CYCLETHE MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE - No. 187 AUGUST TO OCTOBER 2020

COMMUNITY CYCLING NEWS MELROSE – SO MUCH MORE TO EXPLORE CYCLING SOARS AMID COVID-19 IMPACT KIND DONATIONS KEEP PALYA ROLLING CONTENTS BICYCLE SA OFFICE Front cover image: 11A Croydon Road, Keswick SA 5035 One of the new mountain bike tracks in Melrose Phone (08) 8168 9999 takes shape. Fax (08) 8168 9988

CEO and President’s Notes 3 Email [email protected] Web www.bikesa.asn.au Melrose Morphing into Mountain Bike Mecca 4 @BicycleSA @bicyclesa Covid-19 and the Worldwide Shift to Cycling 6 @bike_sa Bike SA Wins New Bike Education Tender 7 Bicycle SA In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bike SA Outback Odyssey 2021 – Return to Vitality office is open on Mondays only (9am-5pm) until and Vigour 8 further notice. For Tuesday to Friday, please call Generosity Helps Palya Help Outback Youth 10 0409 950 884 if the matter is urgent.

Melrose Morphing — page 4 MEMBER SUBMISSIONS CYCLE Cycle is published quarterly Dani And Sharlene’s ISSN: 2208-3979 Trans-American Adventure 12

Heineken, Carslberg and the Trials of DISCLAIMER Bike Touring 14 The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Bicycle SA. Bicycle SA does not guarantee the accuracy of information published herein.

© 2020 BICYCLE SA Original articles in Cycle are copyrighted to Bicycle Incorporated (Bicycle SA) unless otherwise specified. Non-profit organisations may reproduce articles copyrighted to Bicycle SA, with only minor modification, without the permission Covid-19 and the Worldwide Shift — page 6 of the authors, provided Bicycle SA is sent, as a courtesy and condition, a copy of the publications Contributing to Cycle containing such reproduction. Have you something you would like to Articles copyrighted to their authors may not be contribute to Cycle? If so we’d love to hear about it. Please contact the Bike SA office. reproduced without the express authorisation of Email: [email protected] their authors. Bicycle SA and the original authors reserve the right to take legal action for breach of copyright where these instructions are not complied with.

BICYCLE SA EXECUTIVE TEAM President, Maureen Merrick Email [email protected] Vice President, Nathan Petrus Treasurer, Michael Killmier Secretary, Anne Smith

Outback Odyssey — page 8 Members Chris Beauchamp Warwick Cooper Rowan McKeown Carol Seely Nick Spyrou

2 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S he wildly unpredictable nature of 2020 and the infrastructure and from working to change the TCovid-19 pandemic that has come to define it “motoring first and only” mindset on our roads. NOTES continue to throw up challenges and roadblocks CHRISTIAN HAAG for our organisation as they do so tragically across The evidence is abundantly powerful, all we Australia and worldwide. But rest assured that need is the political will. Your membership and everyone at Bike SA is giving their all to help the example you set by simply being out on your members and the broader cycling communities bicycle, supports our push for greater ‘transport through these tough times and to ensure that equity’ in South Australia – so that the 60% of we all can be ready to leap back into the events, adults who want to ride their bicycle for transport activities and fellowship we all value so highly as more often, can do so as a result of appropriate soon as this crisis is behind us. investments in safe infrastructure being made.

The danger of the pandemic has forced us to We may not be able to gather together this year cancel or postpone so many of the events that as much as we may like but that does not mean bring us together as a community. But it has also we can’t still band together to have a strong and created the environment for positive change effective voice for change by continuing to do as the global lockdowns – leading to radically what we love to do, ride. reduced traffic and safe, quiet streets – and the We will keep you informed as South Australia’s virtual abandonment of public transport over success over this virus will allow us to return to the the need for social distancing have encouraged events and activities we have enjoyed together for an unprecedented explosion in people taking up years. In the meantime, keep riding for the physical cycling for both their physical and mental health. and mental health benefits it so clearly provides in As more and more people do so and the studies of this time of isolation and inactivity. the results in cities around the world demonstrate And continue to set the example by abiding by the unequivocally, the benefits to the individual, social distancing and hygiene rules – which you their fellow commuters, the environment and the will find on our website – that protect us all and general and economic health of communities, the will hasten our return to normality. opportunity to press for change that encourages and enables more people to ride more often and more safely – our core reason for being - becomes stronger than ever.

Bike SA intends to not only return as quickly as possible to all the activities we have all valued for so long but to also make the most of this once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to show our governments at all levels how much our whole society can benefit from investing time, money and space into cycling

PRESIDENT’S NOTES e are very pleased to announce that we risk their own lives, families, homes and livelihoods have been successful in our tender for in their efforts to save, help and support our MAUREEN MERRICK W the Bike Ed programme for the next two years. community at large; such is the Australian spirit. Congratulations to our Chief Executive Officer and his team for all their efforts. We thank and acknowledge your enormous contribution. Several members of the Bike Ed staff have spent much of their time over the past six weeks Congratulations to the Cycle Salisbury Social servicing at least 30 bikes and getting everything Ride Group, who will be celebrating their seventh in readiness for the third term of the 2020 school birthday with a ride on Saturday 5 September. The year, the commencement of the contract. ride commences at 10.00am and will leave from the Shelter Shed, Carisbrook Park, Main North Rd, Bike Ed is a component of the Way2Go programme, Salisbury Park. At the conclusion of the ride, lunch funded and managed by the Department of (at the riders’ expense) will be at the Old Spot Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. Hotel, Salisbury Heights.

We are extremely proud that, apart from a break Please contact Jim Binder on 0401 984 767 for of three years, we have been involved in the further information. programme since it was established in 1996.

During National Volunteer Week this year, 18–24 May, with its theme ‘Changing Communities, Changing Times’, volunteers were thanked and acknowledged with buildings brightly illuminated in red, households encouraged to tie something red to their front doors and/or letterboxes as well as by numerous ‘virtual’ activities. Our volunteers 3 MELROSE MORPHING INTO MOUNTAIN BIKE MECCA

elrose has long been a much-loved Mtouring venue for South Australian cyclists, with road, gravel and particularly mountain bike offerings to delight along with the area’s tranquillity, beauty, amenities and friendly locals.

But now a series of new trails and facilities upgrades – the result of years of dedicated work from the local community – is set to expand its already strong appeal and rank the Southern Flinders Ranges town among the very best of Australia’s cycle destinations.

As part of a multi-million-dollar commitment from the SA Government to develop and preserve the state’s national parks, the Southern Flinders Ranges component aims to develop the Mount Remarkable area into an international- standard MTB destination while also upgrading trails for hiking and horse riding and improving visitor facilities.

Stage one of the work, a 2.3km loop at the Willowie Forest Trails, part of the Mount Remarkable National Park, was recently laid down by Nick Bowman’s trailbuilding outfit, Destination Trails. It will cater to beginners while still entertaining more advanced riders. When we spoke to Nick at the start of August, he said that loop was only waiting for some rain to bed in the track and for signage to be erected and he expected the trail would be open soon.

Stage two, which will be open to tender, will boost the length of trails in the Willowie area to roughly 16km, most likely with the addition of two green and two blue trails as well as a climbing trail, all one-way and all bike-specific. That project is expected to be completed by the first half of next year.

“We will be bidding for Stage 2,” Nick said. “With more experienced riders already well catered for in Melrose, we’ll be trying to make it fun for everyone. Like Easy As and Gromflow at O’Halloran Hill, these ones will be easy to ride for little kids on small wheels but still fun for big kids of all ages.

“Melrose hasn’t catered well to kids and less confident riders so now, with this project, we are filling that space. Even before it’s open, we’ve got families and kids – as well as strong riders – all over it and having fun. My little six-year-old pedalled around it the other day, which blew my mind. She got down the descent and had a ball.

“It’s filling that gap so it’s going to make it easier for families to spend more time there.”

The longer-term stage three and four works, which would take at least two years to come to fruition, are planned to include an epic 30km-plus loop around the back of Mount Remarkable and shuttle- serviced downhill trails off the bluff at Wirrabara.

4 The investment - $5 million each from the state - it gives people another off ering in June, July, and federal governments – will also fund works like August and I think it may rival other prime developing a trailhead at Willowie Forest as well as locations throughout Australia. THIS NEW WORK IS GOING TO PUT US toilets, shelters and barbecue facilities. “Also, including things like bikepacking and gravel ON THE MAP, NATIONALLY – THERE’S But the Melrose community, including passionate grinding opportunities in the one location makes advocates like local businessman, Mount a big diff erence. What is being planned here might NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. Remarkable District councillor and Bike Melrose be enough to coax riders from the east coast, spokesman Don Norton, have gone even further. which has been challenging until now.” After securing federal drought relief funding, the Bike Melrose club has allied with the local Show Society and begun building another 3.5km of trails at the town’s Showgrounds through local small business Hand Built Trails.

“The Showgrounds trails are coming along really well, they’re looking awesome,” Don said. “They’ll be green trails, two loops and really good for families to come and stay around the Showgrounds area. One of the descending trails will be like a fl ow trail with berms and some doubles so a good rider will jump the doubles and a beginner can just roll over them.”

Those trails should be fi nished by early to mid- September.

With the drought funding, they are also building four steel bridges to put over the creek crossings through the local trails as well as eight rideovers over fences and a trailhead in town that will feature a meeting place with maps, seating areas and a lot of information on tourism, cycling and a bit of history. All that will be fi nished by the end of the year.

“It’s fantastic to see that everything we’ve been talking about through council and the bike club is coming to fruition,” said Don, who expects the new trails to be a huge boost to the town.

“It’ll be a real drawcard to get people to revisit Melrose who maybe haven’t been for a while. New trails mean new interest, revitalised interest – people coming to see what the trails are like.

“The whole plan for this is turning Melrose into an international MTB destination, especially if we ever see the Epic Loop which goes around the back of the mount, which is part of the government’s Parks 2025 plan. That loop could probably take a few years to build but would Features of the trail at Melrose that will be open and ready for fun soon. attract people from around the world.

“The whole region is also great for road and gravel riding, especially gravel. There’s so many loops you can do – anything from 30km to 300km - and such beautiful views and landscapes,” he said.

Nick shares Don’s enthusiasm for the town’s potential.

“It’s going to put us on the map, nationally – there’s no question about that,” Nick said. “There are a few things working in our favour. It’s a uniquely South Australian ecosystem in the Flinders Ranges. And it’s a winter destination

5 COVID-19 AND THE Commuters using the expanded cycle lane network in Paris. WORLDWIDE SHIFT TO CYCLING

his year and the Covid-19 pandemic that Thas overwhelmed it has redefi ned virtually everything about the ways we live and interact, the way our societies around the globe function and, in particular, what we can continue to take for granted.

Chief among these is the dire consequences of our complacent, long-running, unsustainable transport policies and the devastating impact they have been having on human health and the environment.

Some of the most famous and awe-inspiring pictures from early this year when countries around the world were forced into lockdown were of clear blue skies over some of our industrialised mega-cities, juxtaposed to pictures from a year earlier that showed the choking, deadly pollution to which so many had sadly become accustomed. networks have all been used to great eff ect by Three factors that can encourage and maintain cities like Paris, Berlin, London, Bogota, Barcelona cycling are safety, effi ciency and cost. Government But if there was one good thing that came out and Milan to encourage more cycling and avoid investments in incentivising cycling can of this terrible pandemic, it was that so many of transport gridlock during the crisis. dramatically aff ect cost, not just to cyclists but those lockdowns created the clear, quiet streets to the community at large, as a fi tter and more that encouraged so many to dig their bikes out of In Australia, Sydney and Melbourne have both active population has far less impact on our health the shed and ride for cheaper, cleaner, healthier made strides in this area but, sadly, the Adelaide system while more cycling commuters reduce transport, for exercise and for recreation to City Council has not seen fi t to follow suit. pollution and traffi c congestion and the associated boost their physical and mental health while still costs of both of those problems. maintaining safe social distancing. In Melbourne, a survey by the Bicycle Network conducted a count comparing the number of Many options exist for providing broad-based In Barcelona, the use of cycle paths has increased riders on key bike paths around the city from incentives. These include tax deductions for by 325 per cent during peak hours while in France, November last year to April this year and found a bike-related purchases and services, insurance cycling levels after the lockdown have increased by 270 per cent increase while in Brisbane, cycle traffi c companies being encouraged to reduce premiums 27 per cent compared to 2019. has almost doubled on the Kangaroo Point and for cyclists as they do for non-smokers and Even after the lockdowns ended, the risks of Kedron Brook bikeways and increased by 50 per companies being encouraged to make a bike contracting the virus on public transport or cent on the Bicentennial Bikeway. purchase part of employee benefi ts. ridesharing and the inability of cities’ transport Cycling along the River Torrens Linear Park increased infrastructure to support a wholesale shift to Safety and effi ciency can both be achieved by from just over 800 riders in April 2019 to more private motor vehicles continued the massive constructing separated bike lanes and connecting than 1600 daily riders in April this year but pop-up surge to cycling in cities around the world, existing bike lane or bike path networks. lanes or priority zones have not been considered to including Australia. provide even greater incentive in Adelaide. At this time, these measures off er the double Bike shops have been one of the few commercial bonus of achieving all the benefi ts of encouraging But now as much of the world emerges from the sectors to have thrived as Covid shutdowns and cleaner, healthier and congestion-busting worst of the pandemic restrictions, as many may restrictions have savaged economies and made transport, while also providing infrastructure with to return to old habits and return to their cars millions unemployed. projects that create jobs and revitalise an economy and as South Australia emerges from a cold winter that, in Australia, is in its fi rst recession in 29 years. Pop-up and temporary cycling lanes, pedestrian into the beauty of spring, how do we encourage all and cyclist priority zones and expanded bike path these new cyclists to continue riding?

Adelaide cycle commuters using the River Torrens Linear Park. A worker constructs a pop-up cycling lane in Berlin.

6 Crystal-clear skies in LA during the lockdown. BIKE SA WINS NEW BIKE EDUCATION TENDER ike SA recently received the extremely Bwelcome news that it had won the tender to continue delivering the State Government’s Way2Go Bike Education program in South Australian primary schools.

Bike SA has enormous experience with this program, having delivered it for more than 20 years and that institutional knowledge and the extraordinary eff ort the team put into the tender process clearly won over the decision-makers.

Way2Go is a statewide South Australian program promoting safer, greener and more active travel for primary school students and their communities. It uses a whole school approach built on a partnership between Los Angeles on a pre-Covid day showing the city’s choking pollution. local councils, school communities and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and it encourages children and the community to safely walk, ride bikes or scooters and use public transport for personal travel.

Bike SA is Australia’s largest provider of specialist school and youth bicycle education services, annually teaching more than 4000 young South Australians to ride.

Way2Go Bike Education is just one plank – although an extremely important and infl uential one - in Bike SA’s portfolio of programs that educate and encourage people of all ages to participate in safe, healthy, environmentally responsible and rewarding cycling for transport, fun, fi tness, sport and adventure. These include school holiday programs, Bike Fun, Bikes Palya and beginner, intermediate and advanced bike maintenance courses.

Overall, the benefi ts of investing in cycling Maybe you’ll see Bike SA’s Bike Education infrastructure and increasing the number of instructors at your child’s school later this year. cyclists on the road far outweigh its associated costs, with one study estimating a 400 per cent to 500 per cent return. THE BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN And while acting now can off er a short-term CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE AND economic benefi t, it must also be considered that having a reliable cycling network can help protect INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CYCLISTS our cities from the impact of future shocks like ON THE ROAD FAR OUTWEIGH ITS this pandemic. ASSOCIATED COSTS We are faced with a once-in-a-generation opportunity where those of us who cycle can lead by example in transitioning to a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable transportation model and where our leaders must decide between returning to the destructive status quo ante or taking the bold but obvious step that leads to better outcomes for us all.

7 OUTBACK ODYSSEY 2021 – RETURN TO VITALITY AND VIGOUR

fter the restrictions, lockdowns, isolation, challenge as it is a life-changing experience. Trail itself, tells the story of the early settlement of inactivity and mental and physical strain of South Australia and of the brave souls who carved A You can choose to ride the Full Mawson – 900km 2020’s Coronavirus ordeal, there really can be out their pieces of paradise amid this awesome over 16 days (1-16 May 2021) from Adelaide to no better way to break free from the listlessness landscape with their bare hands. Blinman – or any of the three ‘Mini Mawsons’ than by joining Bike SA and some like-minded (MM#1, Adelaide to Burra, 5 days; MM#2 Burra to Bike SA has been running the Outback Odyssey enthusiasts on the 2021 Outback Odyssey. Melrose, 6 days; or MM#3, Melrose to Blinman, 7 since 2002 and our organisation, planning and ride The Odyssey – riding 900km along the full length days). But whichever you choose, you’ll experience leadership throughout the trip reflect that depth of of the majestic Mawson Trail from Adelaide to a fully supported ride enjoying great catering, experience. Whether you’re an experienced cycle Blinman – is one of the great cycling adventure great company and some of the most breathtaking adventurer or you’re looking for your first foray into experiences of the world. landscapes on Earth. multi-day ride touring, trust Bike SA to guide you through one of the great rides of your life. The terrain is sometimes challenging, sometimes Each day is an adventure. We ride. We eat. We drink. cruisy but always beautiful and occasionally simply We have a laugh. Avoid the rush for places as people look for a cure jaw-dropping as you experience the best of the for the 2020 blues – sign up now! Trade four walls for boundless vistas. Trade , Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Mid isolation for the company of enthusiastic and fun- For more information about this extraordinary North and the spectacular Flinders Ranges. With loving fellow bike riders and adventure-seekers, experience amid the rugged beauty of some of 600 million years of secrets waiting to be revealed, not to mention the superb hospitality of the South Australia’s most storied countryside, the Australian Outback is home to one of the communities that we will visit on our journey. visit our website at greatest adventures of your life - not so much a The history of these towns, and of the Mawson www.bikesa.asn.au/event/tours/outback-odyssey.

8 OUTBACK ODYSSEY 2021 – RETURN TO VITALITY AND VIGOUR

TRADE FOUR WALLS FOR BOUNDLESS VISTAS. TRADE ISOLATION FOR THE COMPANY OF ENTHUSIASTIC AND FUN-LOVING FELLOW BIKE RIDERS AND ADVENTURE-SEEKERS”

9 GENEROSITY HELPS PALYA HELP OUTBACK YOUTH

n June, Bike SA sent out social media posts social and mental health. The revamped service is already up and running Iand a direct mailout to our members seeking in a few areas and will be spread further afield as donations to assist the Bikes Palya program The target set for the fundraiser was $10,000 and long as this challenging environment is with us. to continue its invaluable work despite the the generosity of our members and friends proudly complications imposed on them by Covid-19. exceeded that figure, with $11,500 being pledged The team’s Covid-defying adaptation to their to the worthy cause. regular work also continued through the past two The impact of the viral pandemic has been sets of school holidays. particularly harsh on First Nations youth living That is enabling Bikes Palya to adapt its regular in remote communities. With restrictions put in program to the specific and challenging demands Before the April break, they fixed and donated 20 place for health reasons, there had been limited of the Covid-19 environment, providing tools and bikes to two communities unable to be visited. access to key services for youth in the APY Lands. equipment and creating local partnerships to These were subsequently used hundreds of times This forced upon the Palya team the challenge create a virtual, remote program delivery model by kids during the school holidays. So successful to innovate to design resources to keep youth so that those who need it will not be denied the was the virtual program it was rolled out with 90 connected to bikes and all the awesome benefits benefits of this valuable program. additional bikes to 13 communities in SA, Western that stem from such access regarding physical, Australia and the Northern Territory to engage

10 the local youth from afar amid the restrictions. To support remote delivery, tools were supplied as well as instructional videos on maintenance routines. These packs arrived just before the July holidays and will remain in the communities to be continually used into the future.

And in the most recent July school holidays, Bikes Palya delivered programs in the APY Lands in partnership with NPY Women’s Council. The programs were conducted in two communities, Mimili and Pukatja and involved activities surrounding bikes including bike repair workshops, games and rides. Covid-19 restrictions were adhered to throughout the entire process.

Youngsters in Mimili and Pukatja enjoying all the fun of Bikes Palya’s July school holiday program.

THE GENEROSITY OF OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS RAISED $11,500 FOR THIS WORTHY CAUSE.”

11 MEMBER STORIES

DANI AND SHARLENE’S TRANS-AMERICAN ADVENTURE

Their trusty steeds, California hills and wide-open skies.

ike SA member and Bike Ed co-ordinator “We were angry, initially, that people were telling from home that started as a trickle but quickly BSharlene Harding joined her great mate Dani us what we had to do because we felt very safe became a fl ood, warning of the Covid threat and Schmidt to take on a 58-day, 5200km ride across and secure as we were a bunch of 18 women urging them to come home. the United States in March. It was to be the wild, in our own little bubble,” Sharlene said. “We felt challenging, testing bike tour of a lifetime and quite safe but each hotel we went to day-by-day “We could see the news reports that things in NY that’s how it turned out – just not in the way either everything was changing. We started with full were just going crazy,” Dani said. “But we never felt of them could have ever expected. buff et breakfasts and by the end of it we couldn’t the urgency until the last day because we were in even get a coff ee! that bubble. We just kept thinking: ‘Just leave us The pair had signed up and been training in alone and let us ride’.” preparation for the previous 18 months for the epic “The tour company fi nally cancelled our ride ride with tour company WomanTours that would because they couldn’t guarantee the services as we The premature end to the journey was an emotional take them from San Diego, California across the went along because hotels were shutting.” time for all the participants after they had spent continent to fi nish in St Augustine, Florida. the past two weeks as constant companions, Dani said that, as the only two Australians on the strengthening bonds and forming friendships. Ahead of them lay more than 5000km (roughly tour, they had been getting a string of messages the distance from Perth to Sydney then back to Adelaide) of pedalling and 36,000m of climbing Dani, Shar and Davin in Denver Airport waiting to go home. (more than four time Mount Everest), spectacular scenery, laughs, tears and great new friendships with the other 16 members of the tour. They got all that – and a whole lot more!

Because when they booked, they could not have imagined the dramatic, dangerous and world- altering event that 2020 would throw at us all in the form of Covid-19. Their tour, instead of 58 days, lasted only 16 before the deadly virus that has inundated the US forced its cancellation. But that was far from the end of their rollercoaster ride.

They started the ride in high spirits and, led by their friendly team guides, left the West Coast and enjoyed the stark beauty of the desert landscapes of California, Arizona and part of New Mexico before the news became progressively worse and the tour came to a sudden and fi nal stop in Silver City, New Mexico. 12 MEMBER STORIES

“We were all in shock,” Sharlene said. “We saw it coming but the American girls did not, they were Sharlene and Dani on the road in California on one of the fi rst days of their adventure. very sad. There were a lot of tears and a lot of anger as well.”

Once it was confi rmed the tour was over and they’d be going home as soon as possible, Dani and Sharlene had two important calls to make – one to their travel agent to fi nd a way to get them back to Australia and the second to Sharlene’s husband Davin, who was doing his own ultra-long- distance ride across the US and was expecting to meet them in Florida.

The travel agent was all action: “Where are you and where can you get to?” was the message. The nearest major hub was El Paso, Texas but because that was a Covid hotspot and because they needed to head north to link with Davin who was in Kansas by then on his way from San Diego to New York, they decided on making for the airport in Denver, Colorado. The agent booked them on fl ights from there to San Francisco and home via Auckland and Sydney and at least that was one major worry solved.

Then there was Davin.

A veteran ultra-long-distance solo cyclist, Davin had been on his own and was even less informed about the unfolding crisis than the women had been in their tour bubble. To say he was unhappy about being told to abandon his challenge would be a wild understatement but once he took in all the information he could see it was time to go home and arranged to meet them in Denver. which Dani bought an indoor trainer on Day 1 and, The fi rst item on that list is riding the 900km The fl ights home on virtually empty aircraft were after a social media shout-out, Sharlene and Davin Mawson Trail towards the end of this year. surreal experiences that gave them the luxury borrowed two from their mate Steve who drove of virtually unlimited attention from the cabin from McLaren Vale to Salisbury to deliver them. Despite their wildly unexpected outcome, the pair crew and the opportunity to refl ect on what had strongly recommends anyone wishing to take on happened and how much worse it could have been. Sharlene and Dani are back to what passes for their own adventure of a lifetime should just “plan normal in the Covid world of 2020. They’re back to it and do it”. “We defi nitely dodged a bullet,” Dani said. “We work and still catch up once a week to train and could have been stuck there.” plan on what to do to keep challenging themselves “The riding just got easier the further we went into before returning to the US in two years. the trip. There’s no reason not to do these kinds of “And, as for the tour, we miss it terribly,” Sharlene experiences,” Sharlene said. “Just go for it!” said. “The scenery, we don’t have anything like it here. We stopped and looked at the views and took photos and we were smiling all day. We lived the Dani cleaning her bike on their fi rst day off with ride guide Abby. cliché of ‘Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat’ and for weeks it was just constant laughing.”

For those reasons and many others, the pair has already committed to joining the same tour in 2022 – as have many of their newfound friends from this year’s tour. (None of them expect the tour in early 2021 to be an option, given the explosive spread of the American epidemic.)

The company is giving them a credit for the portion of the ride from Silver City to the fi nish in Florida, but they intend to start from San Diego again “because we want to ride across the whole country”.

Once they were back in Adelaide their thoughts turned quickly to continuing the training that made them ready for their epic ride this year. It began with their two-week quarantine at home for 13 MEMBER STORIES

HEINEKEN, CARSLBERG AND THE TRIALS OF BIKE TOURING BY MARTYN AMES

had never been to Copenhagen so this was to be fell off on wet tramlines in Amsterdam and broke Time for a rest and a photo along the way. I the time. I had ridden across France, Switzerland, a spoke, got drowned on my way to Utrecht and the Black Forest and northwards on three caught the train back to Ostend, fl ew home, broke occasions and to Lands End again three times. It another couple of spokes climbing hills in the was time to choose somewhere diff erent to go. A northern part of London and fi nally walked up the map told me it was only about 1200 kilometres last ones. I then wondered what to do with the rest from Ostend to my destination which should of my student allocated holiday. take about eight days reasonable riding time plus extra days for major sightseeing. I had fl own out First, what was good then about the ride? Bruges of Southend Airport on the northern side of the in Belgium was really good with its superb old Thames previously on their Carvair (converted buildings and canals. Zeeland was similar with DC-4) car ferry so that would be the way to kick off towns like Middelberg and, of course, Gouda my trip. was outstanding with its town hall and cheese background. Amsterdam has its own delights with My plan therefore was to ride to Southend, 80 kms its canal trips and the highlight of the Heineken from home, hop across to Belgium in 30 minutes Brewery which provided beer to visiting foreigners and explore Bruges en route for somewhere in but not locals. It took ages to fi nd my way back to that small piece of Holland between Belgium the hostel following this! and the Western Scheldt River. After that it was a matter of crossing the Scheldt by ferry and I now had almost three weeks more holiday to use riding to wherever I got to and then on to Gouda constructively of my student time off . So I went off followed by Amsterdam, the major tourist hub. on day trips around Essex and overnights in Suff olk After Amsterdam I would head north to cross the and longer riding down to the south coast to The Gouda town hall. causeway over the Zuider Zee (Ijsselmeer now) Brighton and on to Dover. I also rode several times and on to Hamburg, through to Denmark and into London and around the city. If you have never eventually Copenhagen. My return journey was to ridden around London you might fi nd it is the depend upon how much time I had used in getting only way to see the place as you can go anywhere, there and playing the tourist. My way home was walk you bike wrong way up streets, park next to either to ride all the way back or to catch the monuments and even leave your bike safely at the overnight ferry across the North Sea to Hull and many railway stations while wandering around – ride the 300 kms south home. just take walking shoes too!

So did this work? Put simply – no! Two years after this aborted trip I did get to Copenhagen with my wife-to-be but by rusty The fi rst fi ve days getting to Amsterdam was minivan on our way to Norway. We did manage to good and then Holland, aka The Netherlands, down a few Carlsbergs when there. experienced probably the worst storm they had had in many years which made me fi rst hang I did not ride around parts of Western Europe again around in Amsterdam for a couple of extra days due to bigger adventures by Mini through the Alps to wait out the storm. It never abated. I took the and the Pyrenees but coming to Adelaide some 30 decision to abandon the ride on the advice of the years ago enabled me to enjoy the Adelaide Hills hostel manager and return back to Ostend and and, of course, joining Bike SA helped with Grand go home. This didn’t work out too well either as I Slams and Annual Tours! I don’t think there are any roads through the hills I haven’t ridden on.

Bike packed and prepped, ready to leave home. The Heineken brewery.

14 SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS WHO SUPPORT US

Avanti Plus Semaphore Shop 4/135 Semaphore Road, Exeter Little Black Bike 100 Gilbert Street, Adelaide 8449 8199 8221 5067 Avanti Plus Woodville 820 Port Road, Woodville Macpac 399–403 , Enfield 8268 6404 8359 5866 Bicycle Centre Mitcham 21-23 Belair Road, Kingswood Megabike 187 Rundle Street, Adelaide 8271 0692 8223 3315 Bicycle Express 124 Halifax Street, Adelaide Micycles 32A George Street, Thebarton 8232 7277 0424 569 317 138 The Parade, Norwood Mike Turtur Cycles 55 Main North Road, Medindie 8431 5711 8342 1882 Bicycle Fix 33 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside Moonta Cycle & Sports 49 George Street, Moonta 8389 7495 8825 3222 Bicycles Mount Barker 12A Walker Street, Mount Barker Mulga Bicycle Tours mulgabicycletours.com.au 8391 4777 0412 309 711 Bicycling Australia Magazine 17-21 Bellevue Street, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW My Ride Salisbury 15/1700 Main North Road, Salisbury 02 9281 233 8258 8885 Bike About (hires and tours) 33b Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside My Ride Unley 80b Unley Road, Unley 0413 525733 8271 8001 Bike Society 274 Waymouth Street, Adelaide North Adelaide Cycles 1 Ward Street North, Adelaide 8262 5449 0448 567 788 391 Brighton Road, Hove Norwood Parade Cycles 216 The Parade, Norwood 8358 1500 8332 1889 Bio-Mechanics 260 Waymouth Street, Adelaide Over the Edge 6 Stuart Street, Melrose 8410 9499 8666 2222 Brooks Cycle Depot 63 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge Reid Cycles 230 Pulteney Street, Adelaide 8532 2868 8227 0011 Cluster Cycles 4/60 Liverpool Street, Port Lincoln Ride Union Bike Co 11/220 , Aldgate 8682 3468 8131 0237 Complete Cycle 45 Cliff Avenue, Port Noarlunga SA Remedial Therapy Clinic Level 3 55 Gawler Place, Adelaide 8327 0200 8221 6262 Euride 637 Lower North East Road, Campbelltown South Coast Cycles 125 Beach Road, Christies Beach 8336 4490 8326 1664 Flinders Cycles 1 Hospital Road, Port Augusta Standish Cycles Shop 1/290 Unley Road, Hyde Park 8641 0269 8271 6989 G&D Cycles 7 Badenoch Street, Mount Gambier Standout Cycles 195 Henley Beach Road, Mile End 8725 6002 8443 5435 Gawler Cycles 4/1 Theen Avenue, Willaston Star Cycles 5 Barfield Crescent, Edinburgh North 8522 2343 8255 1979 Giant Adelaide 2–3/53–67 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide Super Elliotts 200 Rundle Street, Adelaide 8223 5978 8223 3946 Glenelg Cycles 754 Anzac Highway, Glenelg Supreme Pro Cycles 32 Cadell Street, Goolwa 8294 4741 8555 5100 Goggleman 1/495 Brighton Road, Brighton Tailwind Cycles 81 Main South Road, O’Halloran Hill 1300 464 453 8322 6714 Hey Bikes 2/353 Anzac Highway, Plympton Treadly Shop 5/4–10 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide 0452 232 453 8232 0158 International Cycles 70 Payneham Road, Stepney Victor Harbor Cycles victorharborcycles.com 8362 2609 0407 048 324 io Merino 183 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide 8201 4198

Members please note: discounts offered to Bike SA members are at the discretion of respective organisations and may not be available in conjunction with other offers.

15 ANOTHER AWESOME EVENT PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY

BI 1 CY 02 CLE SA • 2

ESCAPE TO THE OUTBACK

1-16 MAY ADELAIDE TO BLINMAN Image Credit: Chris Southwood

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