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.