Recent Rides
A very hot start to the year resulted in the first Rec Ride being cancelled and only 2 tandems turning up for the first Club Ride. Thankfully last Sunday was cooler and 3 tandems, kept together by Forrest on his single bike, enjoyed a 50km cycle around the Swan Valley. This was even though some riders had been out until the wee hours of Sunday Morning…See below.
A Glowing Event
On the evening of Saturday 16th Feb, 3 tandems and 4 single bikes took part in the City of Stirling Summerset Arts Festival Glow Ride. We met at Scarborough Beach Reserve for a fish and chip dinner before decorating our bikes and ourselves in glow sticks, brightly coloured tape and flashing wigs and Mohawks! Once the sun went down we joined a swarm of similarly attired bikes and riders for a leisurely 10km ride along the beach front and back again.
At the conclusion of the ride a light supper was supplied and prizes awarded for “Best in Show”. The normally “very sexy” black Vetta (Dee’s words), looking quite the opposite covered in glow-sticks and some positively luminous yellow, fabric roses taped to its handlebar stem, caught the judge’s eye and won one of the three prizes.
However, the highlight of the evening was the response from all the passers-by. Cars tooted and waved in a friendly way, and pedestrians smiled and cheered us on. Maybe we should go out in fancy dress all the time? Hab definitely thinks so. Put this one on your calendar for next year.
Giro D’Perth
On Sunday 17th March a new event will hit the back laneways of Perth. Much like our fabulous Rotto Run, this event involves a bike (or a team of 3), a map, and clues. Distances vary from 11-31km, not including wrong turns and getting lost. The start time is 9:00am at Brittanita Park, Leederville. Registration is $60 for a team and closes on 5th March. Further information can be found on www.girodperth.com.au. Let me know if you want to join this event: Jennifer@winthropdc.com.
Freeway Bike Hike
The Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma is scheduled for Sunday 24th March, with starts as follows:
7:00am Mandurah 67km, $75
8:00am Currambine 31km, $45
8:15am Kwinana 32.5km, $45
9:00am Bullcreek Shops 14km, $35
9:15am Stirling 11km, $35
All rides finish at Langley Park. Several members have expressed an interest in doing the ride from Mandurah and Currambine. Due to the number of start points, we are unable to support WATCAC Members on this ride. If you would like to participate please organise to collect your tandem from Adriana’s prior to the event.
Live Lighter Great River Ride
Coinciding with our Rec Ride on April 14th is the Live Lighter Great River Ride – a 12km family ride around the Swan River from South Perth. There will be free entertainment and food and drink stalls at the start/finish point, which is the same finish point as those doing the Live Lighter Dams Challenge.
Please email Jennifer@winthropdc.com and let me know if you wish to JOIN or AVOID this event for the April Rec Ride.
South West Tour
Planning is underway for a trip to Busselton at the end of the year. Keep the weekend of the 7th December free. A stop at Simmo’s Ice-creamery is already confirmed.
Member News
Paul and Jo Burges found cooler weather in February by participating in the Great Escapades Tour of Tasmania, cycling from Launceston to Port Arthur. Paul, Margaret and Jo also participated in the very first Albany Half Iron Man.
Jo wrote: “Margaret once again did the swim leg (I kayaked beside her to keep her on the straight and narrow), then Paul and Margaret cycled the 90km (very picturesque leg) in just over 3 hours. We were very fortunate to have an excellent runner join the team who completed his leg in 1 hour 38 minutes (this included a couple of kms on the beach); helping us to complete the Half Iron Man in just over 5 ½ hours.
The organisers were wonderful to us, assisting in every aspect without any hassle. The event was smaller than Busselton approx. 500 entries (including close to 60 team entries) so was a little more relaxed.
They are planning the event again for Saturday 4 January 2014; if anyone is interested it is certainly worth planning towards.”
Rate your Cafe
“Le Croissant Du Moulin” on Railway Road Gooseberry Hill (www.lecroissant.com.au)
They do those French coffees in a bowl – a big bowl – and the escargot pastries are fantastic. Get there early to get them fresh from the oven. Their other pastries look beautiful but I haven’t tried them. It is a tough ride for a tandem to get there, but there is a secret – ride up the Zig Zag. The narrow section of the road is one-way downhill, but if you go early there is little traffic and you’ll have lots of bikes for company. Rated 4.5 beans out of 5 by Beau
Membership for 2013
If you are a former member and have not renewed your membership yet, contact a committee member and sign up for 2013. In addition to being able to join our rides and activities like the Tour de Rottnest, members are able to take our tandems on 6 month loans and benefit from the support and coaching that we provide. It’s still great value at only $30.
Tandem Loan Fees
On the subject of membership benefits, if you have a WATCAC tandem on loan but have not paid your loan fee, please contact a committee member to arrange payment.
Indoor Trainers Available for Loan
WATCAC has recently purchased some indoor trainers for those times when the weather or lack of a pilot prevents you from getting in the miles on the road. Contact a committee member if you would like to borrow one.
It’s Your WATCAC
So, you’ve paid your $30 membership fee, and possibly the tandem loan fee as well. The question is now how are you going to turn that investment into something enjoyable and worthwhile? The answer is to Let Your Committee Know What You Want.
Tell us:
- WHERE you want to ride
- HOW FAR you want to ride
- WHAT SORT of rides you want to participate in (Community Events, Country Tours, Social Events etc)
[sotto voice – there are some fresh, young(er) faces on the committee who believe we can tempt our members into participating in more rides and events. Some of the more mature and jaded committee members think that you won’t care enough to respond…..prove them wrong for me, ……please.]