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Available from leading Repco Cycle dea lers. Columns 65 CALENDAR 65 CIASSIFIEDS wheelinri March/April 1988 9 JOHN DRUMMOND Number 48 3 DONHATCHER Contents and tourin9 61 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Traf/el 44 AND PINE TREES 20 PRO DEALERS KUCHEN 5 WARRENSALOMON The Mountain Bike Cycle touring in the 46 PHIL SOMERVILLE 22 THE BIKE Black Forest 49 FOR 1988 12 WORLD AWHEEL Th e mountain bike THE BIG RIDES comes of age A preview of the year's Freewheeling is published six times a year in the months of January, 24 WHAT MAKES A big non-competitive March , May, July, September and November. ISSN No: 01.S(i 4579. Editorial and Advertising Offices: Room57Trades Hall, cnr Dixon & MOUNTAIN BIKE events Gou Iburn Sts. , Sydney NSW Aust ralia. Add ress all correspondence to: Freew hee ling PO Box K26 , Haymarket NSW2000 Australia . Almost everything you 8ic1Jcle sport Telephone (02) 264 8544. Pu blisher /E ditor: Warren Salomon . Administralion and wanted to know about 54 OPPY CAPTURES PARIS cimi lation: Marilyn Stivey. National Advertising Sales: David Turner Telephone (02) 913 1266or (02) 264 8544. MTBs Opperman 's historic Typesetting:Everysize Typean Service (02) 451 2579, Pavilion Press Set (02) 211 0252. Printing: Offset Alpine Pty Ltd Derby & Wetherill 32 THE MTB SCENE IN OZ Paris-Brest-Paris ride Sts, Si lverwater NSW Ph . (02) 647 1000. Distribution - N~agents: Gordon & Gotch Pty Ltd (02) 667 0466 or offices in yo ur state. Events are still thin on r elived Subscriptions and bicycle dealer distribution: Freewheeling Australia Publications (02) 264 8544. the ground 8ic1Jcle facilities and Material in this publication may not be stored or reproduced in any form with out permission . Requests for permission should be 33 WERNER'S WINNING WAY directed 10 the Publisher. Editorial contributions including black and safetlJ white prints or colour transparencies on all aspects of cycling are · Th e National Champ 's welcomed. Send an enq uiry or write for guidelines. Freewheeling can 38 IS BICYCLE COMMUTING not accept materia l previously published in other journals. Letters training program from readers for the Write On column are always welcomed . LOSING FAVOUR? Copyright© 1988 Freewheeling Australia Publications 34 WHAT'S HOT? Commuter numbers fall Cover design and photography by Warren Salomon, Cartoon New equipment for the in and this page by Don Hatcher. new season Canberra

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GOOD BETTER BEST Keeping ahead in a changing world The helmet Standard, Committees and a Sydney Bikeplan announced.

TUCK OUT here at the edge of mets for motorcyclists. Now bicycling countries our own makers are protected the Pacific it is easy to pretend that headgear makes up the major part of its from competition from without. Sthe rest of the world doesn't exist. sales. Bell has only managed to survive The Japanese are masters at the Its the old Australian problem. because it is large and persistent enough game. They have erected a barrier of But we are part of the world and we to withstand the onslaught of the litiga­ government regulation which effectively can't pretend that we can get by without tion happy lawyers. The company has frustrates and prevents foreign com­ playing our part. We have to be brave never lost a case but it still costs millions panies gaining access to their market. and embrace this reality not put our to mount a successful defence. They do it subtly; an Australian Stan­ heads in the sand like a bunch of Ozzie In the USA it is quite common for dard is much more direct. ostriches. If we don't others will define lawyers (on behalf of their clients) to A strong case in point is the current our role for us. sue product manufacturers for vast sums generation of ultra lightweight "shell­ The bicycle scene provides a good of money. In that country lawyers take a less" helmets or, as the Americans call example. We are a smaU market with no cut of the action so if a 4 million dollar them, "beer-cooler" helmets currently manufacturing capacity so we rely en­ suite is successful the attorney stands to the rage in North America. The Austral­ tirely on imports. We have very little say make a cool million. Clients and poten­ ian Standard (as it is currently worded) in the direction of cycle equipment man­ tial clients are lured by the fact that would not pass this type of helmet. ufacture and mostly we are content to lawyers do not charge a fixed fee and This is a worry because the informa­ follow Europe, America or Asia. courts do not order the losers to pay tion I am getting from the States is that However, we do make very good bicy­ costs. in the sport ( and to a lesser extent in cle helmets so our manufacturers have I spoke to one of our local helmet ma­ recreation) this type of helmet is the one an ideal opportunity to get involved in nufacturers and asked him why his firm the riders prefer. In the US amateur race the huge international marketplace and did not sell its helmets in the US market. competitors as well as triathletes are not only influence future directions but The litigation problem was his short required by race rules to wear helmets make a lot of money in the process. If it answer. I don't blame him but litigation and the most recent magazine pictures only were that easy. has not stopped the multitude of Euro­ tell the story: these helmets are very, It's not easy. Take the world's largest pean companies from plunging into the very popular. bicycle helmet market: the United US marketplace with helmets of every The ultra lightweight helmets do not States. With more heads to fit helmets shape and style. pass the Australian Standard for two onto than anyone else there are only two Strangely enough one of the problems main reasons: because they do not have local helmet manufacturers. There are for our helmet manufacturers is our Aus­ a hard outer shell they do not pass a more than that in Australia. There have tralian helmet Standard AS2063 .l. Be­ penetration test (this is done by drop­ been others in the past but they have cause we have decided to develop our ping a pointed plumb bob type instru­ been sued out of existence. own standard we run the risk of erecting ment onto the test helmet from a pre One of survivors is Bell the largest a barrier to the rest of the world. That is , determined height) ; and because some international helmet maker. This corpo­ if our standard is so different that it re­ have ventilation holes larger than 20 ration earned its reputation making he!- stricts the entry of helmets from other mm dia permitted by the Oz Standard.

Freewheelin1 S it its direction into the 1990's. In the This last requirement is supposed to committees natural home is under the corporate sector this practise is quite handlebars from slipping umbrella of the Minister of Transport. prevent and it is only recently seen use holes and is the only Often the Committee has to seek the common through ventilation in the Public Service. reason why the world's best selling hel­ co-operation of individual government To formulate its Business Plan the the Bell Vl-Pro will not pass our Oz departments so it is the job of the com­ met committee members met over a week­ As it stands at present the 20 mittee member representing the particu­ Standard. end and in an intense series of meetings minimum hole requirement gives lar agency to see that his or her organisa­ mm looked in tum at all of the current areas some of the hottest helmets tion responds to the wishes of the SBC Australians of SBC involvement. made. Some of the recent (Standards and the program is implemented. What they come up with is a brief approved) offerings from Taiwan work Of course the cyclists themselves are manifesto of the Committee's mission, little pressure cookers on a sweaty represented on the Committee. In New like objectives and a set of goals. The docu­ skull. South Wales the two largest user groups, ment is brief. In fact it's refreshing to A couple of our manufacturers have the Bicycle Institute and the Newcastle read a government document free of confided that they feel that the 25 mm Cycleways Movement, have been active padding and wooly jargon. Here the rule is design restrictive; and the members since the SBC's inception. hole words are meant to mean something and one thing that the Standards people will I said that committees are not noted not fill up the space on a page to please accused of is restricting the de­ for their creativity; that's not entirely not be impatient glance of a political mas­ of new designs. true. The programs they approve have the velopment ter. or no holes the problem of the to come from somewhere and often they Holes The document has been approved by lightweights still remains. All of are actually initiated by the committee ultra the Minister and is now Government helmets pass the US Standard the its self. Of course there is always Gov­ these policy so it is important to state it in full: National Standards Institute's ernment Policy. The SBC is a govern­ American Introduction and there is every indication that ment agency so it has to implement pol­ Z90.4 The State Bicycle Committee is an ad­ would pass the Oz standard if the icy. Once upon a time governments did many visory body of the NSW Government on test was removed. not even have a bicycle policy but the penetration all matters relating to bicycles. the debate rages here (the Aus­ Geelong Bikeplan changed all of that While A. Mission helmet Standard is currently and today important issues such as tralian To achieve safe and convenient cycl­ review) the rest of the world safety education, traffic management, under ing throughout NSW. opt for the ultra lightweight facility construction and design, bicycles could well B. Objectives helmet. as part of the transportation system, 1. Ensure provision of safe and conve­ no overwhelming evidence to recreation and sport are all dealt with in There is nient bicycle facilities . that the newer style of helmet some form of government policy. suggest 2. Establish responsible attitudes and not provide adequate protection. If the Minister decides that bicycle does safe behaviour towards cycling. So, when the dust finally settles in Oz, safety education in the schools is to be a 3. Reduce rate of bicycle related we might find ourselves just a little more priority then the Committee has to for­ mulate strategy, commission program trauma. isolated from the rest of the world and use develbpment, approve and implement 4. Maximise effective and efficient our marvelous Standard an antipodean and through its interdepartmental networks of resources of government irrelevancy. to benefit so that the Minister's policy directive is other agencies in order implemented. cycling. Often it's not that simple. Up until C. Goals How Government works. educa­ recently the Department of Main Roads 1. a. Implement bicycle safety Part t - The Committee school chil­ was controlled by a separate minister tion for all primary A CAMEL IS a horse designed by a and was a law unto its self. The SBC dren by 1990. educa­ committee. I'm still as amused by that found it very difficult to get its policies b. Implement bicycle safety stu­ modern proverb as I was when I first and initiatives implemented by the De­ tion for 60 % of high school heard it. A month never passes without partment. Now that the DMR has been dents by 1992. awareness of coming across some concrete example brought, logically, under the control of c. Increase community on safe of the essential truth behind the state­ the Minister of Transport the organisa­ factors which impinge (Com­ ment. Nevertheless committees are a tion is being made more accountable to cycling, to 80% by 1990. , road part of the way we do things. They are other areas of transport and there is new munity includes cyclists the way different interest groups can be hope that the DMR will eventually be­ users and parents). with key brought together to discuss important come an active initiator of enlightened 2. Obtain full compliance obeying matters. And as an administrative tool bicycle projects. road rules (riding on left, laws , of government they rule our lives. However, this has not stopped the intersection control, lighting road) As much as the structure may be criti­ DMR and the Traffic Authority from giving way - including entering cised there is a lot to be said in favour of carelessly wiping out an inner city cycle by 100% of cyclists by December committees. But they are not creative. route with one of their recent traffic 1990. instruments to in­ They can analyse, criticise, review and reorganisations in the Ultimo/Chippen­ 3. All new planning promote safe co-ordinate because the committee is dale area of central Sydney. Both agen­ corporate provision to infra­ essentially an administrative tool. They cies are represented on the SBC. and convenient cycling bicycle review projects and programs; they sel­ structure by 1991. extent dom initiate them. How Government works. 4. a . Ensure to the maximum Committee that new and reconstructed roads The NSW State Bicycle Part 2 -The Business Plan brings together representatives of all and bikepaths are bicycle safe areas of government with a contribution IN SPITE this brutish disregard for the from the end of 1988. to make to the welfare of the state's cycl­ welfare of the urban cyclist there is hope b. To upgrade all designated existing ing population. Because the cycling that all this is about to change. The State bicycle ways to conform with bicy­ scene is broad and concerns such diverse Bicycle Committee, with the blessing of cle safe standards by 1991. government agencies such as Educa­ its Minister, put its self through the pro­ c. Install bicycle parking and secure tion, Main Roads, Traffic, Sport & Re­ cess of self examination to develop a set storage facilities at railway sta­ creation, Planning & Environment the of goals and objectives which would give tions, bus terminals and ferry

6 Freewheellng wharves progressively, to meet for the city lies in encouraging more the main roads, through routes and demands by 1991. people fro m u sing them not making shortcuts for motorists clearly marked. 5. Ensure safe bicycle access and sec­ them wider and increasing their volume. Motorists directories are intensely prac­ ure storage facilities at schools by In Europe the trend is to restrict vehi­ tical. Cyclists maps have so far been 1990. cles from the central city precincts not more useful to the planners, bureaucrats 6. Make bicycle use for all age groups provide for more like the builders of the and bicycle campaigners than the ordi­ as safe as that for motor vehicles by Sydney Harbour Tunnel propose. nary cyclist. 1993. Given the intensely unattractive na­ I have a full set of Melbourne maps ture of Sydney's main road network I but when I am visiting that city I use a believe that the only possible way that Melways to get around by bike (and so Encouraging news for Sydney cycUsts cycling can survive and flo urish in the do the bicyclists I visit) . Nevertheless IN MY COLUMN as part of the older part of town is give the people a the maps are well researched, can be November/December Freewheeling I decent alternative network which uses used in any weather and are durable to fi red a salvo at the NSW SBC for its in­ existing back streets and is convenient, the point of absurdity. This nonsense of activity in the Sydney region. To date safe, properly signposted and main­ printing separate maps on plastic paper there have been a number of small en­ tained. It is fundamental for the success so that they last forever is a huge waste gineering oriented bikeplans carried out of the Sydney bikeplan that should at­ of money and ignores the fundamental but most have ended up in filing tempt to create a network and most im­ fact that the road system is not fixed, cabinets unimplemented because of portantly encourage citizens to use it. changes from year to year and belongs what I said was a lack of leadership from to everyone not just one type of user. the SBC. Now the Committee with re­ In Melbourne where a bi keplan is Maps are important but only if they newed vigour has grasped the nettle and well into the implementation phase they are useful to the user. And the most use­ has sought approval from the Minister produced a marvelous set of full col­ ful thing a city cyclist can be told is how for the funding of a Sydney Bike plan to oured maps (about 5 double sided to get across town on a reasonably safe be carried out in the 1988/89 financial folded sheets) as a means of encourag­ route. The routes must come first for the year. ing cyclists to select safe routes. The maps to follow otherwise a map is no Tenders will be called for the neces­ Melbourne maps (and others) as well more than a series of pretty coloured sary consultants work within the next researched as they might be do not offer lines on paper. few months so it is heartening to report, the rider a usable network. It is that to Sydney readers at least, that some reason not the fact that they have been The network must come first and relief from the present appalling condi­ inadequately marketed to Melbournians once it is implemented and properly tions is on the way. which has attributed \or their lack of signposted separate maps for the cyclists Sydney's existing street network is a use. are then a waste of money. Gregorys and jungle. The major roads are so narrow Just look at a Melways, Gregorys or a UBD will include the network on theirs and so overcrowded that the only future UBD directory and you will see all of so why reinvent the wheel? Cielan,aster 100% Waterproof 99.9% Accuracy

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8 Freewheeling John Drummond Cycling needs its heroes Vinnecombe, Oz's unsung champion and the passing of one of cycling's great roadmen.

he people responsible for East Germany had won 8 times since Scholarship, because of isolation from nominating and selecting the Aus­ 1973 , Russia three times and West Ger­ his Sydney home, trained himself to de­ T tralian Sports person of the year many twice. feat the cream of the world's second showed their "in-depth" knowledge of It was the first Australian World largest sport, (only soccer exceeds). sport by choosing a motor cyclist as their Championship win in 7 years, and the It was a remarkable demonstration of first choice. first kilometre win si nce the late Russell dedication by a talented Australian. We don't know who the nominations Mockridge won the gold medal at the It would have taken a great deal of were but we can be certain they would Helsinki Olympics in 1952. (The Olym­ courage to do what Wayne Gardner did have been worthy representatives of all pic Games winners are considered the on hi s motor cycle. But that courage the best known sports. We don't knock world champions.) would have had the best possible back­ other sports either, they all have their The Russians and East Germans are up facilities. Not so Yinnecombe, who attractions and devotees. But when you full-time amateurs and the greatest was his own man in defeating the best in compare the efforts of the aforemen­ proponents of track cycling yet seen, as modern technology and human techni­ tioned with the achievements of Martin their Olympic record shows. Yet , Martin que that the world could offer. Yinnicombe you wonder ·whether to Yinnicombe, a part-time athlete, who No doubt the East Europeans will laugh or cry. refused an Australian Institute of Sport turn up the heat in Seoul later this year, However, the fact that 23 year old but the personable Yinnicombe, should Vinnicombe, from Sydney, did not re­ World Champ Martin Vinnecombe in action he win an Olympic medal, will most cer­ ceive an invitation to the Sports Austral­ on the indoor rollers. tainly be able to say, "I did it my way." . ia Awards held in Melbourne, despite being a finalist in two categories high­ FITNESS AMYfH still very lights the fact that cycling is A recent survey had indicated fitness is a much a minor sport with the Australian myth among the Nation's children. Too sports media, and underlines the power many children have high cholesterol and of television in projecting events levels , and too many were too fat. . people into our homes and minds This result comes as no surprise. got The new South Wales government Statistics as far back as 1979 indicated it right when the 23 year old cyclist was Australian kids were opting out of com­ named the Sports Scholarship Achiever petitive sports. Now sports club mem­ of the year. bership statistics are proving the fact. At the grand ballroom of the Regent For every regular sports conscious Hotel, Vinnicombe, the first Australian child , there is at least another over in seven years to win a world cycling weight boy or girl watching television title, the 1000 metre time trial , received screens in the nation's lounge rooms. his honours from the NSW Minister for A key report by the National Health Sport and Recreation , Michael Cleary. and Medical Research Council's Child Yinnicombe again received some Health Committee warns of the con­ on limelight when he was interviewed sequences of children viewing up to 5 national television , along with other hours of television a day, and it recom­ finalists , Wayne Gardner; boxer, Jeff mends that parents limit it to one or two Fenech ; swimmer, Julie McDonald and hours. canoeist, Ian Jacoby , on the prestigious For cycle sport in Australia the picture ABC Sportsperson of the Year awards is rather bleak with depleted club mem­ show. berships affecting open race entries. Vinnicombe's world title win climaxed Only 90 odd professionals entered for ladder of a sequential climb up the the traditional Tasmanian Holiday Car­ the fame . He was third placed in nivals. This is a far cry from the 300 plus cham­ kilometre time trial at the world of several years ago. A dearth of entries in Col­ pionships in Italy in 1985 , second is also noticeable in Amateur competi­ and first in orado Springs (USA) in 1986 tion , particularly in the less populated de­ Austria last year. The Sydney star States. But not only cycling is suffering, feated Russia's Konstantine Khrabtsov all sports are involved in one way or an­ in and East Germany's Maich Malchow other. record breaking time. It mostly relates to the destruction of ean Yinnicombe's win ended Europ competitiveness started in the 1970's by domination in this exacting discipline -

Freewheeling 9 education theorists contending that hi gh note at Sydney's Canterbury Velod­ and the following year took the French yo ungsters needed to be protected from rome before a capacity crowd. amateur road title . But it was in 1953 competition, so that none would experi­ Australia finished strongly to defeat that he grabbed the headlines for the ence the disappointment of being losers. the rest of the world riders, representing first time when he won the Grand Prix The ideal of striving for excellence, ten countries, after a barnstorming tour des Nations as a lowly independent for top performance, was deliberately of four states . (semi-professional) beating all the pro­ pushed into the background. Australia's Our detailed coverage of the series fessional stars . competitive spirit was stifled. will feature in our next iss ue . Confirmation of his ability against the What a load of crap! Australia's most clock came in 1967 when he took the successful sporting years were in t he THE PERFECTIONIST PASSES world hour record from another cycling great social d epression of the 1930's, legerid , . when almost everyone played sport. As briefly reported in my last column In a 15 year career he earned the sob­ There is nothing wrong with large French superstar died riquet of "The Professional" by virtue of scale sports participation - as long as it at 53 three months after undergoing hi s atte ntion to detail and fastidious is not at the expense of helping the good surgery for stomach cancer. nature . He did not possess a sprint but to try to become great. Anquetil passed away in hi s s leep was capable of sustaining high speeds It is therefore most satisfying to note whilst having treatm e nt at St Hilai re for long periods, consequently most of that over 12 ,000 students took part in Clinic in Rouer, France. A statement hi s victories were achi eved by a calculat­ the inaugural " new look" National from the Clinic said that he had died in ing brain rather than by flamboyance. It School Student Cycling Championship. hi s sleep after showing great courage was perhaps for this reason that An­ With over one million children riding throughout hi s illness. quetil never won the heart of the French bicycles to school the scope for expan­ Anquetil was the outstanding French public, who warmed to his great rival sion is enormous. T he need to involve professional cyclist of the fifties and Raymond Poulidor who seemed t o a l­ more children in fitness programmes is sixties, possibly of all time. He was one ways be the underdog. obvious, and there is no better way of of a trio of immortals a long with Eddy But for all that the French were never doing it than cycling. Merckx and Be rnard Hinault who reluctant to concede that Anquetil had Congratulations to the Australi an Cycl­ created history by winning the Tour de "everything" when it came to assessing ing Federation on a successful revival of France five times. He a lso achi eved class. a key recruitment project. fame by winning the Giro d'ltali a twice, The great Itali an madman Coppi and won the Grand Prix des Nations - being questioned by journalists as to his WAR ONWH EELS th e unofficial World Time Tri al Cham­ chances in the Giro once said, "Watch pionship) nine times. Anquetil , he is better than me." That The Bicentennial "War on Wheels" be­ Born in 1934 at Mont Saint Aigan in would have the greatest tribute ever tween Australia and t he rest of the Normandy, the son of a peasant farmer, paid any professional cyclist , for Coppi wo rl d track cycling series ended o n a Anquetil started bicycle racing in 1951 was a Campionissimo. AT IS ON MAKE NO MISTAKE! ~lW~sOOiF~IS THE COOLEST HELMET.

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10 Freewheeling The most significant thing about An­ fessional through and through , he quetil is that he remained what he was capitalised on the foundation he laid for throughout his cycling career. Success this future as a youth and became a never changed his character although he multi-millionaire. was unable to get into the hearts of the He was cool and calculating, every French people. His reserve was often race was important and every aspect mistaken for snobbery. He would much considered in his disciplined mind , RAY'S prefer to escape the crowd after an out­ things like: which effort to make at standing victory, and was often accused which time , which gear to use , which of indifference. He found great diffi­ tyres to ride. No mistakes were made BICYCLE culty in smiling into a TV camera. and nothing was left to chance. Anquetil retained the characteristics He most certainly rode with heart, he was endowed with, he accepted them but his greatest asset was his shrewd as a birthright and was quite unable to calculating brain , for this reason the CENTRES change. French liked him but never loved him. Perhaps this accounts for his great­ He was never mobbed by the crowd. ness. While he never won a world cham­ There was about him some innate thing pionship, having finished in the first ten that singled him out from his opponents. on six occasions, he was the most capa­ It showed in his style of cycling, his de­ ble champion of all, both in victory and meanour and above all his immaculate defeat. appearance. No matter how hard the Anquetil was unquestionably the race he never had a runny nose, he car­ most perfect pedaller of all time, posses­ ried a handkerchief and would use it. sing an unbelievably smooth action. The He was supreme in time trialing and most significant moment of his brilliant tour racing. His computer mind could career came in 1964 when he unleashed programme itself to perfection and he We've upgraded and almost unbelievable power and energy could produce unbelievable power, extended our range to to reach the level of Coppi. It was at this which earned him millions and the dis­ include many of the tinction of being time Coppi paid him the ultimate com­ the greatest perfec­ most famous names in pliment. At this time he was the most tionist in world cycling. highly paid professional cyclist in the Anquetil retired in 1966 to his native cycling and triathlon world. Normandy where he became a gentle­ gear today: Anquetil was a sporting phenome­ man farmer. He always professed that non. From the day he learnt to think for he wasn't a great lover of the sport, but himself he knew what he wanted , he after his retirement he maintained close OPREST0N programmed his every move toward the links with the French professional scene 545 High Street goal of a champion racing cyclist. This as a journalist, race director of the Paris­ Ph : 478-2064 or 470-2090 trait showed throughout his cycling Nice and manager of the French team in W e are now catering also for the career. In a race he spread his effort with the world championships, a role he ful­ specialist bike buyer. Biktis & extraordinary judgement, never forcing filled in Austria last year against medical w heels made to order. Repa irs himself unnecessarily. He only used advice. are c arried out by David Cechni power as a selection and then in mea­ - Melbourne's leading bike sured amounts. mechanic. Call in to see Cycling to him was in a sense easy, he Jaques Anquetil lines up to sign on fo r the Melbourne·s b iggest stock of never regarded it as a pleasure but a start of the . His bid for the bicycles. Th ere's something means of making a living. He was a pro- Maillot Jaune is about to begin . to suit everyone. OF00TSCRAY 170 Barkley Street Ph: 68-1385 Triathlon gear for all types. Need w eights? Full range of weights & gymnasium gear for sale or hire. Grea t d eals on Triathlete & racing b ikes. Wheels & bikes built to your specs.

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IIUll:tiglratio. -lwogear New Minister downgrades committee 'MBlis,lodeveklp Ille 12011'1/S PI In a surprise move the new Victorian mi1J1eneededlo Minister of Transport, Jim Kennan, has reachl~ downgraded the independent status of the State Bicycle Committee by moving it into the Road Traffic Authority. The shift will place all cycling projects in jeopardy because the current system relies on the State Bicycle Committee's independence and oversight to see that large programs like the Melbourne Bikeplan is implemented by each of the different transport agencies. By putting the SBC in with the Road Traffic Authority it is effectively shunt­ ing the committee into a bureaucratic backwater. In future the chairman will not have direct access to the Minister and will instead have to report to his or her bureaucratic superior. In a strongly worded press release the state's largest cyclist group, Bicycle Vic­ , nEEU: said 24 mi, toria (formerly the Bicycle Institute) 'M1ll Sick 80cc. molor· criticised Kennan for his action and said cycle r.mg (111111) tyres IO lr.Mi rNfil that a ten-year improvement plan for ~~Rais. cyclists in Victoria had been reversed and cyclists were now back in the dark ages. IAI.AN Gill!(@ The move was made without consulta­ tion with the cyclists. Cyclists say that the downgrading of mph). He appeared on an English televi­ Alan Parker a representative for their committee is a blunder by the sion program called "Record Breakers" WOMBAT, a cycling group and a Minister and shows his lack of under­ in 1986, and smashed the existing World former State Bicycle Committee standing of how an important element Record by a staggering 38.6 km/h (24 member said, "Representatives of Bicy­ of his portfolio operated. According to mph) with a speed of 203.7 km/h (126.6 cle Victoria and myself met with Jim Parker the Ministry is the only logical mph). Kennan and his new Director General, home for the SBC as it has to have a co­ Dave has moved in with ex profes­ John King. We were told that the Minis­ ordinating role with the other transport sional cyclist Derek Hunt of Enfield , ter had decided that the State Bicycle agencies and it can't possibly do that Sydney. " I've known Derek for some Committee would be removed from the effectively from the bowels of the RTA. time as we were International ride rs Ministry to the Road Traffic Authority "People should know about Jim Ken­ together when we were amateurs" said (RTA) and the Chairman would no long­ nan's lack of interest in the welfare of Le Grys, he added, "When Derek told er report directly to the Minister. the 900,000 cyclists in this State. Ken­ me there is a possibility of doing the Victorian cyclists, Parker claims, are nan has destroyed any chance of cyclists record attempt in Aussie, I was over like upset because Kennan has given control getting a fair go in transport planning a shot." I was initially planning to go to of their committee to an agency with a and in making sensible provisions for the salt flats in America, but subject to ten year record of frustrating the im­ cyclists. " obtaining permission and inspecting plementation of bikeplans. Project Scorch Australia's salt flats in South Australia, I The new move is seen as a disaster for would be delighted to promote com­ cycling in Victoria, the State with the 249 KM/H (155 mph) on a bicycle! panies over here instead and smash the longest and most impressive track re­ That's what professional cyclist David World Record "down under". cord in cycle planning and safety. Le Grys is going for. Le Grys recently A special bicycle is currently being "There has been a long tradition of arrived form the UK and has come to constructed which David will use in his Ministers taking an interest in doing Australia with the intention of going for bid to become the fastest cyclist in the something for cyclists in this State", says the World Cycle Speed Record in this world . The main feature will be the Parker. Liberal minister Brian Dixon country. wheels. Their secrets can only be re­ was the Bicycle Committees first chair­ The intrepid cyclist is not new to re­ vealed when they are ready together man and four Transport Minister's ( two cord breaking. He currently holds the with his $8 ,000 bicycle. Liberal and two Labor) had the chair­ British and Commonwealth Cycle Even at the time of going to print , man reporting directly. Parker believes Speed Record which was achieved on a Dave is talking with Mr Wally Storey of that this is why more has been done for British Freeway back in 1985. David is Mawer Engineering, one of the most cyclists in Victoria than anywhere else in also a World Roller Record holder. The respected car builders in the car racing Australia. previous record stood at 165 km/h (102 fraternity. To construct a pace car which

12 Freewheeling Dave will cycle behind, the car must be The guide also lists: - Facts about volves three-person teams completing a capable of 480 km/h (300 mph). The cycle accidents, - How helmets can re­ short, achievable course around Syd­ wind deflector shield fitted to the rear of duce the risk of brain damage, - How to ney's Narrabeen Lakes. Designed to the pace car will cut its top speed by select and fit a helmet, and - Sugges­ provide both an easy introduction for some 112 km/h (70 mph). David feels tions on how to find a sponsor to further first timers or a more demanding sprint that he wants the car to be able to cruise help with the purchase of helmets. event for the experienced, the triathlon at 250 km/h (155 mph) in the case he "Road toll figures show one out of course includes a 500 metre swim, 15 feels he can go faster. every 11 children under the age of 15 kilometre cycle and 5 kilometre run. The five times British Professional killed on New South Wales roads is a Teams of three people compete. Each champion is putting the attempt to­ cyclist ," Mr Sheahan said. competitor will have the individual satis­ gether under the name of Project Scorch "For every cyclist killed, a further 20 faction of completing the course by him­ and with one world record already bro­ are admitted to hospital with injuries. self or herself, with the added attraction ken , Project Scorch will not rest until "Unfortunately, these statistics are only of participating in a team effort on be­ the ultimate in speed cycling is broken the tip of the iceberg," he said. "Only half of their company or organisation. and become the fastest cyclist in the about one in every 30 injury accidents The fastest member from each of the world ever...... in Australia? involving cyclists are reported to the winning teams in the current three-race police. This new guide is a way of getting series in New Zealand will form a corpo­ the community at large involved in ef­ rate team, who will travel to Sydney to New helmet rebate scheme for NSW forts aimed at increasing the number of challenge the best Australian corporate cyclists wearing safety helmets and re­ triathletes and compete for the Fay, THE NEW South Wales Government ducing the risks associated with cycl­ Richwhite/Business Review Weekly Cor­ has made available $250,000 to enable ing," Mr Sheahan said. porate Cup. children who ride a bicycle to school to The Traffic Authority guide was de­ The attraction of this corporate team rent or buy an approved safety helmet veloped through the Advisory Commit­ event is that it provides an opportunity through school parent associations. tee on Road Safety Education for all employees - the athletic and the The Minister for Transport, Mr Terry (ACORSE) in conjunction with the not-so-athletic - to increase their fitness Sheahan, announced the scheme re­ State Bicycle Committee and the De­ and have some fun while representing cently during the launch of Children's partment of Education. their company in a major sporting Road Safety Month. Mr Sheahan said event. the funds were being made available to The entry fee for a three-person team help school associations set up helmet 7 -:,--:: ::,=:/ =:-:-:: ~ ..,.,...... -...... - .....: is $85, and monies raised from the Syd­ rental schemes or to offer helmets for ney event will be donated to the NSW sale at a reduced price. Society for Crippled Children. "Helmet schemes are seen as an ideal Organisers of the corporate team way of reducing risk of death and injury triathlon are Nelson Associates, among child cyclists," Mr Sheahan said. ilfiif~W specialists in triathlon event develop­ "Hospital figures show that head in­ ment and organisation. juries account for up to 85 per cent of .• t' cycling fatalities." - Mr Sheahan said the $250,000 being made available by the Government Festival of Cycling, Oakbank would be used to give school associa­ South Australia 22-24 April 1988 tions a $12 rebate on the cost of purchas­ ONE OF Australia's key bicentennial ing each safety helmet. year cycling events will be held 35 km "When school groups throw their sup­ from Adelaide at Oakbank in the port behind this initiative almost 21 ,000 Adelaide Hills. This will be the three more helmets should be in use through­ day Festival of Cycling, featuring a wide out New South Wales within the next Sporting chance for companies to shape variety of activities associated with the four months," he said. up bicycle. Mr Sheahan said it was hoped that It has been organised by the South local community groups and business WELL-KNOWN FOR making waves Australian Touring Cyclists' Associa­ houses would provide additional spon­ with sporting challenges like the tion, sponsored by the Commonwealth sorship to further increase the number America's Cup, Australasian merchant Bank and will be officially opened by of bicycle helmets in use by youngsters. bank Fay, Richwhite in now inviting SA Transport Minister, Gavin Keneally. He said full details of the rebate offer Australian business community to meet Events will start on Friday April 22 with and guidelines on how to operate a the challenge of corporate fitness by a cycle parade in Adelaide (with those school helmet scheme and to encourage staging Sydney's first corporate team taking part being expected then to ride helmet usage would be sent to school triathlon at Narrabeen Lakes on April to Oakbank). associations throughout New South 10, 1988. On the following day organised bike Wales this month. "The Government's In partnership with Australia's leading rides from between 20 to 100 km will be $12 rebate offer will run from February business magazine Business Review organised. The Melbourne Bicycle to May, 1988." Mr Sheahan said. Weekly, Fay, Richwhite have designed Band will take part in a parade of bicy­ The Minister also launched a special this new sporting event for corporations cles at Oakbank. guide aimed at improving the safety of and their employees. The merchant A prize is being offered for the indi­ school-age in New South Wales. bank's corporate team triathlon has al­ vidual cycling the greatest distance to "The guide, produced by the Traffic ready proved enormously successful in reach the Festival. (A quick look at the Authority and endorsed by the Child New Zealand. With over 1800 triathletes map suggests that a cyclist starting from Accident Prevention Foundation of Aus­ (or 600 teams) competing last year, it Darwin and heading for Oakbank via tralia (CAPFA), explains how school has become the largest triathlon series National Highway 1 down the WA Coast parent groups can provide bicycle safety ever held in that country. would be hard to beat.) helmets for sale or rent to children," Mr The Fay/Richwhite/Business Review April has been declared Bicycle Sheahan said. Weekly Corporate Team Triathlo:1 in- Awareness month in South Australia.

Freewheeling /3 The State division of the National Safety Saf e-n-sound National Schools Cycling are delighted to be sponsoring this Council of Australia will provide a bicy­ Championship announced event, as our involvement will help to cle safety trail for children. educate school children on cycling Entries for the event at the Festival WITH THE launch this month of the safety, which is of utmost importance to close on April 4. They should go to or­ second Safe-N-Sound National Schools Safe-n-Sound" . ganiser Evelyn Grey, PO Box 60, Cycling Championship, the largest Contestants can choose from four Echunga SA 5153. junior project undertaken by cycling for categories including: boys under 14 10 years, school children aged 10-16 years; girls under 14 years; boys under years are set to win exciting prizes in­ 16 years; and girls under 16 years. Cyclingheroes attend centenary cluding tee-shirts, Safe-n-sound The competition will start in May, AS PART of the Centenary of Cycling Sprinter helmets, Puma tracksuits, and 1988, in seven states around Australia. Celebrations, the Australian Cycling a trip to Melbourne for the National Each state will proceed through school Federation held a dinner at the Sheraton championship where they could win a heats, zone finals , and then state finals Hotel in Brisbane towards the end of Malvern Star bicycle. in 7 states, which will take place during February this year. The dinner provided The Championship was reintroduced the month of August at large shopping the formal and official focus of the five in 1987 by the Australian Cycling Feder­ centres around Australia. The winners day calendar of events and according to ation after a break of 8 years, with the of the stage finals will be presented with ACF National Executive Director Mar­ aim of promoting the sport of cycling to a Safe-n-Sound Sprinter cycling helmet, tin Whiteley, it was a night to remember. all Australian school children between and a Puma tracksuit. "It was a night for heroes of the past the ages of 10 and 16 years. and present to catch up with each other, The Safe-N-Sound Championship, The 28 state finalists of the Safe-n­ as well as helping to celebrate our cente­ unlike a conventional race, will be con­ Sound National Schools Cycling Cham­ nary." ducted on revolutionary, custom-made pionship will fly to Melbourne to take Among the guests at the dinner were Turbo Rollers, incorporating advanced part in the National final. The four na­ past Olympic Champions , digital equipment designed to test the tional champions will be presented with Tony Marchant, Ian Brown, Michael speed and endurance of a cyclist, by a Malvern Star bicycle and Safe-n­ Turtur, Kevin Nicholls, and Dean simulating actual cycling conditions. Sound medallions. Woods , as well as past World champions The use of this equipment will ensure Safe-n-Sound, manufacturer of Aus­ , Jack Hoobin, Graeme that any child can enter the competition, tralian Standard approved cycling hel­ French, Gordon Johnson , Steele regardless of cycling experience, by mets, the Guardian and the Sprinter, are Bishop, and Gary Sutton. The champ­ eliminating the need for bike handling the major sponsors of the Champion­ ions of the past were joined by the cur­ and race strategy skills, and by testing ship, and are assisted by co-sponsors rent World Champion Martin Vin­ his or performance on pure athletic abil­ Malvern Star, Puma, Westfield, Austral­ nicombe, Commonwealth Games Gold ity.Mr Don Millar, National Marketing ian Airlines and the Australian Sports Medalist Brett Dutton and many others. Manager for Safe -N-Sound said, " We Commission. CALYPSO C V C L E S takes you and your dollar further

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/,f Freewheeling but the women's races The Centenary race is actually two races in support, attractions. Champs and former champs in women's events. The first is over 33 kilometres were the feature Bicentennial Womens' Centenary centenary race from Camden, (starting at 12 .15 p.m. The to any women riders pos­ from near Woolworth's Supermarket) to races are open A NUMBER of former champion issued by the Australian Liverpool, (finishing opposite Wood­ sessing a licence women cyclists will join the younger , through the respec­ ward Park in Memorial Ave) and the Cycling Federation champions in celebrating the 100th an­ amateur body. Jbe event will second, following a rest of nearly one tive State niversary of the first race in the world by NSW Cycling Federa­ hour, over 27 kilometres from Liverpool be controlled for women cyclists by competing in the . to Ashfield , (finishing on Hume High­ tion officials Centenary (and Australian Bicenten­ has been made to the way opposite Ashfield Shopping Mall) . Application nial) race near Sydney on May 14. sanction for a special one­ The second race will be "under con­ NSWCF for Already, the former National all­ for triathlete women cyc­ trol" from Liverpool, until the riders re­ day licence round track champion of the early 1950's decision has yet been ad­ group for the final Women's Cycling lists , but no Iris Dixon (she was then Iris Bent) now this possibility. Centenary one kilometre dash to the vised regarding 56, of Melbourne, and Nellie Tulczn Entries ($6.00) close with the or­ line at Ashfield. (formerly Nellie Mansqanden of Tas­ director, Cecil Cripps Most of the approximate $1 ,500 cash ganiser and race mania) now 38, a former road record Chelsea, Vic 3196 (PH prize money (minimum) will be allo­ 19 Stayner Street, breaker, are among the early entrants in 1808) on April 20, date cated to the Camden to Liverpool race. Melbourne 773 the historic event. Both started their of recent perfor­ will also be trophies to the value of birth, plus details "comebacks" only a few months ago . There accom­ to the A and B mances (and licence no .) should Another notable mature-age entrant of around $800 allocated , in which prizes pany each entry. is Geraldine Stieda, the former champ­ grades in both events down to 6th placing (in ion Vancouver, Canada rider, who since will be awarded event.) Adventure travel b~coming an Australian and living at each grade, in each Pants" of Melbourne, has L_,t~~ow, NSW has twice won her age "Fancy BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, high moun­ of skinsuits to the d1v1s10n at the World Veteran Cycling given $600 worth tain ranges, historic towns, wineries Championships in Austria (women's 45- prize list. with world class wines, welcoming pubs 49 years event in 1985, and 50 and over Stars of the first race for women cyc­ and a stable climate are a few of the in 1987) . lists staged anywhere in the world (at attractions of an area unknown to many. Several top young women including Ashfield on February 25 and 26, 1888) Encompassing interesting and hospit­ Kathy Watt 20, Oceania Games pursuit were Dot Morrell (2 wins, 1 third) Ada able towns such as Beechworth Bright Gold Medal winner and 2nd in National Grahame, (1 win , 2 seconds, 1 third) Mt Beauty, Rutherglen and Ya~kandan: title, promising Jacki Barnett, 18 of and Louise Hardie (3 seconds and 1 dah , North-East Victoria is a very pleas­ Portland, Victoria, top Sydney all-roun­ third). ant place to spend a few days. As the der Caroline Chapman, 26 , have all indi­ The seven-race women's programme region is relatively compact, perhaps the cated they will enter for the race. of events had two top class professional best way to explore it is by bicycle.

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Freewheeling IS Bogong Jack Adventures, a small , their new 'Adventure Canberra' multi-speed bike and at the end of the family owned business, specialises in brochure which includes bicycling, bal­ day cook up an excellent meal accom­ bike trips during autumn and spring. looning and river rafting trips in and panied by fine wines at a site beside Perhaps best known for their winery around the Capital. Lake Burley Griffin. weekends and five day "gourmet" The Adventure Canberra programme A weekend of variety, excitement and of North-East Victoria, they offers trips as short as half a day es­ diversity can be arranged through Ac­ bal­ have a full program with trips to suit corted bicycle tours around Canberra tion Travel. Take an early morning by most interests and fitness levels. followed by a barbecue (complete with loon flight on Saturday followed The Beechworth Escape Weekend vis­ king prawns and fine wines) for $45 .00, champagne brunch. Then in the after­ its Victoria's best preserved gold town , to six day rafting trips. noon join a cycle tour of the city with an and in contrast to other weekend trips, For independent visitors a 24 hour evening gourmet barbecue beside Lake there isn't a winery in sight. The five day complete bicycle hire package that in­ Burley Griffin. On Sunday make the cycling the Golden North-East sees the cludes a quality multi-speed bike, De­ most of the Murrumbidgee on a day raft brilliant autumn colours at their best. It vonshire tea, lunch and maps of the trip. "With accommodation at one of , is better suited to keener bike riders, as bicycle path network in Canberra costs the better Canberra hotels, transfers is the seven day Cycle Ned Kelly Coun­ $35.00 professional guides and most meals the try. Named after the famous local identi­ Robert Fletcher, the manager of Ac­ cost per person is a surprisingly low ty, the trip takes a comprehensive 300 tion Travel (which also trades as Tail­ $345" kilometre loop and features some winds Bicycle Travel) reckons that there exhilarating riding. For the less energe­ is a whole world of the outdoors to be The Great Eastern Australian Rally 1988 tic, the Ovens Valley Meander takes a seen in and around the Nation's capital. or BINSW'S 2nd GEAR, Easter '88 scenic route , which is com­ "Mention Canberra and everyone beautiful have been held in by its gently undulating na­ thinks of Parliament House and Tele­ BICYCLE RALLIES plimented such as Britain (with ture. com Tower, but in the bush on Black overseas countries Rally) and Canada (Great All these trips feature a support vehi­ Mountain with the Telecom Tower on its York Rally) for some years but in cle which carries luggage, lunches and top and vast views of Lake Burley Grif­ Canadian , at least in the modern era, flagging cyclists. Nights are spent at fin below, there are miles of excellent Australia unknown. That was until Easter historic hotels or occasionally motels. trails winding through beautiful native they are when the Bicycle Institute of Picnic lunches are enjoyed en route and forests just waiting for mountain bikes", 1987 , s first Great Eastern Australian evening meals are pub style, although he said. NSW' was held at Bowral, NSW. Despite the Grand Tour of North-East Victoria For more sedate cycling the 'Bike to a Rally several hundred cyclists partici­ features dining at the regions best re­ Barbie' half day cycle tour utilising the rain, future for the staurants. extensive cycle path network is an excel­ pated, ensuring a bright lent way to discover a different side of event. Action Travel the Canberra based ad­ the National Capital. For $45.00 Action The idea of a bicycle rally is simple. venture travel agency have just released Travel will provide a guide, quality Get a whole lot of cyclists camping to- NAGAOKA QUALITY TOURING EQUIPMENT NAGAOKA 's Innovative Lower Gravity Positioning Racks Promise You an Enjoyable Long Distance Bike Touring.

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/6 Freewheeling it easily accessible from NSW's major population centres as well as from Can­ berra and Melbourne. Entry forms and more information can be obtained from the Bicycle Insti­ tute of NSW (02) 212 5628, or in Push On , the Institute's journal. Postal en­ tries for the event close on March 18 but, because numbers must be limited, early entry is recommended.

History rewritten THEY SAY that history is written by the victor and in this age of the motor vehi­ cle , it is easy to overlook the place of the bicycle in history, particularly Austral­ ian history. If you were brought up on a diet of Ronald Reagan B grade gether in an idyllic, scenic location with­ ndes from 15 km upwards, suitable for cultural movies of covered wagons advancing out the need to pack up and move each road and mountain bikes. There wi ll be day. Then give them a program of rides night rides (for those with lights) and to suit all abilities, using quiet and in­ entertainment at the campsite. Prizes teresting back roads. They can then ride will be awarded to those cyclists who CYCL E unladen bicycles taking advantage of have cycled the furthest to get to GEAR the whole day to explore the area and its or who have travelled the furthest by TRJJ /LfPS! attractions. A long weekend rally allows a ny means. Commemorative cloth a relaxed program for those who desire patches will also be distributed to en­ it and friendships soon blossom in this trants until stocks are exhausted. environment, making it a great social GEAR takes place amid some of the event. most attractive rural·countryside in New Second GEAR over Easter (1-4 South Wales - the Southern Highlands - Hel i. ott.e April) at Bowral , will be bigger and bet­ with a good network of quiet roads and (08) !f28010 ter than the first. All e ntrants will re­ many quaint townships a nd tourist at­ If If Fre.de-riclr. St. ceive a colo urful souve nir booklet. tractions within an easy pedal. Good Mn lcoHls Sfl 50b'1 There will be an ex panded program of public transport serves the a rea , making

EASTERBIKE 1988

Organised by BICYCLE VICTORJA which brings you the Callex Great Victorian Bike Ride.

A camping holiday in CastJemaine over four days. April I, 2, 3, 4. Meals and services provided. SI 15 BV members S135 others (includes 12-month BV membership) Features: small groups, choice of fully supponed daily rides

Tours av:11lable Events IT'S[r Mining relics o f Fryer..town Oncnlecring Lake Cairn Cu rren Treasure hums to'~ like it/.._, Bu1ld.mg.s & Art gallenes Australia 's best bicycle collecuon Mt AJexandcr and the Koala Park Audu: ndes lllreftide"'· G.-eot ..,...,...."""-I W1ncncs and poncrics of Harcoun Mountain bike ndes l'renth hoficc, IREE •- Miles ""' Timctnals I ~ ... Fun farms and nursenes m the Mandur.tng Valley Sett;,.. Sell, &le Ne..,.y ....y _,.,._

Ca ll in or write to BI CYCLE VIC r O RIA The first Bike Events Annual is,:o:u~l:n:ow: .~l~l's::fu~ll~o;f_.::~~- _:=::~ Shop 15/ 16 Ciry Square Melbou rne 3000 coloured pictures and detai ls o f fab ul ous rides in Phone, 650 2550 1988 throughout Britain and Jhe Continent. Bike Evenls organi se 1h e fa mous London to Brighton Ride , 1he Great Brilish Bike Ride. End to End , London 10 Amsterdam, 10 Barcelona and ma ny more. If you are planning a ho liday in Europe you will wa nt to have a copy of the Bike Events Annual. Send for yo ur FREE copy now. For your 36 page full colour Annual send an A4 Bike Events Annual 78 cenl stamped addressed envelope ( or your name, Freewheeling address and $ 1.00 to cover postage and packing if PO Box K26 you haven't got an envelope} to: Haymarkel NSW 2000

Freewheeling 11 across the prairies, it's easy to sli p onto were needed. If you were one of many countryside that their early forbears the belief that covered wagons were an families offered a selection in the new helped to mould into what it is today. important factor in Australia's develop­ Riverina area, what better way to go It wi ll be a clear reminder that the ment. That is development as seen by ahead and explore the country than by bicycle has been everywhere before, not the European settlers. bicycle. The bicycle was a fast, cheap just along the rural back roads through Alas, t his is not the case, the onl y means of transport for the average Aus­ the sheep country, but up Cape York wagons were uncovered and driven by trali an. So comm on and taken for and across the Nullarbor Plains as well. huge, hairy, cursing bullockys. For the granted that often a couple of words, If you would like to join in , why not ordinary people, it was shank's pony, or "by bicycle", are left out as the older organise a group of friends or members walking, until the arrival of the bicycle. generation passes on the family's his­ of your club, to make a major bicycle The bicycle quickly became a major fac­ tory. ride during the second half of 1988. The tor in that crucial element of develop­ BICYCLE AUSTRALIA IN 88 is an event is being coordinated by Bicycle ment; the availability of labour. event to celebrate the role of the bicycle Australia, the nationa: bicycle touring If Australia grew up upon the sheep's in the everyday history of Australia. It association, who also offer some or­ back , its boom years were made pos­ will bring groups of riders back into the ganised groups for self co ntained and sible by the hoards of shearers crossing countryside of Australia right around vehicle supported riders. Contact de­ the country upon bicycles, bringi ng the continent, including Tasmania. Bicy­ tails can be found in the events calendar. their blades to the sheds where they cle riders wi ll once again explore the Cape York in June 88 is the first ro ute to be explored, then it is southward in July, along the Barrier Reef and down the Capricornia Trail. The organised rides will continue around the co untry ANNOUNCING THE HILLMAN to finish with a crossing of the Nullarbor in November, followed by an explora­ tion of the south west of Western Aus­ tralia to finish in Perth. Of course, you are welcome to make up your own ride to where ever you wish to go , but registering with Bicycle Aus­ trali a, by membership, wi ll ensure you SERIES obtain discounts on travel and accom­ modation. Plus, the expert tourers there will be able to assist you in planning *ALPINE*SPORT*COMPETITION *SHERPA PRO your route and itinerary. Will you be part of the re-writing of Priced from $585 thru to $1390. These are as good a comolnatlon of 10w price and high performance as you 've seen. the bicycle history of Australia? All feature sun Tour Accushlft Indexed gearing along with the latest-In ATB frame technology: radically steep 71 -degree head and 72-degree seat angles and a tight 42-lnch wheelbase make sidestepping rocks and stumps mere child's play. combined with Tange crMo D/ Butted tubes, all handle llke custom built, full bore racing ATB 's. complete specification details available by sending a stamped, self addressed envelope to the address below. BUSINESS

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20 Freewheeling PRO BIKE BEAI.EIIB

PRESTON BIKE CENTRE - For your next Apollo - Atom - Skyway - Graecross - Shogun - I Silverton - Univega - SCHAFER'S CYCLE WORKS INNER CITY CYCLES Gitane or Puch Bicycle 145 - 147 Prince St., ----STOP PREss---­ Grafton, NSW. Ph. (066) 42 2106 • BICYCLE BUILDING SPECIALISTS • BENOTTO TRIATHLON Ricardo, Malvern Star • ALL REPAIRS• CUSTOM BUILT BIKES• Nowmstt>d<. Italy's 10-times world ch..mpion. Speedwell, Southern Cross • BRAZING • TOURING SPECIALISTS • Univega, Graecross • BICYCLE HIRE • MAIL ORDER • Please note we have moved. SALES & SERVICE of accessories 31 Glebe Pt. Rd. Glebe New phone: 48'4 3382 Full range facilities (02) 660-6605 Full workshop ESTABLISHED 1911

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Cycles FreewbeelintJ Hillman PRO BIKE DEALERS is a new Is Australia's mountain bike SPORTS CENTRE SPEC. IN BICYCLE SPORTS & BOCCE section that highlights the goods centre • FERRARI • BIANCHI We have a huge range of bikes and • BORSARI • PUCH and services of Australia's leading plus the knowledge to accessories PROFESSIONALS IN bicycle retailers. Bike shop pro­ . back it up SALES - SERVICE - PARTS to get their Custom bulldlng and hire are our SPECIALIST IN fessionals who want L'WEIGHT - TRIATHLON to our 15 000 speclalltles COMMUTING BICYC LES message across HIiiman Cycle• NEW I USED - BUY SELL readers should contact our Adver­ 44-48 Or1nth1m St EXCHANOE WHI Brunawlck VIC BORSARI CYCLES tising Director David Turner on (03) 380 8885 IMC MI( SPOATS IMPORTS ~;!;_'f,cm OISCOUNr 347 4100 f ST.'8t.J&4£048 YRs- (02) 913 1266 and find out about 193 LYGON ST. CARLTON our favourable rates

Freewheeling 21 THE BIKE

Fat tljre feature

The mountain bike comes of age

Wustntion by Andrew Benthe 22 Freewheeling is a new approach HIS SUMMER the mountain lever. The Browning has been in use in bike outsold all other types of to front shifting and a year now. It uses bicycles in Australia. What's more the USAfor almost T its own triple chainwheel set with round it seems that the advent of this amazing shift sideways to pick has altered the cycling scene in rings that split and machine efficiently. Oz forever. Once cycling was considered up the chain smoothly and by batteries and to be seasonal now riders are jumping The device is powered its first Australian appearance onto their machines and heading bt.1sh will make Back's top of the line all through the year. fitted to Diamond at around the It is now six years since the first pro­ model the Axis (selling . Shimano Exage totypes started appearing in the country three grand mark) shifters are also fitted to imported from Ja pan and designed by front SIS Back's Ascent EX model. Americans. The Americans still design Diamond frames should make a the best bikes but the Taiwanese are Aluminum this year. A few challenging the Japanese for bike build­ modest appearance have already been imported ing supremacy. The Taiwanese build the Canondales and manufacturers like most bikes but the best bikes and almost by enthusiasts plan to bring in a few of all the componentry is still Japanese. Diamond Back later in the season. The mountain bike of 1988 is a lot this type of bike model is heliarc- welded different to the machine of 1982. Gone Their Arrival of 7000 series aluminum alloy. are the ultra laid-back frame angles (68 and made goes the advent and 69 degrees) , absurdly long chain As far as the season bike has shaken things stays, make shift gear changers and of the mountain in Oz that it js hard to say BMX cast offs. The mature mountain up so much season starts and where it bike design of today favours more up­ where our bikes have be­ right angles for the seat tube (73 or 72 now begins. Mountain in winter. In fact some degrees) and a 71 degree head tube. come popular to ride in winter. Re­ Almost all the new bikes brought into enthusiasts prefer mainly in mountain bikes the country are fitted with indexed gear tailers dealing busiest season is after shifting mechanisms. Even the cheaper say that their and not before. models have to have index gears to stay Christmas now a strong body of opinion in the market and thankfully steel rims There is that the mountain bike have all but disappeared from the scene. which suggests 1. If that's the Those dreadful extra long reach season starts on January ends on the De­ caliper brakes are still being fitted to case then it probably following. Maybe some of the some of the cheapies but these are be­ cember 31 will wake up to this fact and coming are rarity too because buyers are distributors bike ranges in becoming aware that for fat-tyred bikes release their mountain of late winter as is only proper frame mounting cantilever late summer instead custom. brakes will do. the present years the mountain bike This year there are a couple of new In six short the Aussie cycling scene so additions to the growing list of has changed that we may never be the same technological improvements: the much So if it hasn't hit you yet; isn't it Browning electric front shifting system again. you got that fat-tyred feeling? and Shimano's front SIS changer and time

Freewheeling 23 TMAKESA MOUNTAIN BIKE by WARREN SALOMON Fat-tljre feature ~/ Almost every thing you ever wanted to know about fat-tyred bikes.

Handlebars now have high riser stems to compensate for the smaller and more rigid frame. Make sure that you adjust the bars them selves for the most comfortable riding position.

/ ,/ / . I , ... f. ,i .. ••~~. .. ~. ' 1:' ' I I " •.; ,, , . . . I I _, . . I '( I . ' What's a mountain I bike? ' HE IDEAL bike for Australian conditions. It's comfortable to T ride, easy to operate and will go just about anywhere you care to ride it. At the moment its the most popular type of bike in the shops and has a bright future in this country. Okay then, how is a mountain bike different from say a ten-speed? The most obvious difference is the fat tyres but there are others. Mountain bikes use 26 inch rims and tyres of differ­ ing widths depending on the type of ter­ rain the bike owner is prepared for. The bikes usually have more laid back frame angles to give a comfortable ride. Typi­ cally skinny tyred road bikes have frame angles around 73 degrees whereas the MTB 's use 71 or less. The larger the frame angles the more upright the frame and this gives a bike which takes corners very tightly. Racing bikes are built this way and these machines also have much shorter wheelbases than their fat-tyred counterparts. In the early days (like the computer world the old days of mountain biking are barely eight years ago) frame angles were as soft as 68 degrees and bikes had enormous wheel bases with gigantic rear chainstays. This type of frame design favoured downhill racing. So, when the bikes started to be raced on cross-coun­ try trails and by non-competitors on suburban streets, the newer users found the ultra stretched MTB's too sluggish to ride with any precision. The most favoured design today is only a step removed from the long dis­ tance touring bike designs favoured in Europe. However the equipment avail­ able to mountain bike users is much bet­ ter than tourers ever had in the past. What about the equipment? What sets a mountain bike apart from other machines? Lets look at each area in turn: Handlebars CURRENT DESIGNS favour separate stem and bars. This arrangement allows maximum flexibility with the riding posi­ tion . It is important to be able to adjust the bars to give the best riding position. Smaller size bikes should have stems with a shorter reach and rise. Often the front brake cable stop is built into the

This participant in last years National Titles, held near Brisbane, is powering uphill on a custom built bike built by the Kitchen brothers of St Ives, Sydney. Note the extra long seat pillar and the forward crouching position of the rider. This bike also has a long reach chrome moly handlebar stem SVUPERIOURANNIERS The proven load carrying system for touring cyclists who demand the best in fu nction and reliability. An exclusive new mounting clip is the latest refinement in a 10 year history of use around the world. Whether you ride off-road, commute in the wet or travel on transcontinental highways you can be proud of your decision to buy Australian excellence. Ask fo r SUPERTOUR panniers and bags at your specialist touring bicycle retailer. See other Wilderness Equipment products at selected ~,~

Wik!erii"ess Equipment P. 0 . Box 83, Freman/le, WA. 6160 Uncompromised Design

/

Let Indexed gears are all the rage these days. Just Christie Cycles flick the lever and derailleurs like this Shimano Deore combo 'click' quickly into put you in the position. The shark fin is to keep the chain picture from jamming in between the tyre and the stay. Before you set out on your next bicycle adventure talk to Ian or Richard I stem and on the new Californian designs the touring and tandem experts at Christie Cycles. With over 2S years -I a small nylon wheel acts as a pivot point cumulative bicycle touring experience I for the cable directly over the front brake assembly. 1 Handlebars come in all sorts of shapes ~:; EIE = simple to :;.;;~":,'""£~:d~~:::~~~:~ IRIS It is reasonably CI and sizes. lifetime. So come in and experience I over your handlebars if you find I the friendly helpful service that only a THE TOURING AND TANDEM EXPERT S I change recognised export in the field can 85 Burwood Rd Hawthorn VIC 31 22 I that they are the wrong shape. In city I deliver. Phone (03) 818 40 I I conditions wide bars can be a hindrance in traffic. Alloy or steel bars can be eas- ·------·26 Freewheeling Stro ng all oy rims are the only type to con- sider. Steel is for toddlers . Ty res - the m ind boggles. There is a huge va riety of tyres for just about any kind of surface condition. The experts try 'em all and the shops don't know what to stock and which to sell. Rule of thumb: the chunkiness of the t read should match the aggregate size of the road/trail surface; bitumen - ba ld; stones and rock - coarse knobby; sand herring bone. Ex peri­ ment!

Most MTB's are equipped with eigh­ ping system of all the pedal-powered teen speed gearing (six speed rear two-wheelers. Cantilever brakes are freewheel/triple front chainwheels) con­ mounted onto pivots welded directly to trolled from shifting levers located con­ the frame for extra strength and rigidity. ven ie ntl yon the handlebars close to They use heavy duty cables and strong your normal hand position. No other comfortable brake levers. In the early bike has this superior arrangement. days, before the Japanese component This season's mountain bikes are fit­ makers began to manufacture brake lev­ ted with indexed 'click' stop shifting ers especially for the MTB, bike buil­ mechanisms. Now, for once, you can ders would often use motorbike lever shift into gear with some degree of cer­ parts. The names to look for in high tainty. The secret of indexed gearing is quality brakes are: Shimano, SunTour in the shifting lever. Inside is a little and Dia Compe. mechanism that allows the lever arm to The latest and most expensive models ars move only between six preset positions. have their rear brakes fitted under the Ge Each position corresponds with a cog on chain stays. The chain stays offer rigidity the rear freewheel. When the lever is but there is also an aesthetic reason for moved and 'clicks' into the next indexed the recent preference for this type of MOUNTAIN BIKES true their name gear position it shifts the rear derailleur brake: because the cable is routed via are geared for hilly territory. But that and chain over to line up with the next the down tube the top tube is kept clean doesn't mean you have to live on top of a cog. and clear of any lugs and guides. How­ mountain to appreciate wide-range With indexed gears shifting becomes ever, there is a body of opinion in moun­ smooth shifting gears. The world is not easy. It all clicks. tain bike circles which believes that the flat and even in places like Melbourne rear brake mounted in this position of­ and Adelaide there are a few short steep fers no great advantage and that eventu­ mountain-ettes to test your leg muscle ally this 'fad' will disappear. power. Hop off the bitumen and you will Brakes Mountain bikes have brake pads need low, low gears to get through rough which are generally longer and wider and sandy patches and in the wet low THE COMBINATION of bigger tyres than road bikes and give superior brak­ gears can be essential if you want to and cantilever brakes gives the moun­ ing capacity in both wet and dry condi­ maintain a steady forward momentum. tain bike the best, most efficient stop- tions.

Freewheeling 21 1ly shortened 'in s1tu' with the help of a ~[J{J@@{lfJC!J trusty hack saw. Saddles Grips: Shimano, who also make fish­ ing rods, are now finding in the US ~ra..lJr.,L,.Q; Br.Q;ai.et MTB scene that there is a market for 's have a more upright seating posi­ their rod grips. Grips should be firm but MTB that more weight is TEAmlSSUE not so they do not absorb the road tion and that means Under these cir­ shock. Gloves are recommended for use placed on the saddle. or misshapen saddle in the wilds as they not only absorb cumstances a poor ~ra..lJr.,L,.Q; Br.Q;a,i.Q;r pain and suffering. The shock but protect the knuckles and fin­ can cause much generation of saddles with shock gers from abrasions. latest PRO absorbing gel inserts (like the Avocet Gelflex) are just the thing for fat tyred fanatics; casual or committed. Women THEY'RE generally need wider saddles and the Wheels top manufacturers have versions.made HERE! to fit the female anatomy. Though most mountain bike Be quick ... or you rimsare 26xl.75 inches (26" diameter x 1. 75"width) tyres might miss out! can vary according to use. For instance for city riding many riders prefer 1. 9" slicks (smooth tread) tor better grip and cornering performance. This type of tyre has slightly more drag than a conventional road tread tyre so for fast use on bitumen roads and gen­ eral touring use a raised centre tread street tyre 1.5, 1.75 or 1.9 might be pre­ ferred. Off road tyres are available in a bewildering range of sizes and tread patterns. Study the advertising pages of this magazine and you will see but a few. Bulky tyres (2.125 or 2.2) are still pre­ ferred for off road riding though the cross country competitors often prefer the lighter and narrower for all out speed. Knobby treads are essential for good grip in rocky conditions while a flatter profile tyre is more useful on sand, smooth sandstone and granite. Enthusiasts often have a second set of wheels fitted with different tyres for differing conditions. For competitors this is a must.

£,ift ¾~Ml! - ,'&?''''.,, . e~IK •SHOP Touring and Mountain bikes are our speciality. 92 Pacific H'wav Roseviile 411 5116

28 Freewheeling fitted out with decent equipment are like hens teeth at present. Any one who tries to put you onto a MTB with a similar frame size to your road bike (which probably has a frame BUYING A size that's too large anyway) is trying to con you . Don't despair there are lots and MOUNTAIN BIKE: lots of good dealers out there who know their stuff. If you hit a lemon take your custom elsewhere. Oh yes, stay well SOME GOOD clear of supermarkets and department stores. Their bikes are low quality and ADVICE they don't have the knowledgeable staff to handle your enquiries. To correctly size your mountain bike Fat IIJrl' feature you should straddle the frame in your normal riding shoes. You should have at least 40 mm clearance between the top by WARREN SALOMON tube and your crotch. A distance of be­ tween 4 and 7 centimetres is advisable. If in doubt go for a smaller frame size - We've been riding mountain bikes and this is the general trend nowadays for all talking to the riders since the first set of classes of bike. fat wheels went on sale here in Oz. Over When buying a new bike the frame is the years we've offered sound advice to the most important component to con­ mountain bike buyers. Here's the latest sider. Its easy to upgrade to say, better version: quality pedals, but not as simple to swap a frame. A good lightweight frame can FRAME SIZE also dramatically improve the overall of the machine. MOUNTAIN BIKE frames are smaller feel and performance All mountain bike frames use over­ than road bikes. A lot of people and either lugless or use a some bicycle industry personnel still size tubing and are . With modern can't get this vital fact through their lugged construction ~ Inert Gas (TIG) welding tech­ ~ c.: . thick skulls. With the biggest sales of any Tungsten can now be made ~- . type of bike it is still very difficult to buy niques lugless frames larger tube diameter Q,~ . small-framed MTBs. If you are shorter very strong. The of all frame types. than the average you may even need a adds to the rigidity -- Chrome molybdenum steel is the 24 inch wheeled bike. Bikes like this favoured tubing type used on most THESTRONG medium to top-quality machines. Chrome moly as it is often called is an alloy of steel and is much lighter and stronger than equivalent thickness plain SILENT steel tubing. Often only the main tubes will be chrome moly with the chain and seat stays high tensile steel. This adds slightly to the weight. Aluminum mountain bike frames are TYPE now making their appearance in the Off the mountainside and onto the asphalt. USA and Europe and will probably be Other off-road tyres have isolated lµgs posi­ available here in small numbers this sea­ tioned in the centre of the tread at any son . This type of frame material uses an speed you can feel the tyres rumble. The Quad 1.9 doesn't rumble because oversize diameter tubing for Richley even larger the lugs are offset - not in the centre. The greater strength. They are generally crown of the Quad is an endlessly quiet much stiffer than steel or steel alloy plateau. The lug pattern offers better grip frames and the metal tends to absorb in loose dirt but for the first time trips to more of the road shock. Aluminum and from the wilderness are quiet and frames are not made in this country so smooth. you can expect to pay the proverbial 'arm and a leg' if you want to be one of Avocet Richley Q11ad l.9's are available through specialist bicycle dealers across the few people in the country to own the country. and ride one this year. COMPONENTRY THE MOST popular chainwheel set used is the alloy triple type with remova­ ble rings. Standard crank lengths (170mm) are preferred as there is no proven advantage from using longer length cranks except in the case of very Engineering for Cyc lists long-legged riders.

Freewheeling 2P Some the top-of-the-range bikes are t1ve sh1tt10g (indexed) gear systems. padding and this type of saddle would fitted with Shimano Biopace chainrings . Both Shimano and SunTour have their be good for general purpose riding. This type chainring is computer de­ own versions. Bikes in the mid to higher-price signed to allow for a smoother pedali ng Every rider has his or her unique reac­ categories have alloy seat pillars and action. They are very good for long dis­ tion to bike saddles and often a quick release seat post clamps. Due to tance rides and on long hill climbs. The speciali st dealer will gladly substitute the shorter frame size a mountain bike ring shape is neither oval or round and is different types within a given price will need a much longer seat pillar than close to egg-shaped. The shape of the range. As your seating position for a road bike. Regardless of whether a smaller rings is slightly different to that mountain bike riding is more upright it steel or alloy pillar is used make sure of the larger sizes. is essential that you try before you buy. that it is long enough to allow you to sit Bikes in the lower price bracket often Some saddles are decidedly more com­ squarely on the saddle with your heel on use cheaper cotterless cranks with steel fo rtable than others. The upright riding the pedal at the bottom of its stroke. rings. Replacement rings fo r alloy re­ position of a mountain bike often re­ movable types are generally available quires a wider and softer saddle both for WHEELS through the speciali st dealer network women and men. On long trips a saddle either off the shelf or on order. pad such as the Spenco type is recom­ THE TYPE of wheel used on a bike can The most important development in mended. Avocet now have a range of greatly effect its overall weight and per­ mountain bike componentry is the posi- saddles with Spenco gel inserted into the formance. Chrome plated steel wheels found on the lower-priced models are the heaviest and perform poorly in wet weather compared to alloy wheels. They do have the advantage of being more resistant to damage and can often be easily be bashed back into shape. Wet Finall ,t ires good enough weather braking performance can be improved by fitting brake pads with leather inserts. Mountain bikes are all fitted with 26 to buy efore your old ones inch diameter rims. Rim width can vary from between 18 and 32 mm though all types and sizes of 26" tyre can be fitted with ease. Tyre width varies from the wearout. relatively skinny 1.4 racing type to the big beefy 2.125 knobby. Narrower tyres usually require greater tyre pressures Meet the specialized off-road family . and give a harder ride. Introducing the Fatboy - the skinniest, lightest, fastest, Quick release hubs are now making baldest piece of road rubber you can put on an off-road bike. Or their appearance on the front wheels of if it's a treaded tire you want, put Nimbus' rubber to the roact: some MTBs but oversized bolt-up types Want to cover ground on or off the road? Try our Crossroads are still the most common and prefer­ II. Gas it up for street riding. Or let it out in the dirt. red. Stiffer wheels with three cross Then there's Ground Control. The big Daddy. The tire that's spoke- pattern and high flange hubs are broken all standard off-road performance barriers. Better still, preferred. go the limit with the Ground ControUS. Designed for experts only, this is a no-nonsense, stripped-down, flat-out competition HOW MUCH DOTHEY COST? tire. THERE ARE now four broad The new Specialized off-road family. And you thought you categories which generally represent a were having fun on your old tires. different level of quality and class of componentry used. They are as follows : Up to $400 - a basic beginners bike. Usually steel components are used throughout and though the finish is gen­ erally good these bikes are the heavyweights; $400 to $600 - there is fierce competi­ tion in this price range. This category offers good quality (mostly alloy) equip­ ment and a basic lightweight frame . No­ thing real fancy though; $600 to $1000 - bikes in this high qual­ ity range offer the lightweight frames and high quality alloy componentry (positive shifting gears are a must for these bikes). Over $1000 - so far there are only a few models competing for top of the range honours. You expect to get the best in this category and prices can go as high as $3000. Be careful. With high quality componentry you pay a lot more to get the best.

30 Freewheeling HAND-CRAFTED CUSTOM-BUILT MOUNTAIN BIKES PLUS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE RANGE THIS SIDE OF THE GREAT DIVIDE. ALL FROM:

Freewheeling JI The mountain bike Club contacts THIS LIST is growing all the time. If scene in Oz you are starting a club please write to us so we can put yours on it. If you publish a n~wsletter we would like to swap copies for Freewheeling on a regular Fat ttJre feature basis. Please get you secretary to drop our Publisher a line so we can enter you Organised events are still thin on the on our mailing list. ground Victoria The Fat-Tyre Flyers club oper­ ates out of Melbourne. The club or­ of events cover­ FTER FOUR YEARS and ganises its own calendar three National Championships i ~g. the complet~ spectrum of fat-tyre ndmg from touring to racing. Their big . the sport of mountain biking is A annual event is the Fat-Tyre Classic (see sttll starved for events. There are now a Calendar in back of this issue for dates) nun:i~er of clubs around the country or­ plus a ganising regular rides and races for their which includes a trials course contact the club at PO members but apart from the odd public race. You can Nth VIC 3054 or by race (usually once a year for each club) Box 137 Carlton the sport is still struggling to give its phoning (03) 560 0969 AH. Tour­ supporters and participants regular com­ The Essendon Mountain Bicycle to cater to the non-com­ petition. ing Club aims the sport. They offer The sport is in desperate need of a petitive side of off- road around Mel­ promoter who will organise a series of members rides bourne as well as the mountains country e~ents based on the three eastern capital further afield. You can contact them by c1_t1es and Canberra which would pro­ Atkin on (03) 337 1379 or vide a proper build up for a National phoning Vince Both are Title event. Bill McHardy on (03) 375 1861. In January a group of mountain bike home numbers. New South Wales The Hunter Valley by Warren Salomon enthusiasts from all over Australia met Mountain Bike Club is based in the in Sydney and formed a steering com­ The club's big annual mittee which will eventually become the Newcastle region. at Pater­ race sanctioning mountain bike body: event is the Winter Classic held Two new books for mountain bikers are now son in late winter. Contact: Bob Jones in Oz. Eugene Sloane's Complete the Australian Mountain Bike Associa­ available (049) 38 5380 or Ken Wells (049) 43 1271 Book of All-Terrain Bicycles is a new book tion -AMBA. 7820. from an American author and covers the bike The committee's founding members or Bruce Richards (049)32 is a club and its use from maintenance through to are Martin Whiteley (President), Dean The North Shore Knobbys off-road racing, trials and riding technique. It follows the same compen­ Gibson (Vice President/Treasurer and catering for books on ten­ enthusiasts on Sydney's north dium format as his previous Mike Roberts (Secretary). The group touring speed type bikes. is the club contact has agreed to a constitution modelled on side. John Kitchen Rob Van der Plas in his Mountain Bike Book and you can reach him on (02) 449 8289 is a little closer to the scene of the action and the Australian Amateur Cycling Federa­ tion's and is seeking incorporation under or (02) 451 6350. his chapter on the history and development of The Bicycle Institute of NSW has a and romantic. the ACT Associations Incorporation the MTB is pleasant section within its organisation called the The authors attempt to cover bike equipment Act. which organises and maintenance but are hampered by the The inaugural meeting discussed ~ack Road Cyclists ndes and activities for its fat-tyre en­ recent rapid developments in MTB technol­ many issues pertinent to mountain bik­ group's contact is Russell ogy. Eugene Sloane persists with his tedious ers and resolved that AMBA would thusiasts. The him on (02) habit of reviewing a host of American ma­ among other things: arrange insuranc; Moore and you can contact two years out of date by now) chines (at least for competitors, race organisers/pro­ 608 1125. and slips in a few old piccies from his other A Brisbane mountain moters and affiliated clubs; provide Queensland books. All the same the Sloane book is currently being formed. For guidelines to its members regarding the bike club is stronger on maintenance but Van der Plas is details contact Mike Roberts (07) 359 with useful and relevant infor­ usage of the various parks and land better stocked 1244. mation. whether it be for training, recreation or lia A special interest Both books are dated and that makes me competition; establish and maintain South Austra to the rapidly expanding think that MTB's are a lot like computers. good relations with the various au­ group attached 's As­ Last years model looks like a relic from the thorities controlling the usage of these South Australian Touring Cyclist Adelaide. past. If I were writing the Ultimate Mountain lands. sociation has been formed in Bike Book I'd still wait a few years as the dust Interested bikers should contact Peter Unlike NORBA the national moun­ doesn't look like settling until then. Heal on (08) 263 3605 or John Hocking tain bike body in the USA AMBA will The Ultimate Mountain Bike Book (it has to 344 7025. The club's address is GPO not be enforcing compulsory member­ (08) have a BIG title) would need to have lots of Box 1508, Adelaide SA 5001. of these do) and ship for race entries. Whiteley feels that big colour pies (neither West Australia The Cycle Touring As­ would be almost entirely pictures and cap­ the services AMBA will offer to moun­ sociation of West Australia is your best tions. Mountain bikers don't want to read tain bikers will in the long term provide contact point for mountain biking in the about their sport; they want quick access info sufficient incentive for membership. West. They organise all sorts of events so they can get out and do their sport. Oh yes Th~ in_augural AMBA annual general and can be contacted on (09) 330 3659. the pages would have to be wipe-clean plastic meetmg 1s expected to take place within so the grease and dirt would come off easy. If you live outside one of these areas the next few months. For information Both books are distributed through out the you could consider contacting AMBA contact the Secretary: Mike Roberts, bicycle industry by Outdoor Agencies, Syd­ for information on how to set up a club AMBA, PO Box 325, Chermside QLD ney. and tie in with other groups. 4032. (07) 359 1244.

32 Freewheeling Two days before the event I have a complete rest. The day before I prefer to Werner's Winning have a light warm up ride ( on the course if possible). Way I prefer to treat mountain bike racing CITY similar to a time trial event. I try to ig­ nore riders near me because their speed in different sections will not be the same Fat IIJrl' (l'M1111• as mine eg another rider may be faster SLICKERS than me on the down hill but I may be Australia's current mountain bike race stronger up hill - therefore it should even out. champ Werner Wholrab's pre race I am always prepared to work hard Avocet City tyres with the smooth tread training program. from start to finish . give you more rubber on the road for round town use. On busy city streets and in the WHEN PREPARING for a race I use Suggested riding tips for beginners suburbs you need the maximum traction this training program for four weeks that only the smooth tread of the City 1.9 prior to the event. A week runs like this: Mountain bike riding and racing is not a can deliver. Avocet City l.9's were Monday: Rest kamikaze style sport. The most success­ developed as a high pressure (80 psi) street Tuesday: Half an hour on my road bike ful riders are the cautious riders. You tyre to give improved cornering and road (skinny tyres) with 3 sprints. should always slow down before you grip performance even on wet roads. Wednesday: One hour on the road bike enter the corner. Plan ahead on down­ at a medium pace with no sprints. hilJs and frequently look at the track up Avocet City tyres are available from a Thursday: Ride the mountain bike ahead not just directly in front of the specialist dealer in your town. Try them today with half an hour on the road (sea­ bike. today. led surface) and one hour off-road When you are climbing a hill you (dirt). should start easy and increase your ef­ Friday: Half an hour on the road bike fort toward the top of the hill. medium pace. Wear a good hard shell helmet not a Saturday: Rollers or exercise bike for hair net type. half an hour total: during this time I Drink lots of plain water. keep changing my pace between hard Mountain bike racing speeds are pos­ effort and easy. sibly slower than you think. Come out Sunday: Ride the mountain bike today and give it a try and remember the top Eng,n<'e nng for Cy1.·lists for two 2 hours mostly off-road. rides are not unbeatable.

Freewheeling 33 . Fat-t1Jre feature

by WARREN SALOMON Mountain bike equipment for 1988

Exage Mountain and Exage Trail are Shimano's Exage componentry the off-road grupos and are priced IS BICYCLE touring dead? Shimano under the prestige Deore XT group so doesn't think so; it simply recognises they are bound to be popular sellers. that the mountain bike has come on so The Exage Mountain and Trail gear strongly that it has swamped the whole levers bolt onto the brake levers. The recreational scene and changed it brake lever arms are made of a resin forever. Nowadays most touring is done compound. Like the cantilever brake ... on fat wheels but there are still the dis­ arms a lot of the Exage components use criminating users who know that on sea­ a mixture of steel and resin (injection led roads the standard touring bike is moulded plastic) to combine strength still supreme. and good looks. To cater to the changed post-MTB Exage gears have SIS on both rear world Shimano has developed its Exage and front derailleurs. Front indexed system of components in three distinc­ gears are a first for Shimano and with tive ranges. Exage Sport is designed for the Exage SIS you will not even have to "sports-touring" for people who like to readjust the front changer every time stretch their legs on sealed roads with a you shift the rear gears. The three faster machine beneath them. grupos all have steel Biopace chainrings finished with metallic grey paint work. One of Shimano's major Australian distributors the Sydney based company, Bicycles Incorporated, is looking for­ ward to the new generation of mountain bike and recreational components. Their manager Mr John Bazzano be­ lieves that the Exage and Shimano's other new ranges, Sante and 600 Ul­ tegra for sports machines will re­ volutionise the bicycle equipment scene. Already his company is hard pressed keeping up with the demand for Shimano's high quality Deore mountain SunTour's famous Power Cam brakes bike componentry and expects that the now have an external tension spring Exage range will be even more popular. which provides hassle free brake center­ SunTour XCD 6000 ing. The spring is contained in a rubber accordion type cover to keep out dirt SUNTOUR'S LATEST offering to the and grit. Especially useful when mount­ fat-tyre gear freaks is their up-market ing this brake under the chainstays. The boots has entered the mountain bike addition to the XC range of mountain 1988 Power Cam has a larger cam plate market with a leather/nylon boot de­ bike componentry. The XCD ensemble with a shorter travel distance for use on signed especially for the sport. The consists of cranks, pedals, brakes, lev­ short chainstays. 24603 Pat Morrow (who is he/she?) boot ers, derailleurs and a long seat post. The The XCD levers combine the braking comes in two colour schemes (red/yel­ chain wheel set has round outer chain and gear shifting functions into one neat low, magenta/blue) and has a rubber rings for smoother spinning at higher unit. The lever arms have a reach adjust­ sole designed for mountain bike type speeds and out- of-round inner ring for ment (good for people with smaller pedals. The rugged boot has a full lace power climbing. hands) and the gear shift levers also up front with Scarpa's metal eyelets for The rear derailleur has improved ge­ have an adjustinent for hand size and quick and easy tightening. So far we ometry designed to deprive the operating position preference. have only seen the coloured piccies but Shimano supporters of their superior as soon as we can get hold of a pair we demeanour. The front derailleur has a Scarpa boots will let our fat-tyre fanatics know how specially shaped inner cage plate to shift they perform. Scarpa is distributed in the chain smoothly no matter what ring ITALY'S BEST footwear manufacturer, Oz by Outdoor Agencies a member of it is on. long renowned for its top- notch walking the Paddy Pallin group of companies. family head gear Bike riding is great family fun ... and it's a proud winner of an Rosebank Stackhat, the Aussie Life and you will look smart and be Australian Design Award. Preserver, available in a full range of smart if you wear a Rosebank But that's not all ... it is approved sizes, Junior and Senior Models, for Stackhat* Bicycle Safety Helmet. by the Standards Association of both Children and Adults. It is now It's the best head protection you Australia to AS2063 & AS2063/2 available in a Snazzy Pink, a can buy and many Australians Australia's guarantee of a quality Reflective Black for your safety, in testify they owe their lives to their bicycle safety helmet. addition to the ever popular Brilliant Stackhat. White and Safety Yellow. It was the first and only helmet There are visors to suit all Stackhats. in the world with $10,000 Rosebank Stackhat tl1e "smart FREE INSURANCE for wearers, helmet" choice.

THE ALL AUSTRALIAN SAFETY HELMET , Proudly made in Australia by Rosebank Products Pty. Ltd. 19·21 Hallam South Road. 0, Hallam, Victoria, Australia. Tel (03) 703 1000 M ~ a. • Rosebank Stackhat Registered Trade Name a: ~~r~ The hinged section of the ~·T·i chain ".:.:::-;;- e/earonical/y controlled ST IVES wheels are the key to the BICYCLE CENTRE Browning se llbrtless shifting 237 Mona Vale Road, St Ives Ph: 449 8289 MOUNTAIN Bll{ES CENTURION, SOUTHERN CROSS, DIAMOND BACK. MT RACING, REPCO PLUS OUR OWN BRAND Of HIGH QUALITY dered stock and additional potential FRAMES BY purchasers will have to scour the town for dealers with unsold stock. The Prairie Breaker Team Issue sells for around the $1300 mark (its cousin the Prairie Breaker Pro is a bit cheaper FATTRACKER Up-market sell out at around $1000) . PLUS WERNER W OHLRAB DESIGN CUSTOM FRAMES WITH VERY little competition for the The only other makers with bikes in this section of the market is Repco FOR THE RACING PEOPLE top end of the market the bike that WE NOW HAVE A WIDE RANGE Of SHIMANO, ZEUS graced the cover of our last mountain (which brought in a limited number of SUNTOUR SUGINO, BELL HELMETS PLUS A WIDE SELECTION Of CLOTHES. bike feature issue (May/June 87), the the Fisher Procaliber last year) and FRAMES MADE TO ORDER. Apollo with its Cougar selling for BY JOHN KITCHEN SOI # 531 # 753 #SL# SLX Shogun Prairie Breaker Team Issue has been a sell out even before it arrived in around the $1170 mark. FOR THE BMX BANDITS the country. Shogun's Oz distributors All of these bikes are fully Japanese DIAMOND BACK, SKYWAY, have reported that their February ship­ equipped and sport the very best com­ HARO, GT+ PARTS+ ACCESSORIES BMX + MOUNTAIN BIKES SEE ment was pre sold before it reached the ponentry. We have just seen Fisher TIM WILTON + TERRY BOURKE docks in Japan. USA's latest catalogue and looks like RACING + MTB.-SEE DAVE KITCHEN have re-ordered but Repco can't go wrong if it brings in the (MANAGER) Since then they other dealers have rushed to become 88 Procaliber. It's got Tange Prestige A IICTCLE 1S ONLY AS GOoo AS rr lS ASSEMBLED involved and at last report the new ship­ tubing, Deore XT brakes and gears and ment too was selling fast. One Sydney the famous Araya RM20 hard anodised shop has taken firm orders on all its or- rims. Neat.

13 OUT OF 14 INTERNATIONAL TEAMS CHOOSE TO WEAR

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Bank Queensland New South Wales Official supplier to the Commonwealth BRISBANE, Lifecycle GOSFORD, Rod Martin Cycles Cycle Classic. Styled and manufactured in the GLADSTONE, Snedd's Bike Shop MAITLAND, Hadley Cycles GOLD COAST, Miami Cycles NEWCASTLE, Hadley Cycles classic European tradition. IPSWICH, Johnsons Cycles PORT MACQUARIE, Port Push Bikes In better bike shops near you. MAROOCHYDORE . Cycle Wortd SYDNEY. Blacktown Cycles TOOWOOMBA, Olsens Cycles Chatswood Cycles Albion Cycles Ron Bates Cycles SEVEN (yes 7) standard models to suit every cyclist - from Victoria DANDENONG , Bicycle Superslore TAMWORTH , Southside Cycles the most conservative veteran to the most extrovert rider. FRANKSTON, Frankston Cycles TAREE , Manning Valley Cycles FROM A LOW $37 TO ABOUT $70 GEELONG , De Grandi Cycles WOLLONGONG, Discount Bikes Also avai lable right now: genuine "team issue" knicks as WARNAMBOOL, De Grandi Cycles Classic. South Australia used in this years Commonwealth Bank Cycle ACT NO~LUNGA, Complete Cycle BELCONNEN , Big B Bicycles Proudly distributed in Australia by PHIWP, Big B Bicycles AGENCIES SPORTIF who also bring you : For further information or a list lleljWig of dealers near you contact: PO Box 431 TRI I PRIME Speed Ashgrove 4060 IE Ph: (07) 300-4913 triathlon wear shorts & suits Pedal brake set, the Deore XT cantilever, Sydney's busiest mountain bike cus­ works best in the usual position above tom builder, St Ives Bicycle Centre, is the wheel on the seat stays and that the run by the Kitchen brothers John and current generation of U type brakes give David. Their business has already estab­ a less- positive, even spongy response. lished a sound reputation in Australia's When Alan selects equipment for his largest city and speciali se in everything bikes he always considers back up to do with mountain bikes. spares. H e beli eves that one of the reasons for Hillman's success as a cus­ John Kitchen builds high quality tom builder is the spare parts back up frames to order and most of their cus­ they are able to provi de. He a lso be­ tom building business is built upon this lieves that the current trend of changing service. John's frames have been ridden not on!); bike models but whole compo­ to victory by Australi a's top rider, nent ranges every year backfires on the Werner Wohlrab, on several occasions. industry because customers expect to be Most of John's frames are specified by For the fat-tyre fanatic with a fistful of able to get spare parts for things the customer but his Fattraker designs hundred dollar bills and a yearning to be mechanical when equipment wears out are his own and are the cutting edge in the only one on the block with the latest or is broken. Australian mountain bike world. machine Diamond Back is importing the machine for you. · Their top of the range bike is the As­ cent equipped with a Browning electric front gear changer system, Tange Pre­ stige tubing, a stunning smoke/lilac paint job and all the usual top of the range bells and whistles. This cool mover sells for around the $3000 mark and at that price you won't expect to run into someone else on your bike at your local bike shop. Stunning paint work is also a feature of the aluminum tubed Arrival which has Shimano Deore XT everything and _ Come cycling and see the Adelaide Hills in autumn-----, presta valves on the tyres for extra snob appeal. The black and yellow speckled paint scheme will be the envy of the MTB scene and will drive many local - Bicycle rides from 20 to 200km frame painters to suicide as they try to - Biathlon copy the mass of runs and dribbles. 0 - Cycle Orienteering A Custom bunt - Mountain Bikes K - Camp in spacious grounds BEFORE LEAVING the world of the B - Parade world of the new and the latest we A thougl)t we should have a chat to a cou­ - Bike Registrations ple of Australia's top custom builders. N - Welcoming Barbecue As in the home of Mountain biking, the K - Bush Dance USA, its the custom builder who is the - Competitions innovator and sparks off the important s trends. 0 Melbourne's biggest custom builder is Hillman Cycles a family business which u Come and See prefers to sell its custom made bikes T - Penny Farthing and than mass produced factory machines. H - Racing Bikes in action Their bikes are made from frames built - BMX Display by their own frame builder or those im­ A ported from Japan or Taiwan. u According to Alan Hill their biggest Exhibitions of seller is their machine in the $1100 price s bracket. Custom building, according to T - Bicycles Alan offers the buyer a lot of flexibility R - Clothing as the equipment can often be varied in A - Camping Equipment the construction stage to suit personal L - Training Aids needs. - Veteran and Vintage Bikes Alan Hill also takes a personal in­ I terest in mountain biking and is insistent A that its always been the custom builders who have provided much of the innova­ Weekend Entry Fee $JO Come and Meet tion that powers the sport. In Alan's ~ - Humph,ey B. Bea, current view he sees the fashion of nd mounting the rear brake under the chain A Re~is le red Bicenlennia~ A:,~:::urne Bicycle Ba stays as being more of a fad than an im­ ~~ Australia · · 1· 'A · · provement. He says that his favourite 17881988 Organised by Soul Au stral ian Touring Cyc 1sls ssoc1alion. ---~

Freewheeling 37 PERCENTAGE OF--~~~---~--~~~--~---+­ TRIPS TO WORK BY BICYCLE I N ABS CENSUS 1976/ 81/ 86- THE SEVEN STATES HAVE----i'-----+--.----t------+-----t----+-- ~--1------1-­ BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO GROUPS OF '7-CAPITAL CITIES' AND THE REST OF AUSTRALIA ( AUS)

ADELAID

1976 1981 1986 1976 1981 1986 1976 1981 1986 1976 1981 AUSTRALIA STATE REST OF PROVINCIAL TOTALS CAPITALS STATE CITIES

There are about 70,000 occasional In terms of numbers, this chart shows that shows fall bicycle commuters who do not show up number of bike trips to work in Melbourne Census on the census because bicycling is not dropped from 13,770 in 1981 to 13,060 in their main means of getting to work. It 1986. There may be a few hundred more bicy­ in Melbourne appears that these cyclists ride any­ cle commuters in the trendy inner suburbs but the figures for the metropolitan area where from twice a week to less than clearly show a reduction. The bike/rail trend cycle commuter once a month and while we don't know is taken from the MTA census data and the exactly how often they ride they show drop in the number of bike rail users is of the the potential for regular commuting. same magnitude as the overall drop in bike numbers The interesting feature of the charts is trips to work between 1981 and 1987. How­ Bicljcfe safetlj that there is no obvious connection be­ ever as 9% of the bike rail trips are occasional tween the provision of bicycle facilities and 25% are school children then the number by ALAN PARKER and the increased percentage of trips to of bike rail trips to work would be about two work by bicycle. It is curious but there thirds of that shown. HE YEAR 1987 ended well with has been a drop in bicycle commuting in the Great Victorian Bike Ride be­ both Melbourne and Canberra despite the Metropolitan Transit Authority be­ T coming the longest mass bike ride the provision of many kilometers off­ cause of a ministerial initiative showing in the world and boosting the member­ road bikeways in both these cities. what needs to be done to combat theft ship of the Bicycle Institute of Victoria Very little has been done for cyclists and vandalism of bicycles at stations. by 3,000. Meanwhile a similar number on the main roads in both these cities This report was received by the MTA in of people stopped cycling because and 2000 bike/rail users have been lost November 1986 and one of its recom­ around 24,000 bicycles had been stolen in Melbourne due to uncontrolled bicy­ mendations was that $60,000 be spent during 1986 and 1987. cle theft on the railways. on 60 bicycle lockers. Every other re­ The recently released Australian In contrast in Townsville the main commendation in the report has either Bureau of Statistics 1986 population commuter routes have been greatly im­ been ignored or incompetently imple­ census shows that fewer Melbourne cyc­ proved and just over 5 1/2% of all trips mented and about 600 bicycles were lists are now cycling to work than in to work are by bicycle. stolen during 1987. 1981. Out of the 440,000 cyclists over 17 500 bolt cutter proof locking devices years of age in Melbourne only 13,000 Theft discourages bike rail were fixed to platform fence posts but or 2.9% ride their bikes to work most prototypes were not made and tested working days. This is a very low figure users with users and as a consequence are even though a much larger number ride DURING 1986 760 bicycles were stolen very difficult to use. No leaflets were to work occasionally. from stations. A report was prepared for produced showing cyclists how to use

38 Freewheeling them and most of them are not being In Holland and Japan bicycles are properly used. used instead of cars for many trips and, The high security lock up cages de­ as a low-cost means of transport, make a signed by this writer to store 10 bicycles major contribution to the efficient oper­ I,OOK and protect them from both theft and ation of each country's economy. This vandalism have not been trialled. Not could also happen here as the trends one detail drawing has been prepared of between 1976 and 1981 clearly show. The lock-up cage parts, 14 months after the 10.5% annual growth rate in bike rail is concept design was approved by the particularly encouraging. It is a pity a MTA . I doubt if a lock-up cage will be few bike thieves were allowed to do so available for use before 1989. much damage between 1981 and 1986 Even the proposal to install at no cost and turn growth into a 6.5% decline. to the MTA bicycle Jockers by Biklock If the SBC can do so·mething about (NSW) has been ignored. Meanwhile MTA incompetence, get the RCA to over one million dollars was spent on open some freeway breakdown lanes, building car parks for motorists half of do a decent job of selling alternative whom drive less than 2 km to park their route selection as a safety measure and cars at stations. actually market its excellent bicycle route maps then who knows how many The incompetent purchasing policies more people will ride to work. of the MTA are the reason bike Jockers cost $1 ,000 to make and install. They buy them just a few at a time instead of This graph shows that the percentage of trips increased in Melbourne from at half to work has buying all they need for five years 1.13% in 1986 to 1.23% in 1981, and then the price. The cyclist is in a "Catch 22" declined to 1J3% in 1986. It also shows how situation. They spend $1200 per car Melbourne, Geelong and the rest of Victoria parking space for one passenger and compare with other cities and the other won't even throw in the design effort to States as well as showing the national trends. quickly improve upon thief proof lock­ Bicycle commuting in the rest of Victoria ing devices for bikes which, even if rede­ outside Melbourne has increased between signed, would only cost $70 per passen­ 1981 and 1986 and this trend is likely to con­ ger. Since 1981 nearly 5,000 bicycles tinue, probably because of the easygoing traffic and the short trip length in the provin­ been stolen from stations. have cial cities. An MTA discussion document was released in November 1987 showing three possible future options for the metropolitan public transport service. It seems likely that the government will go for the options that will reduce the level of service and the extent of the rail sys­ tem, so that by the year 2000 it will be a lot more difficult to use bikes and trains together. The MTA document has only one op­ tion which is acceptable to cyclists: to increase patronage by 50%. However, if the existing emphasis on providing in­ creased car parking access at the ex­ pense of bicycle locking and storage facilities continues, this option could prove to be extremely costly.

Meanwhile the battle for equitable access to main roads and freeways con­ tinues. The Road Construction Author­ ity is lobbying behind the scenes to make sure that cyclists can't use the free­ way breakdown lanes even though their most senior technical people presented a map to SBC members at a meeting in July showing that over 80% of the urban freeways breakdown lanes could be safely opened to cyclists and that most of the safety problems on the other 20% of the urban freeways could be over­ come. It is incredible that a motorist Australia's lobby group, The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, has a seat on the State finest Bicycle Committee and they too have cycle clothing been lobbying against bicycle access to the breakdown lanes.

Freewheeling 39 Compulsory helmet push runs into trouble

8ic1Jcfe safetlJ

by ALAN PARKER

N 1985 I represented the Bicycle standard that would provide for cooler Federation of Australia at the special helmets, ensure that helmets stayed on Imeeting of the Standards Associa­ heads and could be used by government tion of Australia (SAA) that considered as the basis of compulsory helmet legis­ changes to the Helmet Standard. This lation . meeting had been set up following criti­ After three years its obvious that the cisms of the Standard in the media by SAA is not going to do anything about the Bicycle Institutes in Victoria and helmet ventilation and is going to pro­ New South Wales , the Bicycle Federa­ duce a new standard. The SAA is going tion of Australia, cyclist groups in SA to ignore the research reported in and WA and this writer. Freewheeling 46 that shows a completely Many people will not remember these separate standard is needed for 5 .to 12 criticisms of SAA approved helmets. year olds. The helmets in question would fall over the eyes of the wearer whenever the bike hit a bump in the road. The media BO'l>·~-,--,--,---,----7, ---r--, HE MET ' WE RING RATE coverage clearly demonstrated how they METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE would come off the heads of most soq,1_:::.:=..:..;._::::..:.....:::..;::_.:..:..:..c+-----=-==-=r----,----t==il people if they had an accident. Indeed this media incident was the only reason the SAA made a committment to com­ pletely revise the Helmet Standard at the 1985 Meeting. O'l>L_L_L_____,~==-=1:-----,:';---f.,-~ AA"':"! The SAA issued a media release the 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 next day promising to produce a new YEAR

40 Freewheeling The Victorian State Government and the Federal Government are now com­ VICTORIAN BICYCLE OFFENCE REPORTS mitted to making an obsolete helmet ANNUAL BOR ISSUING RATE 1986/87 YEAR ENDING JUNE 30 .., helmet standard the basis of compulsory SOUR CE. Victorian Police Department. ] wearing legislation. ..------r------#"""O-F-FE_N_C-ES-R-EPO_R_T-EO------,-KM----::,2-rp-o--,-p--, ~ This is what government intends even REGION POLICE DISTRICT 1,000 POPULATION AREA 1,000s ..: if it means forcing many of the best bicy­ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 68 221 § cle helmets (such as the Bell Vl-Pro and INNER B) Flemington 1 other high quality helmets preferred by METROPOLITAN H) Caulfield 97 269 ..: C racing cyclists, tourists and triathletes) POPULATION I) Prahran 38 152 940,000 U) Highett 117 227 ~ out of the market place. After July 1st A) Rus_s,-e_1_s_t_r_ee_t_~=.===i=--+-+---+-+--Target for---t----,-,-,,,35,+---,..,..72~ .., 1989, Australian retailers who sell hel­ f--o-uT_E_R- ---+-QT°Heidelburg Cautions(BOR's 113 7 419 ~ mets that do not comply with the energy METROPOLITAN P) Oandenong 1959 361 ~ POPULATION Y) Nunawading 3168 461 r: attenuation test of the Helmet Standard 2,000,000 V) Avondale Height 1718 276 ~ will be fined as much as $100,000 . M) Altona North 922 236 Q This sorry state of affairs has come Z) Frankston 855 235 0) Lowest Rate 11,594 144 man­ COUNTRY Q. about because of the misinformed POPULATION L) Highest Rate 17,488 101 E 0 ipulation of the SAA and State Bicycle 1,150,000 AVERAGE RATE : 215,000 1,147 CJ Committees by the road safety agencies of the State and Federal governments. These agencies are and have been a to­ tally negative influence except when they have been dragged squealing and AND protesting into the real world by bicycle GERARD activists. For example, in 1986 at this writer's request the Victorian Minister for Trans­ ALAN port, Tom Roper set aside $60,000 for applied research into helmet ventilation and other research. Tom Roper in­ structed the Road Traffic Authority DISAGREE (RTA) to liaise with the Federal Office of Road Safety and the SAA to ensure ~ When Mitsuboshi tyres that the funds were spent but the RTA ., < "\. are unavailable to them _ deliberately sabotaged the initiative. on w 9 The other bodies excused themselves. '\•,,..._ ·--~ 5,, t h ey ' cant agree h One of the reasons given was that the . . :~/ should use them. Queensland Institute of Technology -.....::. ',· (QIT) was doing research on helmets and that more research was not neces­ sary. The QIT research had a totally differ­ ent objective to what the Minister wanted. When the QIT research results finally surfaced in 1987 they produced more evidence that the standard was in need of a major revision but for totally different reasons.

The myth of self enforcement The chart showing the performance of Bicycle Offence report system shows clearly that despite the committqient made in the Melbourne Bikeplan to the enforcement of existing bike laws, they are not being enforced. created Why then is a new law being Gerard Donnelly . Alan Dipplc when a bicycle law enforcement capabil­ Besieged ity does not exist? The answer is that, it / Angry will enforce itself, according to the ex­ triathlete i racing cyclist C ._ perts who sabotaged the Minister's prop­ osed research project at the RTA . o • Unfortunately1 there is a dangerously misleading element of truth in the idea ·O : v of self enforcement because the initial reaction from parents will be to compel their children to wear helmets. However 101TSUBOSHI Tv•s given a couple of years, most of them will ignore the laws as they do the bicy­ Trade enquiries: Q§K£CQRP (03) S87 3466 cle lighting laws.

Freewheeling 41 If self enforcement which is really "parental-enforcement" does not work with lighting laws how will it possibly work on a permanent basis with a hel­ TECHNOLOGY met law? The answer is simply that it will not work unless the police are seen to en­ force the law often enough, which they TO PACE YOUR are not going to do because they don't have the time nor the inclination. Some people make the emotional PROGRESS plea that children must be made to wear helmets but forget that laws have to be The most popular cycle computer on enforced. Under the existing laws , the the market police have only the option of taking a Small and compact. the ultralight Avocet gives child to the children's court which takes essential information whilst keeping your bike up a whole morning. In that time a score neat and free from clutter. The basic functions of of motorists could be given "on the speed. chronometer. trip and total distance are spot" fines . In the old days the police­ displayed at the touch of a button on the clear, men could have walloped the kid with easy-to-read digital display, powered by a tiny parental approval, but that kind of dis­ battery with a three year life. Individual ciplinary action is not acceptable any­ programming taking account of rider weight, tyre more. type and pressure gives up to 99.9% accuracy Today the police understandably at­ and yet the Avocet is simple to install and use. tend to major crimes and ignore minor Used by many professionals both in Europe and offences such as riding a bike without America the Avocet has become established as lights at night. They will not enforce any an important part of the serious bike rider's equipment. new helmet law for the same reasons. Clearly the government has been badly Greg LeMond (La Vie Claire- LOOK - Radar) using an Avocet during his historic victory in the In spite of the fact that politicians, bureauc­ 1986 Tour de France rats and the surgeons are outraged by the high deathrate of under 16 year old cyclists Right hand button advances the Avocet this chart clearly shows that child car passen­ through its functions gers and pedestrians have a far greater chance of being killed. All the more reason to make Speed vehicle passengers and drivers wear helmets.

T, ip distance ... from Oto 999 . Reset to Oby pressing both buttons simultaneously AUSTRALIAN Total distance CHILD ROAD .. . permanent record of distance travelled up to 9999 DEATHS POPULATION O >17

Timing ... cen also be used as a watch

Chronometer operated by left hand button and reset by pressing both buttons simultaneously }\voCET

Spare fittings for additional cycles Spare fitting kit for the Avocet comprising handlebar bracket. transmitter. magnet and cable ties so you can instantly transfer your Avocet between different bikes. Keep track of your indoor training A special mounting kit with rear wheel mounting sensor. for use with bikes on trainers. Includes handlebar bracket. sensor. transmitter and extra long w ire.

Spare Avocet Battery 1960 1970 1980 1990 Spare Avocet Transmitter YEAR

42 Freewheelln1 advised by the RTA feasibly report die from head injuries about 250 are mets with built in clips to conveniently or under which states the "the existing methods turned into living vegetables and an­ store them on the back of seats of enforcement provide adequate tools other 1,000 are so permanently disabled the dash board so as to minimise the for enforcement." This is utter nonsense that they will never return to work. As inconvenience to motor vehicle users. It for five reasons. only 100 cyclists die from all kinds of is very difficult to take politicians and when 1. There is no police time saving system injuries each year in Australia it makes a the car driving experts seriously of on-the-spot-fines for 12 to 17 year lot more sense to make motorists wear they know so little about head injuries olds ai; there are for adult traffic of­ helmets because that will save ten times that they don't wear a bicycle helmet in fenses, only the children's court which is as many lives and ten times as many their own cars. helmet so wasteful of police time that it is con­ people would be saved from perma­ I have been wearing a bicycle sidered an obsolete enforcement tool. nently disabling injuries. for ten years because it protects me yet, 2. There is no back up system of bicycle Making children wear their bike hel­ I have never seen any of the hundred or , who registration to prevent cyclists giving mets in cars makes good sense as the so big mouthed helmet advocates helmet in false names and addresses and the busy graph shows that many more are killed don't ride bicycles, wear a patrolman is not going to get that kind as passengers in cars than on their bikes. their car. I wonder why? of hassle. The design rules for all new cars Perhaps the Cain government should MPs and 3. A large minority of Australian pa­ should be changed so that all new cars set an example and have all s? rents would actively resent and oppose, come with a complement of bicycle hel- government drivers wear helmet sometimes by legal means, any attempt by the police to enforce a helmet law. The police do not want to get involved in disputes with parents. 4. It is unlikely that police resources will be devoted to minor offences in the future because they will be too busy try­ ing to control the increase in drug re­ lated crime. Indeed the traffic in illegal drugs is the most profitable business on earth and the demands this could place on the police may result in minor of­ fences receiving less attention than they do today. 5. According to an ABS crime survey in Victoria the public have an expectation that there should be more police and that there should be more police visibil­ ity, especially police patrols. As the crime rate increases especially for drug related crime, the public's expectation will continue to be frustrated.,The issue of helmet wearing will become less im­ portant to the public who will no longer see it as having any real priority. There is an embarrassing silence from the Police and the police unions about their willingness to enforce bicycle hel­ met laws but in the closing days of 1987 they went public with the proposal that motorist should wear helmets which they regard as a worthwhile change in the law that they are prepared to en­ force.

Existing helmet standard ideal for use in cars WHATTHE general public is not aware of is that the existing helmet standard is designed to cover the use of helmets by ordinary motorists. You don't have to physically exert yourself in the modem car so the problem cyclists have with sweat and heat on hot days is no prob­ lem. The preface to AS 2063 1973 states quite clearly that it is suitable for use in cars not used for racing. This is covered by a separate standard AS 1698. Approximately 7,500 motorists re­ ceive head injuries in accidents each year in Australia. Apart from those who

Freewheelln143 Kochen and pine trees Bicljcfe tourin9

A short 'cake shop' _tour in the Black Forest by IAIN LANGUSCH

UR STORY begins at the Basel station. Without going into too much to write Day 1 off to international Railw.ay Station on the Swiss detail on the complexities of the bureaucracy, we manage to at least cross 0 French German border. It just bureaucracy involved, by the time we into Germany and find a campsite near so happens that each country has de­ both slip our feet into the toe clips and Lorrach. cided to have a railway station in Basel, start our journey, it is quite late. Our second day, a Sunday, .. tarts the French even call theirs Bale. As it Those first five kilometres through with the patter of rain on the tent and turns out, I am at the Swiss station, rny the traffic of Basel with the initial awk­ the ringing of church bells. Only the bike is at the French station and my wardness of a heavily loaded touring church is allowed to make that sort of friend and her bike are at the German bike are quite unnerving. Not wanting noise on a Sunday morning.

44 Freewheeling For me a relaxing cycle tour is a The next day dawns fine and sunny This day trip, without the encumbrance chance to wind down after four months and the countryside to the north is of our heavy panniers, is still tackled at a of hard work so breaking camp and set­ lovely and flat. This gives us a good leisure ly " relaxing" pace with ample ting off in the rain does not fit in with my chance to properly get the feel of our time for stops at some of the many definition of relaxation! My policy is : if bikes before the long uphill hauls and Gasthofe in the area. it starts to rain when you are travelling, exhilarating downhill sections of the Apart from warm beds and drying you just have to make the best of it; how­ Black Forest. We a_re riding past vin­ rooms, Gasthofe also cater for other ever, if it starts to rain during the night eyards and maize fields with a liberal "on road" necessities like Schwarzwald you stay put in your sleeping bag till it sprinkling of fruit trees. It is September Himbeergeist (schnapps - for the cold) stops. and the apple and plum trees provide a and delicious cakes (for the hills) . We It did stop raining about 11 o'clock. In useful supplement to the "on road" diet. develop a policy that if we have a climb the meantime, we had a good chance to After a couple of kuchen (cake) stops, ahead of us over 200 metres, we stop for study some maps and do some serious we reach Freiburg where we spend two some cake before attempting such an route planning. Ahead of us to the north days exploring this beautiful old Ger­ energy draining exercise. Remember, lies the famous Black Forest, with all its man city with its famous "Munster" this is a relaxing tour. beauty, gastronomic treats and its fair Cathedral. The locals are very much share of steep climbs and mountain pass­ aware of the threat to the Black Forest Leaving Titisee behind us , we head es. Also, to the north, it is possible to from acid rain and signs at traffic lights north on a dull and overcast morning. A follow the Rhine river with its famous ask motorists to turn off their engines at couple of climbs to over 1,000 metres wine areas, castles and almost flatter­ red lights. reveals that dull and overcast in the val­ rain. leys becomes wet, misty and freezing on The maps we have are excellent "Rad­ Looking at our maps, we decide to the hills. We keep ourselves well fu eled tourenkarten" (cycle touring maps) put head southeast into the heart of the with schnapps and cakes and eventually out by the "Allgemeinen Deutschen Black Forest at Titisee. The road to stop for the night north ofTriberg, a city Fahrrad Club". All roads are classified Titisee is coded as having extremely once again dominated by cuckoo clocks. and colour coded for difficulty, grade, heavy traffic, continuous climbing and, In the absence of a camping area we scenic beauty and traffic density. For that horror of all cyclists, tunnels. Hav­ spend the night in a delightful 200 year example, purple roads are quiet country ing experienced riding through tunnels old Bauernhaus (farmhouse) where we lanes from which vehicles are banned, in the Alps, we decide that a train jour­ wake up to a breakfast of homemade whereas light yellow roads are not suita­ ney might be in the best interests of breads, butter, wursts and eggs. Ger­ ble for cycling due to over 10,000 cars a safety. mans take breakfast very seriously. day and almost certain death. German railways cater extremely well We decide on a route which will take for cyclists and the thirty minute jour­ The next day takes us on a 40 us north to Freiburg along the Rhine, ney takes in some spectacular scenery. It kilometre climb up to Freudenstadt, one followed by a climb east from Freiburg is described in the tourist pamphlets of the prettiest cities in the Black Forest. into the Black Forest. (true for once) as being the most scenic It takes a lot of cake to climb for 40 Heading out into the German coun­ train trip in Germany. Looking from the kilometres and a couple of beers are also tryside, one of the things that strikes train window at the large trucks, jugger­ required on a warm and sunny day. you most about Germany is how or­ nauts struggling their exhaust belching It is only one kilometre from yet an­ dered everything is. The total absence of way up the road, we decide that we had other delightful camping area that I suf­ litter, the neat and tidy villages with made the right choice to take the train. fer the only mechanical trouble of th e traditional Bauernhauser (farmhouses) Titisee is very much the tourist town trip. A three inch nail through my rear and the polite and helpful locals make on the shores of the largest natural lake tyre on a fast downhill section tends to touring in this area a delight. in the Black Forest. Cuckoo clock shops make my heavily loaded bike want to On our way north along the valley of abound, but we manage to find a de­ dive under a passing truck. the Rhine, we pass through Bad Beligen lightful camping area on the far side of Continuing north from Freudenstadt, with its therapeutic thermal baths, to the lake away from the crowds. For the we return to agricultural land and leave which thousands of wealthy, and mostly first time, we are camped in the real the Black Forest behind. Cake shops old, Germans flock every year to seek Black Forest. become a rarity and by the time we some miracle cure or longevity. One reach Calw, just west of Stuttgart, their particular treatment involves walking As usual, the camping site is excellent numbers have dwindled to an unaccept­ round and round in a cold, knee deep and offers a wide range of facilities at a able level. It is time to catch a train at circular pool. Every step you take, you reasonable cost. Dense stands of pine Calw, thus ending what has been an ex­ must lift your feet right out of the water. trees border the lake and travelling one tremely enjoyable and relaxing tour. For your trouble you are promised bene­ of the many paths around the edge of ficial effects for everything from vari­ the lake in the late afternoon, it is not Sitting in the train , we have a chance cose veins to poverty. The important difficult to guess how the Black Forest to reflect on a cycle tour through the part is that you must remember to dip got its name. The closed canopy of pine magnificent Black Forest. If, as the con­ your arms in a special cold arm bath trees blocks out much of the light and servationists tell us , the forest is 40% before you start your circular water the forest floor is a fairy tale environ­ dead, then I am grateful to have seen it walk. ment with a mystique that has one im­ before the damage becomes too obvi­ Out tent is still wet from the night mediately thinking of goblins, fairies ous. It was refreshing to ride a bicycle in before and when heavy rain starts to fall and the supernatural. a country where cyclists are not targets. we decide to "wimp out" on the camp­ Using Titisee as a base, we do a day All the cities have bike paths and the ing and to spend the night in a Gasthof trip into the surrounding area. A strenu­ motorists even stop for you, unlike their (guesthouse). These reasonably priced ous climb takes us up 1400 metres for Australian counterparts. It is , without guest houses are very common and offer the Feldburg, the highest point in the doubt, a wonderful area with fantastic hot showers and warm beds for wet and Black Forest. From the Feldburg we scenery. Despite the hills, if one adopts cold cyclists. The drying room us also a travel to the picturesque Schluchsee, an the "cake shop" approach, touring in big plus and a chance to get our clothes artificial lake with abundant walking the Schwarzwald becomes a relaxing and tents completely dry. and cycling paths around its perimeter. and nutritionally sound experience.

Freewheeling 4S BICENTENNIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Most Ongoing Buzzword: "ONGOING"

Most Popular Fetish: LYCRA

Most Relaxed City: SYDNEY

Most Despised New Ethnic Group: YUPPIES

Most Organised Terrorist Group: NSW STATE RAILWAYS j __ 11 r•.:s <'-"o'i'-,..,__.,J

Least Promising Triathlete: AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR

Most Popular Liberal Party Leader: BOB HAWKE

Thinnest New Fashion Garment: NATIONALISM

Most Dangerous New Toy: STOCK MARKET

Greatest Fossil Find : BIKEPATH FUNDS

Greatest Fossil Loss: JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN

Freewhee/ing 47 Invest in the future

COIIIOI component group from zeus

YCLE P.O. Box 620 Mona Vale NSW 2103 Sydney: (021 997 8777 • Brisbane: (07) 844 1906 CIRCUIT Melbourne: (052) 63 2821 • Penh: (091 364 2266 48 Freewheeling The big rides for 1988

Bic1Jcle events

A sneak preview of this year's big rides

ney and within easy reach of Canberra. USTRALIANS in 1988 will be ia, will set out from the top of Cape York The major Victorian cyclist group, Bicy­ able to participate in some of the on a ride around the coast that will fi­ cle Victoria, is also holding a big rally on biggest and best run bicycle nally land the lucky few, who do the full A Easter also in the highlands only in the events ever staged in the country. Start­ distance, in Perth, West Australia. town of Castlemaine north of Mel­ ing in April there will be big rides in Here's a summary of the major events bourne. every state right through to a terrific around the country. If we've missed any climax when 3000 riders enter Sydney at let us know and we will try to bring read­ rallies are popular in England the completion of an epic two-week ride ers an update in our next issue. Bike and the USA. The organisers generally up from Melbourne. The Australian provide a central camping area (some Bicentennial Caltex Bike Ride is also APRIL off-site fixed accommodation can usu­ expected to attract a large contingent of the ally be arranged too), meals, night-time Americans. APRIL IS shaping up to become and lots of day rides. In winter small groups sponsored by month of the bicycle rally. There are activities ; New In South A ustralia the Touring Cyc­ the touring association, Bicycle Austral- three major rallies in: Victoria South Wales; and in South Australia. lists Association h as been planning its The Bicycle Institute of NSW will host big event, The Commonwealth B ank (Great Eastern Aus­ Festival of Cycling for at least two years. Susan Devin and Kathy Har­ its second GEAR Benita Green, y will be centred on the village vey from Sassafras, Victoria enjoy a breather tralian Rally) during the Easter long The rall on last year's Caltex Bike Ride. Photo: Dale weekend in beautiful Bowral on the of Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills. The Adams. Southern Highlands south west of Syd- Festival will provide a wide variety of

Freewheeling 49 and east and starting with Bicycle Aus­ small group rides all lead by an experi­ NOVEMBER enced club member. tralia's Four Rivers Ride on the NSW The organisers have arranged enter­ October long weekend. On November 20 our own Sydney to the tainment including the famous Mel­ New South Wales Bicycle Week will 'Gong Ride will be beefed up to cater bourne Bicycle Band with their amazing provide a focus for two rides organised for in excess of 5000 and will provide pedal powered machine, displays of clo­ by the Bicycle Institute the Green Valley extra support and entertainment both at thing and equipment, a bush dance, Twin Century and the Spring Cycle. Wollongong and along the route. The BMX freestyle demos and veteran and Late in October a group of about 100 latest 'Gong Ride info follows this arti­ vintage bicycles. riders on pre 1915 vintage and veteran cle. Easterbike 88 - Friday 1 to Monday 4. cycles will set out from Melbourne to A week after Sydney cyclists ride to Castlemaine VIC. Day rides (bicycle retrace the route of the famous George the 'Gong about 3000 people will set out orienteering, treasure hunts, time trials, Burston and H R Stokes who rode be­ from Melbourne on a two week Caltex Audax, mountain bikes), antique cycles tween the two cities one hundred years Bicentennial Bike Rid<, to Sydney. The display, indoor activities at night. Costs ago. The route via Gundagai, Bathurst 15 day journey will be fully supported in include all meals, guide map, camping and Katoomba will be much easier for the style of previous successful Caltex fees, entertainment, ride support, cloth the modem-day riders as in 1888 sealed Rides and will pass through Orbost, patch. $135 adults, Under 13 $63. Bicy­ roads were non existent. Cooma, Canberra, Goulburn, Wollon­ cle Victoria adult members get a $20.00 The fifth Four Rivers Ride - Saturday gong and arrive in Sydney on Saturday discount. Hotel option, Train travel op­ 1 to Monday 3. Hunter Valley NSW the 10th of December. tion (ex Melbourne), travel insurance Bicycle Australia's tour of the Hunter The seventh an~ual Sydney to the option. Entry forms contact: Bicycle Valley region. Sag wagon for luggage, 'Gong Bicycle Ride - Sunday 20. Sydney Victoria (03) 650 2550. evening meals and breakfast provided to Wollongong. Australia's big one-day Great Eastern Australian Rally - Fri­ and hall accommodation. Contact (046) fun and fitness ride between Sydney's day 1 to Monday 4. Bowral NSW. Day 27 2186 for details. Belmore Park and Belmore Basin in the rides (mountain bikes, scavenger hunt, Green Valley Twin Century - Sunday city of Wollongong. 87 kilometres of bicycle soccer, tourists trial), mystery 16. Sydney region. Sydney's longest run­ well supported fun complete with enter­ night ride, slide night. Costs include ning bicycle fitness event. Test your en­ tainment. Entry forms from bike shops camping fees , entertainment, guide durance or basic level of fitness on 50, during September. See details following book, cloth patch, tour leaders. $34 100, 160 and 200 km courses over mostly this listing. Adults ($28 BINSW members) , Chil­ level terrain in the western suburbs. The Australian Bicentennial Caltex dren $17 (BINSW member $14). Non Contact the Bicycle Institute of NSW Bike Ride - Saturday 26 to Saturday 10 camping option. Self catering only on­ (02) 212 5628. December. This year to celebrate the site. Contact: the Bicycle Institute of Sydney Spring Cycle - 23 October. Bicentenary cyclists will ride en mass NSW (02) 212 5628. Sydney The Bicycle Institute's annual from Melbourne to Sydney. Full sup­ bicycle bash starts in the city and takes 3KZ Bicentennial Bikeathon - Sunday port. Organised by the people who riders on a splendid run out to Par­ 17. Melbourne. A big 30 km family ride bring you the Caltex Bike Ride. En­ ramatta Park via the Harbour Bridge from Mordialloc to Batman Park, Mel­ quiries: (059) 78 6000. Lane Cove National Park. Entry bourne. Starts 9 am Beach Rd near Mor­ and fee. Services and full back up provided. dialloc station. Adults $5.00 Children DECEMBER Contact the Bicycle Institute (02) 212 $3.00 Family $10.00. For forms and MEANWHILE BACK in the Garden entry details contact: 3KZ Bicentennial 5628. Burston & Stokes Centenary Penny State Bicycle Victoria will be hosting a Bikeathon, 24 Victoria St, Carlton VIC Farthing Ride - Saturday 29 to Saturday Great Victorian Bike Ride between 3053 . November 12. Melbourne to Sydney.100 Swan Hill and Melbourne from the 3rd riders on vintage and veteran cycles will of December to the 11 th. As usual all OCTOBER commemorate the epic ride via Gun­ meals and a baggage shuttle will be pro­ ON THE other side of winter the four dagai, Bathurst and Katoomba. Entry is vided and school groups catered for. month lead-up to Christmas will see the opened to riders with pre 1915 cycles or The Great Victorian Bike Ride - biggest events taking place in the south later special interest bikes. Organised Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 A nine day cycl­ by Bicycle Victoria and the Vintage ing extravaganza from Swan Hill to Mel­ bourne. Organisers take care of every­ pinkies riding their machine Cycle Club of Victoria. Contact (03) 650 The pedalling to vehicles for "Fourplay" were the crowd pleasers on last 2334. thing from entertainment years Sydney to the 'Gong Ride. Photo: your luggage. Camping, meals and full Robert Boulger. medical and mechanical support pro­ vided. Organised by Bicycle Victoria (Bicycle Institute of Vic.) Contact (03) 650 2334 for entry forms and prices. Sydney to the 'Gong in 1988 Sunday November 20 Bicycle events

THIS YEAH. we want to attract a lot of newcomers to the ride. Over the past five years thousands have taken up cycl­ ing so it is only fitting that these people

SO Freewheeling i I be encouraged to come along on what copy of the new Ride Magazine, Bike I has become Austraiia's most popular Rider, during winter along with a priority one-day cycling event. We value the par­ entry form for the Ride its self. If you 'f ~t,;tkh ticipation and support given to the Ride entered for the first time in 1987 or are during the last six years by experienced unsure if your name is on the list you can I ~c;J!!.~..f!~~! cyclists. Your involvement has contri­ apply for membership by filJing out the buted to our excellent road safety record form that accompanies this article. Please enrol me as a member of the Sydney to which can only continue if more people the 'Gong Ride and send me my free premier Additional membership benefits wilJ be edition of Bike Rider when it is published. like you participate. announced in the first issue of Bike Rider To encourage you and others like you due out this winter. I to become involved and continue to cycle the 'Gong Ride we are creating a Improvements and changes Name Ride membership. Anyone entering the After six years we finally believe that we Ride will be automatically become a have sorted out the problems of the past Address member and will be sent a mid-year and can offer riders an efficient and con­ magazine with full details of the coming venient way of getting to the start of the Ride plus a priority entry card to speed Ride from Wollongong in the morning Bu3iness hours phone contact. up processing. Membership is a good or back to Sydney in the afternoon. This idea for you and it's also a good idea for year the bike-lift trucks will load at Post to: the Ride organisation. This is how it has Flagstaff Point for the Sydney riders and Sydney to the 'Gong Bicycle Ride come about. at Wollongong station in the early morn­ PO Box K26 Haymarket NSW 2000 in g for the Wollongong entrants. Bike­ Improving the Ride without re-inventing lift tickets must be bought in advance the wheel and the entry form will contain full de­ L------• tails. postal delivery up to three weeks prior A lot of the organisation that goes into a A continuous shuttle bus will operate 'Gong Ride involves doing the same to the ride. After that time you may buy throughout the afternoon to carry riders things over year in , year out. However, shirts on the day while stocks last. For to Wollongong station from the Point those who miss out orders will be taken it is vitally important that we only dupli­ and a security holding area will be set up cate essential tasks. for postal delivery after the event. in Belmore Park, Sydney for your con­ Entertainment will be provided once With the introduction of ride membership venience. again at Flagstaff Point and your Riders your name and address will only need to We also plan to eliminate the queues Guide Book will list all the events and be entered once. If you registered for the at Flagstaff Point for riders waiting to people who will be taking part. Food 1986 Ride your name is al ready on our claim their certificates and patches. Of­ and drink stalls wi ll also add to the carni­ computer and you will be sent your free ficial Ride tee-shirts can be ordered for val atmosphere in Wollongong.

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Freewheeling St many more concerned ci tizens to help us known charity Help a well Private support vehJcles marshal the route and look out for the IN LINE with other major bicycle welfare of the riders. THE LAST few years has seen a huge events (such as the London to Brighton If you have a friend or relative who is increase in the number of private sup­ Ride) riders this year will have the ?P­ planning to come down to Wollongon~ port vehicles using the Ride route. Our tion of supporting the work of a maJor to collect you late in the day ask the~ 1f official support vehicle crews, motorcy­ national charity organisation. . they would consider joining the Ride cle marshals, and the Police have ~II Details will be published dunng team and help us on the day. Mostly ~e expressed concern that a_n incre~se m winter and riders wanting to raise funds need static marshals: people who will this trend may lead to a senous accident. for the charity will be provided with full remain stationed at difficult or con­ This year we will be posit_ively dis­ details on the entry form to be published gested intersections along the route to couraging private support vehicles from in winter. direct riders and crews and summon prefer that using the route. We would help in the event of an emergency. or friends you encouraged your family As the Ride is a mobile event it won't to meet you to drive down the freeway take up the whole day and the e_fforts of in Wo llongong and not at points along volunteers will be well appreciated by the route. All entrants will be issued THIS YEAR Freewheeling is expanding both the organisers and the riders. All with a vehicle pass to the parking areas its event promotions department (the volunteer marshals are given free entry at the Flagstaff Point carnival where the 'Gong Ride is taking off and ~ther ndes to the ride a staff tee shirt and cap, a ride concludes. Car parking will not be are being planned). Our publisher, War­ lunch pack', detailed briefing and w_rit­ available at Red Cedar Flat (lunch) and , is looking for a ~artner to ten instructions and a full set of Ride ren Salomon some other congested areas along the edit and administer the production of our souvenirs. route. two magazines . (We also pub~ish a trad~ So how about it? To become a 'Gong Help make the ride safer for the rid­ journal). If you are a self motivated ~us1- Ride Volunteer Crew Member please ers; ask your family or friends to cheer ness oriented person, a good organiser phone Warren Salomon during business you across the finish line at Flagstaff with writing skills and capita_! who would hours on (02) 264 8544 or drop him a Point. like to run his or her own business and not line at PO Box K26 Haymarket NSW work for a robber baron, this may be the 2000. ·opportunity of a lifet_i~e. Volunteer assistantswa nted Please apply m wntmg to: TERRIFIC year li es ahead for THE ONE thing we care about most Aussies and the many overseas The Publisher when we plan the big Ride is the safety visitors. We'll keep yo u posted Freewheeling Australia Publications A PO BoxK26 of our Riders. Over one hundred people in our next four issues on the big events Haymarket NSW 2000 give their day to ~ee that the ride is a to come. So get you bike overh auled safe success but it's not enough. We need you're going to need it in 1988.

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Freewhee/ing SJ S4 Freewheellng OPPY CAPTURES PARIS

BictJcle sport

A tribute to a great Australian cycling hero

by John Drummond

rom its earliest days the sport of The papers of the time wrote in terms Oppy first set Paris-Brest-Paris as his bicycle racing has produced of "all in one go" as stage races had not priority after competing in the Tour de F champions who have blazoned yet been thought of. The racing control France of 1828, the format was a team the name of Australia across the pages authorities determined it be held every trial of up to 15 riders. Australia was of the World's sporting press for almost a ten years. Perhaps they thought it would represented by a team of four led by century, from Alfred Goullet of earlier take that long for the contestants to re­ Opperman and supported by Bain­ times to Martin Vinnecombe of last gain interest. bridge, Watson and Osborne. Of course, year. But none more so than the doyen they were swamped by the full and well of all Australian cyclists, that great Aus­ The first Paris-Brest-Paris was a fan­ supported European teams. The Aus­ tralian Sir OBE, tastic success. The winner Charles Ter­ tralian riders managed to finish , albeit KSCJ, successful racing cyclist, RAAF ront took 71 hours 22 mins to complete in a lowly place. But it was sufficient for officer, politician and diplomat. the 1200 kilometre journey and finished Oppy to realise with specific training nine hours ahead of the next man. that he rated a chance in the world's n the year 1891 the French newspap­ The race was the idea of Pierre Gif­ longest single stage race, the Paris­ ers became obsessed with bicycle fard who later became the great news­ Brest-Paris. I racing as a sales boosting medium . paper rival of , the Although he was offered contracts to The longer the race the better. With a father of the Tour de France. It was ride in European teams, Oppy returned long competition pre-race interest could through searching for something bigger to Australia and immediately began be built up over a wide area of circula­ and better that Paris-Brest-Paris that what must rank as the most intensive tion and special editions brought out Desgrange stumbled across the idea of a training programme ever planned to win during the event. Early in 1891 one Tour de France in several stages. The a specific race. paper had the idea of running a Bor­ first Tour was organised in 1903. It was Paris-Brest-Paris was three years deaux-Paris race and was under the im­ won by who two years away but Oppy got to work right away pression that the riders would take two later won the second Paris-Brest-Paris. just to get the feel of what it's like to be days for the 580 odd kilometres. They Paris-Brest-Paris was then organised in the saddle for more than two days and had a shock when the Englishman GP every 10 years and attracted first class two nights without rest. Manager Bruce Mills came in first with 26 hours! The entries until a 17 year break caused rid­ Small planned long rides to "test the race created enormous interest. Rival ers to lose interest. By then the top cyc­ water". The most notable being a ride papers thought up fresh ideas. Then one lists preferred to ride the big stage races. from Sydney to Melbourne which estab- announced the promotion of an endur­ In the year 1931 Hubert Opperman 1ished a new record for cycling of 39 ance test that would make Bordeaux­ captured the race riding the distance of hours, 42 minutes. That ride alone gave Paris seem like a sprint race . Paris­ 1,186 km in a time of 49 hours, 23 mi­ the intrepid Opperman the knowledge Brest-Paris over 1,200 km (750 miles) . nutes and 30 seconds. This is his story. he sought. He now knew of the fluctuations of energy, the variations of body tempera­ aris-Brest-Paris meant much to tu re and the tricks of a tired and ill young Opperman in the 1920's. trained mind such as: imagining one was The first wet night is over and the rain has Just as it's the dream of many eased. But the riders still retain their wet P in a competitive bicycle race, that the weather clothing as they approach the 600 km young European schoolboys today to others had ridden away in the never end­ tum at Brest. win the Tour de France. ing chase; the lights of passing cars blur-

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AUSTRALIAN MADE Because it is important that a helmet be correctly fitted, ATOM is available only through bicycle shops and sports stores. Enquiries to: ATOM, 75a Burrows Road, Alexandria NSW 2015. (02) 550 1655 The French cheer for brave Oppy as the Aus­ mates to shield him when he was tired, and the 28 riders settled down to a tralian hero breaks away with only 48 km to water him when he was thirsty, or help steady pace, each eager to gain as much the finish. It was destined not to fully suc­ him to retrieve the peloton of riders shelter as possible. It seemed the riders ceed. He was caught just 5 km from the were destined to suffer so they con­ finish. But there was still one chance - the should he puncture or break some vital historic five-up sprint at Pare des Princes. piece of equipment. served energy for whatever lay ahead. The race start was at the Pont Noir, in The hours and the kilometres slipped ring tired eyes which see curious the beautiful , leaf-sheltered road near by, thrashed by constant rain the riders shadows transformed into animals and St Cloud on the outskirts of Paris. The had to wear wet weather clothing to pro­ humans that suddenly spring out of the crowds would have done any Tour de tect them from the elements and the darkness to cause horrible suspense France start justice. Not even the chill of water thrown up from the wheels. Dark only to disappear just before the mo­ rain clouds seemed to disturb them. clouds brought on darkness at an early ment of collision ; the pleading with a Team managers bustled about their hour and soon the following cars played compassionate manager for just a quick charges whispering last minute in struc­ tricks on the wet road. As the peloton spell - a lie-down, say, for just ten mi­ tions like racecourse touts, as the rain went into dips on undulating road , or nutes - or a quick "keep pedalling" began to fall . negotiated sharp turns the riders would knowing that to stop in a flat spell would encounter complete darkness which be fatal and that resistance would return Opperman calmly appraised his oppo­ brought frantic brake grabbing and sh­ in the morning. nents, " What a prospect," shrugged outing until the illumination reap­ So Oppy pedalled on with his head in Oppy to Manager Bruce Small. Beside peared. Managers would hurriedly the clouds and legs as long as him stood the powerful Belgian Demuy­ check the peloton to see if any rider had beanstalks. But repeating the phrase sere , munching a bar of chocolate; slipped away in the darkness. As the over and over again - this is for Paris­ Nicholas Franz was fussing over his toe intensity of the wind and rain increased Brest-Paris. straps and Maurice De Waele unconcer­ so did the silence of the riders. Very few It was also for Paris-Brest-Paris that nedly spoke to a friend. As Oppy looked spoke, content to pedal against the ele­ Opperman turned down a string of luc­ further over the field of known distance ments like animals in search of shelter rative contracts when he returned to riders his courage me.lted away and he from the howling wind . Europe in 1931 and finished 12th in the whispered to a compatriot, "What fools The riders bumped along the cobbles­ Tour de France. Instead of racing after those journalists were to make me tones eager for the sight and cheers of the Tour he kept on training. To the favourite against these fellows." His villagers , who with lanterns in hand modern day racer Oppy's plan of 1931 friend's reply was never heard. Maurice would shout encouragement to the rid­ will sound ludicrous. He trained from Garin, the race winner 30 years previ­ ers then quickly merge with the dark­ Paris to Brest and back again . ously, fired the starters gun amidst a ness. When he lined up with the other farewell cheer. There was only one fugitive on the hopefuls for the historic Paris-Brest­ The early kilometres were fast and it first night. Dutch rider Van Ryssel­ Paris, Opperman was probably the most became evident that the experienced borghe had slipped away in the darkness confident rider in the field . He certainly riders wished to be thoroughly warmed and before the bunch had realised it he had many reasons for confidence having up before they became too wet. Soon was gone and established a long lead. finished 12th in the Tour de France, and they reached Versailles, St Cyr and Trap­ When morning came the teams sprung knowing he had prepared well. But he pes. By the time they reached Roudan into action and the escapee was quickly alsQ was the only one who had no team- wind and rain were lashing their faces retrieved.

Freewheeling S7 At the first control check Oppy heard that Mazeyrat and the Belgian " pow­ erhouse" Demuysere were to quit the race . Mazeyrat had punctured three Before You Buy a New times and had " blown" in the fight to regain position against the wind. But he could not believe that Belgain Demuy­ Trainer, Make Sure it Can sere was to give up for he feared him more than any other rider. He checked again and again when the field left con­ Pass a Physics Course. trol but he was not to be seen. As the peloton of riders approached Brest the field became restless. It was now after dawn and the wind blew with 14 14 cyclonic force from the sea.It became 12 12 obvious that someone was to be un­ 1 loaded before reaching Brest. Fifty 0 LBS 10 LBS 8 8 kilometres from the port, Nik Frantz from Luxembourg attacked, but every 6 6 rider was on alert and he failed to 4 4 achieve any objective, on reaching Brest the riders were bunched and had two 20 20 I ~::::::=-...-+-:~~-:t;""~41 L::::::~i--~~-;:;--ro--;;420 25 30 35 40 L 10 15 20 25 '30 35 40 minutes to sign the register, procure a 5 10 15 5 O ROAD SPEED (mph) O ROAD SPEED (mph) food bag and prepare for the return to All RacerMate trainers match !~e wind . icat mag-type trainer as Paris. 0 1 resistance load curve exactly. 7 drag settings 1 ~ YP d resistance toad curve. In two minutes it seemed confusion compared to af~; ;;"ZPH the load barely Example: fromual 3. d resistance changes reigned supreme. Managers were de­ va ries, yet act unn manding, officials were screaming and drastically.•• the cyclists flapped their arms like T here's an unalterable law of Dutch windmills. Soon the riders were physics that rules yo ur cycling. It 's At RacerMate , we haven 't on their way. The sea was behind them called R = cv 2* . The law of wind compromised. Sure, you may hear and so was the gale. Taking encourage­ resistance. that mag-type trainers are quieter - ment from the tail wind, they began to But the fact is , not many trainers, but they create the Qpposite load test the field and some would string the especially the new mag-types, obey curve of real life resistance, which riders out into a mile long snake. this law. no number of drag settings will After what seemed like an eternity Perhaps other trainer designers correct. And, that means you will the wind dropped , the rain clouds melted away and for the first time in 34 have lost sight of the beginnings of not be forming muscle habits for the hours the riders took off their water­ the " wind load " trainers. When real test - the road. proof gear. With the sunshine Oppy RacerMate invented the trainer All RacerMate trainers follow the came to life and he began to assess the concept nine years ago , we created wind resistance load curve exactly - remaining strength of the peloton and trainers which precisely simulated our PiggyBack and Supra fan concluded to would take the second the wind resistance you face on the trainers, as well as our new super­ night to sort the weak from the strong. road. And , according to Ed Burke , quiet, computer-aided Comp uTrainer, Reasoning on this basis he was content Sports Physiologist and former all provide scientifically correct to roll along throughout the day and Technical Director of the US Cycling tra/ning. That's why we 've always keep the favourite under surveillance. It was midnight on the second dread­ Team , " ... accurate wind resistance published our load curves. ful night and Oppy along with the others simulation is essential for the Think about it. If your trainer were fighting not o nly the road but development of cycling-specific can't pass a physics course, you sleep. Riders were staring fixedly muscle stimulus within a rider 's won't be passing a road course. ahead, si lent figures rolling from right to cadence range. '' RacerMate Trainers - Serious left in monotonous fashion, occasionally training machines selected by serious one would be overcome by sleep and cyclists. riding off the road would crash in the grass verge. Oppy strived to remain awake by finding something to occupy his mind . He shouted to the others to wake up in an attempt to stop the sway­ ing figures , he whistled and thought of his friends back home in Australia and 3016 NE Blakeley St . Seattle, WA 98105 somehow survived through the most TOLL-FREE (800) 522-3610, ext. WL difficult night of his life. • Resistance = aerodynamic drag constant .< With dawn the sleep fell away from his velocity1 eyes and resisting body. The light re­ • • load curve testing verified by Joseph L. Garbini, Pb. D., Associate Professor, vealed that fifteen men had endured the Department of Mechanical Engineering, dreadful ordeal and remained together University of Washington. with Paris only 200 kilometres away. It was just before the control at Re­ nnes that the Australian received infor­ Supplied By: BIKETECH mation that made his mind react in fear P.O. Box 152 Wallsend N.S.W. 2287 Telephone: (049) 52-4403 of defeat. Flamand Bonduel rode up

58 Freewheeling beside him and started speaking, Oppy his wheel it would be madness to chase Opperman in the rear. Suddenly Bidot could not understand him and he indi­ yet if he did not Bidot must surely win. weakened and Pancera made his bid. cated he should talk to a man who un­ Opperman decided to chase until he Oppy followed the wheel and just be­ derstood language in his car. dropped content with the knowledge fore the final bank moved around Pane­ Oppy approached the man at Rennes. that he would retire having given of his era to hit the front. He had wheels all He said Bonduel indicated he intended best. around him and as a non-sprinter felt he to withdraw but before he did he wished He took off. When h e next saw Bidot must be beaten. But no it was his wheel Opperman to know that the Alycon and he was beside the roadside changing a that reached the line first. After riding a Louvet teams intended to amalgamate tyre. This was his big chance. He jam­ 1,200 kilometres single stage race he had against him. Oppy's mind was in tur­ med again but the field followed his won in a sprint. It was unbelievable. moil , this after a thousand kilometres of wheel. He eased up and then jammed For Hubert Opperman , from Mel­ sheer agony. Encouraged by Bruce again and this time he was on his own. bourne, Australia, a dream had come Small he decided to attack himself. He Soon he was three minutes ahead. The true. He had beaten the most powerful went to the front and stamped hard on big combine of Louet, Bidot, Frantz, teams of European e ndurance racing the pedals but every time he opened a Pancera, D ewaele and Decroix was single handed. gap it was closed and then he would re­ quickly organi sed and sent in pursuit. At Next day he was the hero of the peat the effort. fifteen miles to the finish they were one French and cables were pouring in from When the riders reached the last con­ minute behind. At 12 miles to go four of all over Europe, Brussels, Amsterdam, trol , 100 kilometres from Paris, Opper­ the combine were 30 seconds in arrears. Paris, Milan - the whole world wanted man's tactics appeared to be paying off. Opperman was now racing like one to see this remarkable athlete. The quickened pace had postponed the possessed but soon heard the noise of A total of seven races from Paris to combine plans for the time being at car horns and voices. It could onl y mean Brest and return were held: least. one thing. He was caught. In that mo­ 1891 Charles Terront (France) rode While the remaining riders took off ment he was overwhelmed with bitter­ the 1,200 kilometres in 71 hours 22 min . extra clothing and prepared for the con­ ness and almost sobbing in disappoint­ Other placings: 2 Jiel Laval 79 :27 , 3 frontation Oppy noticed that only one ment then his feelings changed to rage Coullibert, 4 Marti and 5 Corre. looked fresh and that was the big French and he tried to break away again, just 1901 Maurice Garin (France) in 52 cyclist Marcel Bidot. Shortly resuming three miles away was the finish and the hours 11 min followed by G Rivere, 3 after the compulsory stop, Oppy four gallant retrieving riders stuck to the Aucouturier. noticed the Acyon manager speak to plucky Australian like glue. 1911 Emil e Georget (France) in 50 Bidot and he prepared to move up to a In·to the big cement bowl known as hours 13 min 24 sees, 2 E Lapize, 3 E position closer to his back wheel. It was Pare-des-Princes, that had been the Paul. too late. He jammed and a 100 metre scene of a thousand fiery finishes , sped 1921 Louis Mottiat () in 55 gap to the peloton opened up. Opper­ five riders led by Deccroix, Louyet was hours 7 min 8 sees, 2 Christophe , 3 Mas­ man was trapped . With three teams on next, followed by Bidot , Pancera and son. HOW ID RIDE LIKE THE WIND ... WITHOUT WALKING LIKE ADUCK. Not every cycling enthusiast wants to waddle around on cleatedshoes. That's why Specialized designed the new 3400 Touring shoe. It looks and feels like today's most advanced athletic footwear. Now get on a bike. You'll witness a breakthrough of bio- mechanics: the 3400 is engineered to get the most mileage from your horsepow~r. That's largely due to its polypropylene insole. A material combining the optimum stiffness for riding, yet flexible enough for hiking around. But the 3400 isn't a compromise shoe. It's designed by cyclists for cyclists. The bi-density outsole not only gives you traction on and off the pedal, it'll still be durable when your purchase is but a distant memory. And we don't forget creature comforts either: . ,; ...,....;.,. a removable sock-liner that keeps the inside comfortable . ~~ and as beautiful as the outside.The Specialised 3400 •.:._t:~ .\f .... "· The only serious cycling shoe that lets , ., ··· ~ •I~~~(.:.'= ·t• __ you walk. AndJ~ vou license to fl ~ " •. ·~ ~.'"'

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Freewheeling S9 1931 Hubert Opperman (Austra li a) in reappearance was ta ke n u p by the 49 hours 23 min 30 sees, 2 Louyet, 3 De­ French press. The fo llowi ng extract is a croix. translati on fro m the F re nch p aper Le 1948 A lbert Hendrickx (Belgium) in Telegramme of September, 1971: 41 hours 36 min 42 sees, 2 Ne uvi ll e, 3. Oppy, as he was known to the French Fazio. sporting public in th e thirties, was full of 1951 Ma urice Diot (Fra nce) in 38 excitement, but this did not prevent him ho urs 55 mins 45 sees , 2 Mulle r, 3 M from making comparisons between the Hendricks. different eras. "France then," he recalled, " was in full deflation. Une mployment was widespread. Fo rtunately things have ven though the last race was held now changed". in 1951 the s pirit of thi s g reat Oppy regretfully noted that p rofes­ eve nt is not dead . The Audax E sional cyc li sts now ignore s uch races as Club Parisien , o f which Sir Hubert Op­ Pari s- Brest-Pari s where a cyclist coul d pe rman is the head p atron, still carries show their wo rth a nd real abili ty in on the tradition of Paris-Brest-Pari s as a stamina, co urage and traini ng. touring ride in which cyclists from across " I d o not mean to say tha t today 's the world , including Austra li a ns take champio ns are less worthy than those of part . fo rmer d ays , fo r M erckx in 1931 woul d Forty years later, he returned to Pari s­ have s till b een M erckx and most p rob­ B rest-Pari s as Sir Hube rt Oppe rm a n , abl y the best of them all . Nevertheless, OBE, MBE Australian Ambassador to many things have changed. Distance has Malta and at La Cell e-Saint-Cloud , gave been sacrificed fo r speed . I r ecoll ect the signal fo r the s tart of the cycle ride that as far back as o ur days, with the to a n impressive fie ld of cycle tourists. advent of the derailleur (gear changer) , All the ride rs of di ffe re nt age were Oppy, 27 years, at the zenith of his racing a n incredible improveme nt had been told that they had t o try a nd cover the career. done in the domain of speed . One can­ distance in less than ninety hours, which not ignore speed but I feel positive that was within reach o f eve ryo ne's pos­ cycling needs important events such as irrespecti ve of h ow long recall ed m e mo ri es of the past and sibilities, but Pari s- Brest-Paris to maintain its stand­ the tourers took t o cover the distance it looked fo rwa rd to the professionals in g. I d o wi sh the yo ung generation proved that P a ri s- Brest-Pa ri s is a li ve again taking a n interest in long di stance make a n effort to o rgani se hi gh endur­ g. road races. and fl ourishin ance tests, fo r, in cycling as we ll as li fe , Sir Hubert was the guest of honour of The fo rmer favo urite with the French progress is not achieved without toil. " or to the s tart he public was a t hi s nostalgic best and his the o rgani sers a nd pri D

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60 Freewheeling Letters to the Editor

What makes a good bicycle that the general public while needs must rather that acting in their own best in­ be measured by objective criteria, such terests and in the best interests of begin­ transportation programme? as safety and speed. Public opinion, ning cyclists. They ought, according to It's grim humour to read Alan Parker's especially misguided public opinion, is Parker, be advocating cycling on bike­ complaints (in his article Speed for some not the proper judge of scientific mat­ ways instead of on roads because that is or safety for all? Freewheeling Jan/Feb ters. For all his pretense of scientific best for them. Unfortunately, Parker's 1988) that the NAASRA bikeway de­ practice, Parker is adamantly anti-scien­ argument turns against himself. Since sign manual doesn't give cyclists a fair tific; he bases his programme on public cycli ng on roadways provides a better share of the road space. For years he has opinion rather than on the known facts combination of speed, safety, cost and demanded that the motoring establish­ and principles. convenience than cycling on bikeways, ment divide the road space between cyc- The discussion is whether bikeways his opponents are exercising their best 1ists and motorists; now he has disco­ better supply safe, fast, inexpensive and judgement in protecting their right to vered how little road space the motorists convenient urban transportation than use the roads, while Parker and his con­ will give him. Therefore he's publishing do roads. That is a scientific question stituents, who advocate the worse pseudo-scientific arguments for cyclists that must be judged by scientific choice largely because they fear and to try to win more road space from criteria, and the answer is that they hate motor traffic, are the ideological motorists. Are his arguments reasona­ don't. No amount of public opinion will fanatics. ble? change that; Nature doesn't give a damn Of course, Parker cries out that he is a He claims that narrower motor lanes about popular opinion. As Francis staunch defender of cyclists' right to use will make motoring safer because a 10% Bacon wrote at the dawn of the modern the roads, but his claim is controverted reduction in motorist speed causes a age," Nature, to be commanded, must by his own words. The person who says 40% reduction in fatal accidents. Con­ first be obeyed." that cyclists should ride on bike paths trary to his argument, such evidence as The study of cyclists' opinions that rather than on roads is telling the world exists supports the principle that motor­ Parker praises so highly (The Mel­ that cyclists' right to use the roads is ing is safer on wide lanes than on narrow bourne-based Spectrum Research Re­ important only where bike paths are not ones. The argument is politically foolish port) proves one thing with acceptable provided. Parker even explicitly admits as well because motorists won't believe scientific accuracy. It proves that most the point by quoting a prediction that it. They will say, " You say you want to cyclists are wimps. That is, they are so bike-path cyclists will support the right delay us by making motoring more frightened of cars that they would rather to use the roads because they "would dangerous with narrow lanes, and your be killed or paralysed on the bike path still have to use the roads to some ex­ explanations are foolish . Now you're than safe on the road. They would be far tent. " In other words, only where they telling us that it's all for our own good? better off if they had the courage to be have to use the roads is it important to Go to Hell!" Scientific considerations safe. However, since Parker can't toler­ have the right to use them. are as important as political ones. ate that admission he has to tell us fairy Parker's programme has no scientific Parker argues for bikeways and specially stories about his opponents who would validity, but that doesn't mean that we for bike paths. He has to; to do other­ rather use the roads. shouldn't have a cycling programme. wise would contradict his logic, emo­ Parker tells us two fairy stories to Rather than a programme that con­ tions and constituency. However, the avoid the admission that his constituents tradicts the known facts, we need one scientific evidence is that bike lanes are wimps. The first fairy story elevates that fits them. Since cycling on roads is probably cause more accidents than his opponents to superhuman status, better than cycling on bike paths, we they prevent and that bike paths are making them people who can handle the need to teach people how to cycle safely much more dangerous than normal dangers of motor traffic with skills unat­ on roads. Rather than wasting money on roadways, producing higher accident tainable by normal humans. That is, by bike paths we need to concentrate that rates and requiring lower speeds. There breeding me with Margaret Thatcher to which is available for cycling purposes is no reasonable scientific division of make a race of superhuman cyclists. on correcting the deficiencies of the opinion on these questions; the division Look at Freewheeling's cartoon of that present roadway system. We now pos­ is between those who evaluate the evi­ hermaphroditic monster causing a traf­ sess all the scientific knowledge needed dence and those, like Parker, who have fic jam. Of course it's a fairy story. When to do both of these; it's just a question of an emotional commitment to bikeways the road is overloaded and is too narrow implementation. that transcends reality. Parker has felt for motorists to overtake cyclists, any the sting of this unanswerable criticism; cyclist can cause a traffic jam. A fool can John Forester USA he now argues that most cyclists like do it just as well as a genius can, and an Sunnyvale California bike paths. ignorant fat person from Parker's consti­ As Parker phrased it: "Should we lis­ tuency will do it better than a racing Two of my recent articles have argued ten to the outspoken individual or listen cyclist from among his opponents. that cyclists should be able to use free­ to more people's opinions by using Parker's second fairy story describes ways , a cyclists right Forester enjoys in sophisticated interviewing methods and his opponents who want to protect their California. Other articles have argued group discussion techniques? .... (the rights to use the road as ideological fana­ for better conditions in the kerb lane we latter) is one way of overcoming indi­ tics , as "an ideologically-motivated all share with cars . I have never advo­ vidual bias and providing cycling groups cadre of traffic-happy, muscle-bound cated the exclusive bike lanes, hated by with a better idea of what cyclists' needs touring freaks who are contemptuous of Forester, except for school children. are." (Freewheeling, March-April those new to cycling." For those who However, I do object to the term wimp 1987). The errors in Parker's argument don't understand Parkers phrases, he is for traffic shy cyclists. If my wife says show that he doesn't understand the is­ saying, in contemptuous tones , that she does not like heavy traffic on a route sues. There has been no controversy those who want to protect their right to I don't call her a wimp but help her find about public opinion; both sides agree use the roads are obeying false ideas another route. I accept that other

Freewheeling 6/ Another epoch-making development in chains by Izumi. The shift change is now. Lighter, quieter, and smoother. IZUMI CLICK INDEX CHAIN Features Hard coating 1. The shift response is quick, and the shift point deviations are small. This de­ By special treatment, the surface of the steel pins is combined wtth metal com­ raileur chain is ideal for the index system. pounds. The hardness of the pin surface is therefore very high, recorded as a 2. The shift changes accurately at the same time as the click sound of the vickers hardness of HV 1,400 (Diamond is HV 10,000). It has outstanding durabil­ system. ity and wear resistance even in the endurance road races. What's more, tts chain 3. By lzumi's original chain design, complicated adjustments can be done quite life is more than 3 times longer than the standard product The change of the simply. side bow due to elongation of the chain is very slight, so that a stable shift 4. As the chain is of a bushless structure and the shape of the inner plate changing performance may be maintained over a long period. minimized, with the burring process, even while shifting the gears, running is very quiet 5. Wtth this lightweight parts design, the weight is reduced by 7 to 10% compared with our standard type.

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Gravity powered June Roll It is not 100 percent clear to me just S Patrick Street I am glad the SAA has not had a funding what Mr Cripps (Parts and Accessories, Lowood, QLD 4311 cut and received more funds. Perhaps for issue 47) calls downhill racers, however Helmet Standards now we may get a suitable standard if you grab the latest copy of an Ameri­ small children's helmets. It is sad to see can BMX mag, you are sure to find a Alan Parker's article in the Nov/Dec little kids wearing helmets that are much snippet on this type of racing. The issue was a fa.ir report of the Queensland too big or will fall off the head in an biggest news of late came in October, Institute of Technology findings on bicy­ accident. A good helmet for 1 to 4 year where not only was an official race given cle helmets. However, I would like to olds carried on child seats is the Li 'l Bell coverage, the mag advised of the found­ make the following points in relation to Shell and any new standard should allow ing of the " Gravity Powered Vehicle the article: helmets of this type onto the market and Association", to organise and govern 1. The QIT report recommends similar helmets for 5 to 9 year olds. Such this (very) exciting sport. changes to bicycle helmet standards but helmets would both be lighter in weight Full fairings on the bikes, cable TV the report also says that: and provide better protection over the coverage, sponsors, prize money and A significant finding of the post vulnerable temple area. speeds of 85 mph were the order of the crash work undertaken was the Alan Parker day, down the 4 mile road. protective effect of bicycle he!- Footscray VIC 30ll SPOKES CYCLES 89 Railway St, CORRIMAL, N.S.W. ( 042) 84 3434

Freewheeling 63 Australian or New Zealanders and some service from the manager, whom after International travel were veterans of 6-7,000 km and 6 several phone calls from Europe, still his cordial manner. Hence, a I have recently returned from a cycling months on the road. They turned up in maintained frame set waiting at tour of Europe and would like to pass on Norway, France and Italy and seemed to new Klein Quantum airport ready to ship home. a few candid observations of our time be doing it the way we were - by camp­ Vienna Australian first according to there. Both of us , in our early 30's, ing . Some of the highlights were: (Also an freighted our entire gear, which in­ • Attending the Europe's first Interna­ Klein.) cluded hand built custom touring bikes tional Bike Expo in Paris (we are certain • The wonderful generosity of Itali an made in Perth, and good Aussie touring/ we were the only Aussie's there!) and people generally and their intuitive ap­ of the distance and topog­ camping gear to London, where we being given very royal treatment be­ preciation had traversed. trained and ferried it to our starting cause of it (we have several items from raphy we point in Norway. Apart from an en­ the Salon International dy Cycle). • And finally, a truly incredible couple , who spied us outside in the counter with disgruntled railway porters • Having and Italian policeman stop 4 in Belgium rain, opposite their house, fixing a punc­ at Gatwick, our machines and sundry directions of traffic at an intersection us in for coffee, cakes, equipment arrived intact and un­ while he "chatted" to us about our trip ture, and asked and our life story. It turned blemished, thanks to two fully enclosed and casually showed us his weekend rac­ more coffee husband was president of the bike boxes we bought in Sydney. ing photo's. out the and much as clubs do in From Bergen we rode East to Voss • Riding specifically to Nevers, France local cycle club and occasionally took trains on our way to purchase a new pedal and shoe sys­ Australia; had regular rides every Sun­ . to Oslo. A vertical descent through De­ tem form TIME, which had been on day morning nmark, Belgium, France and Italy and show in Paris for the first time at the They were so endearing and we were so thence to Austria completed the 4 Expo, and being given special treatment appreciative! month trip, with a few side trips to in­ because it was the first Australian purch­ We are already planning a return jour­ clude the Loire valley of France on the ase of such a system. ney for '89 and want to make one obser­ way. By and large, the majority of seri­ • Dealing direct with Klein Bicycle vation - Don't wait until you think yo u ous touring cyclists that we met were Corp in USA and being given incredible have enough money saved up - yo u probably never will and you'll never get there - just go with what you've got and make the most of it.

Ian Hill & Donna Buckley Mt Hawthorn 6016 WA THE NAME OF QUALITY, FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT THE BEST

SUPPORT FOR THE LONG WHEELBASE BIKE I saw Ian Grayson's Ho Chi Minh bike at the Glenlyon contest in January this year after they had been ridden from Adelaide. I was most impressed with their stability under load and the way the luggage tray eliminates the hassles associated with loading panniers. Using tandem and mountain bike parts they could be the next generation of touring bikes (the forks in particular need to be extra strong) Alan Parker's comments (Issue 41) were too harsh - on a bad unsealed road a two-wheeler is more stable than a three wheeler. Finally, the Ho Chi Min bike has the appropriate technology virtue that it can be created out of two wrecked bikes which could otherwise yield one conventional bike. DURABILITY, PRECISION, LIGHTWEIGHT ALL THAT YOU NEED Finally, something I would like to see FOR YOUR BICYCLE. IT'S HERE . .. IT'S HATTA in future Freewheelings is an article on Available from all leading the new retention system for panniers. I've heard of Christie's Super lock (?) REPCO CYCLE DEALERS - system, and (US) Bicycling had a recent pannier survey which mentioned other systems on new panniers; but what I, and many others, would like is to see how they work and how to, if possible, upgrade our existing panniers. (Obvi­ ously I'm not ready yet to get a Ho Chi Minh bike of my own!)

Alan Sargent HEAD OFFICE - 25 HAMILTON ST. HUNTINGDALE, VICTORIA. AUSTRALIA Warragul VIC 3820

64 Freewheeling Classifieds

TOUR HATES HIRE .!)O~ONC JACKA°DVENTUR£ ~ OUR MATES is a FREE service for readers RENT-A-CYCLE TASMANIA 10-speed low gearing, Victoria visiting wishing to find companions for bicycle all frame sizes, ladies and gents. Completely equipped for Cycling holidays in North-East trips and holidays. Entries are limited to touring. Postal bookings accepted. Seven years hiring National Trust gold towns, Rutherglen and Milawa T questions. 36 Thistle wineries, Ned Kelly Country, historic hotels and fine thirty words and there Is a charge of thirty cents experience. Brochure, rates, your per word for any long entries exceeding the limit. St Launceston, Tasmania Phone (003) +4 9n9 restaurant dining. PO Box 221 Oxley VIC 3678. Tele­ Payment (if applicable) must accompany your BICYCLE HIRE SYDNEY. Inner City Cycles hires phone (057) 27 3382. listing. Name, address and phone number should ten-speed touring bikes, mountain bikes, racks pannier bags, high security locks and lights. Contact ICC 31 be attached for verification purposes. BEST bicycle rides. Australia's national Glebe Pt Rd Glebe NSW 2037 (02) 660 6605. AUSTRALIA'S bicycle touring association provides rides from three longer. Vehicle supported and self TRAVEL & TOURS days to a week or VICTORIA - CAPE YORK Companions wanted for contained tours. Small groups, experienced support bicycle all or part of a mountain bike traverse of the entire Great BICYCLE AUSTRALIA IN '88 The national crew. Send for your brochure. Bicycle Australia PO Box touring in Dividing Range. Depart early April, arrive Cape York tour celebrating the first century of bicycle K-499 Haymarket NSW 2000 (046)27 2186. to Perth early July. Contact Russell Moore (02) 608 1125. Australia. 10,8-38 kilometres from Cape York SA Cycle Route Maps Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsu­ NTH QUEENSLAND. Companion(s) wanted for along the Around Australia Bicycle Route. Join in for all '"• South East, Riverland, Yorke Peninsular, Lower Mid­ PO Box leisurely tour starting July 1988, Cooktown to Lune or part of the ride. Write to Bicycle Australia forth and Kangaroo Island. $8.35 each including post­ River. Please write to Rob Wadsworth, Margate TAS, K499 Haymarket NSW 2000 age. Cyclists handbook of South Australia - everything 7153 or phone (002) 672 +43 TOUR NORTH AMERICA! Bikecentennial, the visiting cycle tourist needs to know - $5.85 each the greatest CAIRNS TO PERTH. Wanted companion for possible America's bicycle travel association, offers including postage. SA Touring Cyclists Association Inc off­ independent r ide in the Bicentennial tour Cairns to selection available. Choose from Rocky Mountain PO Box 1508 Adelaide SA 5001. . Camp Perth starting June 1988. I am 60, single and a fairly road adventures or country inn tours in Vermont to Alaska. experienced tourer. Contact Ken Everett, PO Box 16 along the West Coast or join an expedition HAIL ORDER Our 14th year of 90-day Trans America tours; we still Shannon, New Zealand. SEND FOR your mail order catalogue now! Bicycle , feature small groups and carefully researched routes. PERTH TO SYDNEY (Return possible). Wanted Australia stocks a wide range of bicycle books from as Port FREE CATALOGUE. Bikecentennial, PO Box 8308-V2, companion for trip to Sydney (at least as far Australia and overseas and an ever increasing range of Hawter Rd, Glen Missoula. MT 59807, USA. Phone (-406) 721 ln6. Augusta). Contact Mike Madlener, 13 touring guides of Australia and New Zealand. Write to . CHINA- CYCLING TOURS From 5 to IS days. Forrest 6071 WA. Phone (09) 298 8922 Bicycle Australia PO Box K499 Haymarket NSW 2000 the Departing regularly from Hong Kong. Generous group THE WORLD We are a family of three seeking for your catalogue enclosing $2.00 which will be re­ cycle discounts. For brochure write to: BikeChina Tours 14 company of a couple prepared to join us on·a world funded on your first order. tour with no t ime limit. As we are Australian and Hyde Hill Rd, Harkaway VIC 3806. experienced cyclists with half of Australia to our credit CYCLING HOLIDAYS IN WANTED including the Nullarbor, it is preferable that the couple SOUTH AUSTRALIA Our anticipated depar­ ANCIENT BICYCLES, parts and memorabilia for be experienced cyclists as well. • Kangaroo Island interested restoration and preservation. Contact Paul Farren (03) ture date is October 1988. If you are sincerely • Flinders Ranges ~IKE & Mrs J 241 +453. please write to us including a photograph: Mr • Weekend winery wanders l:J,IW#I . FREEWHEEL/NG CLASSIFIEDS are seen by over Green d- Post Office, Emerald QLD 4720 & steam weekends • Cycle I 5,000 readers across the country. Rates for 1988 PO BOX 6-42, UNLEY SA 5061, (08) 271 1854 are: $ I 5.00 per 30 words or one column cen­ timetre. Additional wording costs 50 cents per ACCOHHODATION CYCLE AUSTRALIA word. Multiple insertion discounts: Six insertions . 2-10 three Insertions - ten percent. WOULD YOU like to meet other bicycle tourists 17 TRIPS· 150 DEPARTURES - fifteen percent; DAY HOTEL OR CAMP HOLIDAYS classifieds rates: $15.00 per column when you tour! If so, join the Cyclists' Accommodation Display WITH MEALS, BIKES, SUPPORT Payment must accompany order. Directory. This is a who are prepared to centimetre. VEHICLE, GUIDE. EXPLORE NTH. QLD, Send typed advertisement text (phone orders exchange simple hospitality in their home for similar MTNS, BUNDANOON, SNOWY can not be accepted) to FREEWHEELING CLASS­ hospitality in other cyclists' homes. Write to Bicycle CANBERRA, RUTHERGLEN, TASSIE PO Box K26, Haymarket NSW 2000. Australia, PO Box K499 Haymarket 2000 giving your AND BAROSSA VALLEY. IFIEDS, to Friday 9-6. Thursday till 9 pm. name, address phone and your location, eg 10 km NE Monday 9-4. Comprehensive range of Ballarat PO. A donation to cover postage and photo­ TAILWINDS Saturday 2601 Tfl (062J 49 6634 and accessories. After sales service. copying would also be appreciated. PO BOX 32 0 ( ONNOR A

Club secretaries, race directors and event or­ Sunday 27 Bicentennial Veterans Tour de Entries close I March. Forms and details from Energy ganisers help us to publicise your event by send­ Canobolas A $4000 race for verterans aged over 35 Promotions PO Box 20 Mona Vale NSW 2103. Phone Ing details to us early. If you are planning a ride In years. To be held near Orange NSW over a fairly tough (02) 997 8011. the corning twelve month period you should send SO km course. This event will be part of the Apple Sunday 10 1988 Corporate Team Triathlon. The your notice to Freewheeling National Bike Events Country Fair. For details contact Cec Cripps, 19 Stayner Fay, Richwhite/Business Review Weekly challenge to the Calendar now. We publish advance notice of all Street, Chelsea 3196 Victoria, enclosing address, number business community. SOO metre swim, I 5km cycle and 5 bicycle events both competitive and non com­ of accompanying persons, and their own birth date. km run. Contact: (02) 232 1255. petitive but because of our publication lead­ Sunday 27 World Pennyfarthing Championships. Sunday 10 Bio Organics Great Race. Gold Coast Q. times we need your copy at least two months In The annual Evandale (TAS) Country Fair this year will Swim 2 km, cycle 75 km, run 20 km. Contact (075) 52 advance, Send your copy to PO Box K26 Haymar­ host riders from the USA. UK and NZ as well as local 0027. Sunday 17 1988 Fat Tyre Classic Australia's ket NSW 2000 or phone it through on (02) 264 champs who will ride their high wheelers in an exciting premier mountain bike event organised by the Fat Tyre 8544. program of races held throughout the day. For detailss Flyers club. To be held in the Melbourne area. Race and EVENTS contact Penny Tuck (003) 91 8178. Trails events for Expert, novice, womens, under 16 and COMPETITIVE over 16 classes. Contact Glen Roche (03) 560 0969, HARCH Mick Jamison (03) 763 2162. Monday 18 to Saturday 23 Beneficial Finance Saturday 19 to Saturday 27 Australian Track APRIL Ultra Tri 6.Organised by the Stirling Apex club in South Championships Shepparton Vic. Monday 4 to Friday 8 Simpson Desert Challenge. Australia. Program: Day I - 154 km cycle; Day 2 - 217 Saturday 26 Great Lakes Triathlon Forster NSW Run for the first time in 1987 this event is a gruelling 380 km cycle; Day 3 - 39 km canoe paddle; Day 4 - +4 km The full bit! Swim 3.8 km, cycle 180 km, run 42.2 km. km race across the Simpson Desert in central Australia. paddle; Day 5 - 63 km run; Day 6 - 42 km run. Contact : Contact: (065) 45 5-488.

Freewheeling 6S I to Monday 4. Great Eastern Australian Brian Scarborough on (08) 212 1166 or (08) 388 5425. Friday OCTOBER Saturday 23 - Monday 25 Mildura District Cycling Bike Rally. A four-day cycle rally to be held over Easter Centenary. A weekend of competit ive and non­ in the beautifu l Southern Highlands of NSW. One central Saturday I to Monday 3. The fifth Four Rivers competitive events featuring a three•stage road race, campsite w ill be used at Bowral. Day ri des to suit all Ride. Bicycle Australi a's tour of the Hunt er Va ll ey penny farthing race. street parade and club reunions. For cycl ists will explore the area's scenic deli ghts. Other region. Sag wagon for luggage, evening meals and full details contact Mike Irwin (050) 22 2670. events include a s li de night and a tourists trial. For breakfast provided and hall accommodation. Contact information contact the Bicycle Institute of NSW (02) (046) 27 2186 for details. OCTOBER 212 5628. Sunday 16 to Sunday 23. NSW bicycle Week. Full Friday I to Monday 4. The Second Canberra details from the Bicycle Institute: (02) 21 2 5628. 16- 29. Commonwealth Bank Bicentennial Cycle Monaro Explorer. A 256 km veh icle supported loop Sunday 16 Green Valley Twin Century. Sydney·, Classic One hundred and twenty cyclists will ride ride from Goulburn NSW through Canberra and the longest running bicycle fitness event. Test your endur­ between Brisbane and Melbourne via Sydney and Monaro region. Contact Bicycle Australia (046) 27 2186. ance or basic level of fitnesS on 50, 100, 160 and 200 km Canberra on the world's biggest amateur cycling race. Friday I to Monday 4. Tour of the Southem High­ courses over mostly level terrain in the western suburbs. Watch this magazine for details, preview and colour lands. The classic Bicycle Australia ride for self sufficient Contact the Bicycle Institute of NSW (02) 212 5628. coverage. Promoted by Ozwide Sports Promotions (02) ri ders. leader supplied and group catering organised. 23 October. Sydney Spring Cycle. The Bicycle 570 3855. Penrith NSW to Bundanoon via the Southern Cross Trail Institute', annual bicycle bash starts in the city and takes and return to Campbelltown via Robertson. local hall riders on a splendid run out to Parrarnatta Park via the CLUB CONTACTS accommodation. Contact Bicycle Aust ralia (046) 27 Harbour Bridge and Lane Cove National Park. Entry fee. The Australian Cycling Federation and the state 2186. Services and full back up provided. Contact the Bicycle cycling federations will direct you to a club in Institute (02) 212 5628. your area if you want to get involved in bicycle Saturday 9 to Sunday 17. Victoria's Bicentennial Saturday 29 to Saturday November 12 Burston & road or track racing. Phone numbers and con­ Bike Week Big events planned include: Sunday 10 Stokes Centenary Penny Farthing Ride Mel­ tacts for each state are: NSW Margaret Balmer Melbourne Autumn Daytour (the MAD ride. bourne to Sydney.This ri de of approximately 100 (02) 27 2977; VIC George Nelson (03) 328 4391; Organised by the Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club. 100 riders on vintage and veteran cycles will commemorate QLD Mike Victor (07) 390 1489; WA-Mike Poyner km and 45 km courses; Saturday 16 Melbourne City the epic ride via Gundagai , Bathurst and Katoomba. (09) 384 4130; SA Jean Cook (08) 255 1639; TAS Joy Bicycle Parade. Come and join in. Criterium race and a Entry is opened to riders with pre 1915 cycles or later Bestwick (003) 31 2712; NT Shirley Davis (089) high- tech show are also included in the Bike Week special interest bikes. Organised by Bicycle Victoria and 208 798. activities which will run throughout the week in the City the Vintage Cycle Club of Victor ia. Contact (03) 650 Riders wishing to take out a professional licence Square; Sunday 17 3KZ Bike-a-thon. A 25 km morn­ 233-4. should contact the National Secretary of the ing fun ride along Port Phillip Bay to end on the banks of Australian Professional Cycling Council, Reg the Yarra near the city. For full details and entry forms for Marriner, PO Box 120 North GeelongVIC 3215. all events contact Bicycle Victoria (the new name for the NOVEMBER Bicycle Institute) (03) 650 2550. Sunday 20. The seventh annual Sydney to the Sunday 10 Melbourne Autumn Daytour Organised 'Gong Bicycle Ride. Australi a's big one-day fu n and by the Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club this 100 km or 45 fitness ride between Sydney's Belmore Park and Belmore km event is an annual fun ride through the NE outskirts Basin in the City of Wollongong. 87 kilometres of well of Melbourne. For details contact (03) 818 '401 I. Entries suppor ted fun complete w ith entertainment. Entry in advance or on the day at Hurstbridge railway station forms from bike shops during September. See details from 8 am. elsewhere in this magazine. Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 Melbourne to Dayles­ Saturday 26 to Saturday 10 December. The Aus­ ford This ride w ill be held in conjunction w ith the tralian Bicentennial Caltex Bike Ride. This year to Daylesford Spa Festival. Contact the Festival Director: celebrate the Bicentenary cyclists will ride en mass from (053) 48 3606 or PO Box 123, Daylesford Victoria 3460. Melbourne to Sydney. Full support. Organised by the Sunday 17 3KZ Bicentennial Blkeathon A 30 km people who bring you the Caltex Bike Ride. Enquiries: leisurely family ride from Mordialloc to Batman Park, (059) 78 6000. Melbourne. Starts 9 am Beach Rd near Mordialloc station. Adults $5.00 Children $3.00 Family$ 10.00. For DECEMBER forms and entr y details contact: 3KZ Bicentennial Bi keathon, 24 Victoria St, Carlton VIC 3053. Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 Great Victorian Bike Ride A nine day cycling extravaganza from Swan Hill to Me lbourne. Organisers take care of everything from Friday 22 to Sunday 24. Commonwealth Bank entertainment to vehicles for your luggage. Camping, Festival of Cycling. A bicycle rally to be held in the meals and fu ll medical and mechanical support provided. beautiful Adelaide hills. Three days of activities centred Organised by Bicycle Victoria (Bicycle Institute of Vic.) on a good camping ground with alternate accommo­ Contact (03) 650 2334 fo r entry forms and prices. dation also available. Day rides, displays, exhibitions and nightly entertainment provided for riders of all ages. Freewheeling for Bring the kids and your friends. Watch CLUB CONTACTS details or contact (08) 388 8331. Saturday 23 to Sunday May I. The Southern These clubs regularly run rides in their cities and NON COMPETITIVE EVENTS Cross Trail in Victoria. A three-day or nine-day ride welcome new comers. Some even publish tour­ along Bicycle Australia's Southern Cross Trail northwards Ing calendars listing forthcoming rides. Contact MARCH from Me lbourne. Contact (046) 27 2186 for details. them for details. Saturday 23 - Monday 25 Mildura District Cycling Armidale Community Cyclists (067) 72 8951 . Audax Sunday 20 Pedal for Heart Starting and fin ishing at Centenary. A weekend of competit ive and non­ Australia (03) 435 4437 (02) 608 1125. Bathurst Sydney's Centennial Park this 30 km ride will take competitive events featuring a three•stage road race, Bicycle Touri ng Group (063) 31 9459. Bicycle Australia participants out to La Perouse and back. Prizes for penny farthing race, street parade and club reunions. For (046) 27 2186 (after 9pm). Brisbane Bicycle Touring sponsored riders plus refreshments and entertainment fu ll details contact Mike Irwin (050) 22 2670. Association (07) 369 9326. Brisbane Mountain Bike duri ng the morning. For details contact the National riders interested in fo rming a club should contact Mike Heart Foundation (02) 211 5188. or Kell i on (07) 359 1244. Canberra Pedal Power ACT Saturday 26. KBTC's Summer Century. Metric or HAY (062) 49 7167. Geelong Bicyc le Touring Club (052) 96 Imperial century rides organised by the Knox Bicycle 234. lllawarra Touring Cyclists' Club (042) 83 6524. Touring Club (Melbourne) starting (and fin ishing) at Saturday 21 200 km Audax Randonnee Flat terrain Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club (03) 818 4011. Mel­ am. Entry fee $5.00. Contact Ian through interesting country. Considered an easy ride. Bayswater from 8:00 bourne eastern suburbs • Knox Bicycle Touring Club Start and finish at Swan Hill PO. Contact Ian Murphy (03) 728 3180 or John (03) 729 6405. (03) 754 4069. Eastern Bicycle Touring Club (03) 762 Sunday 27. Mulga Bill's Walaroo and Wombat's (050) 32 2528. 7928. Victorian Pedal Clubs provide fun and training Bike Centenary. A day ride around the Hawkesbury in bike handl ing skills for children of bicycle riding age. NSW area. 70 or 100 km courses. Part of the Bicenten­ JUNE Call for information on a club near you: (03) 337 6399. ing Program. Contact Paul Hulbert (02) 212 nial Bicycl Newcastle Cycl eways Movement (049) 46 8298. Wednesday I. Bicycle Australia in '88. This date 5628 or (045) 76 1396. Bicycle Inst itute of New South Wales (02) 212 5628. marks the commencement of Bicycle Australia's major South Australian Touring Cyclists Association (08) rides programme for the Bicentennial year to celebrate 272 6406 (08) 388 8331. Sydney region bicycling clubs APRIL cycling in this country. Riders may the first century of can be contacted through the Bicycle Institute of NSW ride all or part of the 10,400 km route around the coast Friday I to Monday 4. Easterbike 88. A four-day (02) 212 5628. Tandem Club of Australia (03) 241 4453. from Cape York to Perth. Contact Bicycle Australia for rally held over Easter in central Victorian town of Cycle Touring Association of West Australia (09) 330 details on (046) 27 2186. Castlemaine and organised by Bicycle Victoria (formerly 3659. Darwin Huffers & Puffers (089) 81 2141. Waga Sunday 26. Michelin Century Ride. A 100 km ri de known as the Bicycle lnsi t iute). Lots of day rides, a Bicycle Touring Group (069) 21 6787. Vintap Cycle among the Hawkesbury hill s north of Hornsby. Prizes d isplay of antique cycles and indoor activit ies are clubs Vintage Cycle Club of Victor ia (03) 527 5759. and surprises galore. Entry forms and info from the planned. For details contact Bicycle Victori a (03) 650 Southern Veterans (Sydney Vintage Cycle Club) (02) 587 Bicycle Institute of NSW (02) 212 5628. 2550. 8017.

66 Freewheeling too quickly, and would also become exhausted with every possibility of a friction developing. The constant training and truthful communication between the two helped overcome that problem and during the ride they were able to amend the regime if necessary without hassles. AMI-Toyota , Esso Petroleum, the National Safety Council and Low-Line Caravans co-operated with Guide Dogs For The Blind to be major sponsors. A number of other business people helped out with minor sponsorship. Two worthy of special mention to cyclists were Keywin Pedals (which both riders swear gave them an extra two revs cadence) and Spenco products (for the Spenco Ultra-Lite seat pad and the Spenco Sec­ ond Skin applied to chafing in the latter stages). It is significant that John O'Keefe had no difficulty locking into or coming out of the blocks on the Keywin pedals. The training had been devoted exclusively to only difficulty experienced was early in endurance riding and they developed a the ride with small stones in the shoe regime of one full hours riding followed blocks but that was soon overcome by The great by a short break of four minutes keeping the surface clean. Both riders maximum until five hours riding had believe that the light weight and the challenge - P erth been completed when a full hour break freedom of the strapless pedal added was taken for feeding and rest. Soon miles each day and kept their feet in they were riding 340-360 kilometres good shape right through the journey. to Sydney by each training day, using a cadence of 80 They consumed enormous quantities to 95 revolutions per minute as a guide of food and kept their performance tandem to gear selection. within safe riding boundaries at all times Both are cyclists with some achieve­ despite being on the road for up to nine­ ment, having represented Australia ab­ teen hours each day. It took five hours road in tandem championships in break each night to get a minimum three £11d11ra11ce rides Europe and Canada, but not as a crew. hours sleep. Together they are the reigning Aus­ Position on the bike proved to be of tralian tandem time trail champions for paramount importance. In the early by BRIANS CRONIN Australian Blind Sports Federation. stages the sway of the tandem was scrub­ Bryan Scott is a senior lecturer in out­ bing rubber off tyres extremely fast and door activities at Melbourne College altogether they used 26 singles on the ETERAN AGE cyclists recently and h as been involved with teaching ride. Adjusting the seat height and tilt shattered the Perth to Sydney blind people to bush walk, canoe and gave them better control of the bike and V tandem cycling time, reducing snow ski as well as ride tandems. John that control allowed a truer line to be the 22 days 18 hours 30 minutes estab­ O'Keefe lost his sight through an indust­ followed. This, plus using tyres with a lished by W F (Bill) Read and G Jones of rial accident about 7 or 8 years ago and thicker strip, resulted in much less wear Western Australia in 1933 to an incredi­ has been competing on tandems for and only 6 were used over the latter ble 11 days 6 hours 42 minutes. around four years. stages. The new record makers were Bryan In 1958 he won the Australian Profes­ Singles were preferred to light Scott, 54, and John O'Keefe, 47. Incred­ sional Junior Road Championship, but weights as it was felt the quicker and ibly they did it with a support crew of retired soon after. He made his com­ easier change was important and extra only three (Brian Cronin , Le.s Will­ eback some years ago after his family speed was offered by 250 to 280 gram oughby and Bill Mantova. Add the fact had grown . He lives at Traralgon and singles compared to the same weight that John O'Keefe is totally blind and Bryan Scott has a property at Kalorama high pressures. the feat achieves Mission Impossible both in Victoria. November was also deliberately cho­ proportions. They attempted the 54 year old record sen. Research into weather patterns They riders left Perth at 7 am on Mon­ simply because it was there and was a indicated more favourable winds, more day 16th November and got to Sydney challenge. They also wanted to de­ constant temperatures (especially at GPO at 4.42 pm on Friday 27th monstrate that a blind person was capa­ night) and there were more d aylight November, travelling via Koolgardie, ble of equalling the achievements of a hours without extreme heat. This 'home­ Norseman , Ceduna, Port Augusta, sighted person and to develop the tan­ work' proved invaluable; the results are Clare, Kapunda, Nurioopta, Renmark, dem as a legitimate form of cycling. on the board after a majority of 'experts' Mildura, Balranald, Hay, Narrandera, Keeping the cyclists together was not sought to change the attempt to earlier Wagga Wagga , Gundagai and Goul­ easy. Common understanding was that a months. burn. tandem crew would start to fray after Altogether an incredihle feat by two It was a venture that took a lot of put­ eight hours on the bike. As one riders real achievers, who have laid down the ting together and hard training over 18 endurance started to wane the other chall enge and hope some other crew months. Since January of 1987 their would be using his resources of energy take it up.

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