The Secretary PO Box 719 Chain Mail Gladesville NSW 1675 Editor: Doug Stewart 9887 1478 Bike North Newsletter Nº 11, May 2000 web – http://galifrey.triode.net.au/bikenorth/ email – [email protected] Squeaky Chain Updates Mail Gets John Whitton Cycleway Now Open Needed Oil Wayne Spencer he long awaited John Whitton Bridge cycleway is open. The new hain Mail takes on a new lease Tcycleway incorporates the previously disused railway bridge across the Cof life from this issue. Parramatta River, between Meadowbank and Rhodes. The funding, over $1 million, came from the RTA, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning and Previously just one editor prepared the Rail Access Corporation, the Chain Mail, but now we have a bridge was adapted for bike use small editorial group to source under the project management of stories and to help out with the Ryde Council. work. The result is a new look, The northern end of the cycleway can only be accessed from Railway more efficient newsletter that aims Rd Meadowbank while the to cover all the cycling news and southern end is accessed from advocacy updates for the entire Blaxland Rd Concord. There is no direct route from the Parramatta Bike North area. Valley Cycleway to the bridge. We hope you like the changes. The best route is to head north from the Meadowbank ferry wharf Whether you do or don’t drop us up Bowden St, and then take the a line. We’d like to hear what you first left into Underdale Lane. think. Yes really! Perhaps you After a short very steep climb (or walk) you will come to a T- could or even drop in a intersection with Railway Rd, turn contribution for the next issue. We left to get to the northern will make room for letters to the entrance to the cycleway. editor. The John Whitton Bridge The cycleway is about 700m long, flat, wide and easy cycling, just what is needed right across Sydney. From the This issue brings a major feature on train it is obvious that the cycleway should be extended in both directions to the recently completed Big Big form a much longer facility. With appropriate lobbying from Bike North Ride, lots of news and updates Internet Reminders from our four working groups, a few pieces of general interest and Recently both the hardware and software used for the Bike North Web site has been changed. As a result all web addresses on this server are case sensitive! of course our Rides Program. Bike North web site http://galifrey.triode.net.au/bikenorth/ Happy reading and happy cycling. Rail Trail web site http://galifrey.triode.net.au/RailTrail/ The Editor BikeBus web site http://galifrey.triode.net.au/bikebus/ Bike North email address [email protected] BikeBus email address [email protected] Number 11 May 2000 – Page 1 Chain Mail members this bridge will become part of the “rail trail” Footpaths, Gladesville Reserve, Buffalo Creek commuter veloway between Hornsby and Strathfield. Reserve, Other parks, Other) The John Whitton Bridge is classified as heritage 4. Do you have any suggestions for the location of infrastructure. The construction of the railway bridge additional cycle paths in the Municipality? (Please began in February 1885 and it was completed in August describe) 1886. The single track railway between Strathfield and If you wish to fill in a feedback form then please contact Hornsby was opened in September 1886. At that time Alister Sharp. there were seven stations on the new line: Strathfield, Ryde (now West Ryde), Dundas (now Eastwood), Field (For more information on Hunters Hill issues look under of Mars (now Epping), Beecroft, Thornleigh and the Working Group Reports below.) Hornsby. One of the difficulties in adapting the bridge for Bike North Meeting Report cycleway use was levelling out the surface of the bridge PBP/IHPV updates to create an even gradient in order for the cycleway Yaffa Gould decking material to be installed. The bridge deck was originally created with a series of bumps and hollows in ike North does not run many general meetings such a way that the weight of trains passing over the Bbecause we meet and discuss over email, at local bridge would flatten out these bumps and provide a working groups and of course at our rides. However we smooth ride. Obviously the weight of a cyclist passing do hold regular meetings and here’s a special report over the bridge could not be relied upon to have the from our last one. same effect so some areas of the deck had to be built up In February, Bike North was treated to a evening of slightly so as to provide a smooth ride. personal experience and triumph. A surprise visit by Jean The cycleway material is a lightweight composite Seay Secretary/Treasurer of International Human material which is an experiment for cycleways in Sydney Powered Vehicles (IHPV), kick-started the evening. Jean and it will be interesting to see how it lasts over time. was in Australia to pick up her new Greenspeed Trike. We were all in awe, because Jean is a spritely 71 years Bike Plan Soon for Hunters Hill young. She came to cycling late in life and found conventional bikes extremely uncomfortable. On spying Alister Sharp 9879 3664 a trike, she decided that should be her next vehicle and fter several years of discussion, and the recent Bike now she’s ridden a few. Being impressed with the quality ANorth Advocacy Ride in Hunters Hill, Council has of the Greenspeeds she decided she had to have one. now appointed a consultant, Contessa Hajinikitas of After picking it up, Jean headed down to do a bit of “Cycle Planning”, to prepare a Bike Plan for the Tassie touring to try it out! Jean made pleasing municipality. Contessa has set up a steering committee comments about Tasmanian roads and drivers. Jean had that had its second meeting on 16 May. About 25 an overall great experience. What a delightful lady! residents attended and answered a series of questions and The next speaker was Ian Humphries who told us about made valuable comments on the need for cycling his recent four week European cycling trip which facilities. Comments related to on-road and commuting culminated with his ride in the famous 1200km Paris- routes as well as the need for off-road and recreational Brest-Paris (PBP) Audax randonneur. Having completed routes. gruelling qualifying trials in Australia, including Sydney- Also a questionnaire recently distributed to all Hunters Canberra-Sydney in a single ride, Ian was accepted as a Hill households Council included the following questions contestant. He then headed to Europe, did some touring, relating to cycling: attended some cycling events including the HPV races in Interlaken, Switzerland. Ian took part on his new low 1. Approximately how often do you, or members of slung Greenspeed racer. Here’s Ian’s description of the your household cycle? (Every day, Once per week, start of the PBP: Once per month, Less than once per month) “Starting at 9:45pm with the tandems and other 2. What type of cycling do you or other members of recumbents was brilliant, and allowed me to avoid all the your household take part in most often? problems and crowding which I hear is a feature of 10pm (Recreational, To-school, Commuting, Racing, start. Surprisingly, but thankfully, on those first few real Other) pedal strokes I sensed that my legs were in great 3. Where do you or other members of your household condition. Phew! I changed my plans from starting very generally cycle? (All roads, Local roads only, conservatively to just spinning along with whoever seemed to be setting a comfortable pace. The first night Number 11 May 2000 – Page 2 Chain Mail became an exhilarating and Waterloo Rd. (Note that a parking wonderful experience whizzing fee must be paid to the hungry For Sale through the streets and avenues of machine if you are driving your car Paris, sensations heightened by the to campus.) Touring Saddle attention required to pick out the he Bike North Annual Fun reflective arrows used to mark the TPicnic (AGM) will be held on Selle Bassano Trek Touring saddle. route. I felt great and nibbled Sunday August 20. This is a “must 160mm wide, 273mm long, occasionally from my pocket stash attend” event so mark the date in weighs 335g. This saddle is brand of whole dried bananas and your diary now. Come along to the new comes as standard equipment survived the few expected early usual activities that will involve an on the high quality Trek 520 Touring morning low spots at about 3am easy ride loop, (the nowadays bike. Very comfortable but just a bit and 5am. Though I’d never done infamous) whacky races with prizes too wide for the owner. $50 ono. any really serious night cycling and the BYO family picnic lunch. Contact Doug Stewart 9887 1478. before - I’d slept or rested most of Make sure you bring all your the night on my 600km qualifier - unusual bikes to take part in the Malvern Star Classic that first night and the other night races. Past experience has proven riding was definitely one of the that the smaller the wheels the Ladies Bike highlights of PBP!” bigger the fun. (Check out the Bike Circa 1980 this is a fully restored North web gallery for the proof.) single speed 28 inch bike. (Yes you The venue is yet to be announced can still get the tires.) Suitable for but will be a local park in the Bike rides in the Bike North easy style.