Avon Dam Re-opens

After 4 long years I was delighted when Phil Costa, NSW Minister for Water, announced Avon Dam has at last reopened to the public. This news is particularly good for those cyclists who love to keep strong with a good hill climb.
Several members of BARBUG gave it a go on Tuesday 8/12/09.  It is a hard but glorious ride which plunges down to the Nepean River before climbing through beautiful rainforest up, up and up to the excellent Avon Dam picnic and viewing facilities.

The return ride amazes even more as the road seems to plunge forever downward towards the Nepean Ford. You can only think to yourself, “Did I really ride all that way up?” Then, the climb back  to the entrance gates,  although it is not as hard as the ride up to Avon, on tired legs, seems to never end!

For more information go to: http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/recreation/upper-nepean-dams

John, alan, Gina and Jim on Avon Dam wall

John, Alan, Gina and Jim on Avon Dam Wall

Avon2

The Nepean Ford

How lucky we are to have these terrific riding opportunities in the Wollondilly Shire. There is something for everyone, no matter what level of fitness.

Sydney Bicycle Film Festival

Hi there all you film buffs

Scott Drummond has sent me details of a bike film festival to be held in Sydney from the November 11th – 15th

Scott and four other co-producers, Andy, Ash, Josh and Karla, want to take the opportunity to reach out to  let you know more about the festival.

The five  have been working on organising the festival for the last four months, and with just over a month to go they’re finalising the details of the film program and the program of events. Here’s a break-down of the five-day festival so far:

Wednesday 11th November - BikesRock opening night party
Featuring bands The Middle East, Talons and The Canvas Kites, and DJs – venue to be announced.

Thursday 12th November – art show openings
Francophile Velostyle – Will French at the Monster Children Gallery
Photography show curated by Julia Shauenberg – venue to be announced

Friday 13th November – film program opening at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington
7pm film session
9pm film session

Saturday 14th November – film program continues at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington, street party
Free ride – culminating at the street party
Street Party – featuring BMX and trials showcase
7pm film session
9pm film session

Sunday 15th November – BFF BBQ
Festival wrap BBQ in the park

Scott also says:

We’re excited to say that we have the full support of the City of Sydney and a number of festival sponsors (Crumpler, Onitsuka Tiger, Bianchi, Knog and more), which is half of the battle when organising a festival of this scale.
The support is great, but the festival is really all about Sydney’s cyclists, whether they ride BMX, fixed, road, mountain or whatever. We wanted to personally reach out to you to consider spreading the word about the festival through your network and to turn out for what we hope will be a great festival.
We appreciate that it’s a good ride into the city – maybe you could organise a group ride into the city for a day-trip to the festival? It could be a really fun day out and a great chance to connect with other cyclists and cycling advocates.
We just wanted to properly introduce ourselves and to start a conversation with you about the festival. We’d love to talk more about the details of the festival, and, of course, we would really appreciate your support in celebrating Sydney’s growing bicycle community.
If anyone wants to make a day of it please comment or contact me- Sal

Gazelle Bicycles Australia Supports Children in Cambodia

2 Gazelle Bicycles to Win!

2 Gazelle Bicycles to Win!

PRESS RELEASE

Gazelle Bicycles Australia will be supporting the international development work of ChildFund Australia by offering two bicycles free of charge to the charity to help it raise funds to build a school in Cambodia.

Together, Gazelle and ChildFund Australia will be offering Australians the chance to win one of the brand new bicycles in a raffle. The two bicycles, Gazelle Fuente Plus Hybrid bicycles, are valued at $1,749 each and are offered as the two 1st prizes in the raffle drawn on the 4th of September 2009.

The raffle is expected to raise almost $10,000. Currently, over 500 primary age and at least 50 kindergarten-age children located in surrounding villages will benefit from this construction.

The school building will be equipped with basic classroom resources (such as desks, seating and blackboards) and a school garden will be established as a model for children to improve their nutrition knowledge and awareness.

Currently, many students must to walk up to 3kms to reach their school. As such, ChildFund will also be providing children with bicycles, especially girls who are more vulnerable and at greater risk when travelling long distances.

To purchase tickets in this raffle, please visit www.childfund.org.au or www.gazellebicycles.com.au for more information.