CYCLE - COMMUNITY CYCLING NEWS MELROSE - SO MUCH MORE TO EXPLORE CYCLING SOARS AMID COVID-19 IMPACT KIND DONATIONS KEEP PALYA ROLLING - BikeSA
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CYCLE
THE MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE - No. 187
AUGUST TO OCTOBER 2020
COMMUNITY
CYCLING
NEWS
MELROSE – SO MUCH MORE TO EXPLORE
CYCLING SOARS AMID COVID-19 IMPACT
KIND DONATIONS KEEP PALYA ROLLING
CONTENTS BIC YCLE SA OFFICE
Front cover image: 11A Croydon Road, Keswick SA 5035
One of the new mountain bike tracks in Melrose Phone (08) 8168 9999
takes shape. Fax (08) 8168 9988
CEO and President’s Notes 3 Email office@bikesa.asn.au
Web www.bikesa.asn.au
Melrose Morphing into Mountain Bike Mecca 4 @BicycleSA
@bicyclesa
Covid-19 and the Worldwide Shift to Cycling 6
@bike_sa
Bike SA Wins New Bike Education Tender 7 Bicycle SA
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bike SA
Outback Odyssey 2021 – Return to Vitality
office is open on Mondays only (9am-5pm) until
and Vigour 8
further notice. For Tuesday to Friday, please call
Generosity Helps Palya Help Outback Youth 10 0409 950 884 if the matter is urgent.
Melrose Morphing — page 4
MEMBER SUBMISSIONS C YCLE
Cycle is published quarterly
Dani And Sharlene’s ISSN: 2208-3979
Trans-American Adventure 12
Heineken, Carslberg and the Trials of DISCLAIMER
Bike Touring 14 The views expressed in this magazine are not
necessarily those of Bicycle SA. Bicycle SA does
not guarantee the accuracy of information
published herein.
©2020 BIC YCLE SA
Original 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
Covid-19 and the Worldwide Shift — page 6 of the authors, provided Bicycle SA is sent, as a
courtesy and condition, a copy of the publications
Contributing to Cycle containing such reproduction.
Have you something you would like to
Articles copyrighted to their authors may not be
contribute to Cycle? If so we’d love to hear
about it. Please contact the Bike SA office. reproduced without the express authorisation of
Email: office@bikesa.asn.au 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.
BIC YCLE SA
EXECUTIVE TEAM
President, Maureen Merrick
Email maureen.merrick@bikesa.asn.au
Vice President, Nathan Petrus
Treasurer, Michael Killmier
Secretary, Anne Smith
Outback Odyssey — page 8 Members
Chris Beauchamp
Warwick Cooper
Rowan McKeown
Carol Seely
Nick Spyrou
2
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S
NOTES
T he wildly unpredictable nature of 2020 and the
Covid-19 pandemic that has come to define it
continue to throw up challenges and roadblocks
infrastructure and from working to change the
“motoring first and only” mindset on our roads.
CHRISTIAN HAAG for our organisation as they do so tragically across The evidence is abundantly powerful, all we
Australia and worldwide. But rest assured that need is the political will. Your membership and
everyone at Bike SA is giving their all to help the example you set by simply being out on your
members and the broader cycling communities bicycle, supports our push for greater ‘transport
through these tough times and to ensure that equity’ in South Australia – so that the 60% of
we all can be ready to leap back into the events, adults who want to ride their bicycle for transport
activities and fellowship we all value so highly as more often, can do so as a result of appropriate
soon as this crisis is behind us. investments in safe infrastructure being made.
The danger of the pandemic has forced us to We may not be able to gather together this year
cancel or postpone so many of the events that as much as we may like but that does not mean
bring us together as a community. But it has also we can’t still band together to have a strong and
created the environment for positive change effective voice for change by continuing to do
as the global lockdowns – leading to radically what we love to do, ride.
reduced traffic and safe, quiet streets – and the
We will keep you informed as South Australia’s
virtual abandonment of public transport over
success over this virus will allow us to return to the
the need for social distancing have encouraged
events and activities we have enjoyed together for
an unprecedented explosion in people taking up
years. In the meantime, keep riding for the physical
cycling for both their physical and mental health.
and mental health benefits it so clearly provides in
As more and more people do so and the studies of this time of isolation and inactivity.
the results in cities around the world demonstrate
And continue to set the example by abiding by the
unequivocally, the benefits to the individual,
social distancing and hygiene rules – which you
their fellow commuters, the environment and the
will find on our website – that protect us all and
general and economic health of communities, the
will hasten our return to normality.
opportunity to press for change that encourages
and enables more people to ride more often and
more safely – our core reason for being - becomes
stronger than ever.
Bike SA intends to not only return as quickly as
possible to all the activities we have all valued for
so long but to also make the most of this once-in-
a-lifetime opportunity to show our governments at
all levels how much our whole society can benefit
from investing time, money and space into cycling
PRESIDENT’S NOTES
MAUREEN MERRICK
W e are very pleased to announce that we
have been successful in our tender for
the Bike Ed programme for the next two years.
risk their own lives, families, homes and livelihoods
in their efforts to save, help and support our
community at large; such is the Australian spirit.
Congratulations to our Chief Executive Officer and
his team for all their efforts. We thank and acknowledge your enormous
contribution.
Several members of the Bike Ed staff have spent
much of their time over the past six weeks Congratulations to the Cycle Salisbury Social
servicing at least 30 bikes and getting everything Ride Group, who will be celebrating their seventh
in readiness for the third term of the 2020 school birthday with a ride on Saturday 5 September. The
year, the commencement of the contract. ride commences at 10.00am and will leave from
the Shelter Shed, Carisbrook Park, Main North Rd,
Bike Ed is a component of the Way2Go programme, Salisbury Park. At the conclusion of the ride, lunch
funded and managed by the Department of (at the riders’ expense) will be at the Old Spot
Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. Hotel, Salisbury Heights.
We are extremely proud that, apart from a break Please contact Jim Binder on 0401 984 767 for
of three years, we have been involved in the further information.
programme since it was established in 1996.
During National Volunteer Week this year, 18–24
May, with its theme ‘Changing Communities,
Changing Times’, volunteers were thanked and
acknowledged with buildings brightly illuminated
in red, households encouraged to tie something
red to their front doors and/or letterboxes as well
as by numerous ‘virtual’ activities. Our volunteers
3
M E L R O S E M O R P H I N G I N TO M O U N TA I N B I K E M E CC A
M elrose has long been a much-loved
touring venue for South Australian cyclists,
with road, gravel and particularly mountain
bike offerings to delight along with the area’s
tranquillity, beauty, amenities and friendly locals.
But now a series of new trails and facilities
upgrades – the result of years of dedicated work
from the local community – is set to expand its
already strong appeal and rank the Southern
Flinders Ranges town among the very best of
Australia’s cycle destinations.
As part of a multi-million-dollar commitment
from the SA Government to develop and
preserve the state’s national parks, the Southern
Flinders Ranges component aims to develop the
Mount Remarkable area into an international-
standard MTB destination while also upgrading
trails for hiking and horse riding and improving
visitor facilities.
Stage one of the work, a 2.3km loop at the
Willowie Forest Trails, part of the Mount
Remarkable National Park, was recently laid
down by Nick Bowman’s trailbuilding outfit,
Destination Trails. It will cater to beginners while
still entertaining more advanced riders. When
we spoke to Nick at the start of August, he said
that loop was only waiting for some rain to bed
in the track and for signage to be erected and he
expected the trail would be open soon.
Stage two, which will be open to tender, will
boost the length of trails in the Willowie area
to roughly 16km, most likely with the addition
of two green and two blue trails as well as a
climbing trail, all one-way and all bike-specific.
That project is expected to be completed by the
first half of next year.
“We will be bidding for Stage 2,” Nick said. “With
more experienced riders already well catered
for in Melrose, we’ll be trying to make it fun
for everyone. Like Easy As and Gromflow at
O’Halloran Hill, these ones will be easy to ride for
little kids on small wheels but still fun for big kids
of all ages.
“Melrose hasn’t catered well to kids and less
confident riders so now, with this project, we are
filling that space. Even before it’s open, we’ve got
families and kids – as well as strong riders – all over
it and having fun. My little six-year-old pedalled
around it the other day, which blew my mind. She
got down the descent and had a ball.
“It’s filling that gap so it’s going to make it easier
for families to spend more time there.”
The longer-term stage three and four works, which
would take at least two years to come to fruition,
are planned to include an epic 30km-plus loop
around the back of Mount Remarkable and shuttle-
serviced downhill trails off the bluff at Wirrabara.
4
The investment - $5 million each from the state - it gives people another offering in June, July,
and federal governments – will also fund works like August and I think it may rival other prime
developing a trailhead at Willowie Forest as well as locations throughout Australia.
toilets, shelters and barbecue facilities.
THIS NEW WORK IS GOING TO PUT US
“Also, including things like bikepacking and gravel ON THE MAP, NATIONALLY – THERE’S
But the Melrose community, including passionate grinding opportunities in the one location makes
advocates like local businessman, Mount a big difference. What is being planned here might NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
Remarkable District councillor and Bike Melrose be enough to coax riders from the east coast,
spokesman Don Norton, have gone even further. which has been challenging until now.”
After securing federal drought relief funding, the
Bike Melrose club has allied with the local Show
Society and begun building another 3.5km of
trails at the town’s Showgrounds through local
small business Hand Built Trails.
“The Showgrounds trails are coming along
really well, they’re looking awesome,” Don said.
“They’ll be green trails, two loops and really
good for families to come and stay around the
Showgrounds area. One of the descending trails
will be like a flow trail with berms and some
doubles so a good rider will jump the doubles
and a beginner can just roll over them.”
Those trails should be finished by early to mid-
September.
With the drought funding, they are also building
four steel bridges to put over the creek crossings
through the local trails as well as eight rideovers
over fences and a trailhead in town that will
feature a meeting place with maps, seating areas
and a lot of information on tourism, cycling and a
bit of history. All that will be finished by the end
of the year.
“It’s fantastic to see that everything we’ve been
talking about through council and the bike club is
coming to fruition,” said Don, who expects the new
trails to be a huge boost to the town.
“It’ll be a real drawcard to get people to revisit
Melrose who maybe haven’t been for a while.
New trails mean new interest, revitalised interest –
people coming to see what the trails are like.
“The whole plan for this is turning Melrose into
an international MTB destination, especially if
we ever see the Epic Loop which goes around
the back of the mount, which is part of the
government’s Parks 2025 plan. That loop could
probably take a few years to build but would Features of the trail at Melrose that will be open and ready for fun soon.
attract people from around the world.
“The whole region is also great for road and gravel
riding, especially gravel. There’s so many loops you
can do – anything from 30km to 300km - and such
beautiful views and landscapes,” he said.
Nick shares Don’s enthusiasm for the town’s potential.
“It’s going to put us on the map, nationally
– there’s no question about that,” Nick said.
“There are a few things working in our favour.
It’s a uniquely South Australian ecosystem in the
Flinders Ranges. And it’s a winter destination
5
COVID-19 AND THE
Commuters using the expanded cycle lane network in Paris.
WORLDWIDE SHIFT
TO CYCLING
T his year and the Covid-19 pandemic that
has overwhelmed it has redefined virtually
everything about the ways we live and interact, the
way our societies around the globe function and, in
particular, what we can continue to take for granted.
Chief among these is the dire consequences of our
complacent, long-running, unsustainable transport
policies and the devastating impact they have been
having on human health and the environment.
Some of the most famous and awe-inspiring
pictures from early this year when countries
around the world were forced into lockdown were
of clear blue skies over some of our industrialised
mega-cities, juxtaposed to pictures from a year
earlier that showed the choking, deadly pollution
to which so many had sadly become accustomed. networks have all been used to great effect by Three factors that can encourage and maintain
cities like Paris, Berlin, London, Bogota, Barcelona cycling are safety, efficiency and cost. Government
But if there was one good thing that came out
and Milan to encourage more cycling and avoid investments in incentivising cycling can
of this terrible pandemic, it was that so many of
transport gridlock during the crisis. dramatically affect cost, not just to cyclists but
those lockdowns created the clear, quiet streets
to the community at large, as a fitter and more
that encouraged so many to dig their bikes out of In Australia, Sydney and Melbourne have both active population has far less impact on our health
the shed and ride for cheaper, cleaner, healthier made strides in this area but, sadly, the Adelaide system while more cycling commuters reduce
transport, for exercise and for recreation to City Council has not seen fit to follow suit. pollution and traffic congestion and the associated
boost their physical and mental health while still
costs of both of those problems.
maintaining safe social distancing. In Melbourne, a survey by the Bicycle Network
conducted a count comparing the number of Many options exist for providing broad-based
In Barcelona, the use of cycle paths has increased
riders on key bike paths around the city from incentives. These include tax deductions for
by 325 per cent during peak hours while in France,
November last year to April this year and found a bike-related purchases and services, insurance
cycling levels after the lockdown have increased by
270 per cent increase while in Brisbane, cycle traffic companies being encouraged to reduce premiums
27 per cent compared to 2019.
has almost doubled on the Kangaroo Point and for cyclists as they do for non-smokers and
Even after the lockdowns ended, the risks of Kedron Brook bikeways and increased by 50 per companies being encouraged to make a bike
contracting the virus on public transport or cent on the Bicentennial Bikeway. purchase part of employee benefits.
ridesharing and the inability of cities’ transport
Cycling along the River Torrens Linear Park increased Safety and efficiency can both be achieved by
infrastructure to support a wholesale shift to
from just over 800 riders in April 2019 to more constructing separated bike lanes and connecting
private motor vehicles continued the massive
than 1600 daily riders in April this year but pop-up existing bike lane or bike path networks.
surge to cycling in cities around the world,
lanes or priority zones have not been considered to
including Australia.
provide even greater incentive in Adelaide. At this time, these measures offer the double
Bike shops have been one of the few commercial bonus of achieving all the benefits of encouraging
But now as much of the world emerges from the cleaner, healthier and congestion-busting
sectors to have thrived as Covid shutdowns and
worst of the pandemic restrictions, as many may transport, while also providing infrastructure
restrictions have savaged economies and made
with to return to old habits and return to their cars projects that create jobs and revitalise an economy
millions unemployed.
and as South Australia emerges from a cold winter that, in Australia, is in its first recession in 29 years.
Pop-up and temporary cycling lanes, pedestrian into the beauty of spring, how do we encourage all
and cyclist priority zones and expanded bike path these new cyclists to continue riding?
Adelaide cycle commuters using the River Torrens Linear Park. A worker constructs a pop-up cycling lane in Berlin.
6
Crystal-clear skies in LA during the lockdown. BIKE SA WINS
NEW BIKE
E D U C AT I O N T E N D E R
B ike SA recently received the extremely
welcome news that it had won the
tender to continue delivering the State
Government’s Way2Go Bike Education
program in South Australian primary schools.
Bike SA has enormous experience with this
program, having delivered it for more than
20 years and that institutional knowledge
and the extraordinary effort the team put
into the tender process clearly won over the
decision-makers.
Way2Go is a statewide South Australian
program promoting safer, greener and more
active travel for primary school students and
their communities. It uses a whole school
approach built on a partnership between
Los Angeles on a pre-Covid day showing the city’s choking pollution. local councils, school communities and the
Department of Planning, Transport and
Infrastructure and it encourages children
and the community to safely walk, ride bikes
or scooters and use public transport for
personal travel.
Bike SA is Australia’s largest provider of
specialist school and youth bicycle education
services, annually teaching more than 4000
young South Australians to ride.
Way2Go Bike Education is just one plank
– although an extremely important and
influential one - in Bike SA’s portfolio of
programs that educate and encourage
people of all ages to participate in safe,
healthy, environmentally responsible and
rewarding cycling for transport, fun, fitness,
sport and adventure. These include school
holiday programs, Bike Fun, Bikes Palya and
beginner, intermediate and advanced bike
maintenance courses.
Overall, the benefits of investing in cycling Maybe you’ll see Bike SA’s Bike Education
infrastructure and increasing the number of instructors at your child’s school later this year.
cyclists on the road far outweigh its associated
costs, with one study estimating a 400 per cent to
500 per cent return.
THE BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN
And while acting now can offer a short-term CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE AND
economic benefit, it must also be considered that
having a reliable cycling network can help protect INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CYCLISTS
our cities from the impact of future shocks like
ON THE ROAD FAR OUTWEIGH ITS
this pandemic.
ASSOCIATED COSTS
We are faced with a once-in-a-generation
opportunity where those of us who cycle can
lead by example in transitioning to a cleaner,
healthier, more sustainable transportation model
and where our leaders must decide between
returning to the destructive status quo ante or
taking the bold but obvious step that leads to
better outcomes for us all.
7
OUTBACK OD
– R E T U R N T O V I TA
A fter the restrictions, lockdowns, isolation,
inactivity and mental and physical strain of
2020’s Coronavirus ordeal, there really can be
challenge as it is a life-changing experience.
You can choose to ride the Full Mawson – 900km
Trail itself, tells the story of the early settlement of
South Australia and of the brave souls who carved
out their pieces of paradise amid this awesome
over 16 days (1-16 May 2021) from Adelaide to
no better way to break free from the listlessness landscape with their bare hands.
Blinman – or any of the three ‘Mini Mawsons’
than by joining Bike SA and some like-minded
(MM#1, Adelaide to Burra, 5 days; MM#2 Burra to Bike SA has been running the Outback Odyssey
enthusiasts on the 2021 Outback Odyssey.
Melrose, 6 days; or MM#3, Melrose to Blinman, 7 since 2002 and our organisation, planning and ride
The Odyssey – riding 900km along the full length days). But whichever you choose, you’ll experience leadership throughout the trip reflect that depth of
of the majestic Mawson Trail from Adelaide to a fully supported ride enjoying great catering, experience. Whether you’re an experienced cycle
Blinman – is one of the great cycling adventure great company and some of the most breathtaking adventurer or you’re looking for your first foray into
experiences of the world. landscapes on Earth. multi-day ride touring, trust Bike SA to guide you
through one of the great rides of your life.
The terrain is sometimes challenging, sometimes Each day is an adventure. We ride. We eat. We drink.
cruisy but always beautiful and occasionally simply We have a laugh. Avoid the rush for places as people look for a cure
jaw-dropping as you experience the best of the for the 2020 blues – sign up now!
Trade four walls for boundless vistas. Trade
Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Mid
isolation for the company of enthusiastic and fun- For more information about this extraordinary
North and the spectacular Flinders Ranges. With
loving fellow bike riders and adventure-seekers, experience amid the rugged beauty of some of
600 million years of secrets waiting to be revealed,
not to mention the superb hospitality of the South Australia’s most storied countryside,
the Australian Outback is home to one of the
communities that we will visit on our journey. visit our website at
greatest adventures of your life - not so much a
The history of these towns, and of the Mawson www.bikesa.asn.au/event/tours/outback-odyssey.
8
DYS S E Y 2021
ALITY AND VIGOUR
TRADE FOUR WALLS FOR BOUNDLESS
VISTAS. TRADE ISOLATION FOR THE
COMPANY OF ENTHUSIASTIC AND
FUN-LOVING FELLOW BIKE RIDERS
AND ADVENTURE-SEEKERS”
9
G E N E R O S I T Y H E L P S P A LYA H E L P O U T B A C K Y O U T H
I n June, Bike SA sent out social media posts
and a direct mailout to our members seeking
donations to assist the Bikes Palya program
social and mental health.
The target set for the fundraiser was $10,000 and
The revamped service is already up and running
in a few areas and will be spread further afield as
long as this challenging environment is with us.
to continue its invaluable work despite the the generosity of our members and friends proudly
complications imposed on them by Covid-19. exceeded that figure, with $11,500 being pledged The team’s Covid-defying adaptation to their
to the worthy cause. regular work also continued through the past two
The impact of the viral pandemic has been sets of school holidays.
particularly harsh on First Nations youth living That is enabling Bikes Palya to adapt its regular
in remote communities. With restrictions put in program to the specific and challenging demands Before the April break, they fixed and donated 20
place for health reasons, there had been limited of the Covid-19 environment, providing tools and bikes to two communities unable to be visited.
access to key services for youth in the APY Lands. equipment and creating local partnerships to These were subsequently used hundreds of times
This forced upon the Palya team the challenge create a virtual, remote program delivery model by kids during the school holidays. So successful
to innovate to design resources to keep youth so that those who need it will not be denied the was the virtual program it was rolled out with 90
connected to bikes and all the awesome benefits benefits of this valuable program. additional bikes to 13 communities in SA, Western
that stem from such access regarding physical, Australia and the Northern Territory to engage
10the local youth from afar amid the restrictions.
To support remote delivery, tools were supplied
as well as instructional videos on maintenance
routines. These packs arrived just before the July
holidays and will remain in the communities to be
continually used into the future.
And in the most recent July school holidays,
Bikes Palya delivered programs in the APY
Lands in partnership with NPY Women’s
Council. The programs were conducted in two
communities, Mimili and Pukatja and involved
activities surrounding bikes including bike repair
workshops, games and rides. Covid-19 restrictions
were adhered to throughout the entire process.
Youngsters in Mimili and Pukatja enjoying all the fun of Bikes Palya’s July school holiday program.
THE GENEROSITY OF OUR MEMBERS
AND FRIENDS RAISED $11,500 FOR
THIS WORTHY CAUSE.”
11MEMBER STORIES
DANI AND SHARLENE’S
TRANS-AMERICAN ADVENTURE
Their trusty steeds, California hills and wide-open skies.
B ike SA member and Bike Ed co-ordinator
Sharlene Harding joined her great mate Dani
Schmidt to take on a 58-day, 5200km ride across
“We were angry, initially, that people were telling
us what we had to do because we felt very safe
and secure as we were a bunch of 18 women
from home that started as a trickle but quickly
became a flood, warning of the Covid threat and
urging them to come home.
the United States in March. It was to be the wild, in our own little bubble,” Sharlene said. “We felt
challenging, testing bike tour of a lifetime and quite safe but each hotel we went to day-by-day “We could see the news reports that things in NY
that’s how it turned out – just not in the way either everything was changing. We started with full were just going crazy,” Dani said. “But we never felt
of them could have ever expected. buffet breakfasts and by the end of it we couldn’t the urgency until the last day because we were in
even get a coffee! that bubble. We just kept thinking: ‘Just leave us
The pair had signed up and been training in alone and let us ride’.”
preparation for the previous 18 months for the epic “The tour company finally cancelled our ride
ride with tour company WomanTours that would because they couldn’t guarantee the services as we The premature end to the journey was an emotional
take them from San Diego, California across the went along because hotels were shutting.” time for all the participants after they had spent
continent to finish in St Augustine, Florida. the past two weeks as constant companions,
Dani said that, as the only two Australians on the strengthening bonds and forming friendships.
Ahead of them lay more than 5000km (roughly tour, they had been getting a string of messages
the distance from Perth to Sydney then back to
Adelaide) of pedalling and 36,000m of climbing
Dani, Shar and Davin in Denver Airport waiting to go home.
(more than four time Mount Everest), spectacular
scenery, laughs, tears and great new friendships
with the other 16 members of the tour. They got all
that – and a whole lot more!
Because when they booked, they could not have
imagined the dramatic, dangerous and world-
altering event that 2020 would throw at us all in
the form of Covid-19. Their tour, instead of 58 days,
lasted only 16 before the deadly virus that has
inundated the US forced its cancellation. But that
was far from the end of their rollercoaster ride.
They started the ride in high spirits and, led by
their friendly team guides, left the West Coast and
enjoyed the stark beauty of the desert landscapes
of California, Arizona and part of New Mexico
before the news became progressively worse and
the tour came to a sudden and final stop in Silver
City, New Mexico.
12MEMBER STORIES
“We were all in shock,” Sharlene said. “We saw it
coming but the American girls did not, they were Sharlene and Dani on the road in California on one of the first days of their adventure.
very sad. There were a lot of tears and a lot of
anger as well.”
Once it was confirmed the tour was over and
they’d be going home as soon as possible, Dani
and Sharlene had two important calls to make –
one to their travel agent to find a way to get them
back to Australia and the second to Sharlene’s
husband Davin, who was doing his own ultra-long-
distance ride across the US and was expecting to
meet them in Florida.
The travel agent was all action: “Where are you
and where can you get to?” was the message. The
nearest major hub was El Paso, Texas but because
that was a Covid hotspot and because they
needed to head north to link with Davin who was
in Kansas by then on his way from San Diego to
New York, they decided on making for the airport
in Denver, Colorado. The agent booked them on
flights from there to San Francisco and home via
Auckland and Sydney and at least that was one
major worry solved.
Then there was Davin.
A veteran ultra-long-distance solo cyclist, Davin
had been on his own and was even less informed
about the unfolding crisis than the women had
been in their tour bubble. To say he was unhappy
about being told to abandon his challenge would
be a wild understatement but once he took in all
the information he could see it was time to go
home and arranged to meet them in Denver.
which Dani bought an indoor trainer on Day 1 and, The first item on that list is riding the 900km
The flights home on virtually empty aircraft were after a social media shout-out, Sharlene and Davin Mawson Trail towards the end of this year.
surreal experiences that gave them the luxury borrowed two from their mate Steve who drove
of virtually unlimited attention from the cabin from McLaren Vale to Salisbury to deliver them. Despite their wildly unexpected outcome, the pair
crew and the opportunity to reflect on what had strongly recommends anyone wishing to take on
happened and how much worse it could have been. Sharlene and Dani are back to what passes for their own adventure of a lifetime should just “plan
normal in the Covid world of 2020. They’re back to it and do it”.
“We definitely dodged a bullet,” Dani said. “We work and still catch up once a week to train and
could have been stuck there.” plan on what to do to keep challenging themselves “The riding just got easier the further we went into
before returning to the US in two years. the trip. There’s no reason not to do these kinds of
“And, as for the tour, we miss it terribly,” Sharlene experiences,” Sharlene said. “Just go for it!”
said. “The scenery, we don’t have anything like it
here. We stopped and looked at the views and took
photos and we were smiling all day. We lived the Dani cleaning her bike on their first day off with ride guide Abby.
cliché of ‘Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat’ and for weeks it
was just constant laughing.”
For those reasons and many others, the pair has
already committed to joining the same tour in
2022 – as have many of their newfound friends
from this year’s tour. (None of them expect the tour
in early 2021 to be an option, given the explosive
spread of the American epidemic.)
The company is giving them a credit for the portion
of the ride from Silver City to the finish in Florida,
but they intend to start from San Diego again
“because we want to ride across the whole country”.
Once they were back in Adelaide their thoughts
turned quickly to continuing the training that
made them ready for their epic ride this year. It
began with their two-week quarantine at home for
13MEMBER STORIES
HEINEKEN, CARSLBERG AND THE TRIALS OF BIKE TOURING
BY MARTYN AMES
Time for a rest and a photo along the way. I had never been to Copenhagen so this was to be
the time. I had ridden across France, Switzerland,
the Black Forest and northwards on three
fell off on wet tramlines in Amsterdam and broke
a spoke, got drowned on my way to Utrecht and
caught the train back to Ostend, flew home, broke
occasions and to Lands End again three times. It another couple of spokes climbing hills in the
was time to choose somewhere different to go. A northern part of London and finally walked up the
map told me it was only about 1200 kilometres last ones. I then wondered what to do with the rest
from Ostend to my destination which should of my student allocated holiday.
take about eight days reasonable riding time plus
extra days for major sightseeing. I had flown out First, what was good then about the ride? Bruges
of Southend Airport on the northern side of the in Belgium was really good with its superb old
Thames previously on their Carvair (converted buildings and canals. Zeeland was similar with
DC-4) car ferry so that would be the way to kick off towns like Middelberg and, of course, Gouda
my trip. was outstanding with its town hall and cheese
background. Amsterdam has its own delights with
My plan therefore was to ride to Southend, 80 kms its canal trips and the highlight of the Heineken
from home, hop across to Belgium in 30 minutes Brewery which provided beer to visiting foreigners
and explore Bruges en route for somewhere in but not locals. It took ages to find my way back to
that small piece of Holland between Belgium the hostel following this!
and the Western Scheldt River. After that it was
a matter of crossing the Scheldt by ferry and I now had almost three weeks more holiday to use
riding to wherever I got to and then on to Gouda constructively of my student time off. So I went off
followed by Amsterdam, the major tourist hub. on day trips around Essex and overnights in Suffolk
After Amsterdam I would head north to cross the and longer riding down to the south coast to
The Gouda town hall. causeway over the Zuider Zee (Ijsselmeer now) Brighton and on to Dover. I also rode several times
and on to Hamburg, through to Denmark and into London and around the city. If you have never
eventually Copenhagen. My return journey was to ridden around London you might find it is the
depend upon how much time I had used in getting only way to see the place as you can go anywhere,
there and playing the tourist. My way home was walk you bike wrong way up streets, park next to
either to ride all the way back or to catch the monuments and even leave your bike safely at the
overnight ferry across the North Sea to Hull and many railway stations while wandering around –
ride the 300 kms south home. just take walking shoes too!
So did this work? Put simply – no! Two years after this aborted trip I did get to
Copenhagen with my wife-to-be but by rusty
The first five days getting to Amsterdam was minivan on our way to Norway. We did manage to
good and then Holland, aka The Netherlands, down a few Carlsbergs when there.
experienced probably the worst storm they had
had in many years which made me first hang I did not ride around parts of Western Europe again
around in Amsterdam for a couple of extra days due to bigger adventures by Mini through the Alps
to wait out the storm. It never abated. I took the and the Pyrenees but coming to Adelaide some 30
decision to abandon the ride on the advice of the years ago enabled me to enjoy the Adelaide Hills
hostel manager and return back to Ostend and and, of course, joining Bike SA helped with Grand
go home. This didn’t work out too well either as I Slams and Annual Tours! I don’t think there are any
roads through the hills I haven’t ridden on.
Bike packed and prepped, ready to leave home. The Heineken brewery.
14SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS WHO SUPPORT US
Avanti Plus Semaphore Shop 4/135 Semaphore Road, Exeter Little Black Bike 100 Gilbert Street, Adelaide
8449 8199 8221 5067
Avanti Plus Woodville 820 Port Road, Woodville Macpac 399–403 Main North Road, Enfield
8268 6404 8359 5866
Bicycle Centre Mitcham 21-23 Belair Road, Kingswood Megabike 187 Rundle Street, Adelaide
8271 0692 8223 3315
Bicycle Express 124 Halifax Street, Adelaide Micycles 32A George Street, Thebarton
8232 7277 0424 569 317
138 The Parade, Norwood Mike Turtur Cycles 55 Main North Road, Medindie
8431 5711 8342 1882
Bicycle Fix 33 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside Moonta Cycle & Sports 49 George Street, Moonta
8389 7495 8825 3222
Bicycles Mount Barker 12A Walker Street, Mount Barker Mulga Bicycle Tours mulgabicycletours.com.au
8391 4777 0412 309 711
Bicycling Australia Magazine 17-21 Bellevue Street, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW My Ride Salisbury 15/1700 Main North Road, Salisbury
02 9281 233 8258 8885
Bike About (hires and tours) 33b Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside My Ride Unley 80b Unley Road, Unley
0413 525733 8271 8001
Bike Society 274 Waymouth Street, Adelaide North Adelaide Cycles 1 Ward Street North, Adelaide
8262 5449 0448 567 788
391 Brighton Road, Hove
Norwood Parade Cycles 216 The Parade, Norwood
8358 1500
8332 1889
Bio-Mechanics 260 Waymouth Street, Adelaide
Over the Edge 6 Stuart Street, Melrose
8410 9499
8666 2222
Brooks Cycle Depot 63 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge
Reid Cycles 230 Pulteney Street, Adelaide
8532 2868
8227 0011
Cluster Cycles 4/60 Liverpool Street, Port Lincoln
Ride Union Bike Co 11/220 Mount Barker Road, Aldgate
8682 3468
8131 0237
Complete Cycle 45 Cliff Avenue, Port Noarlunga
SA Remedial Therapy Clinic Level 3 55 Gawler Place, Adelaide
8327 0200
8221 6262
Euride 637 Lower North East Road, Campbelltown
South Coast Cycles 125 Beach Road, Christies Beach
8336 4490
8326 1664
Flinders Cycles 1 Hospital Road, Port Augusta
Standish Cycles Shop 1/290 Unley Road, Hyde Park
8641 0269
8271 6989
G&D Cycles 7 Badenoch Street, Mount Gambier
Standout Cycles 195 Henley Beach Road, Mile End
8725 6002
8443 5435
Gawler Cycles 4/1 Theen Avenue, Willaston
Star Cycles 5 Barfield Crescent, Edinburgh North
8522 2343
8255 1979
Giant Adelaide 2–3/53–67 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide
Super Elliotts 200 Rundle Street, Adelaide
8223 5978
8223 3946
Glenelg Cycles 754 Anzac Highway, Glenelg
Supreme Pro Cycles 32 Cadell Street, Goolwa
8294 4741
8555 5100
Goggleman 1/495 Brighton Road, Brighton
Tailwind Cycles 81 Main South Road, O’Halloran Hill
1300 464 453
8322 6714
Hey Bikes 2/353 Anzac Highway, Plympton
Treadly Shop 5/4–10 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide
0452 232 453
8232 0158
International Cycles 70 Payneham Road, Stepney
Victor Harbor Cycles victorharborcycles.com
8362 2609
0407 048 324
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.
15ANOTHER AWESOME EVENT PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY
BI 1
CYC 2
LE SA • 20
ESCAPE TO
THE OUTBACK
1-16
MAY
ADELAIDE TO Image Credit: Chris Southwood
BLINMAN
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