3rd Leg: Warriewood beach cafés to St Ives, via Wakehurst Parkway - 26km - 84 min

12:25pm -

	Sth adjacent to the coast for 2km - initially along Sydney Rd which becomes Ocean St;
	R into Malcolm St for 50m;
	L into Lagoon St for 1km;
	R into Waterloo St for 300m;
	R into Pittwater Rd for 100m crossing bridge over Narrabeen Lakes;
	veer L into Wakehurst Parkway for a toughish 9.9km (initially flat past Narrabeen Lakes thence a constant climb) for Sag Stop from 1:05pm (5 min) either approaching crest of climb immediately prior to traffic lights at French Forest Rd or at the lights, so long as you get off the road;
	R into French Forest Rd at lights for 800m;
	R into Rabbett St for 200m decent;
	L into Adams St for a 200m "real tough" grind/climb;
	R onto Forest Way for 5.3km; and
	L into Mona Vale for 6.2km to St Ives.

ETR 1:45pm - 95km.

Whippet rap-up of Sunday, 27July “Tour de Windsor” - from Turra’ - 100km – 14 cyclists

     In recent days snow had fallen on the Blue Mountains, although the wind had dropped.  Windsor’s overnight temperature had fallen below 0 deg on this Winter’s morn’.  During previous few weeks three Muggs’ had been in the snow enjoying good skiing conditions in the delightful Snowy Mts.  It is a chilly morn’ in mid-Winter, and our route takes us West, away from any respite from the ocean’s relative warmth.

     Our ten Turra’ starters rolled out smack on 8:30am led by Arno, Craig T, Peter T aka GPS, Sarah, Marcel aka Schooners, Gene aka Koala Bear, Samurai, Simon O’Neill, Big Gears, and Peter W.  Following a chilly decent into Brown’s Water Hole, on que at 8:50am the Peleton collected Navigator, Rocket & Whippet who were attempting to bask in fleeting sunlight at the entrance to the M2. 

The flattish 15.2km stretch along the M2 with no exception was a warm-up sprint, as five speedsters [Arno, Navigator, Simon, Big Gears, & Schooners] dominating at various stages.  Whippet was out-classed and limped in ahead of a much improved Rocket to our scheduled second Sag Stop 50m into Johnston Ave.  Following a brief re-group, the pace was reigned-in to a tight Peloton via deserted streets (must be a religious lot out West!!!) thru Marayong, Riverstone, Vineyard etc, with lots of talk about the snow and performances in the T de F for the remainder of our journey to Windsor. Our speed didn’t set the world on fire along the rail line, as Navigator heart rate monitor had fallen to 125 (below a minimum work out) but there was still 50km to go, albeit with only two real hills on the return leg.

At 10:50am we pedalled into historic Thompson’s Square after cycling in a bunch, with a tad over fifty clicks on the dial, at a +26 average for most, including the detour on the cycle way adjacent to Windsor Rd.  We searched out a café, opting for the Wood Fired Pizzas Café, ‘cause a table in a sunny alcove beckoned, plus the lads found that Mark had sussed-out the food.  The rest of us hoed into Kiln Roasted Tasty Titbits, washed-down with scrumptious MoKador coffee, personally recommended by our host.  Some of us pondered why good coffee is cheaper out west.

Around midday we commenced our return home, after the re-start was delayed, as on departure Navigator discovered his ‘not cheap’ year old Trek bike had a flat front tyre, would he trade this for a new bike, nerr, repair and re mount and head back to McGrath’s Hill past where he had picked-up the glass on the last 50 meters into Windsor, but alas Navigator had left his pump behind and returned to collect this and we didn’t see him again.

After an uninterrupted run along the Old Stock Route Rd/Scheyville Rd stretch, Schooners had our second flat and wanted full pressure and the group held up pending the climb from the ditch at Cattai Creek to the top of the Ridge, a reduced lead contingent of four hammered-on to the junction of Halcrows Rd.  Once again the fly-weight, youngster Schooners, gained the KOM crown and waited for the remainder to arrive.

Following the 13km ride along Cattai Ridge Rd. pot-holed roller-coaster, the lads opted for the easier stretch on the Scary Road (Old Northern Rd), [where Mark departed back to Riverstone], then we took Mid Dural Rd due east back to Galston.  Whereupon feeling fresh, we skipped the scheduled 2^nd Nosh Stop at GreenShades and scurried on along more familiar territory down/up from The Gorge.

The 3 min breather at the familiar Bus Shelter was a welcome respite before rolling back to Hornsby where we said our bye byes to Arno & Sarah, then continued at a more sedentary pace.  With no takers for a further climb via Bobin Head, we opted for the short-cut back to Turra’ along the eastside of the rail line. 

Alas, around 2:30pm, as the day had finally warmed-up, it heralded an end to a hundred clicks of cold, steamy, fun for a fearless fourteen.

The Whippet   28 July '03