BUG social ride

The next ride is on Sunday 21 October.

Meet at 7.30 a.m. at the Oxygen Cafe.

About 30 kms on the Prince Henry Heights circuit, finishing back at the Oxygen Cafe.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Interesting links

This link will take you to an introduction to a Greenspeed recumbent tandem trip in Africa.

Two young Aussie males undertook a trip to see what 'the other side' of Africa was like.

There is a short video intro' to what seems to be a four part TV series.

Worth a look:

http://www.tricyclingafrica.com/index.html


And this site is an inspiring series of odd and interesting bikes:
http://www.bikeforest.com/homebuild1.php

YouTube videos worth visiting

Cut and paste urls into your browser.

This video is from the UKs CTC organisation. It is the new cinema advertisement to promote cycling as a legitimate element in controlling climate change.

See it here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w-2IQvm2eQw

This is a blast-from-the-past. The Monty Python 'Bicycle Repairman' skit.
See it here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=54CpPlCnM4I

Watch this to see 'the fastest bike' in the world:
See it here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5V2FgwN_re4

A Bamboo bike?
See here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lsaMb7Wuinw

Pink Floyd 'Bike'
See here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-j9H0nIDs

The Mixtures 'The Pushbike Song'
See here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xsKqa3ej5sU

Paul Hogan's version
See here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pX6MtWRGW3M

Monty Python 'Cycling Tour' part 1
See here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Wre5zO4Ek

Monty Python 'Cycling Tour' part 2
See here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pgrejCK_OIY

Monty Python 'Cycling Tour' part 3
See here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lu_WyvghQbQ&NR=1

CLODAGH RODGERS - JACK IN THE BOX
See her here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MBkG41Zq998

South Bank - Gold Coast Sunday 7 October

Wilson HTM Cycle Challenge

The Toowoomba BUG was represented, unofficially, by a number of riders.

No doubt there were many Toowoomba cyclists there but since we all went as individuals we probably will miss people on this list.

Spotted by The BUG were Bruce and Margaret and Mark was spotted by them. David and Hugh were there together, and The BUG snapped Graham relaxing after a hard slog (see mugshot).

The day started at 6.00 am at South Bank, where thousands of riders assembled in readiness. A few megaphone calls to get riders to 'come out the shoot' as required by the permit, and then a wave of 'clip-clip-clip-clip' up and down the lines as the front line riders readied to go.

The I-Ride team was just in front of The BUG and we saw them shoot off.

Most bikes were 'bikes' but there was a tridem as well as numerous tandems. Recumbent bikes and two trikes were spotted, there could have been more.

One dad had a tag-a-long with a daughter pedaling with another daughter perched on the very tail with no powered feet.

One Burley trailered boy was spotted a few times throughout the day, along with a young lad perched on his fathers cross bar, on a special seat- having a whale of a time.

There were young-to-old on all sorts of bikes.

A stop at the 40 kms mark also allowed riders to join the stream there instead of at South Bank.

The next stop at 75kms offered a very welcome lunch, drink bottle refills and space to spread out for a while.

The last 25 kms were fairly easy going after some of the very rough roads we were put on to, and the Gold Coast crowd were very friendly with more than a few bystanders clapping riders in to the finish line.

The BUG returned by bus with the bike going on a covered truck ahead and both arriving back at South Bank at the same time. Perfect, and a very welcome ride home.

Bike Qld organised a very good day with no hint of any breakdowns, for The BUG at least.

This bike day has been going for three years now and is well worth the modest costs involved, although if the Toowoomba BUG were to organise a group to go down together, the cost of getting down and back could be reduced for each of us.

Verdict?

Well worth it, a very enjoyable day out.

Road safety a real issue

How to Not Get Hit by Cars

by Michael Bluejay

"Since I've become more observant of how bikes and cars interact, I've decided that bicyclists have two major safety threats: cars and themselves." --Lee Nichols

This article comes from 'Critical Mass Sydney' and has been adapted from an American web page for Australian conditions.

It's worth a read: http://www.bikesarefun.org/bicyclesafe.html

Flash spokes for everyone

Have a look at this web page:
http://www.ianpaterson.org/projects/spokepov20070731/index.htm

These are the flashiest spokes ever!

Brisbane City Council understands cyclists

"The 'missing link' in Brisbane's bicycle network was finally opened this morning, completing a 37 kilometre car-free zone for riders and pedestrians around the inner-city.

"The $17 million Normanby Pedestrian and Cycle Link connects the CBD with New Farm, West End and Kelvin Grove and boasts round-the-clock security via Closed Circuit Television. It is also disability-friendly".... well, that's just the sort of story The Chronicle could be writing about Toowoomba if our city councillors were serious about cycling.

Read the full story from the brisbanetimes.com.au at:
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2007/09/30/1191090928511.html

Then write to the Toowoomba City Council and ask them what they are doing to promote cycling.