What a fantastic Fluffering morning…….. As the sun rose on South Curl Curl the gift of dawn had blessed the ten riders (11 including Drastique who meandered off into Akuna) who had stopped sleeping half way through the night to complete this mornings ride.  It was nearly an extra 2 but unfortunately both Comet and Ravi had a sleepover as their alarms struck and the land of nod called once more.

Riders included Saint Nav, Matt Mooney (on his second Fluffer), Simba, Nala (also on her second one), B1, Andy H, Sir Lunchalot (ready to Spoke out this time), Magoo and Scott.  T&C’s were quickly agreed to and we were off.

The wonders of the Fluffer continued:

• The ride adjusted quickly to the groups pace today which was a pretty pacey 26 km/h including stops.  This gave an ‘on time arrival’ at the B&T at 7.45 bang on the chimes of the big bell.  Such a surprise clearly that the pretty server managed to spill coffee all down her top.  Bullet then passed around a collection to try and entice her to remove it under the guise of buying her flowers as an apology……. He’s slick…..
• Nala put in an outstanding Fluffette performance for her second ride.  Considering she only had 2 stops what a brilliant ride she had.  I descended behind her in the National Park and her descents were also confidently done whilst being very safe.  Well done Nala.
• At the other extreme chief Fluffette Magoo has shoulders about 12 inches wide that she still tries to fit through spaces about 6 inches wide!!!  A close call between Big Goaders and a parked car but all were safe in the end!!!
• The rolling groups are also getting good down the Pittwater Road – so much so that we ended up picking up 2 extras who appeared very professionally kitted out!  I just said that we were a commuting group who took a long way to work on a Tuesday/Thursday.  Three things for us to focus on: 1) Keeping the right hand side at a steady speed, 2) Keeping close to the wheel in front so that we are nice and tight and 3) calling when you are front left and the space is clear for the front right rider to move and also calling when you are the last rider at the back on the right.

Thanks for a fab ride – Invigorating.

The Fluffer is on for Thursday – the same time as normal.

A date for your diaries.  On Tuesday 9th April (the Tuesday after Daylight savings clock change) we are going for a ‘Fluffer Record’.  So many people tell me that they struggle with the early morning that on this date your body will feel as though it gets an extra hour in bed.  As a result this will be a celebration of sleeping (name tbc, suggestions welcome). We will start at the normal time of 5.15am but your body will think it is 6.15am.  For those who will only do this once this year this is the day.

Our biggest turnout is 19 for Admin’s 50th Birthday so let’s see what we can do this time?

Big Goaders

10 ER’s in the blocks this morning – Satnav, B1/m, Magoo, Scott, Andy, Ivan, Kneel, Rob W, Jamie, moi. Clutters was on the side, valiantly recruiting for his tame flutter (gimme a break …). We left him, a sad figure with only the lights of a single AY-UP forlornly reminding him of his failed quest …

A beautiful night sky, not a cloud to dim the starry firmament, provided a perfect backdrop for the run along the ridge to Terry Hills, then the darkest of descents through McCarrs Creek. With the regroup at Church Point we set up a rolling paceline. It worked, sort of, being thrown into disarray by utes, hills, timing, etc. We are getting better.

Mon Capitaine and Simba joined as at PWR. A good pace saw us through to Manly when Herb popped up. He claimed a reverse Akuna at 0500 and a mad chase to bridge to us. I reckon he drove to Manly after sleeping in – Strava will reveal the truth.

Nought else to report – PR’s all round, everyone home safe with coffees ordered by 0745. Cracking morning.

Usual rides this arvo, noting that Dopey is proposing a LCNP this arvo. I haven’t done one, but it promises to be a ripper – birds tweeting, a gentle roll through the Park, then a sprint up Kisso. A complete day in the saddle.

Stay upright,

admin

As previously advertised our Goaders had been ordered to Melbourne to pick up Bullet’s recently purchased NOS Pinarello frame….and delegated all care and no responsibility for his growing throng of Flufferers to B1M and I. A big pair of Sidis to fill…..

B1M and I arranged to meet in transit at Turramurra well before the sparrows started fa^&oing to rehearse the rider briefing and engage in some general tactical foreplay. Flash’s trailer was mentioned, but more re that one later.

12 with their names ticked off the roll at Snives, detailed briefing given “right we all know the terms and conditions….let’s go”…..and onwards into the darkness picking up Andy H in transit. DNS’s recorded against our Milsons Point and Newport chapters.

Norman threw a right spanner in the works when crossing the Forest Way junction…..thinking she’d spotted Laura, which was interpreted by the remainder as Dora…..neither showed up in the end; peloton concluded Norman was up to her old tricks again, watch out on the 6pm return tonight.

Wet roads and a touch of fog on the way down McCarrs – all safely through the esses, usual hammer down through Church Point to the next regroup point, PWR reached all in good time and spirit.

First run at a rolling paceline executed with……panache and precision….well done all giving something different a go with minimal preparation beforehand.

Then the first of just four punctures for the day – Daf, Bri and Si being the culprits, sorry, victims…..progress slowed somewhat however no-one raised a sweat over it, in true ER fashion…..

A bit of excessive tooting got our Andy fired up through the Neutral sector…..good mornings exchanged and nothing more, aware of the weight on the shoulders of carrying the ER name.

Arrival at the B&T found earlier shifts still in situ, many remaining to share seconds with Fluffs one and all.

A great start to the day; herewith handballing the baton to our Admin for Thursday’s edition.

Have a good remainder of the day all.

Mark/Satnav

A cool start to the day as another predawn departure was made, 14C on the dashboard with a slight south westerly, perfect weather for a gentle roll into town. With the Fluffers making their departure hours before, numbers were down…to about 25 on the OTP. BOF made it to the party and sent the ER peloton forth with only a few seconds delay, and so all was right in the universe, events unfolding as they should.

Cars became a talking point as numerous minor incidents, mainly just barging and shoving in where they could. I noticed that ERs were actually spread into a thin line through the HOD and I think this is what was the cause of the issue..cars felt they had the room to come alongside and push in..obviously more discussion required over coffee, but there is something to be said about presenting an impassable mass where safe passing is not possible.

 A businesslike pace due to the temperature, nice to have the cooler breeze to enjoy spooling up the legs for their heating rather than overheating , YHC managed to fall to the lantern rouge through Lindfield but sailed past the Roseville regroup and made it to the front for a second or two before Chatswood..Conspicuous driving award was delivered to a hapless driver who managed to overtake the peloton before the pedestrian crossing to Roseville station, being both overtaking on the crossing on the wrong side of double whites and approaching a bus head on..then having to mix in to the peloton to avoid hitting the oncoming traffic..outstanding achievement managing to accumulate more traffic offenses than the mind could comprehend in such a short stretch. A Go Pro would be handy for such things..

 It was brought to my attention that Archer St has become a bit of a shredder, but more to the point , Tindale which should be the regroup to reassemble the peloton was marked with a big fail this morning. A rear carriage was dropped due to insufficient observation or over zealous urge to arrive at coffee..needless to say the rear car took a short cut on the highway led by Drastic and DT to arrive at B&T 5 mins before the offending front of the peloton..nuff said.

 Deliciously autumnal, if you have any friends , family , enemies who are not on the pedals riding to the office, now would be a good time to get them started..

 A quick look at the following link and encouragement to log the ride on 28^th March..to provide a resource and perhaps some lobbying opportunity.. www.rideable.org.au

 Make your mind up time for the return roll….there are many ways home, creativity required to avoid getting used to the same old same old..BDR for me this evening ..looking forward to it already.

 Have a great day all

BT

There was movement at the station at a ridiculously early hour this morning, not YHC astride the bike but Hills Shire returning to the premises to remove garbage they missed on Friday..driver obviously angry as a full 5000 rpm required to lift about 10kg of detritus. So yet again up before going to bed, and well covered to fend off the early morning chill (had an under-vest on) to make the journey through the stygian GG and onto the OTP.

Blinking brightly as blind Quarry truck drivers are not quite awake at that time, it was a welcome left turn onto Old Northern and thus out of the danger zone a mere 700m into the ride, and once more into the quiet of a predawn calm. Cruising along though the undulations before Galston village, it was definitely feeling a little cooler, 11C on the clock from 16C in Dural, nothing that required further layers but a heads up to have made those winter clothes purchases while Wiggle and all Northern stockists are trying to off load their stocks heading as they are into spring..

The GG was deep, and dark, and lonely..very little moving through, YHC recovering from the 3P tapping out an easy beat in 4/4 time getting into swing of it and oops it was over before it began, (these short 10 minute climbs even the remembered pain was fleeting) ..

Pushing through onto the OTP gotta say I had a GOFTR token administered on the Pacific Highway..I now define a GOFTR token as conspicuous dangerous driving in the vicinity of a bike..this eeejit thought a metre didn’t matter and gave about 5cm room, then got caught by the lights at Knox…perfect opportunity for YHC to slip in front and use the lane for some conspicuously belligerent slow acceleration and into a good sprint up to Turra..(thus missing the 6:30 rendezvous at Fox Valley..) but as the blood was up Gordon was only another 5 mins away..

A crescendo of colour and style, the wagon train that is ER rolled into Gordon as single entity..25 or more rolling in before the BOF. Of note was a new steed bearing the family Stratos

Gellie Monster

Once the remaining 10 or so had accreted to the rear of the peloton, a split was arranged and Flash led out a Cat Flap contingent, while an assorted 25 made the pilgrimage along the OTP. Great to see such a turn out, even after the exploits of the weekend where is seems the ER colours are flown far and wide.. You would have heard the peloton clearly before it rolled into sight, as this morning was swift but at full volume..I wonder if a pedestrian gets the same high to low Doppler effect as 30 odd riders pass at speed. Stories recounted and plans made for next weekend all happening en route.

The Stratos tandem was leading through the Hills of death, maintaining a punishing pace through to the regroup at Roseville..I think Blue said something about making the stoker angry enough is a bit like treading on the accelerator, it worked..as the whole peloton was caned. (in all seriousness, great team work and very impressive paint job..superb , a real highlight)

YHC was towed up Burlington by Herb, YHC unable to speak at the top for five minutes, Herb barely panting…YHC needs more caning..

The usual Schleck advance from Burlington to the Bridge..a brief catch on the lights but that coffee suck seems to give him another 200 watts power..impressive.

B&T in full ER mode…40 coffees brought out and called in about 10 minutes..the smile on Vic’s face belies the earlier Vic we once knew..”well aren’t we a …sunshine” sticker has been removed, and he may even serve hot chocolate and mock achinos if asked nicely (but personally I would not dare) ..

Return flights are all scheduled and fueled ready for the off, check out the calendar for the one that fits yours.

Have a great day all

BT

The stars were out big time this morning as we set out for the Fursday Fluffer. Newbies included Mark, a guy called Clutters – who decided to add an extra 20km to his ride – and new Fluffette Laura (we’ve got them rolling in) who cycled up from Mosman to join us close to Terry Hills – Epic ride from Laura. Well done. Moving averages were within the normal ranges; 23-26km/h up to Mona Vale, 29km along the Bus Lanes and then 20km/h from Spit.

Great riding by all. Progress was only slowed by my Puncture in the National Park after making a witty comment to Laura – so sharp that the tire exploded. This was quickly followed by Mark’s two punctures. Fortunately ‘Formula 1 Tire Changer’ Satnav came to the rescue and achieved a 6 minute change on the first, 7 on the second and 8 on the third. Thanks Admin, Robert and Satnav for their quick expertise on these changes. Fluffer spirit prevailed and we battled on – after the last set of punctures we had 2 months without any so this is the time to get your mechanical free rides in – we will be puncture free until May!!

To ensure the ETA at B&T was achieved the ‘Faster Fluffer’ route was introduced which continued us down the Bus Lanes right through to Spit (missing out the beaches). Post ride contact with Manly suggested that the flurry of beach babes who were there to meet us quickly dispersed as word got out of the diversion.

Another enjoyable ride.

Thanks to all involved Big Goaders

The radar said no… Doris said yes…

Unloading into a fine misty morning atop the Col de Fox Valley dawn was not yet broken, but Doris was happy.

Rolling into the shambles on Pacific Highway was an interesting experience, grid locked traffic, and looking like a late arrival at Gordon the Fox Valley crew were forced to use a small section of the footpath, and apart from some equipment failure ( one ripped jersey due to low hanging branch) there was only one GOTFP token from a ute driver grid locked short of Pymble hill. One truck parked just before Telegraph Road was responsible for the utter chaos for the preceding 4 kms..

20 or more in the starting grid, flashing from various parts of the anatomy as ERs do, no one solution used where many are possible, and judging from the plastic on show and moisture about the road surface, today’s roll in would be we lubricated.

YHC quietly sliding to the rear, Lantern Rouge being Doris’s preferred position, and who am I to refuse. Counting the Er’s out, as the charge of the flashing light brigade made their way onto the one true path. Slow and steady at first, rolling through the hills of death at a sedately pace, avoiding any white line, metal grate, obvious hole in the carriageway..Doris being a wet bike was in her element.

Tapering or just plain enjoying the for once “Easy “ ride, it seemed the mood this morning was laid back, progressing at no faster than the slowest rider pace, ( YHC in snooze mode ) making this definitely the second best way to start the day. Accreting more than a few more ERs along the way, by the regroup at Tindale it would have had to be 30 strong and due to conditions much care and attention ensuring all arrived in one piece…the regroup at Crowies using all available space between the roundabout and the turn off Willoughby Rd..yup the peloton had grown.

B&T sprint starts a little earlier each day, I remember when it could be restrained to the top of the stairs on the SHB, Phantom and Schlecky kicked the can back to the lights at Falcon St..and took off like scalded cats from there. But the also rans were still very much in “Easy” mode and rolled with little extra enthusiasm through the North Sydney shambles, YHC was even engaged by a car driver for directions to North Sydney station..civic duty done, gave Doris a little kick along lavender st..nothing to strenuous though.

25 or more at B&T, arrived just in time to see a few rain drops fall on the forecourt and Vic raising the umbrellas as they cleared, but once again the coffee and pseudo foods appearing with gusto and aplomb.

Fluffers and flutters, Epping chapters, and stragglers filling the forecourt, not enough room to swing a cat as per usual, annoying the gent who leans up against the next doors wall to read his paper, he was busy rearranging bicycles to find a little wall space so he could sit on the windowsill of the Doctors surgery..I am sure this will resolve itself when the very nice people at Sydney Council install proper bike racks for us in the B&T vicinity.

Weather is forecast to improve this afternoon, making all routes available and probably warm to boot. Choose your return route with abandon.

Have a great day all

BT

A warm and moist north easterly to enjoy this morning, post storm steam making the one true path into a sauna. Unloading at Fox Valley to join the bus at the top of the hill, it was a fast and free ride down through to Gordon, but hey what a load of traffic…

The bongo’s had been doing their thing overnight, drumming up a ready rabble of ER for the second best way to start the day, and if you felt the earth move in the early hours of the morning, it was explained by the appearance of the Goose for a triumphal march into town. The ER peloton’s centre of gravity was therefore shifted towards the rear of allowable limits for slightly unstable flight characteristic, the tail wagging the dog so to speak. Rule #80 20 of the North Shore’s finest strapped on the lycra and rolled out at the appointed hour, BOF nowhere to be seen, Rule #87 prevailed. But then it takes 5 minutes for the peloton to get moving, and almost immediately stopped as heaven forbid a car was on the first roundabout and cleaved the peloton into two. Formation then went a little ferral, scrambling over the hills of death, and finally into Lindfield, YHC latched onto the Phantom express and was towed to the front and through Rawhiti sprint somehow on point, although hypoxia soon meant all situational awareness was lost. Still battling traffic through Roseville but a clear patch got the peloton onto Archer in short order and greens through Chatswood made this an extraordinary day, ( at least for Phantom and YHC as we arrived at the Tindale regroup with a minute or two ahead) A larger group now took off for the shuffle through Artarmon, with approximately 28 rolling down the hill..

The turn left onto Burra Rd, is usually a fast one, however just another PPB on the fact that other road users may in fact be there too..you really need to be aware of the traffic from the right, but if you have a clear right, try not to be tempted to “hack” into the turn and drift …this morning there was oncoming traffic ..I suppose the message is that common sense and courtesy to road users is one of the FMs guiding principles..

A very orderly transfer through the shared user path ensued, special care on that section as there is still a gumtree lying on the side of the path just before the scaramanga climb. Traffic on this section was numerous and mixed, dam these cyclists who gave them permission to be going the other way and how come there are so many of them..

Burlington smoulder instead of burn as prevailing conditions were too pleasant to ignore, and another huge regroup ..for a mass transit through north Sydney..and if there was anyone with a greenlight button in the peloton it was in full use today, a steady roll through all traffic lights and into the Lavender St dip before you could put a toe on the ground, and once again the stairs to the SHB were jammed with ERs , girding their loins for a final sprint to the B&T..yes sometimes the SHB is useful for one last effort before the BS and planning session over coffee.

B&T was in top form, although they had allowed some ladies to occupy the sacred space..the ladies quickly worked out that 30 odd lycra clad MAMILS were about to surround them so they retreated to a side table quick smart.. and then the mayhem continued as waves of ER rides arrived, the Epping chapter, followed by the stragglers running late on the OTP, the early crew were already caffeinated and on the march before the Fluffers arrived, and several were into their 2nds before finally admitting to having a job to go to. Another welcome back to the chief who promised to make the OTP a bit more frequently now, ( he must be on a recruiting drive ) Return rides ..all the usual, with the usual at the usual..

Have a great day all BT

Well what a great morning to pedal OTP, a warm 18C on the slopes of Monte Colah and skies 4/8ths fluffy warm weather cumulus. base of 2000ft .visibility 10kms plus, traffic was the only insect in the ointment as it seems lots of people want to travel to town at the appointed hour, mostly in “cars”..an outmoded form of transport which is getting more outmoded by the day.

Bicycles of course are the most efficient vehicle on the planet, ( my one is red ) YHC was awakened early by the cat, somehow it has an uncanny ability to arrive a good 30 mins before the alarm is due..and it then proceeds to purr loudly in my ear and if ignored uses a claw to the cheek ..before i use a back of the hand to ..well you get the picture.. So up before really getting to sleep to enjoy the second best way to start the day. Split between 3 rides..the Flutter, Fluffer, OTP…choices choices..24 odd on the OTP lead out by Chippolini in Cerruti helmet and the open sandles…sartorially leading where angels fear to tread.

Paced to perfection though as the Hills of Death flew by, into the valley of Lindfield and our first “close encounter”…the corner of Balfor St and our habit of checking for traffic, shouting “clearaaaa’ Caused offence to a gentleman standing on the curb, who shouted back..”stop shouting “ .. Thankfully all the regroup points were observed, meaning YHC could recover breath after a short Rawhiti sprint, it is so hard to look cool while gasping for air. All rules and regs seemed to be observed today, OAFATSR, back slapping and rampant high spirits, red lights meant stop, ( ok amber may have meant accelerate to some ) a deliciously long green got us across the Falcon st splitter in one big group..behaviour on the shared user path was exceptional, and the observant among us will notice the grill on the corner of the Artarmon oval has been filled in..we are safer now this little skid mark has been erased.

There is still a confusion around how to approach the turn onto Willoughby Rd..YHC prefers to use the pavement and make the turn from the side road, as crossing the central barrier is fraught, and going around the lights is asking for trouble ..easier though it might be, the 15 seconds difference is not really worth it. Burlington burn was being monitored by the local Cops, so YHC had to restrain the pace to ensure not exceeding the speed limit..no records no strava gongs, just a nice cruise up, and if anyone asks we never race on the road.

Another great ride finished with a caffeine hit or two at the B&T…business was booming as the waves of ER crashed in..round of applause for the fluffers, lead by founders and keepers as the magic happened again..converting a commute into a life changing experience. Busses for all points north by all routes are rumoured to be running to schedule..confirmations please on the www.sydney-easy-riders.com.au calendar..you know you want to.

Have a great one all BT

What can I say?

Assembly called in Gordon, and rolled beautifully down the hill, just as I arrived exactly at the jumping off point. Once again the siren call of “No Passing Steel Bikes” was called, and sure enough Bam Bam rolls up and exclaims “I am riding steel” and promptly takes off and leaves me in his dust. I think I am going to change the clarion call to “No passing Red/Yellow (egg and tomato) coloured bikes”. That should fix everyone except DT.

The roll in was great, despite the hard pelting rain through Chatswood and Artarmon… by the time the group arrived at the B&T all was dry for a nice relaxing coffee and chat.

There was a flat in Chatwood (archer st) and a small group collected to have a committee led meeting on how to fix it. They arrived at the B&T only a few minutes behind the group… so could not be too bad….

I’ve been a little scatter brained lately and have lost a couple of things along the way, over the past few weeks. A pair of dress shoes went walkabout 2 weeks ago when I moved my desk back from Market St to Kent St, and a pair of sunglasses went awol about 3 x weeks ago after a stop at the B&T.

Yesterday, the shoes turned up when I checked my old desk drawer in the old building… hooray.

Today my sunnies turned up when Sarah from B&T came running out to give me my sunnies. Apparently, the sunnies slippled out my helmet and landed in the bushes… it was not discovered until a week later when they cleaned the bushes!

The moral of the story… is that if you put enough Love out to the universe, then it seems to reflect itself back to you….

If any of you all wish to reflect Love back to me… I cordially invite you to stand in line, and will get to you as soon as I can.

Look forward to seeing you on the ride home at the usual times…

Cheers

/Bucky