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| 18 december 2024 |
Your Bike North NewsLETTER |
| A Classic Sydney Summer Ride for Christmas!
It was a perfect summer early evening as eight riders set out from North Ryde, destination Manly.
The second running of this ride, the weather cooperated nicely as we rolled along the Shrimptons Creek cycleway, Epping Road cycleway and back streets to Manly. Once we reached Manly Beach, some went with the theme and ordered fish and chips while others felt the lure of the many gelato shops.
A ferry ride transported our crew across the water with all the scenery of a Sydney harbour to Circular Quay. We couldn't resist the lure of riding to Martin Place for Christmas tree photos and a walk under the bower of fairy lights in Pitt Street Mall before catching trains home.
Kerry Tipton, Ride Leader |  |  | Membership Fees 2025 - Ridiculously Good Value
A lot can change in fifteen years. Since 2009, Australia has had a revolving door parade of Prime Ministers: Rudd, Gillard, Rudd 2.0, Abbott, Turnbull, Morrison, Albanese. Australian soldiers have left Iraq and Afghanistan. Back then, Tik-Tok was what clocks said.
One thing has not changed, though: Bike North's membership fees. Ever since 2009, we have been paying exactly the same amount to be members of our wonderful organisation, even though inflation has steadily meant that amount has been buying less and less. According to the RBA, a ‘basket of goods' that cost $1.00 in 2009 would now cost around $1.50!
Ridiculously good value. How have we done that? How have we kept our membership fees so low?
A huge strength of Bike North is that it draws so well on the freely-given efforts and expertise of our volunteer members. We are very careful with all expenditures. For example, we have kept our IT fees very low by moving to ClubExpress.
Our record streak of 15 years is about to end, though. To ensure our financial health and future, the Executive Committee has decided - after careful thought - to increase our membership.
By how much? Less than the cost of a cup of coffee and a muffin.
The fees will become as follows:
- Individual - standard - 1 year - $45
- Individual - standard - 3 years - $130
- Individual - concession - 1 year - $35
- Individual - concession - 3 years - $90
- Family – 1 year - $65
- Family – 3 years - $175
These will take effect when you renew your membership next year and for anyone joining from 1 January 2025.
Still ridiculously good value.
Phill Hart, President
|  | Tour de Cowra 2025
“What are you doing for Easter?” Problem solved! Join us for Bike North’s premier cycling event, the Tour de Cowra. Tour de Cowra 2025 will run for 8 days! From Good Friday (Friday 18 April), through to ANZAC Day (Friday 25 April). Come for some or all days.
There are 24 rides for you over the 8 days. We will ride in a different direction each day. All rides are on sealed roads, no dirt or gravel. Check out the Event page here for all the details. All the rides will be published on the Bike North Calendar in early February.
Any Questions? Email the organisers at cowra@bikenorth.org.au
Happy Christmas.
John and David
TdC 2025 Organisers | | | Magenta Missing Link Opens
Sometimes a wanderer can be “Johnny on the Spot”. On 16 December, I was solo riding BN Route “Wyong Loop - Extended”, in reverse. After coffee at Budgewoi, I headed south, interested to see progress on the “missing link” shared-path around Magenta. This path is to avoid riding 5km on the shoulder of very busy Wilfred Barrett Drive (aka Central Coast Highway).
I’ve been monitoring this challenging construction for a while. At the top end, I saw two idle workers and asked them when the path might open. “It just opened a few minutes ago. You can ride it if you like.” After a short distance, I found the opening ceremony remnants. The ribbon was reestablished for me to pose.
The path is great, undulating and twisting through rugged bushland, quite different from the nearby flat-ish, straight road. (Strava Strivers might still use the road shoulder). There is a lookout en route, with views of Tuggerah Lake and the ocean.
The link makes the looping of Tuggerah Lake more attractive to traffic-averse riders. I have scheduled Wyong Loop – Extended for 24 December. Register on the Calendar here.
Richard Kelly, Oz Wanderer
|  | | | New Member Welcomed
It's always great to have a new member on board and last Thursday was no exception when we welcomed Phil, who was doing his first Bike North ride.
Starting early from Meadowbank had its advantages on Bike North's Parks, The Lake and Other Things ride, with very few pedestrians or traffic.
BUT the one downside was arriving at our coffee stop before it opened so it was off to Five Loaves at Harris Park for our well deserved break!
Brian Lynne, Rides Coordinator
| | | Canterbury Road Underpass Opens
Bike North member no.1, Neil Tonkin, advises that the long awaited underpass of Canterbury Road will be officially opened on Friday 20 December. This photo of recent construction, was taken just before finalisation.
Great news for all. | | | For Sale
Ladies Specialised Turbo Vado SL 4.0 bike. Step-through EQ small size.
Only 3 years old and done 3,969 kms. Comes with computer and weight about 13 kgs
Battery is integrated in bike and has 320 Wh of power (enough for about 100 kms)
Cost is $3,000.00 (was $6,000.00 when purchased)
Contact Helen Middleton on 0451 640 329
| | | For Sale
NCM MILANO PLUS Medium/ Large size $1,250.
Only 2,400 kms approximately. Excellent condition.
A very sturdy reliable hybrid style with step thru frame.
Powerful 48 volt 16 A/H Battery. Range up to 120 kms.
Hydraulic Disk Brakes
Shimano 8 speed gears.
Inclusions:
Lights, Mudguards
Pannier rack
Leather seat and handlebar grips
2 sets of tyres: Schwalbe Marathon plus a set of “gravel” tyres.
Why not have a test ride?
Contact Allan on 0433 394778
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CHRISTMAS BREAK FOR NEWSLETTER
To celebrate the holiday season there will be a break in the Chain!
Chain Reaction newsletter that is. This issue is the last newsletter for the year. Chain Reaction will return to you on 15 January 2025.
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THANKS
As the year comes to an end thanks are extended to all those who contribute so much to our newsletter. Thanks to all those who send articles and photos. Keep it up in 2025. . . please!
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| CHAIN REACTION ARTICLE DEADLINE
Bike North members are keen to hear about your rides and ideas. Send your article, either within an email or as an attached Word document, and separately attached images (jpeg files please) to news@bikenorth.org.au by 4pm each Tuesday for publication in our weekly newsletter Chain Reaction or for your article to be added to our News library.
Before sending your ideas please read the Guidelines for Contributors .
Submit your article | BICYCLE NSW DISCOUNT
Did you know that membership of Bike North entitles you to a 15% discount on a membership to Bicycle NSW? Use code 15NORTH when you join or renew. Bicycle NSW members receive global, comprehensive (personal accident and public liability) rider insurance and a range of other benefits as well as advocacy and legal support.
Find out more | | | |