A reminder to all of you wonderful cyclists who made the effort to record your morning commute of the 4th of June: please submit your GPX files to

http://www.rideable.org.au/

Rideable - Winter Commuter Survey

This is one of your big opportunities to help promote the cause of cycling (especially cycle-commuting) by doing nothing more than that which you already enjoy.

On Tuesday June 4, from 5:00 - 9:30 am,Rideable, is conducting a cycle-commuting survey which will result in data that will be used to urge governments to provide more and better cycling facilities. If you own a GPS device for your bike OR a smart-phone then participating is easy - all you need to do is record your ride, then submit the data to the Rideable website. Their website even provides simple instructions for getting the data from your GPS to the site.

All information is treated anonymously and you can always start/finish your recording a few blocks from home/work.

Please make the effort on Tuesday June 4, as the more who ride, the more governments will listen.

Advocacy in Ku-Ring-Gai

Are you a cyclist living in, working in or travelling through the Ku-Ring-Gai local government area?

If so, why not help to improve conditions for all cyclists that will promote fun, safety and cycle-commuting in the area?

Bike North has already helped to win improvements, but far more could be done.

To become involved in Ku-Ring-Gai (or any of our LGAs across northern Sydney), please click 'Promoting Cycling ==> Local Gov't Areas' in our menus (left).

Sunday, April 28 sees the annual Bike North Century Challenge.

So, if you're not in the challenge, why not come down to the celebration to cheer the arrival of our centurions.

Wahroonga Park from lunch-time

Have Your Say on mountain biking experiences in NSW National Parks and you could WIN 1 x A$250, 1 x A$100 or 2 x A$50 shopping vouchers and more prices will be announced in the survey!

You find information and a link to the survey here http://www.landscapemap2.org/nswmtnbike/

What are the experiences that you feel our parks and surroundings in the northern Sydney area provide for mountain bikers? Where do you go for mountain biking and what are your motivations?

These are some of the questions being explored as part of an in-depth study by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the University of Queensland about various park visitor activities in national parks in the northern Sydney area of NSW.

The online survey consists of two parts: in the first part we will ask you to drag icons onto a map of the northern Sydney area of NSW, marking locations where you go for rides, the reasons you ride there, and any future changes you would like to see. The second part of the study is a simple questionnaire that asks you about your riding preferences. You need to complete both parts so we can analyse the data.

This is a great opportunity for mountain bike lovers like you to contribute to experience development and management planning in our parks.

Thank you for your help.

Fewer than two months until the Bike North Century Challenge is on

Sunday 28 April.

Now is the time to think about which of the five challenging courses ranging from 60km to 200km your own riding group will take on.

Full information now online at http://www.bikenorth.org.au/cycling/bncc.php.

Got a friend who go a new bike for Christmas and they want to become more confident?
Are you fine riding on cycle paths but want some more skills for riding on the road?

Check-out our Bike for Life program - a great way to start (or build confidence in) your cycling journey.

More information & online registrations are at http://www.bikenorth.org.au/bike4life/

The 'silly-season' has come and gone and, for some, time to make amends for our indulgences.

Luckily, Bike North is providing plenty of opportunities to shake off some of those extra calories over the next weekend.

Friday, 4th January 2013
Movies Ride
Amy Kwong leads this easy-medium ride from Meadowbank wharf to Sydney Olympic Park to watch the movie HOTEL TRANSYLVANNIA under the stars.

Saturday, 5th January 2013
Visiting Frendz
John Turton leads this medium ride from Eastwood to enjoy a pleasant ride through Lane Cove Park with a coffee stop at Frendz cafe in West Lindfield.

Sunday, 6th January 2013
Bays and Bridges
Ian Meller: A medium scenic loop ride via bridges and bays around Sydney Harbour. Gore Hill cycle path, Gladesville Bridge, Iron Cove, Blackwattle Bay, Walsh Bay, SHB and return to St Leonards. Cycle paths, quiet and a few busy streets, some hills;
or
North to West Head
Doug Stewart will test your strength and endurance on this hard, hilly ride through the stunning scenary of the Ku-ring-gai National Park.

Cycling to a merry Christmas

Ho, ho, ho!
Only one more weekend of riding until Santa!
Come along on one (or more) of our rides to share the spirit.

Bike North rides are the perfect way to give your body the gift of good, healthful living.

Saturday, December 22
An absolute feast of cycling; with at least one of our delicious selection of rides sure to appeal to even the fussiest of cycling tastes - including two special Christmas themed adventures.

Medium
-Pie in the Sky (Christmas Edition)
Christmas up your sleigh and come along on a fun-filled ride to the famous pie shop for some seasonal indulgence. There will be a prize for the best-dressed bike or rider.

Medium
Christmas Lights by Bike Lights
Put some Christmas bling on your bike. We'll ride to a park in North Ryde for a picnic dinner (bring your dinner) - then check out the Christmas lights before riding home. Bike lights essential

There are plenty more rides on Saturday AND Sunday - as well as Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, so click on the calendar link (Below) for more details.

Bike North Rides Calendar

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

Don't forget, the Bike North Christmas Picnic is on this Sunday, 11am at Kissing Point Village Green, Corner of Vernon St & Kissing Pt Rd, South Turramurra.

There will be several rides leading to the picnic so, check the Bike North Calendar for rides leading to the event.

It is not only Sunday giving you to stretch your cycling legs in fabulous company, while you're at the Calendar, don't forget to see what Saturday has in store for you, too.

In the Summer-time...

... When the weather is fine,

This weekend marks the official start of the Australian Summer, what better way to celebrate the season than with an energising ride with Bike North under glorious Sydney skies.

Saturday, December 1
Rouse Hill Shamrock with Philip Griffiths; or
Three Gorges Pies with Doug Stewart.

AND

Sunday, December 2
Parramatta Park Parade with Doug Stewart; or
North to West Head with Phillip Burge.

See our calendar for more details. Happy, Summer-time riding. :)

Parramatta Park Parade

See HERE for details.

Almost Summer :)

Warm mornings with endless Sydney sunshine both add up to perfect cycling conditions; as usual, Bike North is serving up lashings of deliciousness on two wheels.

Saturday, 24 November
The classic Meadowbank to Bobbo serves up the ideal combination of challenging hills and a moderate pace that won't fry your legs. If you've never taken on long hills but are wanting to "give it a go", this is your ride.
Or
Pie in the Sky (Extended) offers an easier alternative to Meadowbank to Bobbo without completely dropping the hills. Mostly consisting of gentle, rolling hills - this ride offers the (non-compulsory) option of a 200 metre (4km) drop down to the Brooklyn Bridge before climbing back up to the famous cafe.

Sunday, 25th November
One of our easiest, most friendly rides (including one of our favourite cafes), Breakfast Point Punt is the perfect start to the day for those preferring a gentle spin with plenty of time for a laugh or two.
Or
Whilst not our hardest of rides Wiseman's Wander should never be underestimated. A moderate pace across rural roads will definately leave your need for a decent ride well fulfilled.
Or
Saturday's choice between Meadowbank to Bobbo and Pie in the Sky (Extended) left you torn? Well let Banana Pie soothe your cycling soul. Enjoy the rolling terrain leading towards Brooklyn as well as two big climbs as well dip through Bobbin Head twice.

So, with Summer (almost) here, check out our full calendar HERE

Bike North held extremely successful skills sessions over the weekend at Newcastle's picturesque Honeysuckle area as part of the city's Bikefest.

Just how successful? Find out HERE

We all know the benefits of getting on our bicycles, when-ever we can; be it for exercise, leisure, that quick-trip to the local shops, or riding to work.

However, what is less well understood is the truly massive relative cost of 'conventional' transport.

For example, did you know that a trip through the Lane Cove Tunnel uses infrastructure that cost the same amount of money to biuld that could have built approximately 1,200km of cycleways.

Especially for local trips, imagine the cycling infrastructure we could built in order to reduce the need for highly polluting, resource-wasting motorways. More information: CLICK HERE

At Bike North, we take safety seriously and would like to recommend, to all, a look at Look Before Opening.

Being 'doored' is one of most cyclists' greatest fears; and, this simple (yet brilliant) idea may help to reduce incidents.

Please visit the link and order the FREE stickers for you and your friends - as a reminder to "Look Before Opening" your car's door.

Fair Volunteers

A huge "thank you" to all our helpers over this past, huge weekend of fairs. Your efforts help make Bike North the great community of cyclists it is now.

We are calling on all members to please consider giving back to your club; remembering that there are few more satisfying things in this world than the joy of spreading the hobby you love to newcomers..

The satisfaction you gain helps the measure of Bike North's success.

If you feel you might be able to volunteer, please refer to the Bike North Calendar for the dates and contact details for each of our fairs.

Safety Message

- Lips and edges;
- Grooves and cracks;
- Bumps and bollards;
- Gutters and ramps;
- Sticks and debris; and
- Emergency stops

Always, be prepared to un-cleat around these and other situations/objects at any time. In wet weather, be particularly careful of braking on:

- Corners;
- Leaves;
- Road markings;
- Gravel; and
- Timber surfaces.

Especially in the wet, apply your brakes before you enter a corner; and get a feel for the road surface, with your back brakes, before applying the front.

When riding in groups, avoid collisions by being particularly attentive to:

- Riding in a predictable position and manner;
- Signalling or calling when passing or stopping;
- Not overlapping wheels;
- Following at a safe distance, for your speed; and
- Slowing and calling-out around pedestrians and animals.

Remember, whilst most falls may result in only minor injuries: severity often increases with speed.

Spring Safety

With this first, glorious weekend of Spring cycling behind us, now is a time to remind ourselves to be on the look-out for those swooping terrors of the skies: Magpies.

With a nasty nibble pecked from the ear of at least one unsuspecting rider this weekend, Bike North reminds all riders to be on the lookout for our avian friends from above.

Celebrate Spring!

With Mother-Nature set to herald the coming of the Spring with some spectacular Sydney sun-shine, why not celebrate with Bike North?

Once again, Bike North is running a selection of rides across northern Sydney; be it the enjoyment of a more leisurely cruise or the challenge of seemingly endless hills, there’s a ride to suit you.

For details, visit our calendar and/or contact our friendly ride leaders.

2012 Big Day Rides and AGM

The 2012 AGM was held at Bi-Centennial Park following the Big Day rides on Sunday 19th August. Eighty four riders participated in the 6 rides on the day and 100 members attended the AGM and BBQ.

Congratulations to the incoming executive elected on the day details of which are available by clicking the relevant position on the organisation chart available under the About Bike North tab on this page.

Thankyou also to the outgoing executive members who have stood down for their contributions and service to BikeNorth.

Hills M2 advises cycle route changes, Talavera Road, Macquarie Park

The on-road cycle lane westbound on Talavera Road between Herring Rd and Christie Rd will be closed from 1 Feb to 1 Sep 2012 to allow for the widening of Talavera Rd. At last check, this work has not yet been completed (as of Sept 7). Cyclists are advised to use the shared pedestrian and cycle path on the southern side of Talavera Road which will not be affected. Signs will be in place. Please ride with care. For information regarding the project call 1800 196 266 (option 2) or www.hillsm2upgrade.com.au