These bags have many imitators but Karrimor is still the best. Models include D Iberian pannier ( top of the range) D Standard rear panniers, available in red Inner city_ qc/e1 nylon or green cotton canvas D Univer­ sal pannier. Usable as front or rear bags. D Front pannier in red nylon or green The one 1top touring shop cotton canvas D Bardale and Bartlet handlebar bags D Pannier stuff sacks D Front and rear pannier racks D Re­ bikes are always available. Other items placement parts and repairs available. stocked are D Safety gear, helmets, vests, flags D Camping accessories 0 Bicycle accessories D Racks D At Inner City we build most of our Parkas and Capes. In fact anything you touring bicycles to order. Seldom two need to make your bicycle expedition bicycles are the same as each person has an enjoyable experience you will pro­ their own requirements. Our Cycle Tour bably find at Inner City Cycles. bicycles are not just another production machine. OPTION TWO O Price $320. Pt1ddymt1de This bicycle is the ideal touring machine for a moderate financial outlay. Wide range gearing is made possible by the addition of Shimano 600 gears. Specifica­ tion: D Frame sizes as for option 1 also with guarantee D Alloy handle bars and recessed bolt stem D Cloth tape D Sugino or Suntour cotterless chain wheel set. Ring sizes 36-52 D Alloy We stock a wide range of quality Paddy­ pedals with reflectors D Shimano 600 EX made equipment made especially for front derailleur, 600 GS (long arm) rear Australian conditions. D Sleeping bags, derailleur D Vinyl anatomic touring Kiandra, Hotham, Bimberi, B~ong 0 These bags and outdoor equipment are saddle D Choice of gear levers on stem Tents in long life cotton japara LJ Camp­ made in New Zealand from quality or down tube D Alloy wheels: Alloy ing accessories, pegs, poles, water buckets materials. We stock Rear pannier rims, 14 gauge spokes ( 4 cross pattern) O and capes. bags. D Front pannier. 0 Handlebar alloy solid axle hubs D Strong touring tyres D Alloy side pull brakes D Strong bag. all in stronq waterproof canvas. pannier rack. llt1rr1)nor Too/1Pt1rt1 Because we bicycle tour ourselves, we know how important good tools can be if self-sufficiency on the road is important. We carry a complete range of spanners, -,, pliers, screw drivers and specialist tools ••••••••• •• and complete tool kits. We will also ad­ •••••••••••• CCJ[J vise you on the best tools to take on your ••• trip. In our two shops in Glebe Point Road you will find quite an array of bicycle parts and accessories for bicycle touring. You can inspect the Karrimor range of Trongltl Replacement parts for our CYCLE TOUR pannier bags in our touring shop in Glebe. Of all the portable lightweight camping stoves we've seen the Trangia range from Sweden beats the lot. Definitely a Don't let the name fool you we're more than a big-city bicycle shop. 'system' stove, there is a full range of pots, pans and kettles to compliment the stoves. Trangia uses methylated spirits so Inner city cycles it burns silently and needs no priming. · Metho (alcohol) is a renewable resource. 27 - 29 Glebe Pt. Rd ., GLEBE NSW 2037 Telephone (02) 660-6605 Primus white spirit stoves are also stocked. JUNE 1981

PRODUCTION STAFF FOR THIS ISSUE: DISTRIBUTION: CONTENTS Julie Wiggins, Amanda Holt, Warren Newsagents NSW: Allan Rodney Wright Salomon, Michael Burlace. (Circulation) Pty Ltd, Tel: (02) 357 2588. Write On 4 TYPESETTING : Rat Graffix 212 5649 Newsage nts VIC: Melbourne Wh olesale Newsagency Pty Ltd, Tel: (03) 67 9249. Women's Bike Co-op 8 PRINTING: Panacea Press 211 1089 Newsagents SA: B.G. and K .L. Fuller, PUBLISHER: T el: (08) 45 9812. Great Ocean Road 11 Frcewh ce lin g Au stralia Publ ications Bicycle Shops AUSTRALIA: Outdoor Agencies (02) 699 7698 and Hanley PO Box 5 7, Broadway 2007. Burying a Bikeplan 15 Trading (02) 666 9675 REPRODUCTION: All material appearing in Freewheeling is copyright. No part of Around the Country 18 this magazin e may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from Stop press 10-Speed Maintenance 21 the publisher. © 198 1 F reewheeling Australi a Pu blica t ions. Issue 10 is a collector's item already. The Warrumbungles 26 ISS N 0156 4579 Because of muddled communications with our printer, we have ended up with Cycle Trials 31 Articles re present views of the authors slightly fewer copies of Freewheeling 10 and no t necessarily those of the publisher. than are needed for distribution. We South Island, NZ 32 AUTHORS & CONTRIBUTIONS: Well apologise to anyone inconvenienced by researched articles (preferably accom­ this error. As we usually print extra The Leather Fetishist 36 panied by photos or graphics ) are wel­ copies to have on hand for our back comed by the publisher. The text should is sue sales, there could be a considerable Subscriptions 39 be typed double-spaced and black and shortfall in supplies of that issue. For back issue sales, we will have to rely on white photographs should be accom­ Touring Shop 40 panied by captions. Touring articles the copies returned by newsagents after this issue goes on sale. should come with a clear map of the Rambling 42 route des cribed. These will be returned If you missed out, send in the order form on page 39 and don't delay. All to authors after publication. Cover photograph Amanda Holt, subscribers would have received copies, Letters for the reader's colu mn Wr ite on but those who buy through retail out­ *Cover price is recommended price only. Registered for posting as a publication Category B are also welcomed - typed if possible. lets may have missed out. FREEWHEELING 3 WriteOn

The Nylon Fetishist Victoria, shows up well very well at night approaching a crest, then drove across I read with great interest your article, and adds a pleasing finish to the bags. me, thus forcing me onto the car and The Leather Fetishist's Guide ... Having An article in Transportation, Volume rolling me off the back onto the road­ made my own panniers I was interested 10, Number 1 is of particular interest to way. While I was phoning for the police to read how other people have approached the leather fetishist. Raleigh has he drove off. The police arrived 45 min­ the same problems. You illustrate a developed cowhide-faced brake blocks utes later and with the aid of two wit­ couple of possibilities for hooks. After a which offer a dramatic improvement in nesses I was able to give a good descrip­ nasty experience with commercial bags wet-w eather braking. Bicycles tested tion of the incident. What was surprising making suicide leaps from a rack, I was under International Standards Organiza­ was that the police did not want to know keen to obtain a hook with a deeper hook tion procedures stopped from 24km/h in what had happened to my bicycle nor did than those I had seen. My hooks are 8m compared with 24 m for standard they ask any questions as to the state of nylon fairleads, available at yachting brake blocks. The wet weather was my injuries. I heard no more about the shops. They are heavier than the Moss­ simulated. Dry-weather braking is also case. type hooks but more importantly have a claimed to be slightly better than with In February this year, on the same long prong to the hooks which absolute­ conventional brake blocks. When the road, another car ran into me. This car ly defy accidental unmounting of the leather wears away, a rubber block was turning a corner on the wrong side bags. The bags have now had nearly a remains giving similar braking to any of the road and hit me square on. As a year's use and the hooks are performing other one. The leather works by absorb­ result much damage was done to the well. Instead of three-ply, which I have ing the water on the chromed rim of the bicycle and also to my legs. Here again I found unplies itself in bags, I use 4mm wheel, instead of the water forming a was kept waiting for an hour before the chipboard. I reinforced the top edge with thin film between the rim and the block. police arrived. All through the proceed­ a strip of light aluminium and bolted the Peter Mathews ings the police were apologising to the top hole of the hooks through both the Camberwell 3124 driver for having to book him for negli­ board and the strip. This may be some­ gent driving, disregarding the fact that a what over-designed but it is performing Expendable Cyclists person had been injured due to this. very well. Holes in the board are an After reading the article by Neil Jones, When I enquired about my condition and excellent idea as they provide stowage for in the No. 9 edition of Freewheeling, I the damage to the bicycle, the answer I flat objects, eg maps, papers, spokes. feel that I must add an account of my got was "that is between you and the To help improve conspicuity, own experiences on the roads of Sydney. driver" then they got in their car and attached strips of reflective fabric to th(' In December 1980, I was knocked drove off. I was left with the distinct outside of the bags. This material, which I down by a car driven by a P-plate driver feeling that as far as the NSW police were obtained from the Bicycle Institute of who crossed double yellow lines whilst concerned cyclists are an expendable

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By the action of the forwardly curved fan blades air is drawn into the cages and dispersed radially. This acceleration of air mass creates a torque on the blower wheels'. The The RACER-MATE Wind Load Simulator torque increases exponentially with speed just comes in kit form. It assembles easily and like the wind resistance on the road. installs quickly. Highest quality throughout - The blower wheels are arranged so that the shielded ball bearings, heavy duty stainless dispersed air sweeps the rider's legs thus steel shaft, anodized aluminum alloy parts. keeping temperature down during long training The Training Stand of tubular steel provides a sessions. strong, stable base and adjusts for all frame sizes. Wing nuts on both the Wind Load Simulator and the Training Stand make for Why aWind load Simulator? quick conversion to road use - without tools! What ultimately stops a bicycle racer from going faster is not the rolling friction of his tires but the wind load he pushes. The horsepower required to overcome the wind load and roll ing friction combined goes up exponentially (curve A) while rolling friction alone increases linearly (curve B) .

The Wind Load Simulator offers you both - rolling resistance plus the much more important wind load. It gives you the real feeling of the road. In addition, it lets you choose any pedal RPM/ load relationship by simply changing gears - an important factor in training. iffi lZ]B Cadence is also governed closely because at higher l' speeds, as on the road, a step-up in speed demands an increasingly greater effort. "Rollers" alone do not have this speed-governing effect. SPEED (MPH)- Now available in Australia Distributed by BIKETECH, P.O. Box 152 Ree . Reta,/ Price $175.00 Wal/send NSW 2287 Ph. 049 524 403 4 FREEWHEELING Write On item. Victoriana In my many years of cycling in Syd­ first rider home in 1931, a virtual non­ I am in the process of gathering inform­ ney, never ever have I heard of a cyclist stop effort of 49 hours. No other Aust­ ation on the subject of bicycling in having a sympathetic hearing. Before ralian riders have entered this event Victoria. This information I hope to the motorists in this part of the world since, but in 1983 when P-B-P will be convert into a book at a later stage. send us off to that great freewheeling staged again a number of cyclists from The information I require covers carriageway in the sky, I would like Australia hope to be going. a wide range of topics all related to to see our rights on the road clearly To assist these riders to qualify for bicycling in Victoria. The years I am stated in the road handbook. P-B-P and to encourage cyclists of all looking at are from the early 1800s types to extend themselves both phy­ to the present day. I need information R. W. Needham sically and mentally, Audax Australia on when bicycles were first introduced Freewheeler - Liverpool chapter was recently formed, we are affiliated to Victoria; what types of machines were Audax Australia with the European Audax Group, and to be found; their cost; the types of For many years cyclists in Europe have in doing so our Australian randonnees people who rode bikes and why; how the been participating in randonnee cycling will be internationally recognised. First and Second World Wars affected events. These rides are usually from Anyone will be able to enter Audax cycling; when the first bicycle touring 200 km to 600 km, the average speed events, membership of Audax is not clubs were formed; good illustrations must not exceed 30 km/h, nor be less necessary. and photographs; what type of touring than 15 km/h. This may seem easy, but If you would like more information equipment was available and is available the longer rides become more challenging about Audax rides, or enquiries about now, and any other information relating because the average speed is calculated membership, contact: to bicycling in Victoria. on an overall basis. Russell Moore or I have checked through various books The classic event for randonnee cyclists President Alan Walker and magazines on cycling in Victoria and is the famous Paris-Brest-Paris, 1200 km 77 Marshall Rd., Secretary have found very little information which to be completed in a maximum time of Dundas 2117 P.O. Box 32, could be of help. I would greatly apprec­ 90 hours. The event is held every four (02) 872-4451 (an) Carlton 3053 iate anything your readers would be years and more than 1800 cyclists rode (03) 531-6997 (ah) able to send me. If they require the Paris-Brest-Paris in 1979. Just to information to be returned, could a complete this ride is quite an achieve­ stamped, self-addressed envelope be sent ment. Sir Hubert Opperman was the with the material. Kim Fawkes (Mr) 17 5 Lee Street, North Carlton, 3054

FREEWHEELING 5 WriteOn

Sutherland Shire Cycle Touring Club (SSCTC) Accommodation list The club was formed in June 1980 to I recently returned home from a cycling provide non-competitive cycling activities tour in northern and central America. in the Sutherland Shire, as well as to Whilst there, I used a Touring Cyclists' encourage the implementation of better Hospitality Directory, a list of people cycling facilities for the commuting and who offer simple one-night stops to recreational cyclist. It organises numerous cyclists on tour. A place to stay and rides of varying difficulties, and monitors shower is all that is implied, any more is the planning of bicycle facilities in the by mutual agreement. The directory is Shire. distributed only to those in it, who in Meetings are held on the first turn are willing to extend hospitality. Wednesday of each month at 7.30 pm, In just a few years, the directory has 7 Kiewa Place, Kirrawee. The club is grown to include more than 750 people. fully affiliated with the Bicycle Institute A similar directory has recently started of NSW, and the joining fee is $3 for in England. students, $6 for individuals, and $9 for I think the directory an excellent families. For more information ring: scheme and am disappointed to find no President: John Ansell, 521 5505 [h], such directory exists for cyclists in Secretary: David Cholson, 524 6718 [h], Australia, a situation I now wish to Treasurer: Martin Krause, 523 6594 [h]. remedy. I am compiling the first Cyclists' Accommodation Directory ( of Australia) to be printed in August, 1981 and mailed to everyone in it. To be listed, please send me your name, address, and phone number (home and business) with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. An indication of where you live ( eg 35km SE Canberra; 5km W of Sydney GPO) would also help. The directory will be printed and distributed privately and a small donation to defray costs would be appreciated. However, inclusion in the directory does not depend upon financial support. I ask you to be listed in the directory and to encourage others also to be listed. The larger it is, the more useful and 01aln Reaction exciting it will be. Rosemary Smith Reports the real world lla Edward Street Balmain NSW 2041 oate ...... _ ...... _ ... . Phone (02) 82 1478 1~------,1 IDear friends, I 11 wish to subscribe to Chain Reactionl Cartoon by Jan Taylor. lfor the next four editions @ $5.00 (individuals), $7.50 (libraries, schools,1 I companies and other institutions). I If you can't make your own I I 11 enclose$ ...... as cheque/posta1 . I order for my subscription and $ ...... 1 THE LEATHER FETISHIST as a donation to Chain Reaction, I will do it for you ... ID Please send me details on how II PANNIERS: Superdux and leather with 2 shoulder straps and 1can make tax-deductable donations.I Plywood rear panel. 50 litres/pr. $74.00 per pair. Postage and pack­ I Name ...... I ing $2.00. I I HANDLEBAR BAG: featured in this issue. 11 litres capacity. $39.50. :Address ...... Postage and packing $2.00. Please specify bike frame size. 1 SEND MONEY ORDER TO: I ...... ·: . DOUG THOMPSON 1Postcode ...... 21 Gilruth Street, ..IReturn ______to Chain Reaction, 366 Smith _ I Hackett A.C.T. 2602 1Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066. I

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FREEWHEELING 7 WOMEN'S BIKE CO-OP.

Over the last year, a group of Sydney women have been meeting and notices put up in the Women's Warehouse, working together as the Women's Bike Co-op. Amanda Holt inter­ women's health centres, bike shops and viewed one of the members, Liz O'Wheel, so that others might see how all these women turned up on that day. A: Was there only one experienced such a group is formed and how it works. woman in the group? A: How did the Women's Bike Co-op she didn't know anything about it, but L: No, at the first meeting there were begin? she wanted to learn. So they decided to two women who were familiar with bikes, L: Two women got together about a get together and help each other. It grew one of them had worked in her family's year ago and started it, one of them was from that to about ten women at the first bike shop for years and the other had quite experienced, she had been on a meeting. taught herself. number of tours and was able to repair A: How did the others find out about A: How did you begin? What were you her own bike, and the other had just it? working on when you first got together? bought herself a bike, a three-speed, and L:It was advertised. There were L: We talked on just about everything in that first meeting. We talked about our reasons for forming the collective and the areas in which we wanted to work. The first thing we wanted was work­ shops where we could teach each other how to fix our own bikes and what tools to use and what tools to take on a tour and things like that. We also talked about going on tours. Then we talked about bike politics and how we could be a lobby group and improve conditions for cyclists generally. We later went on the "Reclaim the Road" protest ride. A: Did most women in the group have ten-speed bikes? L: There were three three-speed bikes and the rest were ten-speed. Most of the women who rode the ten-speeds really didn't know much about them. Although I had done a lot of touring on my ten­ speed, I didn't know anything about my own bike, except for repairing punctures. It is to our advantage that there are different types of bikes in the group. Although I only knew vaguely about ten-speed bikes, I knew nothing about three-speeds. But while in the co-op I've also learnt quite a bit about three-speeds. Some women who had bikes in the back shed have brought them down to the shop, dusted the cobwebs off and got them in working order. They then started riding them around town, rather than waiting around to catch buses. They've decided to be more independent. You see we're just interested in keeping our bikes serviceable. We 're not obsessed with having all the best and newest gadgets and we're just not interested in tours where we get from A to B in the shortest time. A: Where does the group meet? L: We started off meeting in each other's houses repairing the bikes in the backyard. We have recently been meeting in the workshop of a bike shop, which is good, because we have use of the tools. A: How did you get access to the bike shop? L: Since the bike co-op was formed I've started working in a bike shop. 8 FREEWHEELING A :Were you one of the experienced bicycle mechanics in the bike co-op when it started? L: No, I knew nothing about bikes, I just saw the ad for the co-op, and went to the first meeting. A: Did you pick up knowledge about bikes and then work in the bike shop? L: Oh no, it was the other way around, I mean, I was just really interested in bikes and I was changing jobs and I couldn't think of anything I would rather do. I became a sort of apprentice bicycle mechanic. So now the group is able to meet of an evening in the bike workshop. A: How often do you meet? L: We hold workshops once a month and we also go on tours once a month. The first tour we went on there were six of us. We went on a three-day tour on dirt roads, it was quite demanding, going to Maitland, the back way, up Mogo Hill. The next tour was a short ride. We try to alternate between easy and more difficult rides. A: How many women usually go on a tour? L: It varies, but about six. A: How do you go about organising a tour? L: We usually sit down, get out the map, get out our diaries and try and work out between us when it's convenient to go and where we'd like to go to. We camp out and take food, fruit and vegetables and lots of chocolate. A: Do you travel as a group or divide? L: We usually ride in a group. When we are planning a ride we also take the fitness of all riders into consideration and plan the tour around that. A: Do any children go on tours? L: Unfortunately we haven't gone on any long tours with kids as yet. We have had some Sunday rides with kids and we want to include them on longer trips soon. It was great for me to go touring with women. Previously I had always toured with men and. I found I didn't have the quite a simple machine and knowing this before they ioined the co-op? same comradeship. It's good to be with is a good introduction to mechanical L: Well, the two women who started it women who are interested in extending processes generally. It's just a matter of were obviously friends but some women, their knowledge and broadening their looking at things and finding out how like myself, didn't know anyone, just saw horizons, who aren't afraid of sweating they work. the sign somewhere and went to the and getting dirty. I'll give you an example. On our meeting, and have since become friends. A: Getting back to the workshops, second tour one of the bikes broke down, We are different ages, from different how are they conducted? Do you study it was a broken derailleur. We just sat backgrounds and have different attitudes something specific each time? down on the side of the road looking at to bikes. Some of us ride our bikes all the L: Yes we usually do. When we started the bike, worked out what was wrong and time and other only use them for touring. we made out a program, so that the made an improvisation which lasted for We all have one common interest - people passing on the skills wouldn't have the rest of the journey. bicycles, but in the group are artists, to keep going over the same things. We A: Do you discuss the comparative social workers, some of the women have started off with easy things like adjusting values of different bike products? children, one woman is a karate brakes and then gears, and discussed L:Yes, we do, but this is limited a lot instructor and a couple of women now tools, how to use tools and what tools to by finance. The sharing of tools and work in bike workshops - it has been buy. We just talked about the mechanics equipment is one of the positive aspects good to meet each other. of a bike and how all the parts function. of the co-op. It's not always necessary It's all very easy going. There are no We are now no longer afraid of the to go out and buy yourself a new pair of formal meetings with a chairperson and bicycle as a machine. We look at it and panniers or other gear. secretarial minutes. We are a collective know how it works - we now realise it is A: Were many of the women friends and don't need that patriarchal organ- FREEWHEELING 9 A: Do you see the group continuing as it is? L: A few of us have long-term plans to go on an extended tour of the outback and across the Nullarbor, but that is a long way off, and meanwhile the co-op is still going strong. A: Is the group still open for new members? ,L: Oh yes, the group actually works in two ways. Co-op members are able to pass on information to other women who don't have time to be fully involved in the group, like friends of ours who come up to us when they're having a problem with their bike. That's why it's good that people know about us. They then know that somebody in the group knows about bikes and they can ask for help when they need it, they can even ring up for advice without waiting for a meeting. These women want to know their own bikes and work on their bikes themselves, not take it in to a bikeshop and get, usually a male mechanic to fix it - still not knowing what went wrong or how it works. Working with women means we don't get patronising advice and are L: Well there's me, Liz, my number at isation. We are not an 'established' group, encouraged to do it for ourselves. work is (02) 660 6605, and my home that is, a closed collective. You don't A: If there are any women interested number is 560 6495, and there's have to be a bicycle fanatic or a particular in joining the group who can they Antoinette at 560 4330 and Lyndall at type of woman to join. contact? 698 7440.

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10 FREEWHEELING Great Ocean Road by David Martin

This is an account of a two week tour I the two. With a group of riders touring Preparation and Equipment made in January, covering a total of there can often be conflicts unless people I live in a remote area of Cape York in 1 200 kilometres from Mt Gambier to are reasonably well matched in motiv­ north Queensland, and had not been on Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, and ation and fitness. I did the ride on my a bicycle for two years, so the first month then Albury to Canberra via the Alpine own but this has its disadvantages too. It of my holiday in Adelaide was spent in Way, detouring up Mt Kosciusco. Other is not only that gear that could be shared clocking up some 1,000 kilometres cycling tourists may be interested in the in a group - like tent, stove, tools and around the Adelaide hills, alternating long details and the road conditions - the spares - still has to be carried by the rides of 80-130 km for endurance with ride offers a combination of spectacular solo rider, but also in difficult or exhaus­ shorter, faster runs of 30-40 km. I think scenery and exhilarating and challenging ting sections there is no one to share with it is tremendously important to the riding which are the essence of good and spur you on. However, I would success of a bike tour that you be fit - bicycle touring. Every person has diff­ certainly recommend this tour to the nothing is more guaranteed to ruin the erent reasons for riding; for some, touring fairly fit, reasonably well-equipped and enioyment than the misery of total is a pleasant, relaxing meander from place self-reliant cyclist. In this issue, I cover exhaustion that takes so long to recover to place, for others a challenge to cover as the section from Mt. Gambier to Melb­ from when you're unfit. much ground as possible each day, and ourne (570 km). My bike I built up myself, from an for others like myself, a balance between

Left: The Devil's Elbow, looking towards Fairhaven, about 1932. Right: The Great Ocean Road, about 1981.

FREEWHEELING 11 Alami handbuilt, extra-strong frame and A lot has been written about gearing The ride covers some extremely steep good quality alloy gear that takes pounds suitable for touring, and many people downhill sections; very good brakes and off the weight without sacrificing stren­ have front sprockets as low as 39 with spare cables and rubbers are a must. gth. I built wheels from the new Wein­ rear ones up to 34, which gives a gear of Briefly, l carried in Karrimor front mann deep profile alloy rims and 14 about 3 1 inches. Some advocate triple and rear panniers a change of clothing, gauge spokes; I used Cheng Shin 27 x chainwheels where you can get even parka, jumper, small self-priming petrol 1 1/8 high pressure tyres and had no blow­ lower and have greater flexibility. I feel stove, with cooking utensils, sleeping bag outs even on the roughest gravel sections. it is very largely a matter of fitness and and tent, a good quantity of dried fruit, Most tourists seem to use 27 x 1¼ inch, strength. I carried a load of about 18-20 nuts, oats, milk powder, sugar, Milo etc, which may be more robust but have a kilograms, my lowest gear was about 41 and a good complement of spares and higher rolling resistance. Perhaps these inches (4 2 chainwheel, 28 rear sprocket), tools. Those are heavy, but absolutely would be better for very long trips or and not once did I have to dismount and essential - including bearing grease and indifferent road surfaces. walk a hill. I am fairly big; perhaps a chain lubricant. I always carry spare I lighter person might need to go to a lower spokes, a spoke tool and a chain rivet t'lounf Camlxer gear but all gearing is at best a compro­ remover as well. mise, and extra low gearing means inevit­ Water is a problem in the hot weather able sacrificing of the important midrange on many sections of this ride. I carried flexibility so important to touring on about 1.5 litres, but on a couple of undulating roads. occasions had to ask tourists in cars for a drink. You can lose a tremendous amount of sweat riding on a hot day - my fluid

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Frypan Being fueled by Methylated Spirits there ,s no need for priming - hence faster starting and minimal c leaning maintenance. Meth s on hands cleans th em - un like other fuels which are o tten unpleasant . • Assembly is fast and si mple. Wi lderness travellers have no need to fear parts failures or the lack of spares. Trangia has Large---- almost no moving parts. The Trang,a cooking system is ex tremely stable. Because the main Saucepan· saucepans. or kettle. sit so low insidP the stove. it is possible to move to different positions with little risk of spillage. It is im possible (almost) to kick over - great for youth groups' • Bein g both lightweight and compact. the Trangia stove is a most practical Brass choice fo r all outdoor recreational uses. Note: There are four Trang,a models. reference numbers 25. 25K (with kettle). 27 and 27K (with kettle) Model 25K is illustrated. Dimensions: Mo dels 25 & 25K: 23 cm x 11 cm . Models 27 & 27 K: 19 cm x 1 O cm . OUTDOOR AGENCIES. PTY. LTD. 148 Queen Street, Lower Windshield Al exandria, N.S.W 2015. Ph one (02) 699-7698. 698-3860. -==--., For further details. contact Dept T. tr 2

12 FREEWHEELING intake was up to 6 or 7 litres a day, and native route past Nirranda South, and some sections have very few towns or came to spectacular views of the Bay of le.9encl farmhouses. It is critical to keep up an Islands and the Bay of Martyrs. A real foured road adequate food and liquid intake; on long joy to ride along this section, plenty of unfoured rides always eat more than you really lookout points and magnificent scenery. rood feel you want to, including plenty of The camping ground at Peterborough is rivers protein. I supplemented the food I rather uninteresting, but it is difficult carried with one bought meal a day, and and usually illegal to camp outside ~"'~'"''{ sea lots of milk and fruit juices. designated sites throughout this area. The next day's ride, to Lavers Hill, On The Road was on a day so hot (44 degrees C) I caught the overnight train from Ade­ laide to Mt Gambier ( $15, bike about $3 ). You can connect with this train three nights a week from the "Over­ lander" from Melbourne - very handy. Mt Gambier through to Nelson is through open, dry, undulating country, good riding if you don't have a headwind as I did. Nelson is a very beautiful spot on the Glenelg River mouth. From here to Mount Richmond is again undulating, some hills, with good views of the frontal dunes from a lookout near Mt . Richmond. Much of this area is under pine plant­ ations. From here to Portland, an untidy light industrial town, the pine forests . ~IU~CI R;,,.'f' /n!Q r

The Twelve Apostles. give way to native bush and cleared areas. I rode on to Narrawong and camped there; an excellent little camping ground at the mouth of the Surrey River, with hot bore water to soothe aching muscles! There was a fair bit of traffic right through this day, cattle, timber and bulk fuel tankers, very fast but well behaved from the cyclist's point of view. The ride from Narrawong to Peter­ borough again involves no major hill climbing. Port Fairy is a fascinating little town with magnificent beaches and a riverside wharf where I bought a freshly­ caught and cooked crayfish for $4 - superb! I took the alternative road out, past East Beach and the golf club, which avoids some of the Princes Highway. Between Port Fairy and Warrnambool lies the Tower Hill Reserve; no camping allowed but a unique area with an inter­ esting history. Warrnambool has good but crowded beaches. I left the Princes High­ way at Allansford, followed the signs to the Great Ocean Road, took the alter- FREEWHEELING 13 that there was a continuous squelching on, in the magnificent Loch Ard Gorge, bottle of beer at the top of a long climb noise as I rode along the bitumen and reached by steps down the cliff and - he used to cycle in his young days. You stripped most of the tread from my offering in good weather safe swim­ meet some good people on the roads). tyres. A magnificent ride, however, ming in superb scenery. A lovely ride From the Gellibrand River is a series of with constantly changing views of spect­ from here on to Princetown, which is unbelievable never-ending climbs over acular cliff formations and the ocean far easy to miss ( off the road, and the last 22km to Lavers Hill. Fine country, below. Port Campbell is a pretty little store before Lavers Hill) and has good superb views of Cape Otway from the town, with a good, if expensive, camping camping grounds on the Gellibrand lookout, and further on, towards the ground run by the National Parks service, River. coast and back to Port Campbell. I used who have an interesting information The ride from Princetown to Lavers my lowest gear for the first time up this centre here. You need to book ahead Hill is pretty tough; a series of reasonable section. After the heat, rain chased me all in the tourist season however. A good climbs for the first few kilometres, then the way into Lavers Hill - it was exhil­ beach for swimming, but the best swim­ a steep drop to the Gellibrand River. (An arating after the scorching heat of the ming I had is a few kilometres further elderly couple waited for me with a cold day. I found it a real problem keeping up my fluid intake over the Princetown - Lavers Hill section, might not be too bad on a cool day. Lavers Hill has an asso ciate youth h ostel - you don't need to be a member to stay, just pay a little ex tra. From Lavers Hill, the ride through Beech Forest to Turton's Pass is mag­ nificent, along the crest of a ridge with marvellous views. There is an alternative route, through Glenaire; this involves a good climb across the Otway Peninsula and a fair bit of gravel road according to the map. Turton's Pass is a fairytale ride, a narrow gravel road winding through an exceedingly beautiful forest - tall moun­ tain ash, giant tree ferns, the most beauti­ ful part of the Otway Ranges. A bike rider's dream descent down to Skenes Creek follows, 15km and virtually all downhill. I ducked the 6km back to Apollo Bay, quite a pleasant town with good surfing. The road through from here to Lorne is again spectacular, running sometimes near sea level, rising up to near 100 metres at Cape Patton, most of the way cut through precipicous cliffs, with magnificent views. There are dozens of Top: Turton 's Pass. little beaches and camping areas along here. After Lorne the cliffs change grad­ ually to high sand dunes, through Aireys Inlet and thence to Anglesea. From here the main road leaves the coast (unless you deviate to Torquay) and runs over undulating country to Geelong. A good tailwind over the latter part of the day (after rain through the Otways) gave fast travel, the final 37km into Geelong being covered in just over an hour, and a total of 170km covered in the day. It was to be the one exception to Martin's First Law of Bicycling: It's always a headwind. From Geelong you could (if fool­ hardy) ride directly into Melbourne or, better, catch a train. I actually ended up riding to Queenscliff and taking the ferry across to Portsea; it is a little diffi­ cult to manoeuvre a bike onto the boat, but it only costs $2 and you get good views of the heads and of Portsea - an interesting trip. From Portsea, home of the indolent rich, I rode in as far as Frankston, not a bad ride but one I would never do again in the holiday season over January - traffic is murder­ ous, ill-mannered and fast. This is also a good description of the headwind that The author on the Great Ocean Road. day. 14 FREEWHEELING Accident Statistics Newcastle Bikeplan: During 1980, there were 30 pedal cyclists and pedal cycle pillion passengers killed on New South Wales roads. Details of the ages of Just 'pieces of paper' if kids these people are given below. 0~ 12 10-19 7 20-29 3 30-39 4 are forgotten 4049 0 50-59 1 60-69 2 70+ 1 Total 30 Source: Traffic Accident Research Unit, 1981

all parties when the plan was first pro­ posed and it is reasonable to expect Mr. Wran's bureaucrats to do a little better than was done in Victoria. In Geelong they started from nothing and created something, surely it is rea­ sonable to expect that the Newcastle Bikeplan can go one better when there is all that practical experience to draw upon in Geelong. There is no good rea ­ son why the Wran Government cannot deliver the goods in NSW if it can be done in Victoria. I am quite sure that if Mr . Wran and his Cabinet knew the facts about what cyclists need, some of the bureaucrats would get told what to do in no uncertain manner. For this reason I want to expand on why we need an edu­ cation program for the six to nine year­ olds and you, the reader can send a copy to Mr. Wran to ask him to make sure that recommendation for such an education program is in the Newcastle Bikeplan. Accidents don't lie There has been a rapid but steady in­ crease in the number of six to nine year-aids killed and injured on NSW roads, and 12 children aged nine and un­ der were killed in 1980 as is shown in the box. In addition to the 200 recorded road accident injuries and deaths there are several thousand unrecorded injuries each year that require a visit to the doc­ The Newcastle Bike Plan final draft is due to be released on July 1 in tor, or a casualty ward. The Health Com­ a splurge of publicity by the Wran Government as an example of the mission of NSW in a report1 states just positive things it is doing for the people of NSW. Unfortunately the plan how big this problem is: is highly unlikely to measure up to what needs to be done for cyclists, Victims of bicycle accidents comprise unless cycling organisations demand that certain recommendations be put 10 percent of all children (0 to 14 in the Bikeplan before it is released. years) attending hospital casualty departments with a traumatic injury. by Alan Parker NSW road were aged nine years or less Clearly this is of concern to all parents. (see box). There are many pos1t1ve and useful Most of the accidents children have measures in the Bikeplan and it is a pity The Newcastle Bikeplan was supposed are (from a purely technical and legal the whole thing will be spoilt because to do for NSW what the Geelong Bike­ point of view) their own fault and very .certain important matters are wholly plan did for Victoria, that is to provide many of these accidents could be pre­ ignored. These could quite easily be put planning guidelines for the rest of the vented if the parents or teachers or into the plan even at this late stage. An State on the broader issues as well as pro­ both instructed children how to ride education program for six to nine year­ vide for Newcastle's cycling population. their bicycles properly. olds is crucially important because last The idea was to go beyond what was Experienced cyclists usually make a year 12 of the 30 cyclists ki lied on the done in Geelong. This was understood by good job of teaching their own kids how FREEWHEELING 15 to ride safely, unfortunately there are so of all kinds is essential for the very usage to the other is often very danger­ few parents who are experienced cyclists young in a world full of machines and ous. The accident frequency is highest for and so few teachers. So the only way devices that can hurt them. This is the age group from 10 to 14 ( expressed round this catch 22 situation is to set especially so with bicycles. in absolute figures) . However, in relation up courses to train the teachers, and to to the time spent on the road, the acci­ make films, books, leaflets and posters Expert opinion dent risk for young children is nearly for parents showing what needs to be The most respected researcher and as high as that for older ones. 3 done. The world's oldest and most res­ educationist, Ken Cross produced a In Britain, a review of bicycle safety pected cycling organisations have been book as a result of four years of inter­ and education has been under way for saying this for 50 years. viewing all the cyclists and motorists several years and the National Working The problem is that the so-called involved in 1200 bicycle/motor accidents Party set up to perform the review pub­ specialists in road safety don't have to find out exactly how bicycle accidents lished its resu Its in February 1980. enough practical experience of the real happen and how cyclists and motorists The principal conclusions reached by world of cycling and their children are can be educated to avoid them. He also this working party tie in very closely mostly just as badly trained as most of spent a year developing education pro­ with those of Heinrich and Cross, par­ the other kids. There are lots of desk­ grams to teach kids how to avoid the ticularly on the need to educate the bound research types who pontificate most common kinds of accidents. under nines. Concrete proposals advo­ on what needs to be done, without any Throughout the world there is a con­ cated in the document entitled RoSPA real knowledge at all, and this is what sensus of expert opinion about the Working Party on Cycle Training for the cycling organisations are up against priorities and the following statement of tne Young-Reports 4 will form the in the bureaucracy and among the plan­ Ken Cross's would not be disputed by basis for future British bicycle safety ers and consultants. real experts with actual bicyde education and education policy. One of their main The truth they will not accept is that experience. recommendations in extending the ex­ bicycle safety education of school child­ In the author's view, the education of isting National Cycling Proficiency Sch­ ren if commenced early when the chil­ each year's crop of first (6 year-olds) eme was to provide an additional bi­ dren gain access to bicycles at six or and fourth graders (9 year-olds) should cycle education program for the under seven years old and culminating in an nines. advanced on-road bicycle riding course Mainland European opinion was re­ at about 15 years is the most effective corded in the summary record of the form of pre-driver education there is. consensus reaching gathering from all If backed up by British style bicycle OECD nations. Some firm conclusions law enforcement, bicycle safety educa­ are quoted in full below. tion could most effectively condition a) The Symposium discussed in de­ the behaviour of future car and motor­ tail the value of educational schemes, cycle drivers. and there was consensus that education aimed at improving pedestrians and cyc­ Th is is saving the Iives of young list safety should be directed at motor­ cyclists now, and other lives when they ists as well as pedestrian and cyclists. start to drive cars and motorcycles. be considered first priority. If additional In particular, methods are needed to in­ To be effective in reducing accidents, funds can be obtained, they should be form drivers about the importance of three age -related bicycle safety programs spent on providing comprehensive edu­ low speeds and the behaviour of young are needed during a child's school career. cation to as large a group of older bi­ children. The minimum requirement is for instruc­ cyclists as is possible with the funds b) Educational schemes should be in­ tion at the ages of 7, 10 and 14 years. available, rather than providing limited itiated at a very early stage, continue Approximately 110,000 NSW children education to every bicyclist older than through school education and be adapted are in need of instruction in the 9 to 12 the primary target group. A decision to to the capabilities of the particular age years age group each year. exclude some bicyclists from a safety group. To be successful, these schemes The need to educate the under education program may seem callous, but should always include practical on-the­ it would be far worse to decide upon nines road training. expending the limited educational re­ c) Children's traffic clubs seem to be In the draft of the Newcastle Bikeplan sources on a program that would provide useful when they motivate parents to I obtained from the consultants' office, only superficial education to large num­ teach children correct traffic behaviour all that is proposed is an education pro­ bers of bicyclists. 2 on the road-as pedestrians as well as gram that will reduce accidents for the I agree with Ken Cross's assessment of cyclists. Instruction programs for cyc­ 10 to 13 year-old age group, nothing is priorities in the allocation of scarce edu­ lists might be included in school traffic proposed for the ages below or above cational resources to differing age groups. education courses. this. The key question is why do we d) Graduated programs of instruction need three bicycle education programs? Incidentally, so does H. Ch. Heinrich, for riders of bicycles, mopeds and motor­ The answer to that is simple, children who prepared the position paper for the OECD Symposium on the Safety of cycle riders could be considered, where forget and every couple of years what Pedestrians and Cyclists. Heinrich also not already required. 5 has been taught must be reinforced and reaffirms the need to educate the very expanded upon. young. There are many ways of educating That sounds simple enough but you young children and the traffic safety may then ask, "but what do the experts Most of the traffic safety education say?" The world's foremost experts on programs for young cyclists start at an club referred to above is one way that has much to recommend it, however bicycle safety and education all agree early age at which children already are at this stage the Traffic Authority refuses that education is needed for all age able to ride a bike and have gained on­ groups, but most important of all the the-road experience on their own. The to accept that there is a need and this eh ildren must receive bicycle safety bike is used for dual purposes: as a toy must be attended to. education when they first start to use a or plaything or a means of transpor­ The quotations above are part of a bicycle at six or seven. Safety instruction tation; and the change from one mode of report 6 submitted to the consultants 16 FREEWHEELING by me. I pulled out of the project, be­ cause it was obvious the facts in my draft report were going to be ignored. In my letter to the Traffic Authority I stated that I would not prepare my final report or continue to work with the principal consultant because impor­ tant safety and education issues were being totally ignored. Support the Newcastle Cycleways Movement The Bicycle Institute of NSW should be leading the fi ght to put into the Newcastle Bikeplan what has been left out of it, but at the time of writing, their executive committee still has not seen any of the drafts of the Bikeplan and can't tell you what is in it and they supposedly represent the interests of NSW cyclists. The Newcastle Cycle­ ways movement on the other hand, has prepared a well-written and resear­ ched submission to Mr. Wran setting out clearly and concisely what needs to be done for cyclists and they are gearing themselves up to take political action. Meanwhile BINSW members are having internal squabbles and like Emperor Nero are playing fiddles while Rome burns. The Newcastle Bikeplan could have been as big a success in the long term With the Newcastle Bikeplan about to this stage will ensure the safety and lives as t he new underground railway in be released, NSW cyclists are concerned of many future citizens of the state. Sydney and it still could be if enough that the Wran Government will allow its cycling groups kick up a fuss and write to Anyway, it's an election year and any bureaucrats to bury the bikeplan's re­ their members of Parliament. If enough government eager to please the voter commendations for the rest of the state. political pressure can be generated so that will realize the publicity potential offered education programs for six to nine Members of the inner Sydney cycling by the plan's release. The more astute year-olds is put into the Bikeplan then group, Reclaim the Road, say that the cyclist voter will take note of state­ the Bikeplan will be well worth support­ $3 million plan will be seen as too much ments made at this time and what is of a commitment by a cost-conscious being said about implementation, funding ing. Cabinet. The very thought of spending and what is to be done with the recom­ The person for other cycling groups more money on cyclists will ensure the mendations for the rest of the state to contact in the Newcastle Cycleways bureaucrats get their way and the im­ contained in the plan. Movement is: portant parts of the plan will be shelved. The most probable scenario is that Dr. John Mathieson, The plan was initiated by the local the Minister for T ransport, Peter Cox, 4 Hollywood Parade, cyclists (Newcastle Cycleways Movement) (who is also patron of the Bicycle In­ New Lambton Heights 2305 and it is unlikely that the local aspects stitute of NSW), will repeat the litany Phone: Home- (049) 575 108 of the plan will be ignored. of his bureaucrats and say, "Yes, we Work- (049) 690 411 Ext 299 Under the present arrangement of will continue to support it on the good REFERENCES state/local government funding on a old dollar for dollar basis". There the dollar for dollar basis, the local councils matter will have to rest, in the too-hard 1. Health Commission of NSW- Northern could not possibly afford to pay half basket until after the election when the Metropolitan Region-Bicycle Accidents in Northern Sydney-The problem and re­ the expected cost. And why should real dismantling will take place. commended strategies. Trauma Prevention they? The project was initiated as a Bicycle planning in Sydney these Unit- July 1980 pilot scheme to show NSW cyclists days is a disgrace. Local governments 2. Bicycle - Safety Education- Facts and Is­ that something could and would be have demonstrated that they are unable sues by K.D. Cross Ph D, AAA Foundation fo r Traffic Safety August 1968 done by the Wran Labor Government to co-ordinate bicycle route programs 3 . Symposium on the Safety of Pedes trians to alleviate the monstrous inequalities in the complex urban environment. and Cyclists 1979, Session II, Behavio ural that prevent millions from cycling on The state government runs the main Countermeasures by H. Ch. Heinrich the public roads. roads system through the Department 4. Royal Society fo r the Prevention of Acci­ dents-Report of Working Party on Cycle Governments should be concerned of Main Roads and the Traffic Authority Training for the Young. with the future security of the people and local government traffic committees. they supposedly represent. The New­ The Newcastle Bikeplan places the 5. O.E.C. D. Sy mposium on the Safety of Pedestrians an d Cyclists, 1979, Summary castle bikeplan is concerned with the government in a leading position. If of Recommendations. future of all the people in NSW for it the Wran Government does not provide 6. Bicycle Conspicuity, February 1980 by provides an alternative to some current the necessary funding and support for Alan Parker. Draft Report appended to and future transport/energy problems. the plan, it will find it has lost what firs t draft of Newcastle Bikeplan (Section A firm commitment to and support little support the state's 750,000 plus on educati onal countermeasures). for the plan by the NSW Cabinet at~ cyclists still give it. FREEWHEELING 17 #;.\ .. I

WA biker, the Court government has These days in Canberra with the Fraser given $1.6 million to greyhound racing macho image being put around, cyclists in the state for this financial year while are numbered among the recent and not the SBPC has only $100,000 to offer so recent casualties of penny pinching cyclists. Any wonder the state is going to and politicking. the dogs! Now it seems the NCDC itself is to A.C.T. be axed. It would be a pity to see such Ask anyone from one of the big a network of cycle paths without a body WEST coastal cities who has cycled in the ACT to claim credit for them and occasionally chat to itself about maybe one day build­ AUSTRALIA what it is like to use the network pro­ vided there and they will probably give ing a few more. Perhaps the federal Much attention will be drawn to the an enthusiastic response. Sure the Na­ government could form its own bicycle need for cycling projects in Perth and tional Capital Development Commission committee or carry its New Federalism the rest of the state by a planning con­ has provided Canberra's large (propor­ policies to the point where planning for ference being held in Perth in June. tionally) cycling population with some cyclists was entirely a state affair. Just The conference is sponsored by the excellent alternatives to the freeway­ imagine it: the NSW State Bicycle Ad­ State Bicycle Policy Committee (SB­ type roads available for motorists. A lot visory Committee's Oueanbeyan (Can­ PC), which comes under the control of of these alternatives are primarily re­ berra) sub-branch. And dollar for dollar the Minister for Local Government, June creational routes and in some cases they funding too. Craig (who rides a bicycle). incorporate design problems which even As with other states, bicycle planning put the users in dangerous situations. is considered a local government affair The older paths and some newer ones are with funding through the SBPC on a not lit at night and are usually of sub­ dollar for dollar basis. So far this has standard width. failed to stifle some good initiatives by As a means of rectifying some of these the Freemantle and Stirling councils problems, the local cycling group, Pedal who have placed imaginative proposals Power ACT, approached the NCDC before the committee. to get it to paint a reflective white line Apart from a still-problematic cycle­ down the centre of all existing paths. way on a major city squeeze point, This would help riders at night and settle the Causeway Bridge, the Perth Council difference of positioning when riders QUEENSLAND, TASMANIA and has balked at any further action on its approach each other on na rrow sections. NORTHERN TERRITORY consultants' proposals for a Perth bike The suggestions fel I on deaf ears at Activity in these areas has ceased to plan. The local urban cyclist group, the NCDC and a long and mostly one­ be noticeable outside their borders, but the Cyclist Action Group of WA (CA­ sided correspondence between the cyc­ this doesn't mean nothing is happen ing. GWA), says that the parallels between lists and the bureaucrats ensued. Pedal Freewheeling is looking for cyclists in WA and the eastern states' approaches to Power even did some calcu Iat ions and these states who are trying to get their bicycle planning are becoming obvious. suggested that the Iine painting be done fellow cyclists and governments moving In areas where the state governments instead of an equivalent amount being in the right direction . If you know some­ should be leading the way (planning spent on new, less important paths. one or if you are personally involved, facilities in the central business districts The NCDC pushed ahead with its drop us a line. of the capitals) they are hiding behind construction program seemingly more LOCAL CORRESPONDENTS the excuse of doing something through concerned with getting lines on their dollar for dollar funding. very impressive network maps than down In order to widen the scope of Free­ To add to the difficulties facing the the centre of some of the existing paths. wheeling, we are looking for local cor- 18 FREEWHEELING respondents who will file short reports of the bridge to allow cars to use the huge amount of energy created by such for inclusion in various sections of the car/train shared lanes and to do this an event was then dissapated on the magazine. Interested cyclists should be Milsons Point station would need to be lawns of the empty parliament house. ~lose ~o the centre of what is happening removed and Wynard station modified. Next year the month of May passed in their area. Payment will be made for Premier Grand also said that as a without its customary bike ride. all items published. If you are interested special concession to cyclists using the Four years after the last event a write to: ' modified cycleway /traffic lane, his gov­ Sydney group of old hands here got Free wheeling ernment would operate the bridge toll on together and organised another ride. P.O. Box 57 a dollar for dollar basis through the They have conceived this years' ride Broadway 2007 State Bicycle Advisory Committee. more along the lines of the early uranium Please include your phone number The chairman of the SBAC, Roland bike rides, relying more on the spirit and perhaps a short piece to demon­ Whatamess, agrees with his government's of the riders rather than on numbers. strate that you mean business and give us decision and says that the processing of About 40 riders left Sydney in early some idea of your capabilities. cyclist bridge toll tickets will give the May on their way to Canberra. This time committee something useful to do with the riders took a new route via Katoom­ their hands during the long uneventful ba, Oberon, Goulburn, Bundenore and meetings which have been occurring lately. Oueanbeyan. Footnote: The Bicycle Institute ot NSW reports that nothing much is hap­ pening at the SBAC these days. That is SOUTH AUSTRALIA OK according to one member of BINSW VICTORIA ~xecutive, "It gives us more time to get A state bicycle committee will be an­ into our own faction fighting." In September, 1976 the Victorian nounced later this year and an Adelaide State Cabinet approved the conduct of bike plan in stages (as in Melbourne) TASMANIA AND NSW the Geelong Bike Plan Study. is also scheduled. Active cyclists will need Political bicycle rides are with us once At the time the plan was praised for to note how much money will come for again. Fifty or so riders pushed their its innnovative and cyclist oriented all of this and what its source is. If the way around Tasmania last summer. approach to large scale urban planning. dreaded dollar for dollar funding crops They rode in support of the Wilderness The scheme was conceived and pro­ up as the government's method of push­ Society's call to save the remaining moted along the lines of four separate ing its responsibility onto local govern­ and inter-locking programs (the 4 E's ment it will be another obvious case of wild rivers from Hydro Electric Com­ mission exploitation. of Engineering, Education, Encourage­ window dressing. Oh well, the federal ment and Enforcement). Once in action government kicks the can on to the The ride was a success especially (as always) for its participants and there is the bike plan has achieved its own mom­ states and they in turn kick it on to local entum. Initially the bike plans' main government which through lack of real even talk of instituting the ride as a regular event. achievement was that it actively involved funds, resources and knowledge leaves cyclists in the planning process. This it on the road where one night a cyclist Active and violent opposition to the presence of the cyclists was experienced idea seems not to apply within the runs into it and is killed. It's time the realms of public relations or the en­ Sout h Australian government was genu­ in the hydro town of Tullah on Tas­ couragement program as it is called. inely concerned about the lives of cyclists mania's remote west coast area. Most of The bike plan administrators recently and not just votes. the violence occurred after the pubs had closed when male hydro workers put cyclists on the outer by appointing visited the bike riders' camp. Any at­ a PR person with little knowledge and tempt to talk over matters was met with experience of cycling and the existing violence by the drunken, and not so cycling world to head the major en­ drunken hydro workers. couragement programs. NEW SOUTH WALES The ride which began in the south It is hoped that this action will not in of Hobart travelled north to St. Helens any way revive the idea to establish a In Sydney, Swifty Grand has announ­ on the east coast then changed directron national cycling organisation that com­ ced that his government has decided to and proceeded northwest to Burnie pletely ignores and duplicates the efforts replace the pedestrian way, cycle way and via Launceston and the midlands. From of existing cycling organisations. This two railway lines across the Sydney the northwest the cyclists travelled south will be hard to ignore as the Bikeplan Harbour Bridge with four more motor to finish at a rally held in the westcoast has already spent thousands of dollars traffic lanes. town of Strachan. on commissioning a PR firm to research In a masterful politicial stroke the In the autumn of 1975 a group of the idea. This money could have been Premier announced that he had de~ided environmentalists really got bicycle rides better spent in supporting the efforts to please cyclists, pedestrians, rail users and touring going in this country by of thousands of people who are working and North Shore motorists/voters by hopping on their ill-prepared machines through local bicycle groups to achieve setting the train tracks in a new road and cycling off to Canberra to protest similar aims. The crunch for these groups surface and opening up the cycle way the then Labor government over their could come if such an organisation gets and footpath to car traffic. Pedestrians policies on nuclear energy. This then, going with government or quasi-govern­ will be given a new alternative harbour mental support in two or more of the crossing out at Parramatta. Electric became a highly successful annual event culminating in the 1977 ride where larger states. The final death knell for the trains and cyclists will have to join the a thousand bicycle riders from Sydney, various Bike Institutes and Pedal Power traffic mix. The Premier hastened to add Melbourne and Canberra, rode into Can­ groups will be heard when with insurance that they would be treated like any other berra to carry their message home to the company backing, the new national road user and would be booked if found parliament. body could offer bicycle insurance to exceeding the speed limit. its members at low cost. Watch this Unfortunately, because of a referen­ space folks, the matter is not yet finished. Mr. Grand also said that his plan pro­ dum held at the time no body (that is vided for ramps to be built at each end to say the politicians) was home. The Compiled By Warren Salomon FREEWHEELING 19 Your head deserves the best The choice of a cycle helmet has, until recently, been a for impact dissipation, an impact absorbing liner, an et- difficult one with the best imported helmets prohibitively ficient strap retention system and well-designed venting. priced and cheaper helmets being of questionable head- The Guardian helmet costs only $42.00*, despite having a saving value. No helmet on the market had passed all the superior technical specification to helmets costing half as test requirements of the rigorous Australian standard. A much again. Victorian company, GUARDIAN, run by cyclists, started a Guardian also researched safety vests, and naturally two-year research program to design the perfect helmet. At enough came up recently with a superior product. It is the end of that time the sample helmets they submitted to more reflective than the Taft, which Pedal Power recom- Technisearch Ltd. for technical analysis passed every test mended in 1978. The reflective strips are heat welded for equivalent to the Australian cycle helmet standard relating durability, not painted on, and plastic coated so the vest to design and performance requirements. is still effective in rain. The vest is cut long at the back for Because of these excellent test results, the helmet is maximum reflective surface area, it is designed riot to curently being submitted to the Australian Standards bunch on the shoulders and the strap retention system is Association for evaluation. It features a harder outer shell very secure. The Guardian Vest costs $11.95. * Trade Distribution in NSW, ACT, OLD: The Pedlar, P.O. Box 930 Canberra City 2601. Ph: (062) 48 8464 Distributed in VIC by Richard Bailey Pty Ltd, 1830 Malvern Rd, East Mai vern. Ph: (03) 25 7114

20 FREEWHEELING PARrONE of

@l~ "~...... ~ ~ TEXT AND DRAWlt.l,S 8V WARREN SALDMON

A-ont bratce Se?tt stays ~~~ ___fork Rear ,ii crown t:>rake __front Rear pannier dropouts rclCk ~r ~l'--h,,=-,=-"::::i,a.-forks wheel front wh~I ~~ ------",,,...__Rim ~ cable '-..~'----~ Chain ------/ ~~~"ifj;ij~· ~--~ropouts)f'orktip~ lrear/ / der~illeur Chainstqys lottombrcr.Jcet IQuck~ease Tyre/tube

FREEWHEELING 21 8sirrj)le macnine fbrthe folbwi repa·1rs IA will nee~ these tools: re lati\.€1y 5crewar1\er-S. Tr\ere qre iwo .one forooeh type ~t-:g~· foolsyoo Q W·-- ...~ ~~~=~d- a. will need Slott-ed he&d screw driver fa-~ost~,rworf. .J~ .->i.,.iMll!!llt.~----- canbe ii(j cE CJ =>i) ~,our ten-6f) eed b.1cyc Ie 19.. . . earnedwith you .. R~ head (Phillips t'ead) screwdriver $ ..,..,.n"'° open-ended spanners ------""',.. ' IVrs · are rrore pr~ise ihan

of\oqjustablesparner . A set of mett1c spanners wHI fit- to\t heod~ on mcst jaf:e~ arri e<.>rq:ec\\1·1V'a:\e t,:)6rts. Tnere qreusuallyiWosizes lP(each~-amer so~w1llneeJ 4sponners 8',9 - 10,11-11,11 ar~H4,15

0 Pliers . A small pair As the most comrron ki V)Q of Ot~ m:in:- SQeCiahl£q tools c.ommonl--f w i11 come ·,n t)ardy ibr bvec\kdOl/\/n ·,s a flat tyre, ne~eq a~: cnain rivet extractor ho\d.ir-Qdr\d ~tng. -....p.,; w'ill certa.inJy need Tyre Multipe ( c:::=IV!llllt-1111 anct cuthng metal.. Lev~rs ~rd a PUncture Pefin, t~!Y rot' a it.Im, Y'4 ~pair Kit. type ' ml .forug hteni"rg trl\3 ~ 5e20g i~~Cuttirq bb<:ffl Blcrfes srcolcI meet

lfe)(~y(Allenkev) for recessect h61Ct bOlt.s

22 FR EEWHEELING )lour Picycle is really an~~tt~'3~~b~l~ts be taken not it> damage t1-.ei r nex~n heads :Toe. corred- fit spanner Sh:v~ be used. lf'Pu~re un - sure which way to 1urn to lcosen or io tighten , use the left or right hcl-¥i Yule as follows . ·rJ§r

eft handihreacts (on When movinq tight or frozen nuts and borts ex.treme

fH ~ront chatnw;cihee=)=s,__ __ ~ +L ~~-~~~----CHAIN L. rearsptceket5. ~ STOP screw adjustme.n~ C"ENT~e LINE (freewhee\)-~~~~~~ on frontdera·11\eur timit centre line anci c~in line snoulc:S . te CY\ain movement i11 peralleL. ooth direct ions You will neeq.ihe followinq tools ·. /A.swell~~ w·,11 need a-tool ro Some deri:\illeur.s use a \oosen the cable flxing oolt 6mm he>

Suspenct bicycle by means of ropes ard hoOKS.

cable ~~~~fixinq oolt ("-~-----'- ---' ~ §ll§::ell!,:::er FRONT Begin ~ locating the· L' and H' stop screws on toth oerailleurs lfP'Z~~

24 FR EEWHEELING the oodgear from your bikes op

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Handy Tour Tyre Flexible nylon bead ing all ows · folding of tyre into smal l .( bundle (the si ze of a tube). , The on ly way to carry a spa re tyre.

Bata Bikers The america n cycling shoe w ith sti ffened so le. The idea l touring shoe. Hantrade Rear Panniers Ava il able all sizes . 420 denier nylon. Capacity Co lours black, bl ue. 40 litres/pair. Clip fasten ing to ra ck for Mighty Tour Cranks easy removal. Anatomic Saddle Sugino cranks in A new design with padded alloy. One-piece forged bumps to provide support. spider will accept rings Designed to fit the human 34 to 54 teeth . anatomy. Two models to su it the individual pe lvic structure of men and women Berec Tail-light Jecovitol bicyclists. Choice of suede or Sens ible quality. Cheaper to vinyl coverings. ope rate than lllOSt battery A medicated oi ntment for li gh ts. Uses two D ce lls. Lig ht saddle sores. From Holland body sc rew fixes to bicycle - the land of cycling. and reduces risk of thef t.

Sun Tour Ultra 6 Clutch These 6 and seve n speed clutches provide ten-speed Sanyo Dynapower Berec Headlight simplicity w ith fifteen-speed Bottom bracket mounting. The brightest battery operat ed gea r range . When used with Safeguards Works directly off tread and head light. Ch eap to operate the Ultra 6 chain these Bluemels white plastic it has less drag than uses D cel ls. Handy mounting, cl utches make for reliabl e mudguards conventional generato rs. can be used as a torch. high performance touring. with reflective stripe.

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FREEWHEELING 25 Climbing the crooked mountains

by Wayne Kotzur

For many years I lived within a day's bike ride of the Warrumbungle Ranges. However, it was only on moving to Sydney that I had the chance to explore those aged monoliths by bicycle. The Dubbo mail train deposited us, cold and tired, on the platform early on a chilly July morning. It had been a cramped and debilitating train ride - on a service whose slogan "Arrive fresh and relaxed" has never rung true in a cyclist's ear. Phillip and I had decided to travel north via mostly untrafficked and unsealed roads to explore an area which was totally unfamiliar to us. Dubbo is a large town, possibly a city, with a large commercial centre and a bike shop which has a reasonable supply of basic ten-speed bicycle equipment. Our first 15 minutes were spent wandering about on the bikes looking for this Skylab had fallen, not in desolate Western Anxious that the world should know the centre, which was difficult to find till Australia, but in sunny Dunedoo ! Our delights of night touring, we set up many we woke up fully. We stocked up on posturings around the object delighted photographs. Understandably, our photos food and sunburn lotions and set off the local farmer who leaned sunburnt left us rather in the dark. into a gusty easterly wind. and amused against the boundary post. We selected our campsite by zigzagging The scenery came as a bit of a shock Glad to see a novelty after the across the last sealed section of the after the lushness of the coast. A grey discouraged pace forced on us by the turnoff and letting the beams swim out dust had spread itself around the edges, headwind, we replaced cameras and into the darkness. Putting up the tent in to be lifted into our eyes as cars roared remounted. the dark was a fairly random affair in the past. Our efforts to cycle into the wind We counted every mile post to the tall dew-moistened mitchell grass. seemed as wasted as the vegetation. Mendooran turnoff. It arrived with Not so bright and early the next morn­ Slowly the cropland was replaced by a agonising slowness in the late afternoon. ing we discovered our campsite to be sparse forest; a remnant of a forest that Two days of touring had taken us only practically on a farmer's front doorstep. must have covered the slopes of eastern 71km closer to home. At about 8.30 a station wagon loaded Australia at least until we chopped and Out of water, but at last free of the with sullen kids snaked past our parapher washed it away. One has lots of time to headwind, we tore along the smooth dirt nalia to return in ten minutes empty. think about ages gone by when pushing road. We had left the alienating strip We retrieved our lost bits and pieces from slowly into the wind. of bitumen and easement for the the grass and turned left to Mendooran. Progress was laboured until the gravel immediacy of the gravel road. At last we The road turned out to be excellent, surface was tarred; after that it was damn' felt a legitimate part of the landscape. We it was flat and well worn (and repaired near impossible. Designed to impede refilled our two waterbottles each at the a little too often). The road winds beside cyclists, the sharp coarse stones made it next, slightly salty artesian bore and the upper reaches of the Castlereagh mandatory to pedal even down moderate resumed a fast pace. Traffic was very River which originally flowed northwest, slopes. After several stops we found a slight, thought a trifle fast for our liking. but the growing volcanic peaks of the suitable campsite on the edge of a flowing We watched the sun set from a ridge and Warrumbungles forced the river eons ago sandy creek. Cloaked with weeds, the site set off into the twilight. The crimson to make a broad southerly swing. The was a trifle uneven, but nothing could slowly black-inked in until only the stars vacant stares of the cattle along the gum­ dim the memories of that warm meal on a and the road in the beams remained. The lined road reminded me of the difficulty cold night ... with the river sliding below tailligh ts were disconnected to increase of comprehending the magnitudes the stars. Sleep was immediate. the penetration of the headlights into the involved in the natural order. We were The going eased slightly the second dust and dark. The pace seemed frenetic, travelling to see the remains of a volcanic day. The greening of the countryside as the world flashed out of the darkness intrusion into much older rock that became apparent as we treadled into a and into it again, with barely time to occurred 13 - 17 million years ago. The sheep-wheat belt of undulating stump­ respond to loose patches or exposed river, over 100km from the range, once pocked hills. Rough and smooth tarred rocks. lay at the base of the volcano, and sections alternated, the pace slowing Elated by these conditions, and able to probably received dust and rock from excruciatingly with the rough stone exert ourselves more fully in the cool explosions that shattered the cooling embedded in the bitumen. night air, we covered the 30km of plugs again and again. Our arrival in Over a rise we came upon what seemed unsealed road in half the time it had Mendooran was uneventful; to be America's most prestigious object. taken to do the equivalent sealed section. A single, wide street greeted us, lined

26 FREEWHEELING Opposite: Hillclimbing practice. Above: Split Rock looking northwest to another lava plug. They were once joined by a vast lava dome. Right: The sandy trial punctuated at last with a de­ cent descent. Split rock in the background.

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FREEWHEELING 27 with station wagons and lazy dogs seeking past, thrust into an Orwellian future of unfortunately we had to share with shade. (It was so hot that even the flies Big Brother transports. massive tourist buses full of cramped and were walking.) From quite a large general Unexpectedly the Tooraweenah road sweaty travellers. Their eyes were the store we bought food for another three was sealed and we sped, no hands, into only contact with the landscape, and days and what we didn't consume the general store, the orange and lilac their sullen gazes reflected this. Outside, immediately was reluctantly packed away. sunset over our shoulders. Into the night we embraced the landscape with our The road surface had been good ... we rode, to come racing back, wide-eyed senses and appreciated the hills for what well, at least firm . . . until then. From in half an hour. The shoulder of the road they were. Mendooran till the ranges we were forced that we had chosen as a camp had The road climbed parallel to a rocky to ride a very well frequented gravel come ablaze with spotlights and rifle creek, the water gurgling and jumping disaster area. The finer material had been shots within minutes of stopping. They through tight bends. The valley opened removed, leaving a very unsmooth surface were after kangaroos I s'pose, but I didn't up and, through a pebble ford to the left, of jutting rocks, backed by 5 - 10cm feel very secure in my reflective vest we turned into Camp Canyon. We stood of loose conglomerate and sand. Now, at behind a wire fence. The Tooraweenah on what seemed to be the only ten least, we were heading directly for the sporting oval, with barbecue and water hectares of flat ground in 50km. Craggy Warrumbungles climbing over a series of laid on, felt infinitely better. Tiredness mountains of weathered trachyte loomed low ridges that lie northeast across the and lack of wood made life a bit difficult all around, dominating our efforts. road. To frustrate the frequent long at night, but at least we were alive. We booked a tent site and left the mag­ downhill coastings, the local council The worst section had arrived. The pies and kookaburras to entertain us with had recently graded much of the road. craggy cliffs and mesas taunted and their antics at taking food from our table. By mid-afternoon the blue silhouette teased us as we rode the circuitous path We sat there content just to watch and of the mountains sat on the horizon like into the park. The surface deteriorated relax. The closest tent camping is a low cloud bank, spurring us on. The into sharp rocks. This was replaced by a Camp Blackman, a short uphill and then sound of stones shooting from under­ long red sandy section which caused a downhill run from Camp Canyon. It is a neath the tyre edges was replaced by the few falls at low speed. Our pace quick­ huge camp with a very new amenity whirring of gears as the road surface ened past the Gulargambone turnoff as block. It must be really crowded at times improved. We paused only for a photo­ much as the red clay road would allow. . . . it took half an hour on bicycles to graph at the junction with the Newell We delighted in the sort of undulating gather sufficient wood for one fire. Highway. The sight and sound of the big country which enables the rider to The next day we reserved for walking. transports careering along felt vaguely accumulate enough momentum to sail We rode to the base of a day walk, where threatening to two cyclists who had spent over the next hill. we met a 70-year-old couple who are too much time on untravelled back roads. Into the foothills we wove, climbing spending their retirement cycling around I seemed a ghost from a more pleasant along a very sandy meandering route that Australia's national parks (with ancient

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28 FREEWHEELING single-speeds strapped to their car). The a week there. The continuous rainfall had you arrive. There is no kiosk. All food Warrumbungles offer an enormous variety made the road very sticky ... the tyres must be lugged in by bicycle. Holidays, of terrain and wildlife. We were stunned seemed glued to the clay at times. Com- especially Easter, are very busy. Try to into silence by the gigantic vertical plugs 2unded by a very steep climb to the tar avoid holidays as this means crowded and dykes, and they seemingly swayed road, our progress was tediously slow. We campgrounds and walks. Fees are beneath shunting storm clouds. The trees stopped on top of the last crest for a typical of national parks. For infor­ grew small, isolated and stunted, or as breather, and a look back along the road mation, charges and bookings: Ranger thick stands on the saddles between we had sweated up. Hopefully that in charge, Warrumbungle National Park, peaks. Unexpected hail forced us to s~ction is now sealed. Into Coonabarabran PO Box 55, Coonabarabran 2857. Phone shelter beneath the only small tree, the road afforded long fast downhills (068) 25 4364. (on an exposed southern slope) that we well suited to hands-off riding and with could find. The air cooled rapidly, and so little motor traffic. The mountain range Precautions did we. We beat a hasty retreat, sliding dropped into low foothills and craggy The northwest is a very thorny area. We over wet and slippery trails to camp. We peaks were replaced by rolling forest and would advise you to fit thornproof passed herds of wallaroos on the river farm. tubes or carry a few puncture repair banks, grazing nonchalantly beneath the A wide-streeted, tree-lined kits. Have new heavy-duty tyres put on brewing storm clouds. Coonabarabran greeted us midmorn. We to stand up to the rough unsealed roads. Well aware of what hail could do to stopped to collect a paper to verify that Take a collapsible water carrier. In our tent and fascinated by the converted the outside world still existed, and to dry times you may need to refill to­ Sydney trams, we decided to rent one provision for the hop to Gunnedah. The wards evening as there is no guarantee until it seemed safe. I never rode a Oxley Highway commences as a very that creeks etc will have water in them. Sydney tram and I would like to see them undulated straight road of rough bitumen A good repair kit is essential. While re-introduced; but they do make great and not insignificant uphill sections. Both most farms are well equipped with tools, cabins (for four) also. Well recommended. sides are heavily forested. You are look­ one of the attractions of bicycling is the It drizzled all night. ing at the Pilliga scrub, a vast area of dry independent attitude it fosters. Try to Previously, the ranger had warned that forest that sits on the 200 million-year-old carry sufficient supplies to cover a few the road could become impassable after Pilliga series sandstones. The area serves bolts working loose, broken spokes and heavy rain. Unsure, but worried by the as the major feeder of rainfall to the maybe a split tyre. Some stretches are still-growing cloud cover, we left the park Great Artesian Basin. The sandstone long and lonely. Travel together and carry on our second day. We could have spent exposed here slowly drops below the a good first aid kit which you know how Warrumbungles to travel between im­ to use. The "famous" Bread knife, a vertical pervious igneous rocks into the deserts volcanic dike of Central Australia. About 25km later the hills flatten and the road snakes around steep-edged Routes rock mesas. The road soon straightens almost to a ruler edge, and only occasional The route choice will depend on how plugs break into the flood-prone Breeza much time you have and whether you Plains. One last isolated hill and we feel the dirt sections are worth the coasted into Gunnedah. extra effort. The quickest route would be via Narrabri along the Newell Highway and return via Gunnedah along the Oxley Highway or vice versa. Both are sealed with mostly fast flat gradients and What we learnt .. perhaps 20km of undulating country. The Newell Highway is much more trafficked, History especially with semi-trailers from Brisbane route to Melbourne. The Warrumbungle National Park was Alternative routes are: Quirindi - declared only in 1952. This followed Premer - Coonabarabran (180km) which 20 years of exploration and popular­ is mostly sealed along the Breeza Plain isation by bushwalkers, involving the and then dim bs into the range on formulation of a tourist map and unsealed roads. Merriwa - Cassillis - concrete proposals by Milo Dunphy in Coolah - Binnaway - Coonabarabran 19 3 7. It has grown from an initial trust (260km) is a route which I haven't of 3 759ha to 18 174ha by acquisition tried but I expect it would be very un­ of surrounding properties. Most ot the dulating as it meanders along the foot­ park is natural area on the margins of the hills of both the Liverpool and semi-arid interior of NSW. but accessible Warrumbungle Ranges. Parts that I have to all walkers. Some areas ( outstanding ridden combined some very steep ex­ natural areas) have been set aside and hausting hills and exposure to wind and access is limited by a permit system. sun. From the south, the Dubbo - Warrumbungle means crooked mountains. Mendooran Coonabarabran route (180km) is fairly direct and for this Camping reason is used heavily by transports and There are five cam ping/picnic areas, plus locals. The highway via Gilgandra (200km) a number of rough huts on the walking is like the Hume Horrorway - narrow tracks, all have water, but booking is and with heavy traffic, but fast and okay essential for the huts. All visitors are if you don't mind looking behind you requested to register with the ranger continuously. Some heavy climbing (after you recover from the roads) when involved.

FREEWHEELING 29 Another view of the Warrumbungles

by Jim Scarsbrook some walking sections because of sand. 120km. Just before the visitors' centre I saw my Last day and I was on the road by In late November1980, fate left me with first surface water in Wombelong Creek, 7am. It was a long and lonely outback a week off work, and I decided to fulfil cool and clear and fed by a spring obv­ road that finally arrived at Cobbora, and a long dream. That was, an extended iously. It took 28 seconds to shed bike I refilled my waterbottles (they held cycle trip, camping along the way and and clothes and soak myself. I camped,in half a litre each) at a farmhouse. By achieving something. My final selection the main camp area for 70c a day. Day 1pm it had become too hot to continue, was from Wellington, NSW, via Gilgandra three: 42km. and sighting a willow tree way off in a to the Warrumbungles and back through Two nights were spent here, the day gully, I parked the bike under a gum, Coonabarabran to Mendooran and between was spent walking the high tops and headed towards it. A small waterhole finally Wellington. Because of the short around the Breadknife and up to the top that was reasonably clean and cool notice, I went alone. of Exmouth. Again it was over 40 degrees. greeted me. I was carrying an emergency I drove to Wellington and stayed at The kangaroos and other wildlife were 2 litres of water and necessity brought the Caves Caravan Park, where I packed abundant and the other campers friendly, it out. About 3, I pushed on, following my gear into two rear panniers and a with plenty of cuppas and fresh bread. the gravel towards Wellington. At Como­ handlebar bag. With a drought on, I left Starting my fifth day, I left the park and bella, I climbed a water tank behind a the sleeping bag on the rear rack. Early climbed steadily eastwards to the Siding deserted building and lowered my bottles next morning I parked my car near the Spring turnoff. Hiding my panniers and on a string into the water tank. The water police station, and mounting my cycle, other gear in a drain under the road, I was clean and cold. Wellington was finally pushed off. The first stretch was 200 climbed the few kilometres to the obser­ reached about 8.30pm and after a well­ metres. Then came the realisation that a vatory and lost myself in a world of earned schooner and a couple of ham­ lot of gear needed to be up on the handle­ galaxies and super novas. Well worth the burgers, I packed the bike and gear into bars, and not in the rear. Finally I was off. $1. Flying down, I collected my gear and the car and headed towards home. Day The route was to Dubbo via Mt. Arthur eventually made Coonabarabran. A visit six: 118km and total: 4 79km. The trip and Ponto, a pleasant alternative to the to the rock museum, food shop, and bike was well worth it. I learned to appreciate Mitchell Highway, and except for the shop and then it was on south, through the country; conserve water; acquired a climb over Mt. Arthur, dead flat and New Mollyan to arrive at Mendooran better understanding of pedalling cadence mostly sealed. By lunch, I was at the about 8pm. Over a middy, the publican and gear ratios, and plan for another Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, and spent the allowed me to camp behind the hotel trip sometime. One secret was to take it afternoon lazily cycling around the and use the shower etc for a couple of steady and take it as it came. My only complex, enjoying the wildlife and the dollars. The temperature didn't drop fear was that the pub might shut before facilities. The evening was spent in the below 20 all night, I'm sure. Day five: I made it! Dubbo caravan park, dining out. Day One: 77 km. After getting lost trying to leave Dubbo, and still fuming over the camel who tried to devour my safety flag yes­ terday, I battled a head wind and visited Mogriguy, Eumungerie and Balladoran with Gilgandra for lunch, washed down with a cold Tooheys. The weather was hot and the country bone dry. Up to now, I had avoided where possible the main highway but a sandy stretch past Balladoran prompted me to try the Oxley Highway to Tooraweenah. Along this road one gets the first view of the Warrumbungles rising out of the plains and raising one's spirits. The temperature was in the 40s, the dry heat telling and the bus driver who stopped and offered me cold water, a lifesaver. Seven pm saw me at Tooraweenah and under a good cold shower in the camping area. Day Two: 122km. After a friendly cup of tea from one of the locals, I started out on the desolate stretch to Gummin and on to the park headquarters. The road was rocky and the country dry, except for some inquisitive Rising like the bakcbone of a dinosaur, a low series of volcanic intrusions runs north­ emus. As the park got closer, it involved south over the grand high tops. Picture by Wayne Kotzur. 30 FREEWHEELING In the colder months and particularly when the road from Cabramurra to near Bicycle trails Khancoban is closed, the trail swings north 4km before Cabramurra and passes through Tooma and Tintaldra to rejoin the main trail at Cudgewa. Also settled at ACT Two was the 1 location for ACT Three in the spring i;ACTA (Jt10,,~1\' school holidays this year. ACT Three will be held on the cycle trail again, this time at Tallangatta in Victoria. Access is easy train to Albury or Wodonga, gentle cycling to Tallangatta. It is hoped that :nany of the part­ icipants will cycle greater distances along the cycle trails from Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. Most of the participants at ACT Two had ridden to Beechworth along the cycle trails and this sets the scene for much of the discussion. ACT Two saw a large increase in the number of participants and a great broadening in the areas of origin of the cyclists. If this is maintained it will make one of the aims of ACT much easier to achieve: the locating of a representative of ACT in every important town on each trail. This representative could research the trail in that area, examine facilities, points of scenic and tourist interest and in some cases be a contact and supply accommodation. Where possible the rep­ resentatives would lobby local politicians, community groups and businesses for support. As indicated in the NSW route for the Melbourne-Sydney trail earlier in this article, Goulburn is no longer necessarily on the route. Road improvements have made the Bungonia route more appealing for many cyclists, with Bungonia state recreation area (a similar set-up to a nat­ ional park) as a very pleasant diversion and camping spot. Further towards Svdney, the extension of the Hume Freeway and the resultant drop in traf­ fic on the Hume Highway has made the highway more attractive, but it MELBOURNE-SYDNEY carries a lot of traffic still. Most of the trucks have gone, but the car numbers are much higher than on the Hilltop­ Thirlmere route. It is a pleasant change, TRAIL: NOW A REALITY particularly going towards Sydney. Going away from Sydney and climbing from The next stage in Australia's rural cycle No single trail was without problems and Picton or Thirlmere makes it less pleasant. trail network was settled over Easter at the one which was tentatively selected at The Hilltop route is far preferable on Beechworth. The leg from Epping (Melb­ ACT one in Sydney in December 1980 grounds of peace, safety and scenery, ourne) to Beechworth in northern Vic­ has since proved to be unsuitable. As a but if your cycling taste is a little jaded toria via Seymour outskirts, Nagambie, result, ACT Two chose a trail which is the Hume might add some spice. Murchison, Shepparton, Glenrowan and suitable in the warmer months with a To join in the work/fun of getting Wangaratta is likely to be the next one diversion for the colder ones. As such, it rural cycle trails on the ground, contact mapped and published. It is a flat and is an all-weather route, which none of the your local group: fairly direct route, paralleling the Hume other options were, except for a flat Melbourne: Anna Erben, 83/163 Flem­ Highway for some of the way but travel­ route which avoided the spectacular ington Road, North Melbourne 3051, ling on backroads and in a few places scenery and magnificent cycling of the (03) 329-6672. quiet highways. Snowy Mountains. Shepparton: Neil Watt, 20 Collet Street, There were many options within The route is (tentatively again) Mar­ Shepparton 3630, (058) 21-5512. Victoria and as a result there will be ulan, Bungonia, Tarago, Queanbeyan, Canberra: John Rae and Sue Warth, 12 many trails linking Melbourne and NSW Canberra outskirts, Tharwa, Gudgenby, Eildon Place, Duffy 2601, (062) 48-8464. eventually. In NSW and the Australian Adaminaby, Kiandra, Corryong, Tallan­ Sydney: Warren Salomon, P .0. Box 57, Capital Territory it was a different story. gatta, Kiewa, Yackandandah, Beechworth. Broadway 2007, (02) 660-6605(w). FREEWHEELING 31 Touring by bicycle in NEW ZEALAND

South Island Does standing on a windswept bridge in torrential rain, trying to attach a singles tyre to a rim that doesn't use one sound like your idea of fun? How about pedal­ ling pleasantly through a coastal land­ scape drenched with sun-filled sky and snow-capped mountains? Such contrasting scenes are in-built with any tour of New Zealand's beautiful South Island. During the Christmas holidays of '78- '79, six of us plucked up the courage to do a tour. After flying separately fro'i'.n Sydney, we met for the first time at Christchurch, camping at the Yaldhurst Road Motor Camp, the nearest to the air­ port. We were a mixed group with ages, c1arence experience and personalities ranging as wide as our gears and bicycles. Four people were from Sydney and two from Canberra. Our ages varied from 24 years to 70 years and our bikes from custom­ made Abenis, Viscount Aerospace, Raleigh, and a home-made mixture to a hired bike of unknown New Zealand quality. Three of us had flown our bikes over by jet-cargo a few days previously and collected them at Christchurch airport. This however, resulted in one broken derailleur and a bent water bottle holder. Two of the other people had simply wheeled their bikes onto their flight with no problems. We'd been warned against doing this in case there was no room in baggage. This suggests no consistent policy from Qantas. Try Air New Zealand. The tour itself can be divided into three sections: 1. from Christchurch via the east coast to Nelson; 2. Nelson via the west coast to Queenstown; 3. Queens­ town via the south and east back to Christchurch. And so, tuned up, with hired bike from Christchurch, at $2 a day, and legs at the ready, we began. Fine weather and farming country were ours on the first day, a gentle ride of 35 km to Waikuku Beach, where we camped in a pleasant but popular camping ground. It didn't take long to discover that we each had different riding patterns and to take the pressure of pace off individuals we tended to ride in pairs of similar abilities and then all meet at an appointed township for morning tea or lunch. It didn't take long either to replace real names with nicknames. The two least experienced and slowest members of the group became known as Dawdling 32 FREEWHEELING Daphne Derailleur, a man of rich eccen­ tricity, whose bike had been stolen from outside his flat in Sydney, and who had prepared for the trip by camping out in Centennial Park. The only problem on this trip was that he forgot to bring his tent. His companion was Kick-along Kate, a gutsy American woman, whose great loves in life were to eat peanut butter with her spanner, test her ex­ pensive, mummy-like sleeping bag in the pouring rain and to identify the stars for us on a clear night. I became known as Cotterless Crank, probably due to my instinctive weari­ ness of group riding, consequent grumpi­ ness and a strange desire to drop my bike over cliffs - of which more later. My team mate was Chainwheel Charlie, a 70-year-old sprightly extrovert, whose huge sense of the ridiculous kept the group's sanity. The two fastest riders were the Abeni Duo, better known as Perfect Pete, owing to his possession of 15 gears, a Gore-Tex jacket and waterproof shoe covers. He also had an amazing ability to climb hills without feeling a thing. His counterpart was Jack the Leader, a man of broad humour, infinite patience and as the name implies, the organiser of our folly. Thus, in our pairs we headed north along Highway 1 to Nelson. The road was in excellent condition, with a one­ metre bitumen shoulder which allowed for safe riding. Generally, the cars were courteous, leaving us plenty of leg room. It took seven days to reach Nelson. Long days of riding were possible due to day­ light saving, darkness descending after 9pm and dawn breaking around 5.30am Every day on this section we had warm days and scenic variety.

We left the flatness of the Canterbury Plains behind us on the third day, pedal­ ling over a tough range of hills before dropping down to the coast at Oaru and getting our first view of snow-capped mountains - the Kaikoura Range. Enter­ ing the town of Kaikoura on New Year's Eve we envisioned a sit-down meal with sumptuous steaks. Everything, apart from a take-away food bar was closed. Ham­ burgers all round. Pedalling into the late evening we camped at a scenic reserve, 8 km out of town. Most of our camping, throughout the trip, was a combination of free camping Top: Typical South Island river-mountain scene in summer. Gravel dominates the wherever attractive spots arose and river. Bottom: Between Cromwell and Queenstown. camping at motor camps whenever the need for comforts arose. There is gener­ ally a motor camp at every reasonable­ becomes very important, possibly more As we travelled toward Blenheim the sized town (see Appendix) at reasonable from a psychological need than a physical scenery changed from lush, coastal slopes rates, about $1.50-$2 per person. one. The desire to break the routine, of flax and fern to treeless sheep pad­ The coastal area is famous for cray­ relax, chat and review what you have docks and turnip fields. Human pre­ fish and so at the first opportunity, at observed, is an important element in the sence very evident. Rivers were unusually Kakerengu, we descended like locusts on success of any tour. Luckily, on the east small, being dominated by a grey gravel a seafood restaurant, demolishing the coast in particular, there is no shortage washed down in the spring thaws. Two local industry and restocking our sup­ of tea rooms. Devonshire teas were the major climbs on this stretch, the Dash­ plies for future indulgences. Food in fact, group favourite. wood Pass and Welds Pass, not high in FREEWHEELING 33 stat1sttcs, 163m and 193m, but high in energy. At one stage on a downhill run a panni~r bounced off my bike, ripping the material and rendering useless my pump. A dangerous affair with others BICYCLE TOURS streaming behind you. Rope connecting the pannier handles prevented repeats. Picton, the terminal for ferry passage Bicycle Tours offer trips that range in length from between North and South Island, proved 4-12 days, average 60 km/day, and use sealed, low to be an attractive town. Here we watch­ traffic roads. All trips are supervised by an ed the boats, bought supplies and began a experienced leader, costs are very reasonable, stiff climb out toward Nelson. Some of groups are small, and a support vehicle accompanies the best scenery of the trip was viewed on this section. The road that we took, selected tours. Meals, tents, and overnight stays between Picton and Havelock offers at modern camping sites are provided. Most trips magnificent panoramas of Queen Char­ are scheduled during school or university holidays. lotte Sound, a densely wooded, steeply sloped harbour, dotted with myriad bays and inlets. Peter and Jack got through a FREE BROCHURE SCHEDULE OF TRIPS roll of film each. Before arriving at Nelson we had to 755-1340 (03) Great Ocean Rd. May 13-16 cross both the Rai Saddle and the Whan­ Bicycle Tours gamoa Saddle and we did so with our first Northeast Vic. May 18-22 taste of rain. We made our camp in P.O. Box 234 Nelson at the Tahunai Motor Camp, a Belgrave, Vie. Northern NSW Aug 24-29 vast camping and caravanning sprawl of 3160 Aug 31-Sep 5 7000 inmates. Sep 7-12 The second stage of the tour took us firstly through market gardening coun­ Tasmania Dec 1-12 try where we discovered boysenberry Jan 5-16 (1982) ice cream; the Spooner Range, 464m; and the insecurity of garbage cans. Jan 19-30 ( ") Arriving at the crest of the Spooner Range, I leant my bike against the nearest object in order to photograph the panorama. Suddenly there was a scraping and slithering sound. I turned to see my bike sliding down the side of the hill, the garbage can had given way. Luckily there was a bush track 7 metres down and the bike was also cushioned by the panniers. The only damage was in the handle bars. I had a slight lean to the left for the rest of the trip. If you should travel on the west coast, YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE beware the sandfly. This tiny creature pounces the moment you stop pedal­ IF YOU ARE PROPERLY ling. Our form of protection was long­ sleeved shirts, long trousers and an EQUIPPED NZ commercial product called Dirnp, which was inevitably wiped on and in everything. Wet is the only word that can ade­ quately describe the west coast. The annual rainfall is 4000 mm. We had rain for ten days straight on this section. Thus, wet weather gear is essential. Ja para jackets, Gore-Tex or oilskins are the only viable waterproofs, and spare Calypso stocks an extensive clothes wrapped in plastic bags are also 179 recommended. range of bikes, frames and KING ST Our route took us along the Buller equipment kids', Camp­ NEWTOWN Gorge, via Murchison to Westport. This agnolo and in between. Around section is short on food and camping the block or around the facilities, so carry supplies. Westport is world, we will help you to the main town before Greymouth. 9 Reaching the west coast was a bit of an ride safely, confidently and ( 02) 51 9 8002 anti-climax, we didn't realise we were comfortably. there because of the mist but we could hear the roaring of the sea. We spent the 34 FREEWHEELING night in a cabin at Punakaiki. of eating sandwiches with a knife and were in good physical condition and the Many of the small towns that we fork, due to cold hands. weather was improving. Invercargill was passed through on our trip had Maori The weather improved and we rode reached in no time. Here we cheated, names like Punakaiki. Chainwheel Charlie to Cromwell with a strong tail wind. catching a train to Dunedin in order to had great difficulties with them and so he Cromwell is a doomed town. Soon it will gain a couple of rest days in Christchurch. created a general name to cover them all. be flooded for a hydro-eltctric scheme, Arriving late in Dunedin made it This he pronounced, Why kick a moo by the Clutha and Kawarau rivers. The difficult to find a camping spot, but cow, which when translated into Maori local information centre is worth a visit Chainwheel Charlie, as always, had the became the cunning concoction, Whaikik­ for details. Another town of interest is solution - a deserted car park. And so am ukow. Arrowtown. This is a restored, redecorat­ with little padding, much gravel and a As we travelled along the west coast ed and revived gold mining town. Gold sense of reckless freedom we spent a cold section the two riders using singles tyres prices being what they are it is worth a and starry night in the big city. Whilst in had numerous problems with them rolling visit. Dunedin we made a detour to an unusual off the rim. Heavy duty tyres are re­ From Arrowtown we pedalled on to place, Lanarch's Castle. This is a modern commended. Charlie had tyres that vir­ Queenstown. Traffic increased dramatic­ castle built by a wealthy banker and tually ripped up the bitumen. Only after ally, but this was compensated for by politician and is endowed with unique two blowouts on thin Canberra tyres did the veiws of the Remarkables and the wood carvings, hand-crafted ceilings and I see the error of my ways. But beware, beauty of Lake Wakatipu, both of which period furniture. It's a tough ride with make sure you carry spares as they are dominate the landscape. It was here that splendid views of Otago Harbour. virtually impossible to get on the west we had been aiming for, our major des­ The final stretch of the road north coast, except for a 24-hour wait for a tination and recuperation point. It was began with a stiff climb out of Dunedin bus delivery from Greymouth. I had an here also that we decided to divide and and one member less, Daphne having experience that illustrated the uselessness meet again in Christchurch, with the ex­ stayed with friends. That night was of thin tyres, the miserable weather and ception of Kate. spent in a haystack just out of Palmerston, the hospitality of New Zealanders. As I Kate, homesick for comforts and her very comfortable. We continued without was riding slowly across a bridge in a rain­ electric organ, bused to Christchurch incident to Oamaru, where we stayed filled cross wind south of Hokitika, I had then flew to Sydney. Jack and Peter, with friends and fattened up, preparing a blowout. I had no spares. An old tyre being wealthy, hired a car to go to Mil­ for the tedium of the Canterbury Plains. was slit and glued to the inside of the ford Sound, Mt Cook and back to Christ­ The only way to keep one's sanity on the tyre but would not hold due to the wet church. Charlie, Daphne and I, being plains is to continually change leaders and conditions. A singles tyre was put on. broke, kept riding. to stop at every tea house and pub you Surprisingly, this worked long enough We rode south from Queenstown, find. to ride into the nearest town, Whataroa. along the lake to reach Kingston, where After spending a night in a friend's No spares available for 24 hours. Retire amid pouring rain we caught the King­ shed at Geraldine, and another in a rest to the pub in sorrow. At the bar a local ston Flyer, a refurbished steam train area out of Ashburton, we began to farmer, hearing of the situation, pops me which took us to Lumsden. We re­ enter the suburbs of Christchurch and to into his car, out to a shearing shed, pulls mounted, riding till we found a good finish a journey that proved to be one of down an old bike and strips both tyre and camping spot by the river at the tiny physical variety and physical challenge. tube off and presents me with them. town of Dipton. After our west coast Once reunited in Christchurch we began Saved. They survived the rest of the trip. experience we found the riding easy. We thinking about the North Island and . . . From Whataroa we continued south, reaching the popular tourist areas of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. The roads between the two townships was gruelling, hilly and wet. We camped at Fox Motor Camp and spent the following day ex­ Overnight stops ploring the glacier on foot with a guide. We were also blessed with a glimpse of Mt Cook at sunset. 1 Yaldhurst motor camp, 13'-Fox Glacier motor camp. , The terrain became flatter for a while Christchurch. 14,Haast, free camping near road after Fox. We crossed the longest bridge 2 Waikuku Beach camping and just out of town. on the island at Haast, 737 metres, with caravan park. 15 Lake Wanaka, free camping near crevices situated at intervals to allow 3 Hurunui Point, free camping Makaroa South. traffic extra room. Strong head winds. by the river. 16 Cromwell motor camp. After refreshments at the Haast pub we 4 Kaikoura, free camping in scenic 17 Queenstown motor camp. faced the notorious Haast Pass. The reserve north of town. 18 Dipton, free camping by Oreti ascent began, squeezed between huge 5 Wharanui, free camping near River. bluffs with water cascading through pipes railway line. 19 Dunedin, free camping - not passing under the road. One and a half 6 Blenheim motor camp. recommended, try motor camp. hours later we reached the summit at 563 7 Havelock motor camp. 20 Palmerston, free camping m metres. The worst was yet to come. 8 Tahunai motor camp, western vacant haystacks on side road After Haast Pass the road becomes side of Nelson. just north. gravel at Makaroa for 65 km, winding 9 Owen River, free camping near 21 Oamaru, try a motor camp or between Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, Kawatiri Junction. free camp out of town. 65 km of twisting, sodden, slippery 10 Buller River, free camping near 22 Ashburton, free camping in rest riding. Deep sandy shoulders made Berlins. area, north of town. stability impossible. We were glad to 11 Punakaiki motor camp. N B If in difficulty for camping spot, reach Wanaka where we dried and de­ 12 Kaniere, free camping off.road. just ask the locals. frosted with the aid of innumerable pots of tea and meat pies. Dawdling Daphne even had trouble with his peculiar habit FREEWHEELING 35 The leather fetishist's guide to cycle touring-pa,pt 3 imately half way over the piece of leather DOUG THOMPSON continues his 2.5 to 5cm (51 to 48cm frames with sewn on the underside of the main compartment piece, so start by sewing tale of how to give your bicycle 27-inch wheels). First cut out all pattern pieces, then the lower edge first, tucking the edge a hiding. Two issues ago we looked treat all leather with SnoSeal or a similar underneath as you sew to create a hidden at rear panniers and seats, this time waterproofing and preserving agent. If the hem. Tucking under is not necessary on we moved forward. Now read on .. bag is to sit on or above a front rack, cut the other three sides. out in addition the 14cm square piece of With the bag inside out, sew the two Part three: Handlebar bag leather to prevent the bag bottom chafing. leather sides (with their slot pieces sewn Rather than showing you how to make an After hemming the main compart­ in) on at the rear and bottom only uninspired copy of the existing bags on ment, sew two 2.5 x 21cm leather strips (DiagramE), then stitch along the line a the market, this article looks at a frame­ to the reverse side of it. Sew the small second time for strength. Turn the bag less method· of slinging the handlebar bag 3 x 5cm piece on the reverse side too, right side out so that the seam edges are from the brake handles and the goose­ after cutting the slot in it. Turn the now to the inside, and then sew the neck while still leaving the whole length material over and sew on one 2.5 x 21cm bottom half of the coil zipper around of the bars accessible for the various hand strip as shown on the plan, directly over the three sides of the top. The top half steering grip positions. The philosophy of the one on the reverse side. If the op­ of the coil zipper is sewn inside the main this bag is that it acts as a counter to tional patch on the bottom is required, lid and the two halves are joined together heavily-laden rear panniers unweighting sew it on then the long vertical strip with a zip or slide. (Does a zip zip a zip­ the steering wheel and provides ready which also has a slot in its top section per, or a zip per zip up a zip?). Invert the access to items used during the day while to match the smaller piece on the reverse whole creation and sew the rear section touring, for example, food and camera side. Sew the tab with D-ring attached completely into place (Diagram F) then equipment. It is quickly removable and under the lower edge of this piece of sew over it a second time. It is suggested the addition of a long strap converts it to leather as you attach it. This D-ring is that the zip be left slightly open or you a shoulder bag. optional because the bag rides fairly may have trouble opening it out to turn The traditional bag uses a steel frame stably without a bottom mounting point, the bag right way out again. which hangs over the bars, then drops but to be rock solid requires either a Cut out two ply boards and drill and down to support the bottom of the bag piece of string tied through the ring and cut them as the plan specifies, then (see illustration). This not only adds around the fork crown or a metal reflec­ mount them on the insides of the leather weight to the bike, it causes chafing tor bracket mounted as shown in Diagram side panels using two rivets per board, between the bag and the frame which D. The latter allows the delation of the at each corner of the top. Insert the will eventually wear through the material. rear dowel piece and the top rear strap. dowel into the two 2mm holes - it will be More modern bags use a side support But to bypass these options, if continu­ a tight squeeze and should protrude a frame combined with long shock cord ing the standard model, next slit the few millimetres through the boards. attachments to the front fork. If desired, material to make the slot through which From the outside of the leather panels the rear strap on the plan given here the rear mounting strap will pass. find the two toeclip strap slots in the ply could be deleted and the shock cord Cut out the leather surrounds for the by finger pressure, draw pencil lines to system used by adding two ·extra D-rings map compartment, or perhaps you may mark them and slit the leather with a to the bag bottom sides. prefer to have another type of outer sharp blade. Insert the side straps, the Ingredients: pocket on the top (see photo). Using buckle protruding through the lower Code: B==Bushwalking or mountaineering a stitch line along the inside of the leat­ slot (see photos). The rear strap is passed shop, T==Tentmaking business, H==Hard­ her, attach the plastic window to its through its leather-reinforced slot from ware store, CR==Craft shop. leather "frame". Sew the window to the outside, around the dowel and back out 33cm Superdux or similar (6ft width) - main compartment lid using the outside again. To mount the bag, pass the side B or T; two 15 x 4mm three-ply (exter­ stitch line, but first ensure that you straps over the lower part of the brake ior grade is good) - H or timberyard; have cut the slit in the material which handles and clip in place - strap buckles two 18 x 24.5cm 2mm thick leather allows insertion of the maps from under­ should sit as close to the bag as possible pieces, other large leather scraps between neath. Cut a T at each end of this slit and excess strap should be passed through 1.5 and 2mm thick (see plan) - CR; and hem the material back on both sides. the slot provided on the buckle to three toeclip straps - bicycle shop; heavy After the window is on, fold the material prevent it flopping around loose near the cardboard baseboard 16 x 21cm; one outwards on the line shown on the plan. brake handle. The two sections of the metre heavy-duty nylon coil zipper and Sew two darts as shown, tapering the rear strap are passed under the handle­ two zips (slides) - B; 21.5 x 15.5cm piece sewing lines slightly outwards. Now hem bars and clipped together on top of the of ultraviolet - resistant clear -plastic - T ; the edge right around. gooseneck (handlebar stem). Enough one D-ring ( optional) - CR; 70cm of 5cm Construct the two front pocket tension should be applied to the straps wide seat belt webbing - B; four 10mm pieces, hemming where shown and sewing when the bag is loaded to hold it well hobby rivets - CR; 24cm of 2cm diameter in the zipper. Sew the four darts, then forward of the frame and brake cables. dowel - H; about 150 metres of heavy zip the two halves of the zipper together._ Sit the cardboard baseboard in place at duty braided nylon threat ( eg Guter­ It may take a little practice to get the the bottom of the bag. mann Polytwist) - sewing shop. zip onto the two coils, but perservere· Construct a carry strap using the seat If your bicycle frame is smaller than patiently, Sew the finished pocket onto belt webbing and two lengths of scrap 53cm, you will have to modify this plan the main compartment piece, so that it is leather cut to the same .dimenions as the by using deeper ply panels and moving in the position shown in Diagram C. The toeclip straps. Sew the lengths to the ends. the side mounting holes downwards by lower pocket edge should be approx- Cost: around $15 to $20. 36 FREEWHEELING i------.3.2-5 cm------24cm------

2·1pline ...... -· (upper) : 1,~ C cleor ploshc obo,e I Ir c/ofh undemeafh : MAIN COMPARTMENT L\D n5 . 13 cm .2.lcrn cloth sr,t -f'or ;,.. 22.·Scm sliding in rnaps 24<:rn 1...... ,..._...,_...... ,...... ~~a~~~e~r_ ...... __~_~_:-_~_~_~_~_:-_~-~ii ~ -----21-Scm

leo.ther iPptional D·ring sew together- with slight outward toper / onfob ,1,, ,II 33cm------• ,r------~ 2'31-rips-lontop .2·5cm leather f-- 1 on rever1,e s;de FRONT POCKH LID

1- only r~uired if ba'3 rubs on fron+ rack

z.·,p (lower) leather

1If' ------1 reverse ..?-5c!ll leorher ~ .... 'V 'I\ ------~~~y

FRONT POCKET 23".icm

MAIN COMPARTMENT

to rivet small leather,f:"""712-5 crn • &lot piece 7L,_J -4- hole 5·5crn t 4 crr\ ~s__ 1 t v,,, KEY cvt off-er movntinw-_,," q.scrn ' ply sides 4, z.·•pper 14-cm f-fro nt sti+ch·1ng l ~i' l24·Scrn ,~6-5c. m c-~ sew on .--everse s'ide hern ollowance plywood = S\Dt 15 cm l (2 16,ece~) All pieces are Superdux or similar material unless otherwise indicated. SIDE TENSION BOARDS (2 pieces) leather Note: Plan suits 53 cm or larger bike frame and brake levers without exten- sions. ~~---18cm FREEWHEELING 37 toeclip straps. Sew the lc:ngths to -the ends B of the webbing, folding the ends of the webbing at an angle for neatness (see photo. Note: other details of strap in the photo are different from those des­ cribed here as the model pictured is an earlier prototype). When the bag is to be carried over the shoulder, slide the two leather ends through the small leather slot pieces and into the toeclip buckles which provide a convenient length adjust- ment for optimum carrying height. Diagram E Total construction time: seven hours. Cost: around $15.20. ~: ...... • .

Diagram C

Diagram F

Diagram D

A . Top view shows all round hand clear­ ance - side straps don't obstruct hand positions on brake levers either. Note D positions of front and map packets. B. One variation has extra compart­ ment on top. C. Inside view, note plywood in place. Reflector Lid opens forward for access on the bracket mount move. - optional D. Bag in shoulder mode, as they say over in the USA. Note strap attach­ ment in photo differs from that in plan and text.

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FREEWHEELING 39 played in the Australian bush. A must for bicycle history buffs of all ages. Discover your roots with this wonder­ ful book. Oxford University Press. Hard cover. $19.95. Postage $2.70.

Richard's Bicycle Book by Richard Ballan tine. This handy book has been completely revised and is now a world best seller. Easily recommended as the bicycle book to own and use. Everything from choos­ TOURING SHOP ORDER FORM ing your dream bicycle to traffic jam­ ming to maintenance, this book has it. No of Unit TITLE Cost Pan Paperback. $6. 9 5. Postage $0.80. copies Price

Bicycle and $ Building Bicycle Wheels the Bush 19.95 by Robert Wright. Small in size but large in content, this Richard's book describes clearly the method and Bike Book 6.95 !OUBilfG theory of building bicycle wheels. The Travelling by average amount of wheel building and Bike 2.50 truing costs saved in a year could easily pay for this book a few times over. Line Bicycle SHOP drawings and step by step text make this Wleels 2.50 book easy to follow and enj oy. There is no excuse for the mystique of wheel Bicycle lacing and truing. This book has the Frames 2.50 Additions and Deletions to our Stock List. answers. With each new issue of Freewheeling you World Books. Paperback $2.50. Postage Spoke will notice that our touring shop stock $0.50. Calculator 5.35 list will alter. It is our policy to keep our stock list as tight as possible so that we How to Fix may offer our custom ers the best avail­ Sutherland's Spoke Calcula tor Your Bicycle 2.50 ability and service. Some books from our Use this slide rule-type calculator to last list have b een deleted and we have work out spoke lengths for the various Bicycles cross patterns, rim and hub types. An Rand McNally 2.75 In some cases a popular item will becom e temporarily out of stock with id eal companion to the above book. B&W print on card, diecut. $5.25. Bushwal king our wholesale supplier/importer. If this Postage $0.40. Pallin 2.50 affects your order you will be notified and given the option of an immediate Knots 1.95 refund or a wait until new sup plies be­ Bicycle Frames come available. In the case of popular by J oe Kossack. stock which is listed as temporaril y out A compani on book to the Bicycle Bicycle of stock orders will be held until the Wh eel book. This book is a brief des­ Notes 3.60 item becomes ava ilable but a notifica­ cription of the various types of frames Bl ue Mts. tion will not be se nt. Customers ordering and their construction. A must for the Bicycle Gu ide 2.50 deleted stock from old lists in back person who wants to know their machine. _issues of Freewheeling will be supplied World Books. Paperback S2 .50. Postage Bike Touring 1f deleted item is still readily available. $0.50. 13 50 Sierra Club If it is not then a refund will be sent. Use the order form provided ( or a Postage ADD photocopy if you don't wish to cut your How to Fix Your Bicycle magazin e) and se nd it with your cheque/ by Helen Garvey. money order to Freewheeling. Please A . w~nderful little book. Ms Garvey's descnpt10ns are accurate with a touch TOTAL: $ allow four weeks for delivery . The reverse side of the order fo rm is for of humour. A good beginners book, Free wheeling subscriptions and back es pecially valuable for ten-speed owners . issues. Don't forget to fill out both sides Illustrated with line drawings. Paperback Postage Postage FREE on 10 or more books. fully if you are ordering magazines as $2.50. $0.50. well as goods from the touring shop. I enclose cheque/money order to value of above : T he Bicycle and the Bush Travelling by Bike by Jim Fitzpatrick. by various au thors. Send to: Readers of this magazine will re­ A collection of articles/chapters b y Freevvheeling Austral ia Publications cognise the author of this just-released some now well-known bicycle tourers P.O. BOX 57 book. Jim Fitzpatrick has research ed BROADWAY 2007 from the USA. Good solid info and lots the use of the bicycle and the part it of helpful hints and ideas. Some sections

40 FREEWHEELING may seem a little dated but the overall message of this book will never grow WHAT YOU GETOUTOFA BIKE old. A useful reference for any serious bicycle travell er. DEPENDS ON WHAT GEAR IT'S IN. World publications. Paperback $2.50. Not that kind of gear. Postage $0.80. T his kind of gear. F lickstand, for instance. This is Rhode Gear. T he ki nd of serious, diaboli­ A fiendishly clever little device The Rhode call y functional cycling equipment that lets you park your bike safe and Bottle '" that is rapidly making Rhode Gear secure, without fear of damaging Bicycles: How they work and How to USA the most exciting name on two fa lls. Fix them - Rand McNally Publis hers. wheels. T hen there's Handlebar Hide. This technical-type manual is a general In all modesty, we think it is the best guide to bicycle maintenance. The text looking, most functional grip ever is especially supportive of novice repairers. developed. Tools are well described, as are some basic Another ingenious concept is bicycle parts and jargon. Plenty of ex­ our new Rhode Bottle. Yes, it's a water bottle. No, ploded d iagrams and helpful information. it isn't just like every other water Complicated manoeuvres are welJ il­ bottle. lustrated with captioned photograph. You see, there's no cage to Paperback, magazine dimensions, cheap carry it in. price $2. 7 5. Postage $0.80. Instead, the This is Rhode Gear. The Rhode Rack ™ Rhode Boule pops This is Rhode Gear. into a neat, little, Flickstand '" non-marring nylon mount that together weighs Camping all of 100 grams. L 1\ Bushwalking and Camping by Paddy Pallin. A new and up to date edition of Australia's best and longest selling book on outdoor pursuits. T hough a cycle touring section is absent it is still a min e of information on basic camping tech­ niques. Great stuff Paddy! Paperback $2.50. Postage $0.50. Id RHODE GEAR USA

Knots and Splices TRADE DISTR IBUTION - HANTRADE. SYDNEY (021666 967 5 MELBOURNE (03) 435 8625 by JeffToghill. This book's illustrated knot craft makes the possibility of losing your tent in a strong wind a remote chance. A popular book especiall y for would-be senous cam pcrs. Paperback S1.95. Postage $0.50.

Bicycling Notes A cycle touring log book which help you keep tour notes from getting mislaid and muddled up. Softcover $3.60. Postage S0.80.

T he Blue Mountain s - A guide for bicyclists - by Jim Sm ith . We arc pleased to o ffer this excell ent little book to our readers. It contains details o f tours of varying lengths and grades in the Blue Mountain s are a as (C[U§IT([))MJ [83(JJlllLTr well as background info and advice. Paperback $2.50. Postage $0.40. There's a CUSTOM BUILT cycle for you.

Bike Touring: The Sierra Club Guide to • Models approved to qua I ity standards set by the Outings on Wheels. Standards Association of Australia. By Raym ond Bridge. A much more comprehensive book • Makers of a full range of Australian-made frames . from the author of the Freewheeling • Available from specialist bicycle shops. book. Packed with info o n self- sufficient tou ring, covering equipment, planning, • N.S.W. Office: Unit 12/66 Ashford Street, Milperra, packing, skills and how to live and camp 2214. Telephone: (02) 774 4600. o n the road. T he price tag refl ects the volume of use ful mat erial. HEAD OFFICE: 25-27 Naweena Rd, Regency Park 5010. Tel: (08) 268 9044. Paperback $13.50, postage $2.70.

FREEWHEELING 41 of the front of the saddle would improve things. There are various ways to get your rear cluster off in the field if you have the RAMBLING tool but is there some way to build a free­ wheel without the need for a special tool? We're waiting, Shimano and others. Many people take off for their first from other less advantageous aspects of tour or other camping trip with special these substances, it is now thought that "camping" cutlery and crockery, usually they delay healing and actually weaken This has to be one of the tallest stories to bought at great expense compared to the tendon for some m onths. This can come out of the Australia's bicycling just taking some from home. A small leave the tendon more likely to tear past, but the person who told it swears vegetable knife does well as a camping during cycling or oth er exercise. Immobil­ that it is true and from a reliable source, knife for food preparation and eating. isation of the tendon by using an elastic so here it is: There were three brothers A dessert spoon or teaspoon does well bandage or similar is effective, but slow. who lived at Springwood, near Sydney. for most people as the only other item of The cause of the injury can be over­ Every week they rotk to the produce cutlery. For crockery a plastic or lamin­ exertion, or incorrect relationship be­ store to collect a three-bushel bag of ated wood or bamboo bowl is light and tween the body and the cycle. A seat feed for the chooks. The bag weighed in serves well. A plastic mug completes the which is too high can bring on the prob­ at about 80kg, the weight of the brothers eating utensils. For food preparation a lem in the achilles tendon, for example. was not specified. They then rode home, small piece of three-ply timber about 20 with the bag on the bicycle. Just one by 25cm makes an excellent cutting and bicycle carried the brothers in and them serving board. For salads, take a strong Shimano seems to b e heading towards and the bag home and did so faithfull y plastic bag, put lettuce, tomatoes, mush­ the bicycle which needs no special tools for some time until it collapsed under rooms etc in, add dressing, seal the top on the road for major repairs and good on the weight. They returned it to the Mal­ and shake. A perfectly tossed salad is them. The allen-keyed cranksets, toolless vern Star agent, disappointe'.lin it. The the result. means of breaking the new Uniglide chain Sydney factory apparently replaced it. and various other components have led Tendinitis is something w hich can affect to a lighter tool kit. How long before any cyclist who overdoes it. The symp­ some one replaces the trickier adjust­ A customer who bought a "touring" toms are intense pain in the morning and ments and fittings with simpler or lighter bicycle from a well-known shop took it decreasing soreness throughout the day as tool I don't know, but I'm waiting for back after being told that a triple chain­ the cyclist warms up and a grating feeling the allen-keyed adjuster for seat leather wheel with cogs of 52, 48 and 28 was not in the area as th e tendon moves through tension. The nuts which are usually all that suitable when combined with a its sheath. The tendon can be scarred or supplied are difficult to get at with the 14-28 cluster for riding the east coast. bound to its sheath. Treatment often saddle off the bike, let alone in place. The proprietor, more involved in racing involves cortisone-type drugs, but apart Even a hexagonal nut on the outside than touring, told him: "Touring, if I

TOW A .. .

BICYCLE TRAILER

Specifications: Available from:

Weight 16 kg Overall width 85 cm Peda l Patch Pty Ltd Basket capacity 171 T ower Street 230 li t res level Panania Phone: [02] 772 4270 Epoxycoated frame and basket Cal ypso Cycles Pty Ltd 179 King St re et Fully refl ectorised Newtown Available for small Phone: [02] 51 9 8002 or large frame sizes Out of Sydney Wide angle hitch delivery availabl e.

* Trade mark registered, patent pending Price $180

42 FREEWHEELING was going touring, I'd take that bike there (the lightest and fastest he had to offer) and go straight down the highway and stop in the first motel I came to!" Regardless of his sentiments he did ex­ change the triple for a more suitable one.

A bicycle shop is one of the hot­ test, most profitable opportunities ac­ cording to Making Money newsletter, and it says you only need $5,000 to be in action, selling, renting and repairing bikes. Try that on your local shop and see what they say. The bicycle boom arrived some time last year, but it's not exactly the sort of thing you could say is one of the "83 of the hottest and most profit­ able business opportunities". Well, I couldn't from discussions with various bike shop operators and staff. Michael Burlace

Taking a few years to pedal around the world is a dream cherished by many but realised by few. Two people who are achieving it are Francoise and Patrice Ryder from near Marseille in France. When they left nearly three years ago they were almost novices, but that has been changed by many thousands of kilometres and dozens of countries. They expect to spend two more years on the road and have attracted a small sponsor - a French mineral water company. However, the antics they have had to go through and the corny press treatment as a result makes one wonder whether the few hundred dollars are worth it. One newspaper put them in berets, had them clutching a French loaf and a bottle of mineral water and spouting cliches. They are raising money for refugees in a Kampuchean camp in Thailand where they worked for five months. Australia was a land of contrasts, from the outback - very special, particularly the Kimberlys - to the manic traffic of Sydney where they didn't like riding. Francoise said that after a few days off the tandem in the cities and other stopping places, all they wanted to do was get back on and head off.

FREEWHEELING 43 "Heading up north on the east coast bike route, ten days on the road so far ... tomorrow we'll be in south-east Queensland, Brisbane the day after ... maybe .. . Mt Lindesay is up ahead of us snagging the cloud ... the weather is clearing and the sun is getting warmer, though we'll be needing warm clothes tonight still . . . We're carrying a lot of gear but every bit of it gets used ... those panniers are great!" or carrying the load

Iberian Pann iers The largest in t he range, t hese panniers have many special f eatures including an extension on t he m ain com­ partment in 4 -oz. nylon ( 155 g. s. m .) which completely closes with a d rawcord for in­ creased capac ity and/or improved w eather resi stance. T he flap is elasticat ed and fastens with st raps and Simploc buckles .