(words by Keith Griffin, research by Graeme Edwards)

For many years Fran and I had taken the opportunity afforded by the Easter break to visit her parents in Cowra.  We would visit the farm (past Mt Collins), do some cooking, as Fran's mother was neither keen nor gifted in culinary matters, and spend some time cycling.

During the 90s we had done some country touring on our bikes, first one day visits to towns in the area, then some multi-day tours around Cowra, Mudgee and NE Victoria.  In 2000 we did the two week tour from Cowra to Rutherglen and back with three days of 'rest' in the wine region of Rutherglen - what a shame, how did we cope! Our companions were Richard Vagg and Simone Magri.

One day early in the year 2001 Fran and I were planning Easter. Cowra was again on the cards, but the idea of inviting some friends to enjoy the excellent roads and views around the district came to us as an epiphany, despite the time of year. Some years earlier we had joined Bike North so the obvious action was to invite people from BN with whom we could share the experience. Thus the Tour de Cowra was born.

 

As Ride Leaders remind us at the beginning of each and every Bike North ride, cycling is a dangerous activity.

 

And we know that, despite the care we take as responsible cyclists, accidents can and do happen.

 

Whilst it is not a requirement for Bike North members to hold cycling insurance, the Bike North Committee recommends members have insurance for the safety of you, other Bike North members and the public.

 

Over recent months, the Bike North Committee has been reviewing the insurances that apply to Bike North, its volunteers and members as part of its relationships with peak cycling bodies Bicycle NSW and AusCycling.

 

Did you know that members of either Bicycle NSW or AusCycling get access to both Personal Accident and Public & Product Liability insurance cover?

 

You can read about the cover provided via these links:

 

Bicycle NSW     Personal Accident Insurance:  https://vinsurancegroup.com/bicyclensw/what-is-covered/  and how to make a claim: https://vinsurancegroup.com/bicyclensw/how-to-make-a-claim/

 

Bicycle NSW     Public & Product Liability insurance: https://vinsurancegroup.com/bicyclensw/what-is-covered/

 

AusCycling        Personal Accident Insurance  and Public & Product Liability insurance:  https://www.au.marsh.com/sport/auscycling/members.html

 

In addition, Bike North volunteers – including Ride Leaders, Advocates, Committee and sub-committee members – are all covered for Public & Product Liability insurance as part of Bike North’s ‘BUG’ (Bicycle User Group) affiliation with Bicycle NSW.

 

Another benefit of volunteering!

Almost all the pilots and scouts for Cycling Without Age SN are Bike North members.  Most of us were there for the recent launch of a wonderful new trishaw which takes wheelchairs.

 

John Kelman, the organiser of CWASN, says:

 

'Around a ¼ million people in Australia use a wheelchair in everyday life. On average, around 8% of residents in aged care need wheelchairs for mobility, and about 25% of people with disability need them. 

 

Many of the important financial supporters were present at the event,  including Ryde Councillor Penny Pedersen and the newly re-elected federal representative, Jerome Laxale, who sat on the trishaw. [see photo below, right hand side].

 

If you would like to know more, come along and ride your own bike with the group, to see how it all works.  Currently, it’s the first Monday of every month; the plan is to open some more riding opportunities, especially as there is now a wonderful trailer as well.

 

By just riding along with the trishaws, you would already be helping keep the passengers safer.  If you wanted to support them further, you could become trained in how to be a ‘pilot’ of the trishaws.  (It’s at no charge.)

 

To get started, contact John Kelman at john.kelman@cyclingwithoutage.org.au. 

 

Phill Hart, President