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A top of 44 C as we travelled south on Friday to Nowra, did not bode well for the Shoalhaven BUG Cycling Weekend. About 130 cyclists, mainly from Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast and Blue Mountains had gathered, the weather had cooled a little overnight and we set of on Saturday in tolerable conditions. There were two early morning rides available, a 7am fast 40k to Greenwell Point or a more leisurely 8am 20k to Commerong Island Punt. Both ended up back at M & M Guesthouse in Nowra where a Coffee Cart did a great trade. The next ride (40k) started at 11am and we rode to the Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross for lunch. It is an undulating ride with a nasty kick at the end where you have to engage granny gear for Nowra Hill. The day was starting to warm up just a tad, into the mid thirties but lots of cold fruit juice, salad rolls, tea and coffee refreshed us for the mostly downhill ride back to Nowra where afternoon tea of home made goodies awaited us. Everyone gathered at a local pub for dinner, floor show, some games and lots of prizes donated by local businesses.Sunday’s weather forecast was pretty scary! However as we set off at 9am on the 50k round trip, conditions were not too bad. It is a very nice ride along the undulating Back Forest Road to Berry, alpaca farms, Broughton Creek, green hills and valleys. The first stop in Berry for most riders was the Treat Factory, lollies and chocolates made on the premises, then one of the many cafes and a stroll around the shops.We then made one of the best cycling decisions we have ever made. Having been among the earlier group of riders to arrive, we had finished coffee by 10.45am. We have been to Berry several times before so didn’t need to do the tourist bit so we decided to ride back to on our own rather than wait for the group to depart at noon. We were just arriving in Nowra as the worst of the weather hit. The blast of furnace like air, dust and debris nearly knocked us off the bikes but we were only 1k from our accommodation.Many cyclists had taken the option of catching a train back from Berry but most were out on the road pushing into the very strong headwind at 41 C. The organisers sent out cars to pick up anyone who needed a lift and the rest struggled on. My brother, a Shoalhaven BUG member, was last in having done his job as tail-end-Charlie over and above the call of duty. The weekend wound up with a sausage sizzle, more home made goodies, cold beer and soft drinks. Despite the weather, another great Shoalhaven Cycling Weekend. Many thanks to Judy Puru and all the SBUG members who worked so hard to make it so.
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