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| 5 march 2025 |
Your Bike North NewsLETTER |
| Celebrating the Women of Bike North!
International Women's Day will be celebrated around the world on Saturday 8 March.
What an opportunity to celebrate the women of Bike North!
From volunteers to members, we have a bounty of capable, generous and skilled women in our club! Read on to find out more!
We hope you enjoy this special issue! |  | For Di Lawrence, a Volunteer Award - Communications
Timed with our celebration of International Womens Day, we are very pleased to announce for Di Lawrence a Volunteer Award for her significant contributions over many years to communicating with our members.
The nominating statement (below) was supported by statements from our Communications Coordinator, Sarah Gillis, and the previous Editor of News, Vic Buriak.
It seems a lifetime ago that Di Lawrence stepped into the role of Editor of our weekly newsletter. For almost five years, Di has given her time so generously to publishing Chain Reaction and its predecessor in the old system. She has brought to the role a gentle touch, an eye for detail, a flair for knowing what people need to hear and how to say it, and the skill of finding just the right image to bring each article alive.
To ensure she had a deep understanding of what was happening in Bike North, Di attended our monthly Executive Committee meetings, while not being formally part of that Committee.
Di has been a Social Media Guru, part of that small team of people who maintain our steady stream of social media messages to members and other stakeholders.
She has also been part of the Social Committee, for example helping to organise the last Big Rides Day.
As if all that was not enough, she has also been a scout for Cycling Without Age.
I am so glad I have had the experience of working with Di. Di’s humour, wisdom and skills have been such a delight; her energy and insights have been so helpful over such a long time. I will miss Di’s input enormously. People I have spoken to have felt the same way, telling me how easy she has been to work with.
Thank you, Di, for your many wonderful contributions to our members. It has been a great journey together and we wish you all the best for the future.
Phill Hart, President
|  | Spotlight on Ride Leaders
Where would we be without our Ride Leaders? Probably stuck on the couch!
Here we meet two prolific female Bike North Ride Leaders and find out what makes them tick.
We hope they inspire you to consider joining their ranks!
Bike North has a comprehensive Ride Leader apprenticeship programme. Find out more by contacting our Rides Co-ordinator Brian Lynne at rides@bikenorth.org.au |  | Wendy proves it is never too late to start cycling!
Wendy Jannings is known to most in the club. Here Wendy shares how her love of cycling has led to sharing that with others as a Bike North Ride Leader.
" As a child I learnt to ride a bike, but did not keep it up. I started riding again at the age of 60. Riding is my exercise. I am comfortable leading Easy and Easy Medium rides, not needing the challenge of fast and furious.
I have two bikes, a flat bar hybrid, and in 2022 when hills were getting steeper and distances wearisome, I bought a lightweight e-bike, and since then ...hills have flattened out, and distances are not a problem.
The rides I lead are purposeful, more to do with the journey ie stopping to smell the roses, rather than out and back. The majority of my rides are of art or history value; if no art or history, then I tend to wrap a ride around a subject of interest.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge, and I like riding a bike, so melding the two is a pleasure for me."
Thanks, Wendy, for bringing interest elements to Bike North rides! |  | Fabbo Fabbro!
Perhaps because she has cycling in her blood - her family hail from the north of Italy, not far from where Pietro Dal Molin from Bassano del Grappa brought the English Wilier bicycle brand to Italy in 1906, hence she rides a Wilier (which, by the way, stands for the Italian phrase "W l'Italia liberata e redenta", which translates to "Long Live Italy, Liberated and Redeemed") - Olivia Fabbro is passionate about cycling and, as a Bike North ride leader, is able to mix exercise with having a cha!
Olivia says: "I was always interested in sport and keeping fit from an early age though my interest in cycling only started in mv twenties, cycling along Parramatta Road or Hume Highway to meet up with my then boyfriend. Crazy stuff. Family, children etc got in the way for the next 30 years but continued with netball, jogging or walking. Once I started up cycling again, I was hooked.
I love the fitness side of it with the social side quite a bonus. I enjoy my weekend outings and look forward to when I can also cycle during the week and increase my kilometres.[Now that she is 'retired' we hope to see you mid-week too, Olivia! - ed] I agree with some of the others in our group, that it's all about the coffee!!
Ciao" | | |
 | Cycling Champion
As a member of Bike North since 1998, Carolyn New has been at the forefront of championing the cause of cycling for the benefit of Bike North members and the general cycling public.
Carolyn was Advocacy Co-ordinator between 2001 and 2012, a Ride Leader for 13 years and continuous contributor to advocacy issues, especially in the Willougby and North Sydney LGAs.
Relevantly, Carolyn was the instigator of the Bike North Bike For Life programme which targeted women bike riders and for which she assisted as coach for 13 years.
Carolyn reviews some of her wins:
I cut my teeth in advocacy by leading the Rail Trail project from a period of stagnation through a high visibility flyer/communication campaign with the Minister. Led by sheer enthusiasm and a belief that we had to do everything on the meeting suggestion list, without any campaigning knowledge or prior experience. I was positively supported by an active and fantastic team. This contributed to the John Whitton Bridge Cycleway, although with other stakeholders, but even more importantly raised Bike North’s profile, cycling, and the concept of Rail Trails with the then Minister for Roads and Transport.
This no doubt supported his decision to include the Naremburn to North Ryde Cycleway as part of the Lane Cove Tunnel and Gore Hill Freeway upgrade motorway project which went on to become my major cycling achievement.
While my professional career in active transport is often acknowledged, this was all motivated by my initial experiences and learnings with Bike North leading to me undertaking of Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and having a complete change of career.
Recognised as Life Member in 2015, Carolyn was also worthily the recipient of a Volunteer Award in 2022, at which time the following was stated about her:
‘Whether it is sitting on boring project consultative committees or talking to local politicians whom she has befriended over long contact or offering expertise to Transport for NSW on some high-profile project, her efforts are numerous, deep and invaluable.’
Carolyn continues to participate on many major projects, representing cyclists and writing submissions to decision makers and stakeholders explaining the needs of cyclists.
With the support of other women in the Willoughby / North Sydney area including MaryAnn Irvin, Wendy Jannings and Yaffa Gould (and men too!) Carolyn has made a remarkable and continuing contribution to Bike North for over two decades.
Once again, we salute Carolyn for her contribution to not only Bike North but to cycling generally across Sydney and beyond. | There's nothing 'ordinary' about Bike North members!
We call our membership category 'Individual' as that is what our Bike North members are! Each has their own story to tell. Here we shine the spotlight on two active Bike North members whom you may have met out and about on a BN ride.
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Cycling = Commitment + Camaraderie
Bike North has really changed my cycling experience and has become part of my life.
One of the main reasons I love being a member is the fantastic variety of rides available. Every ride is a new adventure, whether I’m checking out beautiful routes or taking on some tough terrains.
Since joining Bike North, my commitment to cycling has grown significantly. I've been riding regularly, both with the BN group and with friends. The BN community has really helped me maintain that consistency. This has motivated me to explore new rides as well as revisit some old favourites, both back home in NZ and in NSW.
Moreover, the friendships I've formed through Bike North have made my experience even more fulfilling. The camaraderie among fellow cyclists creates a supportive atmosphere where connections are easily made. Sharing stories, tips, and laughs during our rides makes them so much more fun and rewarding. Bike North is not just about cycling; it's about community, adventure, and personal growth.
A big thank you to the wonderful ride leaders for dedicating your time to take us on some amazing rides!
(Here's a photo of me (centre) on a Kerry Tipton ride through Parramatta Park!)
Chanel Foy |  | A real sew-and-sew!
When not on her bike, or ski-ing, Louise Smith is an avid craftswoman, winning the Narelle Grieve Hand Quilting Award 2024 for her work 'Liberty Stars in a Blue Diamond Sky' pictured.
Here, Louise talks about what she enjoys about being a Bike North member:
I enjoy being a member of Bike North for many reasons. Cycling, coffee, and socialising with other members are all things I enjoy . It's a great way to meet people and have a chat.
Staying fit is important to me (I'm actually on a ski trip in Canada right now!), and cycling is a fantastic way to do that. I try to exercise daily, and cycling usually fits into my routine two or three times a week, I find it beneficial to help strengthen dodgy knees, something a lot of people especially women could also benefit from.
I prefer relaxed, easy rides, however for Bike North rides I regularly join Roger's group ride, which is usually 17-19 km/ hr. I'm always happy to volunteer as sweep.
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THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!
Women play integral roles in all Bike North activities including on the Executive and Social Committees, as Ride Leaders and Advocates, as Coaches and of course as ad hoc volunteers.
Motivated to get involved?
Get in touch with a Committee member to find out more:
Click here |
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| 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 | | | |