News Shorts - 1 June

Camperdown Velodrome in Sydney December 1971 - There was the rivalry between the Australian Gordon Johnson (1970 World Champion) and the arch rival Italian Gio Turrini …. a promoters dream and lets include sponsorship by a cigarette company ( … so much more to enjoy … including some major adverse health consequences !!), and just 20 cents for a programme

Camperdown Velodrome in Sydney December 1971 - Johnson v Turrini was the clash of the 1970’s Sprint titans AND professionals did not have to wear socks ( … how cool is that …)

Camperdown Velodrome in Sydney December 1971 - located near Parramatta Rd at Camperdown the velodrome was relatively bumpy (especially in the banked corners) and it had a great atmosphere. The irony was the major sponsor was a concrete company …

Camperdown Velodrome in Sydney December 1971 - check out the programme AND the outrageous prizemoney on offer …. first place was an almighty $4, second place was $2 and third place a hefty $1 …. Event 13 (Junior A Grade) had some well known names

Centennial Park Thursday Ride @ 28 May - Ian Grainger (left) with the Centennial Park peloton of Ivan, John x 2, Peter & Laurie. The ride starts at the Spruce Goose Cafe at 10.30am in the centre of Centennial Park. all welcome. Ivan will tell you that he forcefully pulled a full lap turn at the front to earn his coffee

PELOTONS UP TO 10 RIDERS FROM 15 MAY & RACING FROM 1 AUGUST

• Local training pelotons can go up to 10 riders from Friday 15 May

• Racing has been suspended until further notice with a revised CycNSW road racing program starting from 1 August.

CYCNSW SINGLETON TEAM TIME TRIAL -

TRAINING FROM 23 AUGUST & RACE DATE OF 7 NOVEMBER

• CyclingNSW has done a great job in revamping the NSW Open race calendar and if the coronavirus restictions are eased its a super hectic second half of the year

• Details are in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website with TTT training to potentially commence on Sunday 23 August at Terrey Hills.

FLANDERS CLASSICS - THE BEST YOUTUBE EVER

• A bit bored watching the Sports Channel replaying old reruns ? …. If you want some great Flanders YouTube then go to Flanders Classics and go to Flanders 100, 101, 102 and beyond. Simply brilliant behind the scenes documentaries.

BICISPORT NOW ON FACEBOOK AT BICISPORT.SYDNEY

This is a new (closed) Facebook site (your membership needs to be approved) and can be found at -

• Bicisport.Sydney

• Email is - Bicisport.Sydney @gmail.com

WEST HEAD & MCCARRS CREEK ROAD - WEEKEND CORONAVIRUS CONGESTION

• The need for “essential” family outings has now switched to the Ku Ring Gai National Park using the McCarrs Creek-West Head Road.

• Recent Sunday’s have recorded in excess of 400 cars through the (bottom) McCarrs Creek Road toll booth by 12.30pm. On the weekends - best be off the West Head Road by 9.30am and only use the Akuna Bay Road loop (in both directions).

• Also avoid McCarrs Creek Road (both directions) after 9.30am. The Akuna Bay loop is much quieter than either McCarrs Creek Road or the West Head Road

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

• 2 & 4 June - Waratah Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 8.05am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.40am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.15am then to St Ives for coffee

• 3 June - Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 4 June - Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. Chairmans Ride @ Centennial Park @ 10.30am @ Spruce Goose Cafe

• 6 June - BiciSport Coffee at Miramare Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS

Special Events have been added & updated on the BiciSport website which includes -

• Eastern Creek Raceway (Masters)

  • Several weekends to choose from with the next ECR Masters tentatively booked for 9 August

• Revised 2020 into 2021 BiciSport Special Events now updated

There is nothing like Italian style … loaded with retro Italian Bianchi machinery

Berowra Ferry just north of Hornsby is closed from 1 June to 13 July for upgrades

News Shorts - 25 May

Note your diary for the BiciSport Tour de France Dinner which is set for Saturday 22 August as Le Tour is scheduled to start a week later.

Special guest at the dinner is Chris Sutton (rode for Cofidis, Garmin & Sky pro teams). Chris will give his thoughts on the current state of play with European cycling then take your questions on all things cycling. The picture above is Chris’ stage win at the 2011 Vuelta.

Dinner venue details to be confirmed shortly.

Sydney traffic is back to its best (being worst) on Monday 25 May. Its a matter of leave earlier or leave later, or not leave at all …

Berowra Waters Ferry is closed for upgrades from 1 June to 13 July

PELOTONS UP TO 10 RIDERS FROM 15 MAY & RACING FROM 1 AUGUST

• Local training pelotons can go up to 10 riders from Friday 15 May

• Racing has been suspended until further notice with a revised CycNSW road racing program starting from 1 August.

CYCNSW SINGLETON TEAM TIME TRIAL -

TRAINING FROM 23 AUGUST & RACE DATE OF 7 NOVEMBER

• CyclingNSW has done a great job in revamping the NSW Open race calendar and if the coronavirus restictions are eased its a super hectic second half of the year

• Details are in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website with TTT training to potentially commence on Sunday 23 August at Terrey Hills.

FLANDERS CLASSICS - THE BEST YOUTUBE EVER

• A bit bored watching the Sports Channel replaying old reruns ? …. If you want some great Flanders YouTube then go to Flanders Classics and go to Flanders 100, 101, 102 and beyond. Simply brilliant behind the scenes documentaries.

BICISPORT NOW ON FACEBOOK AT BICISPORT.SYDNEY

This is a new (closed) Facebook site (your membership needs to be approved) and can be found at -

• Bicisport.Sydney

• Email is - Bicisport.Sydney @gmail.com

WEST HEAD & MCCARRS CREEK ROAD - WEEKEND CORONAVIRUS CONGESTION

• The need for “essential” family outings has now switched to the Ku Ring Gai National Park using the McCarrs Creek-West Head Road.

• Recent Sunday’s have recorded in excess of 400 cars through the (bottom) McCarrs Creek Road toll booth by 12.30pm. On the weekends - best be off the West Head Road by 9.30am and only use the Akuna Bay Road loop (in both directions).

• Also avoid McCarrs Creek Road (both directions) after 9.30am. The Akuna Bay loop is much quieter than either McCarrs Creek Road or the West Head Road

Social distancing european style …. the wind blows from the right, then misery arrives on the left courtesy of everybody gutter grovelling.

Remember from 15 May that NSW training bunches are restricted to 10 riders & social distancing provisions apply.

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

• 26 & 28 May - Waratah Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 8.05am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.40am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.15am then to St Ives for coffee

• 27 May - Wise Monkey Cafe Gruppetto @ Berowra Railway Station @ 7.30am for 60k to Calga & return

• 28 May - Happy Wheels Waterloo Ride @ 6.00am @ Happy Wheels bike shop at Waterloo. Chairmans Ride @ Centennial Park @ 10.30am @ Spruce Goose Cafe

• 30 May - BiciSport Coffee at Miramare Sandstone Cafe (enter off Myoora Rd) @ 9.30am

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS

Special Events have been added & updated on the BiciSport website which includes -

• Eastern Creek Raceway (Masters)

  • Several weekends to choose from with the next ECR Masters tentatively booked for 9 August

• Revised 2020 into 2021 BiciSport Special Events now updated

BiciSport Bikes from the Retro Peloton # 2 - this time its an Eddy Merckx Titanium [LightSpeed] from the mid 1990s

The Eddy Merckx Titanium was sourced from the Australian Agent for Eddy Merckx bicycles. Unlike Rob’s Molteni (featured last week), it is a generic size frame set. The frame set tubing is unusual in that Eddy Merckx only briefly manufactured bicycles in titanium (low density and high strength), making it a collectible edition.

Specifications - Titanium tubing, 57cm down tube, 57cm top tube, Campagnolo groupset is a mix of Campagnolo Record and Chorus components, Saddle – yellow San Marco leather, Livery– Eddy Merckx factory decals only, raw titanium metal finish.

What do you love about this bike ? “It rides like a steel bike and yet it is much lighter.”

Giro # 1 (reprise) … the Giro would have just finished and we may yet to see a 2020 edition towards the end of the year.

News Shorts - 18 May

BiciSport Bikes from the Retro Peloton # 1 - Robert Green’s Molteni replica (2004) was sourced direct from the original Eddy Merckx factory in Meise, Belgium. This bike is a custom-built frameset for Robert’s height and weight thereby ensuring a suitable frame size but in the period geometry of the Molteni team era with Eddy’s penchant for perfection in the position, fit and handling being accommodated into the build.

Its provenance includes having been built by one of Eddy Merckx’s former Molteni teammates in Jos Huysmans during the period when Eddy remained the CEO of the company. Why this bike ?. Rob answered it was a great opportunity to own a genuine Eddy Merckx built bike and own a piece of bicycle road racing history.

Specifications - MX Leader tubing, 57cm down tube, 57cm top tube, Campagnolo Record groupset, Wheels were originally Campagnolo Zonda, Saddle – San Marco leather, Livery– Molteni Orange

The mighty beast in the background is a 1974 “Triple Black” Dodge Challenger (Trans Am). The car was one of the last built of its type in April 1974 and is left hand drive.

The 1998 Eddy Merckx frame catalogue featuring the MX Leader frame in a classic red

PELOTONS UP TO 10 RIDERS FROM 15 MAY & RACING FROM 1 AUGUST

• Local training pelotons can go up to 10 riders from Friday 15 May

• Racing has been suspended until further notice with a revised CycNSW road racing program starting from 1 August.

CYCNSW SINGLETON TEAM TIME TRIAL -

TRAINING FROM 23 AUGUST & RACE DATE OF 7 NOVEMBER

• CyclingNSW has done a great job in revamping the NSW Open race calendar and if the coronavirus restictions are eased its a super hectic second half of the year

• Details are in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website with TTT training to potentially commence on Sunday 23 August at Terrey Hills.

FLANDERS CLASSICS - THE BEST YOUTUBE EVER

• A bit bored watching the Sports Channel replaying old reruns ? …. If you want some great Flanders YouTube then go to Flanders Classics and go to Flanders 100, 101, 102 and beyond. Simply brilliant behind the scenes documentaries.

BICISPORT NOW ON FACEBOOK AT BICISPORT.SYDNEY

This is a new (closed) Facebook site (your membership needs to be approved) and can be found at -

• Bicisport.Sydney

• Email is - Bicisport.Sydney @gmail.com

WEST HEAD & MCCARRS CREEK ROAD - WEEKEND CORONAVIRUS CONGESTION

• The need for “essential” family outings has now switched to the Ku Ring Gai National Park using the McCarrs Creek-West Head Road.

• Recent Sunday’s have recorded in excess of 400 cars through the (bottom) McCarrs Creek Road toll booth by 12.30pm. On the weekends - best be off the West Head Road by 9.30am and only use the Akuna Bay Road loop (in both directions).

• Also avoid McCarrs Creek Road (both directions) after 9.30am. The Akuna Bay loop is much quieter than either McCarrs Creek Road or the West Head Road

CycNSW recently announced that training groups can recommence activities from Friday 15 May but capped at 10 riders with the appropriate social distancing

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES THIS WEEK

• Thursday 21 May - Chairmans Ride departs the Spruce Goose Cafe in Centennial Park at 10.30am and laps the (lower) flat loop around Centennial Park until approximately 11.45am. Coffee after the ride is at the Spruce Goose Cafe

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS

Special Events have been added & updated on the BiciSport website which includes -

• Eastern Creek Raceway (Masters)

  • Several weekends to choose from with the next ECR Masters tentatively booked for 9 August

• Revised 2020 into 2021 BiciSport Special Events now updated

Giro # 1 - Andy Hampsten (Team 7 Eleven) circa 1988 loaded with the Maglia Rosa and iconic Oakley sunglasses

Giro # 2 - Wladimiro Panizza (Team Gis Gelati) was an outstanding professional cyclist and finished second in the 1980 Giro to Bernard Hinault. The lovely classic burgundy Colnago is something to behold.

Giro # 3 - a nice black & white shot from 1980 with Giovanni Battaglin (left, Team Inoxpran) climbing the Stelvio with Wladimiro Panizza (Team Gis Gelati) in the Maglia Rosa sitting in second wheel

News Shorts - 11 May

Glenbrook National Park @ 9 May - Rolly Delaytz (BiciSport Happy Wheels) high above the Nepean River at Glenbrook about to embark on an MTB adventure through the Glenbrook National Park

BICISPORT DERNY versus EURO DEMI FOND

The BiciSport derny was restored by John Crouchley (seen here with rider Graham Cockerton at DGV) and includes an easy to start 4 stroke engine capable of 65-70kph at Dunc Gray Velodrome.

Derny pacing is straightforward and the derny rider needs to lightly rotate the derny pedals through the velodrome banking each lap to ensure that the derny speed remains perfectly constant for the cyclists behind.

If derny pacing is somewhat of a delicate & sensitive art, then forget all that … lets go Demi Fond racing !!. This time its a full on motor bike with specialist extended handelbars, the motor bike rider stands up with his feet locked in special boot holders. Its noisy, its loud, its fast, its anything but delicate.

The Demi Fond pilot uses special rear facing ear muffs … so he can hear any instructions from the cyclist.

Demi Fond also requires some unique changes to the bicycle frame - the front wheel is smaller, the front forks are reversed (see above), the frame design is again extended-strengthened at the front, the handelbars are further reinforced and the cyclist uses a monster gear with a 60 tooth front chainwheel.

CYCNSW SINGLETON TEAM TIME TRIAL -

TRAINING FROM 23 AUGUST & RACE DATE OF 7 NOVEMBER

• CyclingNSW has done a great job in revamping the NSW Open race calendar and if the coronavirus restictions are eased its a super hectic second half of the year

• Details are in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website with TTT training to potentially commence on Sunday 23 August at Terrey Hills.

FLANDERS CLASSICS - THE BEST YOUTUBE EVER

• A bit bored watching the Food Channel ? …. If you want some great Flanders YouTube then go to Flanders Classics and go to Flanders 100, 101, 102 and beyond. Simply brilliant behind the scenes documentaries.

BICISPORT NOW ON FACEBOOK at BICISPORT.SYDNEY

This is a new (closed) Facebook site (your membership needs to be approved) and can be found at -

• Bicisport.Sydney

• Email is - Bicisport.Sydney @gmail.com

WEST HEAD & MCCARRS CREEK ROAD - WEEKEND CORONAVIRUS CONGESTION

• The need for “essential” family outings has now switched to the Ku Ring Gai National Park using the McCarrs Creek-West Head Road.

• Recent Sunday’s have recorded in excess of 400 cars through the (bottom) McCarrs Creek Road toll booth by 12.30pm. On the weekends - best be off the West Head Road by 9.30am and only use the Akuna Bay Road loop (in both directions).

• Also avoid McCarrs Creek Road (both directions) after 9.30am. The Akuna Bay loop is much quieter than either McCarrs Creek Road or the West Head Road.

PELOTONS to 10 RIDERS FROM 15 MAY & RACING FROM 1 AUGUST

• Racing has been suspended until further notice with a revised CycNSW road racing program starting from 1 August.

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS

Special Events have been added & updated on the BiciSport website which includes -

• Eastern Creek Raceway (Masters)

  • Several weekends to choose from with the next ECR Masters tentatively booked for 9 August

• Revised 2020 into 2021 BiciSport Special Events now updated

Giro # 4 - At a time when taking in the Giro would be a joy its time to enjoy Mr Bling himself in Mario Cipolini

Giro # 5 - Eddy Merckx (Molteni) leads the 1973 Giro ahead of the Italian Giovanni Battaglin

The founder of 1970’s German band Kraftwerk (Florian Schneider) passed away this week … RIP Florian

News Shorts - 4 May

Singleton TTT 2019 - The Happy Wheels 150+ Masters team of Randolph Baral, Stewart Campbell, Dom Zumbo & Graham Cockerton

CyclingNSW has announced a proposed Singleton TTT race date of Saturday 7 November (naturally subject to the further easing of the current Federal & State Government coronavirus travel restrictions).

BiciSport training days at Terrey Hills are tentatively set to commence on Sunday 23 August.

Full details are in BiciSport Special Events section of this website

Singleton TTT 2019 - BiciSport Womens Masters Team of Kitsty Flanagan, Melissa Budd, Cath Haines & Ruth Strapp

CYCLE RACES-EVENTS & CORONAVIRUS - UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE RESUMPTION DATE

• CycNSW announced on 20 April that all racing (Club & State) and organised (group) training rides remains suspended until further notice. Implied in the communication is a resumption date of 1 August. Note - Any subsequent changes to the 1 August date will be announced progressively in the lead up to 1 August.

• For other upcoming major races & cyclosportives in the future please monitor the respective event websites & social media channels for the latest news.

SINGLETON TEAM TIME TRIAL -

TRAINING FROM 23 AUGUST & RACE DATE OF 7 NOVEMBER

• CyclingNSW has done a great job in revamping the NSW Open race calendar and if the coronavirus restictions are eased its a super hectic second half of the year

• Details are in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website with TTT training to potentially commence on Sunday 23 August at Terrey Hills.

FLANDERS CLASSICS - THE BEST YOUTUBE EVER

• A bit bored watching the Food Channel ? …. If you want some great Flanders YouTube then go to Flanders Classics and go to Flanders 100, 101, 102 and beyond. Simply brilliant behind the scenes documentaries.

BICISPORT NOW ON FACEBOOK

This is a new (closed) Facebook site (your membership needs to be approved) and can be found at -

• Bicisport.Sydney

• Email is - Bicisport.Sydney @gmail.com

• What Facebook friends cannot do -

  • Post anything of a political nature. This includes Local, State, Federal and International politics.

  • Post any comments in relation to the AusCycling issue other than providing a link to an article that the members may benefit from reading.

  • Make mean, derogatory or demeaning comments about anyone or anything. Cyber bullying will not be tolerated.

  • Swearing, cussing and any language that your grandmother would have found offensive.

WEST HEAD & MCCARRS CREEK ROAD - WEEKEND CORONAVIRUS CONGESTION

• The need for “essential” family outings has now switched to the Ku Ring Gai National Park using the McCarrs Creek-West Head Road.

• Recent Sunday’s have recorded in excess of 400 cars through the (bottom) McCarrs Creek Road toll booth by 12.30pm. On the weekends - best be off the West Head Road by 9.30am and only use the Akuna Bay Road loop (in both directions).

• Also avoid McCarrs Creek Road (both directions) after 9.30am. The Akuna Bay loop is much quieter than either McCarrs Creek Road or the West Head Road.

RACING FROM 1 AUGUST

• Racing has been suspended until further notice with a revised CycNSW road racing program starting from 1 August.

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS NEWS

Special Events have been added & updated on the BiciSport website which includes -

• Eastern Creek Raceway (Masters)

  • Several weekends to choose from with the next ECR Masters tentatively booked for 9 August

• Revised 2020 into 2021 BiciSport Special Events now updated

PROPOSED NRS PROGRAM - SEE BELOW

• Subject to Federal & State Government announcements Cycling Australia have announced the future NRS race series program from either September or October 2020.

• See below for details.

Giro time # 1 …. about now we should be geared up for the Giro and no better time to flip back to the 1980’s with Beppe Saronni leading the SCIC-Bottecchia pro team. SCIC made kitchens (and still do just outside Milan) & Bottecchia were the bike sponsor.

Giro time # 2 - Beppi Saronni again but this time sponsored by GIS Gelati and atop a classic burgundy Colnago loaded with nothing but a pleasing Campagnolo Record groupset

Giro time # 3 - no Giro journey is complete without Marco Pantani atop the iconic blue Bianchi with a rear sloping top tube.