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Date: 10/9/2024
Subject: Bike North Newsletter 9 October 2024
From: Bike North


9 october 2024	Your Bike North News

Now to Nowra!

Bike North is again offering cyclists of all persuasions a chance for a weekend break in Nowra. In 2024, the Nowra weekend will be Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 November.

All New Rides: This year all the routes are brand new! All the dinners are at places we have never been to in previous years. So, even if you have been to Nowra before, please consider coming again.

What to expect: Touring style? The rides on the Nowra Weekend will be similar to Sydney rides, with a Ride Leader and a sweep. Whilst you can follow the route on Ride with GPS on your device, you can also just sit back and relax, follow the leader and enjoy the scenery!

The Nowra weekend has been on the Bike North calendar since 2018, each year offering different routes, enabling riders to explore the many beautiful and interesting surrounds of the Nowra and Shoalhaven area. This year is no different!

Rides

Thursday 7 November 2024 : Nowra to University of Wollongong, Shoalhaven Campus – new ride

Friday 8 November: Nowra North to Cambewarra Village - We have never been this way to Cambewarra Village.

Saturday 9 November: Nowra to Berry and back - On leaving Berry the organisers have a little surprise for you.

Sunday 10 November 2024: Nowra to see Comerong Island Ferry and Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens – New ride

Registration : If you would like to come along, please sign up on the Calendar for all the rides. Accommodation, Dining and Entertainment: Please see The Nowra Weekend Event page

Questions?

Email the organiser – David Vasey davidrvasey@gmail.com or phone 0412 105 518.

Willoughby Draft Cycling Strategy on Exhibition – Is this AMBITIOUS enough

Willoughby’s Draft Cycling Strategy and Action Plan is on exhibition until Sunday 27 October at here . This was drafted pre-council election where strong action on active transport received a huge boost. Just check the candidate responses Willoughby | Bike North for their statements of commitment. Successful candidates are listed at City of Willoughby - Elections (nsw.gov.au).

The Introduction to this Strategy details the challenges to achieving their vision. Challenges such as limited funding, competition with other road users, the need to balance with on-street parking and the need for retrofitting.

What is not so ‘lighting clear’ from this Introduction is the absolute necessity to deliver a Safe, Connected, Integrated Cycling Strategy which is well communicated to the Community. Willoughby has changed enormously this century and simply cannot cope with its high dependence on car use. Council’s own Integrated Transport Strategy states that ‘Trends show that medium and high density housing in 1999 made up 30% of all housing, compared to 55% in 2019. This is projected to reach over 70% by 2036.

Your thoughts about the draft strategy are also welcome as we complete the Bike North submission.

Read the full article in our News resource here.

There is an on-line survey where you can indicate your level of support for the Strategy and provide further comments. There are also two public engagement sessions at council offices on Monday 21 October, 2-4pm AND 5-7pm.

Carolyn New, Willoughby Co-ordinator Bike North

Carolyn.new@outlook.com 0427 018 516

More on the Willoughby Draft Cycling Strategy

Further to the article above, Bike North members who have any connection with Willoughby should have a look at the Willoughby City Council Draft Cycling Strategy and Action Plan 2034 here, and make a submission.

By way of background, Willoughby has a network of bike routes of 66 km linking local centres and to adjacent LGAs (see map, also map at back of Plan). These provide routes for commuters, recreational riders, shoppers, school children, etc. The quality of marking/signage of the routes ranges from primitive to quite well marked. The routes comprise a mix of mostly on-road and shared paths. A proportion of the on-road segments comprise dooring lanes.

Andrew Nelson, Member

Read the full article in News here

Off-road with Lady Carrington

In previous, calmer times, one road - a dirt track really - was a passageway for carriages. Named after Lady Carrington, it lives on as one of Sydney’s most picturesque off-road cycling routes.

Lady Carrington Drive is a simple 22km out-and-back through lush bush, along beside a quiet stream. The gradients are mild and the most traffic you’ll see is a few walkers or other cyclists; no cars allowed! Check out the photos; you'll get the idea.

It starts at the Audley picnic area, which has parking, toilets and a great cafe. What's not to love?! (Full disclosure: at the far end, there is a steepish few hundred metres which you can simply skip if you don’t feel like doing it.)

Because of some recent weather, the surface is a little rougher than it was a few months ago. However, it still makes a great introductory ride for anyone wanting to test out their gravel-bike or MTB, or wanting to build their confidence and some off-road skills.

Bike North has a few off-road routes in its Library. Another will be offered soon.

Phill Hart, President

Calendar Colour Changes

Have you noticed the colours on our Rides Calendar have changed? Previously different grades of rides, such as Hard and Medium Hard, had the same background colour, which some members found confusing. Now, all you have to do is remember the colours of the rainbow to see rides that meet your interests.

Red is for Hard rides

Orange is for Medium Hard rides

Yellow is for Medium rides

Green is for Easy Medium rides and

Blue is for Easy rides.

Hopefully this makes it easier for members to find the ride that best suits them.

See the colours and options for your next ride here.

Event Discounts from BNSW

Bike North members are encourage to join in some exciting cycling events with a discount through Bicycle NSW.

Bicycle NSW is thrilled to announce two event partnerships and discounts for all BUG's and members to use:

1) Sydney to Gong charity ride on 3 November https://www.msgongride.org.au/ where Bicycle NSW Members receive 10% off the event. Use code 2024BNSW

2) The Bowral Classic Ride on 20 October https://cyclingclassics.com.au/bowral/ Bicycle NSW Members and Subscribers receive 10% off the event. Use code BNSW10.

WHAT ABOUT THIS NEWS?

Our News section of the website has almost 100 articles for you to search - ideas for rides, safety and skills, Advocacy and more! Take a look here!

CYCLING KIT
- SHOP OPENS

Keep your eye open for our Shop Opening shortly. Details to come on the website hereand in Chain Reaction!

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

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