THE MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE - No. 185FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2020

CYCLE

SEA OT TER: Exciting Bike Festival Expo hits Australia

EASTER C YCLE: Book your fun-filled long weekend now

GEAR UP GIRL: Full review of SA’s biggest women’s-only ride

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C O N T E N T SFront cover images: Top: Gravel riding and riding for the whole family are two key themes at Sea Otter Australia.

Bottom: The dual slalom action is thrilling for racers and spectators alike at Sea Otter.

Back cover image: Mountain bikers race to far horizons at Sea Otter.

CEO and President’s Notes 3

Sea Otter Festival Expo Comes Down Under 4

Gear Up Girl 2019 Review 6

Burra Easter Cycle 8

Dirty Weekend Will Rise From The Ashes 10

Jimmy Ashby – Young Australian Adventurer of the Year 10

Wheely Great: Unley Museum’s Cycling Exhibition A Hit 11

Vale Rob Johnston 12

Take The Grand Slam Series Challenge 12

M E M B E R S U B M I S S I O N S

KI BUGs invade the Southern Flinders 13

Des Chabrel Conquers the New York Marathon 14

Contributing to CycleHave you something you would like to contribute to Cycle? If so we’d love to hear about it. Please contact the Bike SA office. Email: office@bikesa.asn.au

B I C Y C L E S A O F F I C E11A Croydon Road, Keswick SA 5035

Phone (08) 8168 9999Fax (08) 8168 9988

Email office@bikesa.asn.auWeb www.bikesa.asn.au

@BicycleSA @bicyclesa @bike_sa Bicycle SA

The office is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

C Y C L ECycle is published quarterlyISSN: 2208-3979

D I S C L A I M E RThe views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Bicycle SA. Bicycle SA does not guarantee the accuracy of information published herein.

© 2 0 2 0 B I C Y C L E S AOriginal articles in Cycle are copyrighted to Bicycle South Australia Incorporated (Bicycle SA) unless otherwise specified. Non-profit organisations may reproduce articles copyrighted to Bicycle SA, with only minor modification, without the permission of the authors, provided Bicycle SA is sent, as a courtesy and condition, a copy of the publications containing such reproduction.

Articles copyrighted to their authors may not be reproduced without the express authorisation of their authors. Bicycle SA and the original authors reserve the right to take legal action for breach of copyright where these instructions are not complied with.

B I C Y C L E S A E X E C U T I V E T E A MPresident, Maureen MerrickEmail maureen.merrick@bikesa.asn.auVice President, Nathan PetrusTreasurer, Michael KillmierSecretary, Anne Smith

Members Chris BeauchampWarwick CooperNick SpyrouGreg StakerRowan McKeownCarol Seely

Burra Easter Cycle — page 8

KI BUGs invade — page 13

Gear Up Girl 2019 Review — page 6

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C H I E F E X E C U T I V E ’ S N O T E SC H R I S T I A N H A A G

P R E S I D E N T ’ S N O T E SM A U R E E N M E R R I C K

For many years now, cities across the world have clearly demonstrated the fact that putting an

end to the overwhelming domination of cars and opening streets up to pedestrians, light transit and

cycling is not only enormously advantageous to physical, mental and environmental health but also to commercial business success.

Study after study has shown that, far from being a death knell to shopping, reducing motor transport and car parking actually increases patronage to local businesses. While pedestrians and cyclists may buy less in any one shopping trip, they shop more often, spend more per month than those that travel by car and businesses have been thriving from the transport priority shift.

Strategic consultation regarding Adelaide’s CBD City Access Strategy began in January. We hope this will provide greater momentum for the city to prioritise walking and cycling as safer and more pleasant ways to move through the city.

It is clear now that the only way that the city can move into the 21st century with regards to more sustainable and safe mobility options is through political leadership. Bicycle SA has for more than six years provided robust, evidence-based arguments

to successive city councils that a seamless and connected separated cycling network would greatly enhance the city’s economic vitality.

On this, we look to the USA, whose ‘car is king’ transport culture is very similar to our own. Over recent years, more and more research on the economic benefits to cities that invest in cycling infrastructure, is now seeing increasing numbers of communities taking a leadership role in this area. From infrastructure investment to tax incentives to individuals and businesses and new mobile technologies that deliver cheaper and easier multi-modal transport choices.

Sadly, late last year the saga of Adelaide’s separated CBD bikeways continued, with completion of the Frome cycleway delayed due to construction of the Frome-North Terrace residential precinct. And it was disappointing to see Council continue to delay planning work on the East-West separated corridor.Let’s hope by the end of 2020, we’ll celebrate a completed north-south and east-west network in our wonderful city.

A large group of Wednesday Wheelers riders were at the recent funeral service for Robert

(Rob) Johnston. For many years Rob was a regular rider of the group. However, due to illness, his final ride with the Wheelers was in April last year.

Rob was a passionate cyclist. His warm, open and friendly nature drew many to him, with a number of those people becoming lifelong friends.

In March 1998 Rob was elected to the Executive Committee and from March 2000 until September 2002 he was the organisation’s Vice President. His depth of business experience, common sense approach to issues and views from a cyclist’s perspective were invaluable.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences have been conveyed to his family.

Congratulations to the following five Executive Committee members who were elected for the next two years at our Annual General Meeting last November:

Maureen Merrick (President) Anne Smith (Secretary)

Chris Beauchamp Rowan McKeown Carol Seely

We warmly welcome our two new members,

Rowan and Carol, who are both passionate cyclists. They will bring their policy and administrative experience, together with their individual rider’s perspectives, to the Committee.

At the AGM the two retiring members were Angie Lewis and Terry Ryan.

Angie has been a Committee member for the past seven years. We thank Angie for her contribution from a business and health perspective.

Terry has had a long association with Bicycle SA, initially as Manager of what was then known as Bike South (Department of Transport). In 1996 he was instrumental in guiding us through the inauguration, and the early years, of the BikeEd programme.

Since 2002, Terry has been a Committee member for five years and Vice President for 13 years.

He has made an enormous contribution both on the Committee and in the broader organisation through his wealth of experience in governance, leadership and strategy planning, together with his passion for a safer cycling community.

We thank Angie and Terry for their loyalty and commitment to Bicycle SA and wish them both well for the future.

Together with the remaining five Executive Committee members, Nathan Petrus (Vice President), Michael Killmier (Treasurer), Warwick Cooper, Nick Spyrou and Greg Staker, we shall continue to work on behalf of cycling and our members.

Stephen Yarwood was re-appointed our Patron for the next 12 months and this was received with acclamation from those members present.

The following awards were presented at the AGM:

Volunteer of the Year Award – 2019: Janet Dann

Janet started volunteering in 2005 during the Outback Odyssey. Since then she has given so much of her time to our various events, managing

refreshment stations, catering and assisting wherever help is required.

Congratulations Janet!

Grand/Mini Slam Awards:

The 2019 Grand Slam Perpetual Trophy was awarded to Fleur Nattrass for her achievement in completing the series of 80km, 100km, 120km, 150km and 200km rides.

The Mini Slam Perpetual Trophy was awarded to Suzanne Maffei who was successful in completing her first attempt of the 40km, 50km, 60km, 75km, and 100km rides.

Six riders joined the Club 500 members. They completed four of the Grand or Mini Slam rides totalling 500km, 150km short of the 650km achieved by the Grand Slam riders.

Congratulations to you all for your achievements and for some of you your personal bests.

A list of riders, who completed either the Grand Slam, Mini Slam or Club 500, without completing the series, is published in this edition of Cycle.

We thank Roof Rack City and Nippy’s Fruit Juices who have been supporting these rides for many years and we look forward to this continuing association in 2020.

The 2020 Grand and Mini Slam series of five on-road rides will begin at 8.00am on Sunday 23 February at Centenary Park, Oval Rd, Mt Torrens and we look forward to seeing you there. The distance for this first ride in the series is 40km/80km. The remaining four rides have been planned for:

Willunga, 29 March (50km/100km) Meadows, 24 May (60km/120km) Williamstown, 23 August (75km/150km) Balhannah, 11 October (100km/200km)

After the wonderful time of cycling we have had with the Tour Down Under in January these Grand/Mini rides are a great way to keep up the momentum.

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S E A O T T E R F E S T I V A L E X P O C O M E S D O W N U N D E R

Bicycle South Australia is bringing the world’s premier cycling festival Down Under in 2020.

Sea Otter Australia will thrill cycling enthusiasts of all disciplines, ages and abilities in Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park from 2-5 October.

Sea Otter Australia will offer spectators and riders a contemporary cycling adventure like no other, nestled in Stromlo Forest Park, Australia’s premier ‘whole of cycling experience centre’. The event will include all things cycling; a consumer expo, mountain bike and BMX riding, road and gravel riding, urban riding, demo bikes and much more.

Attendees will also have the chance to experience the ROMP! Bike Festival, a curated experience featuring music, food, brews of all sorts, cycle chic fashion parades and a film festival. Set to be the first experience of its kind in cycling-lifestyle-focused entertainment, ROMP! Bike Festival will be a celebratory adventure where participants can dive into the cross-pollination of the cycling lifestyle in the Expo oasis. There really is something for everyone aged 8 to 80 years.

The festival follows the popular North American original Sea Otter Classic, which celebrates its 30th year in 2020 and is known as the World’s Premier Cycling Festival. Held in Monterey, California annually in April, the event has come to be the season opener to the North American bicycle industry and the place to be for product launches, festival fun, races and unique events.

Sea Otter Classic founder and CEO Frank Yohannan says the festival “has always been about providing quality riding and racing in a family festival environment. It is the only celebration of cycling that incorporates all riding disciplines and

all cycling product categories wrapped up in a four-day experience.”

So successful is the Sea Otter Experience, it is now presented in Europe (Girona, Spain) and Canada (Blue Mountain).

“And now, for October 2020, we are very excited to have partnered with BikeSA to host Sea Otter Australia for the first time in the southern hemisphere”, Yohannan says.

Bike SA CEO, Christian Haag says the organisation is “honoured to be bringing this festival to Australia”.

“It’s time that bicycle riders across the Australasian region have the opportunity to experience a totally new cycling festival. One that celebrates the breadth of our multi-faceted cycling culture – on-road and off-road, for fun, health, recreation, competition and transport. And of course, the latest bikes and bling, fashion, music and brews in our Expo village,” Haag says.

Canberra-based BMX and Mountain Biking World Champion, Caroline Buchanan is the event Ambassador and she expects Sea Otter Australia to be “a real shock” to Australian cycling enthusiasts.

“My first Sea Otter experience was eight year ago and over the years I’ve watched the event grow,” Buchanan says.

“This is a really special thing that I think Australia has been searching for. The industry is growing and this is perfect to bring us all together in one festival family fun environment on two wheels.

Thousands turn out to watch the exciting action at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California.

FINALLY, A WORLD-CLASS EVENT IN AUSTRALIA SHOWCASING EVERYTHING THAT IS GREAT ABOUT CYCLING!

Andrew McEwan, Bicycle Parts Wholesale owner

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“Whatever bike you’re riding – amateurs right through to pros – this is a real participation event. There’s everything for families, there’s the music and with the trade industry there, you’ll see all the latest release products.”

Major event sponsor Shane Wolki of Pushys says Pushys is “delighted that Sea Otter is coming to Canberra”.

“We’ve attended the Sea Otter Classic in the USA and know this format will be very popular Down Under. Australia needs an event like Sea Otter and Stromlo is the ideal venue, with great facilities and easy access,” Wolki says.

Another major sponsor is Bicycle Parts Wholesale.

Its owner Andrew McEwan is very excited about the event, saying: “We can’t wait to exhibit and participate at Sea Otter Australia. Finally, a world-class event in Australia showcasing everything that is great about cycling!”

BikeSA is also working with, and has the support of, local cycling groups and community organisations to coordinate a series of legacy programs for the ACT community, to encourage greater cycling participation beyond the festival itself.

Pedal Power ACT Executive Officer Ian Ross says his organisation is “really excited to align with the festival and announce the hosting of Fitzs’ Challenge 2020 as the Gran Fondo event for Sea Otter Australia’’.

“We look forward to all our previous participants returning and attracting even greater numbers as part of this festival weekend,” Ross says.

Sea Otter Australia will be a family-friendly festival that celebrates cycling, with a strong emphasis on participation, spectating and an opportunity to see and test the latest industry products. There will also be a range of kids’ activities and lifestyle events.

Haag says: “No matter what you ride – love your ride at Sea Otter”.

For more information go to http://www.seaotteraustralia.com.au/ and sign up for upcoming news, information and ticket sales.

Sea Otter is fun for the whole family. The expo side of Sea Otter is a thrill all its own, with exhibitors showing a huge array of the latest gear.

Like all the other disciplines, road racers from amateurs to pros will have the chance to fight for the win.

The festival caters to all ages and all interests.

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Gear Up Girl – South Australia’s biggest women’s-only cycling event – drew together

another crowd of enthusiastic, fun-loving, energetic women and girls of all ages for its 2019 edition on November 24.

The weather could not have been kinder, with a warm, sunny day offering light winds to keep participants cool over their chosen 10km, 40km or 55km adventures.

Our trio of ambassadors – national track rider Kristina Clonan, cycling coach Margaret Boylan and Bike Education instructor Sharlene Harding – set the tone for the day and were tremendously popular and encouraging presences out on the rides.

Many respondents to our post-event survey expressed their thanks for the leadership of the

three women on the River, Beach and Harbour rides and Bike SA adds its thanks for their help to inspire more women to join us on the pedals.

The survey also told us:

• For more than 40 per cent of our respondents, this was their first experience at Gear Up Girl so the event is continuing to entice more women to try cycling;

• Fitness and fun topped the list of reasons for joining the event;

• Seventy five per cent of respondents expect that they will ride more in future because of their participation and;

• One hundred per cent of them would recommend Gear Up Girl to others.

That’s as good as endorsements get. If you haven’t joined us for Gear Up Girl yet, lock in the 2020 date – November 22 – on your calendar now, get some friends together and join us this year for a great day out.

Thanks must go to Ground Effect cycle clothing for their support and also to Bike SA’s dedicated volunteers, without whom the event could not have happened.

A photo album of the event is available on Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikesa/albums/72157711926628463

G E A R U P G I R L 2 0 1 9 R E V I E W

A perfect day to enjoy Adelaide’s beautiful beaches.

A proud trio at the finish line.

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All smiles after a successful ride.

The Skinny Lattes Cycling Club was out in force.

Time for a group shot with Ambassador Kristina Clonan.

Our three ambassadors full of spirit. Ambassador Sharlene Harding ready to lead the River riders away.

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B U R R A E A S T E R C Y C L E

Bicycle SA’s Easter Cycle event is a classic long weekend of relaxed fun to share with family

and friends. From long day-trips chasing the horizon for committed roadies, to little loops for little tackers on training wheels - as well as our famous Night Ride - our Easter Cycle has plenty in the program to keep the entire mob occupied all long weekend.

Our venue this year, Burra, in the state’s Mid-North, 162km from Adelaide, offers a breathtaking array of activities from high-energy rides or hikes to slowly soaking in the town’s history and tranquillity and enjoying everything the local gourmet regions have to offer.

Our campsite will be at the Burra Community Sports Club and there will be rides of varying distances to challenge and reward roadies and mountain bikers. Rides have also been planned for those looking for a more leisurely time out on their bikes, and, of course, the younger members of the group always revel in the ever-popular Easter Egg Hunt.

Time off the bike over the weekend offers an excellent opportunity to explore the unique heritage of the historic copper mining region around Burra. Copper was initially discovered in the Burra district in 1845 by two shepherds, William Streair and Thomas Pickett.

Burra was declared a State Heritage Town in 1994

and the town and the surrounding area also provide a variety of bike riding options, which include:

• Shorter rides along the riverside paths and tracks;

• Longer bitumen rides to the well-known Clare Valley cellar doors;

• Mountain biking along sections of the Mawson Trail, and maybe even up to Dares Hill;

• Exploring Burra Gorge;

• Riding out to where copper was first discovered, and, of course,

• Easter favourites like the Easter Egg Hunt and the family night ride (don’t forget your lights!).

In between riding your bike, reading a book or just relaxing, you’ll find Burra boasts gourmet cafes, restaurants, historic pubs, beautifully preserved heritage buildings and the famous self-guided Heritage Trail, all waiting to be explored.

Whichever way you want to spend your long weekend, the 2020 Burra Easter Cycle has much to offer.

Round up the family, get your mates together or just bring yourself along - it’s a great way to meet people and make new friends. You can ride as much or as little as you like - it’s your weekend to enjoy!

For more information and to register, go to https://www.bikesa.asn.au/EasterCycle or call Bike SA on 8168 9999.

www.bikesa.asn.au/coast2coast

GLENELG TO VICTOR HARBOR

15 MARCH

2020

RIDE OPTIONS

10km, 65km, 95km & 120km.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

ANOTHER AWESOME EVENT PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Breathtaking views on the Mawson Trail between Clare and Burra.

Natural beauty meets heritage beauty A warm welcome to an idyllic town.

9www.bikesa.asn.au/coast2coast

GLENELG TO VICTOR HARBOR

15 MARCH

2020

RIDE OPTIONS

10km, 65km, 95km & 120km.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

ANOTHER AWESOME EVENT PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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Jimmy Ashby, the young South Australian who at just 18 years of age

set himself the challenge of riding his bike around the world, has been named the Young Adventurer of the Year by the Australian Geographic Society.

Jimmy, now 20, was stunned by the award, which he received at a gala event in Sydney in November.

“Australian Geographic is one of the biggest magazines in Australia and to be recognised by someone so enormous and have the prestige of an award like Young Adventurer of the Year is huge, it’s humbling,” Jimmy said.

“Six months ago, I was just this smelly boy on a bike just cycling along and now suddenly this is happening. I

could never have dreamed it. I just loved cycling and the thought of riding through beautiful countries every day for 393 days was a dream come true.”

He expects this honour “could open some incredible doors’’ and already he is delivering motivational speeches.

“I see my potential as inspiring younger people to do what they love,” he said.

“I’m not saying: ‘Go and cycle around the world’, but we all have our own road to cycle and it’s a matter of finding that. Incredible things happened and it was just because I did what I loved. It’s that simple.

“People think my adventure wasn’t simple, but it was. All I had to do every day was get up, ride when I wanted to, eat when I was hungry and sleep when I was tired. I didn’t have to choose what shirt to wear because I only had one shirt. It was a simple, beautiful life.”

Jimmy only returned home in mid-2019 but his thirst for adventure is still strong. His long-term plans include exploring Mongolia and venturing from the bottom of South America all the way north to Alaska – all by bike, of course. His Curve Cycling GXR has covered more than 40,000km but he’s sticking with his faithful companion.

Before any of those adventures

though, Jimmy plans to test himself on home soil. In March 2020 he will contest the Indian Pacific Wheel Race from Perth to Sydney. “I know I can go far but now I’m starting to ask the question: ‘Can I go fast as well?’ It’s really exciting to see where my limits are,’’ he said.

He will also continue speaking, a job that’s a perfect marriage of his love of cycle exploration and his desire to inspire others. ‘’It’s not just me telling the story of my ride and where I went. It’s who I’ve become and the lessons I’ve learned,’’ he said.

If you’d like to hear Jimmy speak about his adventures, go to his website Jimmy Ashby – Around the World by Bike

J I M M Y A S H B Y – Y O U N G A U S T R A L I A N A D V E N T U R E R O F T H E Y E A R

The catastrophic bushfires that have run rampant across the

nation – including the devastation wrought across so much of Kangaroo Island – also struck the Adelaide Hills in December in an outbreak that started in Cudlee Creek and destroyed almost all of the area’s extensive trail network.

That fire also destroyed 80 Adelaide Hills homes, as well as businesses, properties, forests, bushland and countless animals.

In the face of such devastation we dare not even suggest the loss of riding trails is comparable, but as providers of the much-loved Dirty Weekend 24-hour mountain biking event, it is important we keep you up to date on how the fires affect this

longstanding highlight of the South Australian MTB calendar.

Just as the Hills residents and gourmet producers have vowed to press on, Bicycle SA is committed to ensuring that this great event will go ahead, particularly in this, its milestone 20th year.

The area around the hugely popular Fox Creek trails will take months to repair but there is still hope Dirty Weekend will be able to return to its traditional home for the six, 12 and 24-hour races on May 2 & 3.

However, should that not be the case, the SA mountain biking community is blessed to have many other areas in which to ride and race and Bicycle SA is engaged in discussions with relevant authorities about relocating

the much-loved event should that need arise.

Regardless of where it is held, the things that make this event great - the enthusiasm and passion of its competitors and supporters, the fun and exciting atmosphere, the music, the village, the vibe - will all still be there.

Bike SA is committed to not only providing the event for this 20th anniversary year but to create it to the same standard, atmosphere and sense of occasion that has made Dirty Weekend such a drawcard for two decades now.

We will keep you updated as work towards the event progresses but for now, get out on the trails and get ready for another awesome Dirty Weekend.

D I R T Y W E E K E N D W I L L R I S E F R O M T H E A S H E S

24-hour MTB champion Kate Penglase

(Picture courtesy of Tim Loft)

The sign marking the start of the fabulous Green Smoothie trail at Fox Creek stands out among the devastation.

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Unley Museum’s On Ya Bike exhibition on all things cycling draws to a close on February

8. It has been a huge success, demonstrating the burgeoning popularity of cycling as sport, recreation and transport as well as the growing support for environmentally responsible active transport.

Unley Museum curator Karen Paris said visitor numbers were up about 50 per cent over the average for November and December.

“We certainly had a lot of cyclists because they came in in their cycling kit so it was fairly obvious,” Karen said. “We always have school groups through at that time of year but there were also a lot of community groups, as well as different groups who came through because they heard about the exhibition, which is great.”

And the feedback she has received from visitors since the exhibition opened on October 31 has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People love the idea of there being an exhibition about cycling. The topic is relevant in terms of environment and sustainability and in terms of fitness and exercise and it’s just something that, in general, people are interested in and familiar with. Certainly, it’s been one of our more popular exhibitions.”

Items like the generator bike were particularly popular as visitors’ competitive instincts kicked in but history won the day in terms of the No. 1 favourite experience, even if it wasn’t for the most highbrow of reasons.

“A short film from the early 1900s of somebody testing out old penny farthing bikes and trying to jump on them and ride them has been the thing that people pay most attention to,” she said. “Everyone thinks it’s hilarious because it’s got that old-fashioned music going and he falls off a lot.”

Local Mayor Michael Hewitson and several councillors are members of the Unley Bicycle Users Group so are particularly passionate about the exhibition and have been extremely supportive of it.

“The City of Unley takes its cycling and walking opportunities quite seriously,” Karen said. “We have a cycling strategy in place that has done a lot over the past couple of years in terms of creating safer bikeways and a lot more is planned. The exhibition has played into the hands of that and it’s quite relevant in this area.”

The success of the exhibition has not spawned any ideas for a follow-up cycling exhibition, but it has set the tone for a continuing theme of

environmental responsibility and action.

The exhibition after next will look at trees and climate change.

“Bikes are different to that but some of the themes are the same because in On Ya Bike we do talk a bit about sustainability of bicycles as transport options and that works with what we’ll be talking about in the trees and environment exhibition.

“But, from my perspective, this exhibition consolidated for me the idea of really broad and fun topics for exhibitions that people can get involved in and still have a really positive message for health and environment and those kinds of things. We will look to do more of it,” Karen said.

“One thing the exhibition has inspired is that we will look to try to incorporate cycling tours into our other exhibitions. For example, we do already have a significant tree tour which will form part of the tree exhibition and we will probably run that tour as a cycling tour. We will be developing some cycling tours and working with UBUG to do that.

“I’m sad to see it closing because it’s a great exhibition but I’m hoping we may have inspired more people to get out there on their bikes. That was one of our aims.”

W H E E L Y G R E A T : U N L E Y M U S E U M ’ S C Y C L I N G E X H I B I T I O N A H I T

A sample of the museum exhibits that tell the story of life on two wheels.

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A bright, bold design for the 2020 Grand Slam jersey

DEAR GOD, I want to take a minute not to ask for anything from you, but simply to say thank You, for all I have!

For many years Rob had this prayer on his desk... And he was a grateful man. Grateful for what he saw as a wonderful life and for which he had absolutely no regrets. Grateful for the family he adored. Grateful to live in his own house right to the end.

Rob had a number of passions. In addition to his family, he loved the scouting movement, hiking and bike riding. He particularly enjoyed his involvement with the ‘Wednesday Wheelers’ and, more recently, the ‘Wednesday Wearies’. He greatly appreciated the fact that the fellowship and support of his fellow riders continued long after his energy lapsed.

Rob had many impressive qualities. Perhaps the greatest was that his sunny disposition was capable of inspiring affection in others… as many Bicycle SA members would attest.

It was my privilege and my joy to care for him and to be his companion in his last months, during which we had some wonderful times… particularly our visit to Tasmania and trips to various places in the caravan. Five weeks before he died, he was still able to enjoy rides of 9km or 10km while we were on the Yorke Peninsula.

Goodbye Rob, in the original sense of ‘God be with you’. You were, and are, loved by many.

G I L L B R O O K

V A L E

R O B E R T J O H N C R A S E ( R O B ) J O H N S T O N

0 4 . 0 8 . 1 9 4 2 – 1 1 . 1 1 . 2 0 1 9

Rob and Gill on his last ride with the ‘Wednesday Wearies’ in April 2019

As this edition goes to print, the first event of Bicycle SA’s Grand Slam Challenge Series for

2020 will be just around the corner.

The series, a favourite among road riders for steadily building fitness and strength and for venturing to beautiful and tranquil regions of the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley and Fleurieu Peninsula begins this year in Mount Torrens for one or two 40km loops that both start and finish in the idyllic town.

After the Mount Torrens opener, the series ventures to Willunga (50km/100km) on 29 March, Meadows (60km/120km) on 24 May, Williamstown (75km/150km) on 23 August and finishes with Grand Slam final 100km or 200km challenge at Balhannah on 11 October.

The series is a fabulous way to meet new riding buddies or to lock in dates with your existing friends to make sure you don’t miss those precious chances to catch up as we hurtle through each busy year.

Participants can ride in one, two, three, four or all five of the rides, each of which offers a Mini Slam for those looking for something a little less challenging, in which participants complete only one of the two loops. Either way, lunch is included in your entry fee.

Build up your fitness and increase your endurance throughout the year to complete the ultimate Grand Slam Challenge in October or join us for one or two rides of the year. Meet new people or meet up with old buddies. The Grand Slam Challenge rides are as much about the ride as they are about the people you meet.

So whether riding your bike through the Adelaide hills towards the big 200km is your goal for this year’s Grand Slam, or actually climbing through the Himalayas, you’ll be on your way to that goal as soon as you sign up.

And if you enter for the series and are a Bike SA member, you also go into the draw to win a $250 Roof Rack City voucher www.roofracksa.com.au

A new jersey design (pictured) has been created for 2020 but there are limited sizes and numbers for Round 1 so first in, first served.

A supplementary order will be placed on 28 Feb with jerseys available in time for Grand Slam #2.

Size samples are available to try on at Bicycle SA’s new office at 11A Croydon Rd, Keswick and the sizing chart is available online at www.bikesa.asn.au/grandslamrideinfo

T A K E T H E G R A N D S L A M S E R I E S C H A L L E N G E

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O 2 0 1 9 G R A N D A N D

M I N I S L A M R I D E R S

GRAND SLAM CHALLENGE SERIES 2019

GRAND SLAM Successful completion of all five events of 80km, 100km, 120km, 150km and 200km in the Grand Slam series:

Simon Barrett Jane Beare Adriana Bennet George Bennett Arno Egle Andrew Hill Steven Holland Dennis Jury

Daniel Lamb Peter Magnisalis Fleur Nattrass Max Pfitzner Mark Sandow John Taeger Daryl Thompson Thomas Wanner

Grand Slam Perpetual Trophy winner: Fleur Nattrass

MINI SLAM Successful completion of all five events of 40km, 50km, 60km, 75km and 100km in the Mini Slam series or a combination of both Mini and Grand Slams:

Chris Badenoch Di Badenoch Tom Beatty Marco Criado Richard Ellis Graham Hutchinson

George Kapetanos Deiter Knoll Susanne Maffei Karyn McNamara Andy Ward Brandon Yip

Mini Slam Perpetual Trophy winner: Susanne Maffei

CLUB 500 Successful completion of four events totalling at least 500km in the combined Grand/Mini Slam series:

Dan Drake-Brockman John Golding Mark Gomez

Colin Kinnaird Mike Stewart Dave Symonds

13

M E M B E R S T O R I E S

Melrose has become a cycling ‘Mecca’ in recent years, with interstate, overseas

and South Australian visitors converging on the historic Southern Flinders Ranges town to ride the world-class mountain bike trails around Mount Remarkable and cycle along the iconic long-distance Mawson Trail.

Other cycling attractions include the traffic-free Melrose-Wilmington Rail Trail and many quiet, well-maintained dirt roads with cycle routes mapped out by locals.

As a bonus, the specialist bike shop/café ‘Over the Edge’ serves excellent coffee and food - a ‘must’ for happy cycling.

So, when the Kangaroo Island Bicycle Users Group (KI BUG) wondered “Where to ride off-island last year?” the answer just had to be Melrose! Thirteen eager KI BUG members took up the Melrose cycling weekend challenge on 2nd and 3rd November 2019.

And challenges there were!

With a destination 370km north of Cape Jervis, some riders had to rearrange work to allow a day of travel each side of the cycling. Others of a ‘retiring’ nature could take their time heading north.

Then there was the risk of unpleasantly hot weather, alien to our cooler Kangaroo Island sensibilities but common up north at this time of the year.

Finally, our President really threw down the gauntlet, announcing he would cycle all the way

from Kingscote to Melrose, a back-roads journey of 582km over 8 days, along the eastern side of the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges. Needless to say, the rest of us took a step back and opted to drive.

Our main base at Melrose was the aptly named ‘Under the Mount’ accommodation in the shadow of Mount Remarkable, set up by cyclists to cater for cyclists, with the bonus of bicycle storage, bike wash-down facilities and good local knowledge.

Some opted to camp nearby at the pretty Caravan Park on the banks of the Willochra Creek.

As we gathered for dinner at one of the local pubs on Friday night, talk focused on the hot, windy trip north, local road conditions and hopes that the promised cool change would eventuate. Thankfully it did, with 10mm of rain overnight to settle the dust, banish the flies and bring cooler cycling conditions.

First things first, on Saturday morning we celebrated a special birthday with coffee and cake, while some bought emergency bike clothing, having forgotten to pack the essentials.

In the afternoon we cycled in mild conditions along the Melrose to Wilmington Rail Trail, a pleasant 46km round trip on gravel. We passed through eucalyptus woodlands into open farm country with scattered trees and prickly acacia. A couple of rocky creek crossings led most to dismount and hobble over loose rocks. More bravado was shown on the way back, with riders pedaling over the crossings – maybe the extra confidence came from drinks at the Wilmington Pub, or was it dinner calling?

The traditional KI BUG shared BBQ dinner at the camp kitchen was followed by delicious cheeses and homemade desserts, all reliable features of our off-island rides.

Maybe a little too much wine was sipped on Saturday night as the 10am start on Sunday seemed a bit challenging. But everyone fronted for the 33.5km ‘Silo Loop’ which started with an uphill grind out of town on bitumen then onto undulating dirt roads with evocative names like ‘Dust Bowl Road’. We crossed Wild Dog Creek multiple times and ventured along ‘dry-weather-only’ tracks of red cracking clay, which thankfully had dried out.

Mount Remarkable was a constant presence in this scenic landscape and the route was well-marked by Cyclists Ahead signs and Mawson Trail markers.

According to our President and resident trails expert, the Mawson Trail from Adelaide to Blinman, is named for geologist and Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson and celebrates his epic cycling trips across rugged, remote terrain to geological sites in the northern Flinders Ranges and beyond.

A shared Sunday lunch followed by a well-earned afternoon rest and another pub dinner resulted in the weekend finishing happily but all too quickly. Heading home on Monday, we felt invigorated by our KI BUG off-island weekend adventure and inspired to keep on cycling!

J E A N T U R N E R

K I B U G S I N V A D E T H E S O U T H E R N F L I N D E R S

BUG riders heading to Dust Bowl Road with Mount Remarkable in background. (Photo Jean Turner).

P O S T S C R I P T

Since the above article was written, Kangaroo Island has experienced catastrophic fires. Tragically, two people died. Many others have lost their homes, worldly belongings, animals, wildlife and bush habitats. Tourism and farming enterprises have been devastated and businesses across the Island affected.

Despite the devastation, Kangaroo Islanders are rallying together to recover. KI BUG members will support local people, communities and businesses by continuing our rides program where and if safe to do so. The Island is a big place with many roads and ride circuits still cycleable. Each ride is assessed for safety, including heat and road conditions, before the ride. Rides are cancelled when the predicted temperature is above 32C.

New riders, including visitors to KI, are always welcome to join us on scheduled monthly rides. Planned routes may be subject to change, so anyone interested should confirm details with the Ride Leader. We also encourage visiting cyclists to support the recovery of KI by riding on the island using our six KI BUG ‘Ride Guides’ as inspiration for routes and places to visit.

14

M E M B E R S T O R I E S

D E S C H A B R E L C O N Q U E R S T H E N E W Y O R K M A R A T H O N

There can be little doubt that Bike SA’s more mature members are fitter than the average retiree.

But this, as in all things, is relative. Some set the bar pretty high for the rest.

Long-time Bike SA member and volunteer Des Chabrel proved his prowess as he achieved a long-held dream in November when – at the age of 77 – he completed the New York Marathon.

It was his 19th marathon since his first at age 30. Most of these he had run in Adelaide, but his list includes two London Marathons, four in Rotorua, New Zealand, one in Edmonton, Canada and the Sydney Marathon just prior to the 2000 Olympics.

New York wasn’t on the horizon until a couple of years ago when he pondered the idea and thought ‘Yeah, it’d be good to do that one’. He and his wife Penny made a holiday of it, spending a week each in Washington and Boston before heading to New York.

A lifelong runner and cyclist, Des nevertheless went into this world-famous event on November 3 in the shadow of one significant challenge. The wear and tear over decades of running have left him with very painful knees and despite his enthusiasm for the adventure, he was far from certain he’d even be able to complete the 42.2km course.

“It was an enormously long day,” Des, who finished in seven hours and 30 minutes, said. “I knew I couldn’t run it and I wasn’t confident I could walk it. I made a promise to my wife. I said I’d keep going if it hurt but if I was in distress I’d stop and get a cab.

“It definitely hurt but I was able to plug along and grind away at it. You’ve just got to get your head around it.

“It was such a buzz to have finished that event. It was dark in Central Park by the time we finished but there were still 600 to 700 people behind me.”

In another highlight to running the world-famous race, Des’ daughter Jaqueline accepted his

invitation to join him for the event. Jaqueline, who lives with her family in Jasper, Canada, recently turned 50. The pair had run the Edmonton Marathon together 10 years ago for her 40th birthday so she agreed to join him to mark another milestone.

“It was something special to invite my daughter to come and run with me,” he said. “We ran together for the first two to three kilometres then she ran ahead. She finished in six hours.”

Penny - who ran the London Marathon the first time Des contested it - and her daughter Emma were the support crew for Des and Jaqueline’s run.

The New York Marathon is a massive event in every sense. Huge prestige for the elite winners and a grand sense of occasion and excitement for the full 54,000-strong field regardless of their ability. The buzz of the City That Never Sleeps can’t help but rub off onto the competitors.

But one aspect of the size of the field was not so motivating for Des. Because of the multitude of runners in the field, the organisers start them in waves and Des and Jacqueline were in the final wave to leave the start/finish area.

“We’d only gone about 200m into the race and we could still clearly hear the public address system,” Des said. “Suddenly the announcer cried out that ‘the winner has just crossed the line’ and we had 42km still to run!‘’

Des began by running and walking but within a few kilometres his knees forced him to settle in to a walk for the rest of the event. But he doggedly persisted and ticked one more significant accomplishment off his bucket list.

The next day he was certainly feeling the effects of his efforts as he and Penny walked around Manhattan trying to ease out the aches and pains but his discomfort that day was nothing compared to spending the next two days making the long-haul flights back home.

IT DEFINITELY HURT BUT I WAS ABLE TO GRIND AWAY AT IT. IT WAS SUCH A BUZZ TO HAVE FINISHED THAT EVENT.

A hint at what 54,000 runners looks like.

Des after the marathon with his daughter Jaqueline.

Des with his event singlet, race number and finisher’s medal.

15

Avanti Plus Semaphore Shop 4/135 Semaphore Road, Exeter 8449 8199

Avanti Plus Woodville 820 Port Road, Woodville 8268 6404

Bicycle Centre Mitcham 21-23 Belair Road, Kingswood 8271 0692

Bicycle Express 124 Halifax Street, Adelaide 8232 7277 138 The Parade, Norwood 8431 5711

Bicycle Fix 33 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside 8389 7495

Bicycles Mount Barker 12A Walker Street, Mount Barker 8391 4777

Bicycling Australia Magazine 17-21 Bellevue Street, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 02 9281 233

Bike About (hires and tours) 33b Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside 0413 525733

Bike Society 274 Waymouth Street, Adelaide 8262 5449 391 Brighton Road, Hove 8358 1500

Bio-Mechanics 260 Waymouth Street, Adelaide 8410 9499

Brooks Cycle Depot 63 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge 8532 2868

Cluster Cycles 4/60 Liverpool Street, Port Lincoln 8682 3468

Complete Cycle 45 Cliff Avenue, Port Noarlunga 8327 0200

Euride 637 Lower North East Road, Campbelltown 8336 4490

Flinders Cycles 1 Hospital Road, Port Augusta 8641 0269

G&D Cycles 7 Badenoch Street, Mount Gambier 8725 6002

Gawler Cycles 4/1 Theen Avenue, Willaston 8522 2343

Giant Adelaide 2–3/53–67 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide 8223 5978

Glenelg Cycles 754 Anzac Highway, Glenelg 8294 4741

Goggleman 1/495 Brighton Road, Brighton 1300 464 453

Hey Bikes 2/353 Anzac Highway, Plympton 0452 232 453

International Cycles 70 Payneham Road, Stepney 8362 2609

io Merino 183 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide 8201 4198

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

Little Black Bike 100 Gilbert Street, Adelaide 8221 5067

Macpac 399–403 Main North Road, Enfield 8359 5866

Megabike 187 Rundle Street, Adelaide 8223 3315

Micycles 32A George Street, Thebarton 0424 569 317

Mike Turtur Cycles 55 Main North Road, Medindie 8342 1882

Moonta Cycle & Sports 49 George Street, Moonta 8825 3222

Mulga Bicycle Tours mulgabicycletours.com.au 0412 309 711

My Ride Salisbury 15/1700 Main North Road, Salisbury 8258 8885

My Ride Unley 80b Unley Road, Unley 8271 8001

North Adelaide Cycles 1 Ward Street North, Adelaide 0448 567 788

Norwood Parade Cycles 216 The Parade, Norwood 8332 1889

Over the Edge 6 Stuart Street, Melrose 8666 2222

Reid Cycles 230 Pulteney Street, Adelaide 8227 0011

Ride Union Bike Co 11/220 Mount Barker Road, Aldgate 8131 0237

SA Remedial Therapy Clinic Level 3 55 Gawler Place, Adelaide 8221 6262

South Coast Cycles 125 Beach Road, Christies Beach 8326 1664

Standish Cycles Shop 1/290 Unley Road, Hyde Park 8271 6989

Standout Cycles 195 Henley Beach Road, Mile End 8443 5435

Star Cycles 5 Barfield Crescent, Edinburgh North 8255 1979

Super Elliotts 200 Rundle Street, Adelaide 8223 3946

Supreme Pro Cycles 32 Cadell Street, Goolwa 8555 5100

Tailwind Cycles 81 Main South Road, O’Halloran Hill 8322 6714

Treadly Shop 5/4–10 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide 8232 0158

Victor Harbor Cycles victorharborcycles.com 0407 048 324

S U P P O R T O R G A N I S A T I O N S W H O S U P P O R T U S

IT’S THE PERFECT FAMILY FUN ENVIRONMENT ON TWO WHEELS, WHATEVER BIKE YOU’RE RIDING!

C AROLINE BUCHANAN

Sea Otter Australia Ambassador and five-times world champion, Caroline Buchanan