Not Big, HUGE!
Will O’Neil and I couldn’t help ourselves.
At the start of the recent Big Rides Day, we just had to subject the long-suffering attendees to our rendition of Hello Bike North (sung to the tune of Rubber Ducky):
Hello Bike North, you’re the one,
You make riding so much fun.
Hello Bike North, I’m awfully fond of you.
Hello Bike North, joy of joys,
Riding with the girls and boys
Hello Bike North, you’re my very best friend, it’s true.
Big Rides Day drew a HUGE crowd: 95 people attended, which was marvellous considering all the rain we have been having!
We thanked the weather gods and then, closer to home, we thanked the Social Committee: Marilyn Algeo and Wendy Jannings, who came to the venue very early to grab position.
We also thanked all the Ride Leaders, especially those who led rides on the day: Martin Bowesman, Greg Boyd, Geoff Young, Brian Lynne, David Vasey, Olivia Fabbro, James Kellas, Richard Kelly and myself.
Not everyone could be there. We noted apologies from Tom Rubin, David Thomson and Sarah Gillis.
Then we took a moment to remember the wonderful Di Lawrence, who had been the Editor of Chain Reaction, part of the Social Committee, active with the Executive committee and Social Media Gurus, and was an all-round good person. Since we were last together, Di lost her brief battle with cancer.
We welcomed two staff members from Bicycle NSW: Yvonne Poon, Membership Coordinator and Sarah Bickford, Bike Planner.
We then acknowledged the following people:
- New Ride Leaders: James Kellas, Chris Cutcliffe
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Tour de Cowra organisers: John Williams and David Vasey
- Members of the Executive Committee: Brian Lynne Rides Coordinator, Melody Guo Treasurer, Tom Rubin Secretary, David Thomson Advocacy Coordinator, Sarah Gillis Communications Coordinator, Chain Reaction Editor, etc
- Brian Lynne spoke of the wonderful work of the Ride Leaders and presented a certificate to one of our newest Ride leaders, James Kellas.(Chris Cutcliffe was not able to be present.)
- Andrew Elliston, for his strong support for the Exec and his work on the Rides Committee
- Social Media gurus, with a special mention of Chris Byrne
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And of course, everyone who has supported our advocacy efforts and so on.
Contributing to Bike North
I encouraged people to contribute to Bike North in some way: join the Executive Committee, Chain Reaction editorial team, the Social media gurus, the Social Committee, become a Ride Leader, support our Advocacy. There are many exciting ways to extend your involvement.
For example, we heard from Gary Hackett, the organiser of Riding Together ( www.ridingtogether.org) which provides tandems and training to anyone who wants to help others who want to ride but cannot for some reason. Some of our members already have good reasons for wanting to 'ride together'. It might be because their partner or friend is incapacitated, perhaps by illness or disability. Or they might be becoming less confident riders themselves, because of age, accident or misadventure. Riding Together means more people can ride, for longer. It connects people who want to ride with people who can. I am glad we are providing our members with this opportunity. If you would like to train to become a pilot, contact Riding Together at adele@ridingtogether.org. (It’s free!).
There are three reasons for contributing actively to Bike North:
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It’s how things happen: Big Rides Day, Chain Reaction, the Tour de Cowra and so on. For each of these, someone makes it happen
- It is satisfying, interesting and energising
- It contributes enormously to people’s well-being, health and happiness
Bike North is a very supportive group; we are very keen to help you get started and learn how to do things that interest you.
In closing, we thanked again the Social Committee: Marilyn Algeo and Wendy Jannings.
Best wishes for safe and happy riding,
Phill Hart, President
president@bikenorth.org.au
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