CYBER RIDERS CLUB

CLUB MOTTO

Norma Fraser (my Mum)

 WALKING UP HILL AND RIDING DOWN HILL  –  THAT’S LIFE

The CYBER RIDERS CLUB is for my friends and I who ride our cyber bikes all over the earth through all kinds of weather taking pictures as we ride along. It doesn’t matter to us if it is sunshine, cloudy, rain or blue sky. The only thing we hate is dogs that can run faster than we can pedal.

NEWSLETTER NUMBER 6

 

“THE CYBER RIDERS CLUB NEWSLETTER “

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR OUR HON PATRON

Gail Rehbein (pronounced Ride ban)

FROM the members of The Cyber Riders Club. Have a great day in the seat.

· Life Member   Kylie Minogue (Past Patron)

· Harry Handlebar member no 1

· Daisy Chain member no 2

· Tim Tyre member no 3

· Court Racing member no 4

· Northern Bell member no 5

· Anna Spanner member no 6

· Dennis Downhill member no 7

· Pat Puncture member no 8

· Ian Innatube member no 9

· Bruced Balls member no 10

Yours from the desk with wheels.

Harry Handlebar

NEWSLETTER NUMBER 5

14 January 2015

“THE CYBER RIDERS CLUB NEWSLETTER JANUARY “

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

  NEW HON PATRON  

It is with great pleasure that I, Harry Handlebar, as President and Founding Member, of the Cyber Riders Club, announce that Kylie Minogue our long serving Patron has stepped aside to allow Gail Rehbein to take up the position of Patron of The Cyber Riders Club.

I was talking with Kylie last week and she felt it was only fitting that in recognition of Gail’s decision to use her bike for her sole mode of transport as much as possible during 2015 that she should take over the role of Patron.

Accordingly Gail has been granted full membership with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

Gail is a long-term friend of mine and she tells me she will commit to riding through all seasons, getting helmet hair and turning up sweaty or cold.

She said “Some destinations will be difficult to get to – how will I go bushwalking, how will I get to the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival and there will be others that I can’t anticipate? What about transporting my surfboard the two and half kilometres to the beach? These are things I love to do, places I love to be.”

Her great idea will see her enjoy success, honour and be raised up on the podium of life.

All the best to our new Patron.

You can follow her stories on her blog, A Bike For all Seasons

Current membership of The Cyber Riders Club

• PATRON  GAIL REHBEIN

 

• Life Member   Kylie Minogue (Past Patron)
• Harry Handlebar member no 1
• Daisy Chain member no 2
• Tim Tyre member no 3
• Court Racing member no 4
• Northern Bell member no 5
• Anna Spanner member no 6
• Dennis Downhill member no 7
• Pat Puncture member no 8
• Ian Innatube member no 9
• Bruced Balls member no 10

Yours from the desk with wheels.

Harry Handlebar

 

 

2012 Bike Ride around Orange NSW

BNSW Discovery Ride – Loop ride that includes Lake Canobolas, Mount Canobolas, Borenore, Mountain Tea House, Local Wineries, Local Orchards – Approx. 50km

I’m in the central west of New South Wales at a town called Orange. Orange is 206 kilometres (128 miles), west of Sydney, at an altitude of 862 metres (2,828 ft). Orange has a population of nearly forty thousand

Its most significant landmark is Mount Canobolas with an altitude of 1,395 metres (4,577 ft) and it is around the base of this volcanic range that we will discover and enjoy the scenery of Orange and the surrounding towns.We make the often snow-capped summit of Mount Canobolas our first port of call.

We’re in Orange to see it and do it by bike for the inaugural Bicycle NSW Discovery Weekend.

Saturday 24 March

BNSW Discovery Ride – Loop ride that includes Lake Canobolas, Mount Canobolas, Borenore, Mountain Tea House, Local Wineries, Local Orchards – Approx. 50km

Sunday 25 March

BNSW Explorers Ride – Loop Ride that includes the towns of Forest Reef and Millthorpe, Local Wineries, Local Berry Farms – Approx. 65km

THE WHEELS TURN AND I START A REVOLUTION

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Sean Fraser

It is day one of the weekend and we are doing the 50k discovery ride. It’s a camping event but we decide to stay at the Comfort Motel. A wise choice as it turned out because the temperature fell to 2 deg with a strong overnight 30 km/h sww wind.

The start and finish lines are at the Central HUB and it is here we gather for the big event.

I push my pedal, the wheels turn and I feel I’m starting a revolution. Soon I’m riding a thin black line that curves its way through an ocean of green fields, fruit rich orchards and hillsides that are bathed in the colours of autumn.

I have numb fingers, toes and nose but I keep those wheels gliding over the frosty shadows. It’s freezing out here but I push on through the orchards to Lake Canobolas.

CLICK CREAK SQUEAK AND RATTLE I HEAD TO LAKE CANOBOLAS

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Sean Fraser

Click creak squeak and rattle are the sounds coming from my bike as I race along the bumpy road to Lake Canobolas. The lake used to be the town water supply but is now a recreation reserve.

We’ve travelled about 10ks and as the sun trys to warm the air we take a small break by the lakeside.

From the lake we head north to the small town of Borenore and enjoy a relaxing ride along quite country roads.

BORENORE A WELL DESERVED REST SPOT

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Sean Fraser

We arrive at the turnaround point for the discovery ride. It’s the small settlement of Borenore located just 17 kilometres from Orange (although we’ve ridden over 23 kilometres to get there.)

The main attraction is the post office-general store-café which is just across from the old railway station. It proves to be an ideal rest spot for coffee and conversation with our fellow riders.

The Borenore railway station is on the Broken Hill railway line and was opened in 1885. The buildings are really well-preserved and I understand that the nearby court is used by the local tennis club.

The countryside is wonderful with orchards, vineyards and other agricultural enterprises. This little old shack has seen better times.

WALKING UP HILL AND RIDING DOWN HILL – THAT’S LIFE

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Sean Fraser

We leave Borenore and head back through beautiful farmland to Lake Canobolas. I have a short rest and then continue to the base of the volcanic Mount Canobolas, at an altitude of 1,395 metres (4,577 ft) above sea level; the base is about 950 metres.

No we didn’t have to climb 445 metres but we do have to conquer a category 3 climb from 959 metres to 1132 metres up Mount Towac but now I don’t know that or for that matter what a category 3 climb is either.

I cruise pass the turnoff to the Mountain Tea House thinking “why would I need a rest.” Then I see Pinnacle Road. Pinnacle, I say to myself, a pinnacle “……..adding to the loftiness and verticality of a structure………..” that’s when I see the sign above ” 6 kms of winding road.”

Then I see this sign. The road goes upwards and I enter the silence of the hills. I ride determined to make the summit, I never look up, I keep my eyes on the road. Push, push, push.

All of a sudden my wheels turn square, my legs fail me, my mind and resolve cracks and my ride becomes a walk. I’m off the steel stallion. I can’t ask any more from him. I grasp for breath, I drown myself with water, I wave to my fellow riders passing on by.

As I consult the ride notes and see that this hill isn’t even mentioned I hear the colourful bird life laughing at me which leads me to believe I wasn’t the first to get off and walk.

They say that Mount Towac, height 1350 metres, is a little rugged, I’d go along with that, but I did learn that I can walk uphill for nearly 2 kilometres and probably go faster than I can ride. Yeah, excellent views at the top, well worth the pain.

It is then a thrilling descent of 244 metres. I sprint kilometre after kilometre toward the town of Orange. I’m racing alone, wheels spinning around, my bike is my freedom.

Details ot the epic ride.

PASSING THROUGH FOREST REEF

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Sean Fraser

It’s 3 degrees with frost covering the grass. A 12 km/h east south-east breeze cuts across the start line as I head out of the hub riding from Orange to Millthorpe via Forest Reef.

From the canopy of trees emerges a clean frosty sunlight which sharpens my shadowy shape and I begin to chase my silhouette eastward toward Forest Reef.

I ride through vast country farm land, sneaking glimpses up private laneways that I imagine make their way to cosy country farmhouses.

Forest Reef a small hamlet, 10km west of Millthorpe, was a former gold mining village. It’s small today but in the past had 6 hotels.

After 35 kilometres I arrive at the 1840’s town of Millthorpe. It’s just like stepping into yesteryear with the charm of the old buildings still remaining.

I end the ride with a fabulous coffee and lemon meringue tart. It was a delicious combination of sweet pastry crust, lemon curd filling, and airy meringue and the coffee aroma perceived by the tongue made soaking up the warmth of the autumn sun in this beautiful country courtyard at the old mill cafe. It is a fitting end to my two-day journey.

March 26th 2012

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN CADEL

pic from AP

TOUR de France champion Cadel Evans won the Criterium International after finishing the third and final stage in fourth place.

The 35-year-old Australian, who took the yellow jersey after winning the second-stage time trial, held on comfortably on the day’s final climb up to Col de l’Ospedale.

“Yesterday was a good indication, I was confident,” Evans said.

“It worked out very well today. In the last few kilometres I could hold off the attacks and take the yellow jersey home.”

Fellow Australian Michael Rogers, who was in second place overnight, placed third overall after finishing the undulating 179-kilometre Corsican trek from Porto Vecchio to Col de l’Ospedale in eighth spot.

Evans said his form is starting to come together and hopes to peak in time to defend his Tour title in July.

“I’m a racer, I love to race and this is my job. It’s my life, sometimes things go well and it all comes together,” Evans said.

“It’s a good indication (for the Tour) but there are still big races to come.”

French rider Pierrick Fedrigo won the stage in a closely contested sprint from Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy and Lars

Peter Nordhaug of Norway to finish second overall, eight seconds adrift of Evans.

The top four in the stage were timed at 4 hours 52 minutes and 34 seconds.

Story from www.heraldsun.com.au Cadel Evans celebrates on the podium after winning the Criterium International. Source: AP

MARCH 2012

Photo: AP smh 24 07 2011

AUSTRALIA’S CADEL EVANS NOW WEARS THE LEADER’S YELLOW JERSEY AND WILL WIN THE TOUR de FRANCE FOR 2011

NEWSLETTER NUMBER 6 

October

It’s about 4.30 am and I’m up and about getting ready for the Cyber Riders Club 2009 ride of the year. The ride  raises funds for the MS Society and the    Oncology  Foundation.

I have all the members in my basket and we’re ready to go. I’ve just eaten a bowl of spaghetti for breakfast and this is meant to give me energy. I cooked it the night before so technically it’s a ‘left-over’.

They say pasta is high in complex carbohydrates, which give a “time release” of energy when needed during long, tiring exercise, like long-distance running or biking.

It didn’t taste that good so I can understand why you don’t see any Italian restaurants open for breakfast. Pizza or spaghetti isn’t good early in the morning.

My riding buddy, Shelly and I joined about 11,000 cyclists to participate in the annual Spring Cycle ride in Sydney.

We chose to ride the 40-50 kilometre ride from North Sydney, over the Harbour Bridge, through the Rocks and across the old Glebe Island Bridge through the streets of Sydney’s inner west to finish at Sydney Olympic Park.

We started from under the magnificent trees of St Leonards Park North Sydney which is the setting for the North Sydney Oval.

 

We then rode  over the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge into Sydney’s historic old quarter known as the Rocks.

In 1788, Australia’s first European settlers British convicts and their overseers claimed the land here and built their camp atop the sandstone cliffs of this area. The Rocks eventually grew from an open-air gaol into a vibrant port community.

It had a colourful history of rough gangs and rough life but today the former warehouses, sailors’ homes, and dens of iniquity have all been renovated.

The grand old bridge is the world’s largest, but not longest steel arch bridge. Its total length including approach spans is 1149 metres and its arch span is 503 metres.

  

The Argyle Cut was hewn by convicts through the sandstone ridge of The Rocks to connect Sydney Cove with Darling Harbour and Millers Point. It was started in 1843 by convicts with hammers and chisels, and completed in 1867.

Darling Harbour is a waterfront leisure and entertainment destination. Its journey from derelict docklands to playground has been described as a marvel of inner urban rebirth.

The ANZAC Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Australia, and amongst the longest in the world. The bridge is 32.2 metres (105.6 ft) wide and the main span is 345 metres (1131.9 ft) long.

We get back on the bikes and continue across the historic Old Glebe Island Bridge which spans Johnstons Bay. It is significant because it has been an important part of infrastructure in the history of Sydney for over 90 years going back to 1862.

It’s a fairly windy day here in Sydney and when you’re heading directly into it, it is not only cold but it’s full power on the peddling. Notwithstanding this our many hours of training see us through and soon we are heading along James Craig Road past the heritage fleet and super yachts in Rozelle Bay.

 

We then point the handlebars westward along Lilyfield Road and onto tucked-away cycle paths along Hawthorne Canal. We speed through the back streets of Haberfield appreciating some of Sydney’s old world charm in the traditional federation architecture and on through Five Dock Park to rumble through the leafy back streets of Five Dock and Concord.

  

Our first big rest site is Brays Bay Reserve. It’s a great spot to stop to take a breather enjoy a drink and some light food. Most of the food was ice cream coffee and sandwiches. Funny no pizza or spaghetti so we stuck to water and an energy bar.

Our bodies are intact, we’ve done 18 kilometres and we are hardly sweating. At this point we discuss doing the 90k Wollongong ride in November or maybe the 2011 Tour de France, anything’s possible, then I remember I don’t speak French.

From the rest spot we cross the Ryde Bridge, and the Parramatta River which, along with Sydney Harbour, is the most significant waterway in Sydney.

I am cruising. I’m passing riders, riders are passing me, I’m ringing my bell and the road is melting below my tires. It’s fantastic.

A female rider close on my rear wheel misjudges the turn. She rides off the road into a hedge. Should I stop? I look back and see she is suspended in the foliage.  She seems Ok so I ride on, Lance, Cadel or Alberto would have done the same; we all know the risks.

The route then links up with the John Whitton Bridge. This old railway bridge has been converted to a cycleway running along the train bridge. Once on the other side of the bridge we enter Bicentennial Park, which was created to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary in 1988.

The cycle paths here take you on a magical journey through the parklands, wetlands and mangrove creeks which are some of Sydney’s most important woodlands and wetland ecosystems. We are only a few kilometers from the finish. I can hear the crowd roaring.

Soon we arrive at Olympic Boulevard. The finish line looms up. It’s within sight. At the 300 metre mark my younger riding buddy, Shelly, throws out a challenge.

‘Want to race to the finish’ she says

‘No’ I say, but all the time I’m getting ready for a final sprint.

‘Come on let’s go’ says Shelly.

‘Ok’ I said and before she knew it I was off, jumping to a twenty metre lead.

But it wasn’t over she’s young and she’s tricky.

She yells out ‘Stop you’ve dropped something, something’s fallen off your bike’

She almost had me but I’m old and cunning. I wasn’t going to get beaten, I yelled back ‘I’ll go pick it up later’

Within a flash my arms were stretched up towards the heavens as I crossed the finish line a winner.

The racing all over we  mingle with the other riders and rested for a few hours at Sydney Olympic Park before throwing our iron horses on the train for the journey home.

The Iron Horses rest on one another in the train.

It was a great day but will the bike replace the BMW, I think not.

The City of Sydney Spring Cycle is organised by Bicycle NSW and presented by The Sun-Herald, with the support of the RTA, NSW Police, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, NSW Ambulance, St John First Aid personnel, plus hundreds of hard working and happy volunteers. We all work together to provide a fun and safe cycle-friendly route through Sydney.

research info from tourist site and spring bike ride site

 

 

NEWSLETTER NUMBER 5  

4th July

CYBER RIDERS CLUB  TOUR de SANS SOUCI

First place Harry Handlebar

   

The Start Steve’s Cafe

Stage 1 Russell  Ave

Stage 2 Clareville Ave

Cherish Café

Clareville Ave

Turn around at Captain Cook Bridge Sandringham

Stage 3 From Sandringham to Ramsgate

Sans Souci

Amenities

Dolls Point on the way to Ramsgate.

Dangerous rocks near Dolls Point

Ramsgate and Bar Amalfi

 

 

Stage 4 Ramsgate to Brighton le Sands     

enthusiastic crowd

Brighton le Sands and lunch time

Stages 5 and 6 as we make our way back from Brighton le Sands to Ramsgate and then to Dolls Point

Ramsgate

       

Stage 7 Dolls Point to finish at Steve’s cafe.

THE  FINISH LINE 

NEWSLETTER NUMBER 4

26 June

“THE CYBER RIDERS CLUB UPDATE JUNE 26 th 2011”

TOUR de SANS SOUCI

Unfortunately due to the global financial crisis my sponsors are unable to support my participation in this year’s Tour de France . I will however be taking part in the lesser known event the Tour de Sans Souci.

Some say that it is the same bike photographed three times but that is not true. These are the three identical bikes I will ride during the arduous 2011 Tour de Sans Souci.

This year’s race will visit a total of six suburbs Sans Souci, Sandringham, Dolls Point, Ramsgate, Monterey and Brighton Le Sands. Yes that’s postcodes 2216, 2217 and 2219

Running from Saturday July 2^th 2011 to Saturday July 2^th 2011, the 1st Tour de Sans Souci will be made up of 15 gruelling stages and will cover a total distance of 9.7 kilometres.

 These demanding 15 stages have the following profiles:

• 7 flat stages,
• 4 coffee stages,
• 1 beach rest stage,
• 2 individual time-trial stages,
• 1 team time-trial stage.

The tour will push off, after a coffee, from Steve’s Cafe at Peter Depena Park in Dolls Point (2219) which is a small southern suburb of Sydney about 17km south of the City.

It will then make its way through this friendly neighbourhood up Russell Avenue to the small group of shops located at the intersection of Clareville Avenue. There the tour will make a left hand turn and head through the quiet residential streets towards Sandringham passing the grocery shop, the chemist, the hairdresser but not café. We have ridden 500 metres by now and will be in need of refreshments. The first stopping point will be the Cherish Café.

The tour will continue along Clareville Ave right down to Riverside Drive and all the way to the Cook Park. The tour then returns along the bike path that borders the beach which stretches from Sandringham Bay to Dolls Point.

The next stage will see the peloton arriving at Ramsgate Beach and from there they will ride to Bar Amalfi for a rest and a coffee. We are now 16 kilometers south of the city of Sydney and in the heart of post code 2217

After a short break the tour will continue along the bay side bike path at Lady Robinson Beach and Cook Park from Ramsgate (2217) to Monterey (2217) and finally arriving at Brighton le Sands (2216).

The beach rest stage will then be taken accompanied by a lazy, sunny brunch and coffee at the Brighton Kiosk on the water’s edge at Botany Bay. The tour will make its way back to the finish line at the Peter Depena Reserve.

Look out for Newsletter 5 which will provide more exciting information as the race day draws closer.

 The list of confirmed Cycavatar riders is as follows. (An avatar is a computer user’s representation of himself/herself or alter ego. A Cycavatar is the ego associated with a Cyber Cyclist.)

Frank  Schleck,  Harry Handlebar,  Daisy Chain,  Tim Tyre,  Court Racing

Northern Bell,   Anna Spanner,  Dennis Downhill,  Pat Puncture,  Carlos Sastre

Ian Innatube,  Bruced Balls,  Fred Frame,  Steve Spoke,  Terry Tube, Cadel Evans,

Vince Valve,  Fiona Fork,  Alberto Contador,  Phillip Pump.  Walter Bottle

Colin Cogg,  Gary Grip,  Denis Menchov,  Peter Peddle,  Citon Seat

Bazza Brake.  Ben Biker,  Ronnie Rack, Andy Schleck

NEWSLETTER NUMBER 3

“THE CYBER RIDERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP UPDATE JUNE “

  NEW MEMBER

It is with great pleasure that I, Harry Handlebar, as President and Founding Member, of the Cyber Riders Club announce that the following Cycavatar has been granted full membership with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

The new member Bruced Balls is declared to be member no 10.

Bruced has made the transition from Real Road Rider to Cyber Rider in the last few days. His decision to transit was caused by a recent argument with the pavement which has given him a new face at a cost in excess of $5000. Not a bad job but he now needs a new passport and his young child thinks her mummy has a new boyfriend.

I am personally very upset for both Bruced and the pavement firstly because it was my old steed that Bruced was riding and secondly the pavement had recently been painted with new white lane markers which now have blood and scuff marks all over them. My thoughts go out to both of them.

I also take the opportunity to welcome our newly appointed Honorary Patron Kylie . The Honorary appointment and Honorary life membership coincides with her 42th birthday on 28th May 2011. Happy birthday Kylie.

No doubt Kylie got her great rear end from the many hours she has devoted to cyber cycling. You too, in time, can achieve that look. Go visit Kylie she is the best.

Current membership

• HON PATRON  and Hon Life Member   KYLIE
• Harry Handlebar member no 1
• Daisy Chain member no 2
• Tim Tyre member no 3
• Court Racing member no 4
• Northern Bell member no 5
• Anna Spanner member no 6
• Dennis Downhill member no 7
• Pat Puncture member no 8
• Ian Innatube member no 9
• Bruced Balls member no 10

Yours from the desk with wheels.

Harry

PS: Pavements are generally hard arsed.

© 2011 simple and easy information

 ——————————————————————————————————–

NEWSLETTER NUMBER 2

 

THE CYBER RIDERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Over the last few days great interest has been shown in the Cyber Riders Club. There has been a sprint for new members to join up. It is therefore with great pleasure that I, Harry Handlebar, as President and Founding Member, announce that the following Cycavatars have been granted full membership with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

Some simple and easy information  (An avatar is a computer user’s representation of himself/herself or alter ego. A Cycavatar is the ego associated with a Cyber Cyclist.)

Current membership

• Harry Handlebar member no 1
• Daisy Chain member no 2
• Tim Tyre member no 3
• Court Racing member no 4
• Northern Bell member no 5
• Anna Spanner member no 6
• Dennis Downhill member no 7
• Pat Puncture member no 8
• Ian Innatube member no 9

Yours from the padded seat

Harry

PS: Watch out for dogs

——————————————————————————————————–

 NEWSLETTER NUMBER 1

FIRST PRESS RELEASE

I am the President and only member of the “Cyber Riders Club”. If you want to join, membership is free, just include your e-mail address with your comment or useful tip and you will receive your exclusive membership certificate.

I respect your privacy and will never share your email address or seat size with anyone.

The club’s first cyber-ride will be Sunday 24^th May building up to the big Spring ride in September. visit this link http://www.springcycle.com.au/    You can enjoy a fun bike ride while raising money for MS Australia and the Oncology Children’s Foundation – the event beneficiary charities!

Some useful tips for when you are riding.

• Wear tight clothing
• Avoid getting rash
• Be sure that you and your bicycle is in good working order
• Don’t ride in heavy fog.
• Don’t make sudden moves.
• Don’t wear earphones, gramophones or telephones.
• When passing another cyclist on the road, make your presence known by yelling out as you approach.
• Do not yell too loud as they might fall off in front of you.
• Practice changing a tube at home before you encounter a flat on the road.
• Be extra cautious in passing parked cars. That door just may swing out into your path.
• Carry a snack for when you lose energy. Hint: energy bars, fruit, raisins and fruit bars work much better than candy bars.
• When you stop chain your bike up for security, but not to moveable objects.

Yours from behind the handle bars

Harry

PS: keep off the footpath

©  2011 simple and easy information

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