for WATCAC’s second assault on this event. At this stage we expect to have two teams entered each with a tandem for the cycling leg.

March Tandem Clinic
In March, three strong, enthusiastic and experienced cyclists came along to learn more about piloting a tandem. Chris, Paul and Stephen were quick learners and enjoyed the experience. It would be great to get them out on a WATCAC ride, so if you are a back rider and think that you would like to ride more often, then contact a Committee member to see about an introduction. Thanks to Hab, Dee, Adriana, Trevor and Beau for their help in running the clinic.

Thankyou Kirstie Brown
The 2010 AGM marked the official retirement of Kirstie Brown from the post of WATCAC Treasurer which she ably filled for several years. Unfortunately, life has been busy for the rest of the committee so Kirstie has continued in her post until April when the bank and id formalities were finally completed to allow her to hand over the reigns. Thanks very much Kirstie for your contributions to WATCAC over the years. The WATCAC Committee is Hab Collier (President), Greg Madson (Vice President), Beau Tang (Treasurer), Trevor Maslen (Secretary) and Adriana Lepore and Steve Green (Committee Members).

Garden Island Cyclo Sportif – 15th May
The people at BWA have been very welcoming towards us, but they have pulled out all the stops for the next Cyclo Sportif event. The course is flat around Safety Bay and includes riding across the causeway to Garden Island which makes it a perfect course for tandems. Unlike most Cyclo Sportif events, there will be no requirement to ride in a team so there will be no pressure to keep up with anyone – unless you want to. We’ll have at least two tandems on the course so there won’t be a better chance to try a Cyclo Sportif event and enjoy being in an event with 800+ enthusiastic cyclists. A great lunch is included in the entry price. Visit www.bwa.org.au/cyclo-sportif/273/ for more details and contact a WATCAC committee member if you are interested in joining us.

Tandems at the Australian Track Championships 2011
Three of WATCAC’s young vision-impaired riders along with their pilots competed at the Australian Championships at the Dunc Gray Velodrome in Sydney in February. For all three it was their first taste of big time competition and they all performed well coming home with a swag of medals. Well done Vicki, Thanh and Jeremy.

Proposed Rottnest Event
The Committee is investigating options for a Rottnest ride in November 2011 possibly including an overnight stay and a BBQ. This event will be subsidised and will only be open to members and their families. Stay tuned for more details.