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Contents
Announcing the 5th Bike North Century Challenge	1
The 2006 Audax Alpine Classic	2
Audax 2006	3
Workging Group Reports	4
A short story by Helmut	5
Does letter writing make any difference?	6
Riding alone – making it interesting	7
Our Favourite Rides: The Great North Road	8
Cycling from A to C via B	9
Advocacy Update	9
Choice in Bike Tyres for Road and Hybrid bikes	10
Calendar
Other Editions

Editor: Jennifer Gilmore
Production: Lindsay Harvey, Keith Griffin

The views expressed in Chain Mail articles are those of the authors only and do not necessarily represent either the common views shared by a majority of Bike North members, or Bike North policy as formulated by the Bike North Executive Committee.

Announcing the 5th Bike North Century Challenge

Since 2002 Bike Northers have been lining up from 7am on the first Sunday in May to take the challenge to ride 100km or 100miles (=160km). Our approach of riding in small teams of 2, 3 or 4 people allows you to share your successes but also to receive support when times get tough. Not to mention sharing those precious spare tubes when you run out. If you are wavering then now's the time to commit because it is likely that the BNCC will move to every second year, so you may have to wait until 2008 to have another crack at it. We had several suggestions to make the event bigger but this is difficult with our limited resources and our current preference is to keep it at the same scale.

We run the BNCC on 7 May, when there is just enough daylight to finish the event (the sun sets at 5:10pm) but it means cooler temperatures to avoid overheating. It is also at a good stage in the year to peak in your training, which probably started after those Christmas excesses. For those that are training for one of the big rides or the Tour de Young, it is the next logical step. Don't wait until the Gong ride, where you do a much less interesting ride with crowds of people, take the Challenge this May.

Most members of Bike North can find a challenge to suit. You can take on the 60km route (with two big hills) or 100km loop (with five big hills) or join them both together for the ultimate challenge of 160km. For the 160km you can assess how you feel after 100km before you take on the second loop, if you leave before the cut-off time. The good news is that the route is unchanged from last year so all the hills and the coffee stops will be familiar to you. However to make the challenge less onerous there is no paperwork quizzes or 20 questions this year. You just cycle to the destination and return. It couldn't be simpler.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The BNCC requires self-sufficient riding and navigation as each team follows the published route guide. You must form the team yourself through chats on the email or on rides. If you don't know people then come along on some rides at your level of difficulty to meet people before the

Each group of 2, 3 or 4 (on at least two separate cycles) will start together but separate from all the other groups. You must attend the briefing at the times shown and you will be given your start time then. No briefing, no ride. Simple.

Your group must always stay together, within 20 metres or so. You will ride at the pace of the slowest rider on hills and all stop together when you stop. So, to avoid frustration groups should be made up of riders of similar ability.

Unlike most other BN rides there are no ride leaders or sweeps, no on-the-road support and you must fix any minor mechanical problems yourself. You have to consider the time and plan your progress to finish by 5pm. Groups should rest, refill bottles and eat as needed. Planning your food and drink stops is an essential part of riding the BNCC. I recommended you take a significant quantity of food and drink with you in your pockets or bag when you start the ride. Items such a fruit, muesli bars, chocolates and sandwiches are good choices made by experienced challengers. For those taking on the 160km challenge I strongly recommend you pre-prepare lunch and leave it at the start. When you swing by just grab it and eat it. Meals like hot soup in a thermos, cold pasta salad, sandwiches and cakes with hot coffee have been consumed by successful teams in the past. I recommend that you do not rely on buying lunch food at Wahroonga due to the lack of suitable shops and time delays involved.

If you withdraw from the event you will need to arrange your own transport. You also must phone and let us know you are out. No group of fewer than 2 cycles is allowed to continue in the Challenge. Remember the BNCC is only for Bike North members, but you can join and then ride. Tell your friends about the great event. The BNCC is a FREE event presented as a service to Bike North Members. We've had suggestions that Bike North should charge an event fee and then provide a range of services, but we'd rather let you choose what you purchase wherever you want and pay for as much or as little as you wish. And we don't have to handle your money or devise a refund policy.

To participate in the BNCC you must pre-register by Monday April 24, using the form provided with this Chain Mail (also accessible from the web site). There will be no entries after this day and no on-the-day entries. For more information contact Doug Stewart (speedwell74@yahoo.com or phone 9874 5594).

BNCC Summary

EASTERN LOOP – 60

WESTERN LOOP – 100

FIGURE OF EIGHT – 160

What to bring to the BNCC

You must comply with these instructions to participate in the event. These are your responsibilities!