Category Archives: Kiama BUG

Global Sea Otter MTB festival comes to Batemans Bay & Mogo

South-east NSW’s reputation as a must-visit location for mountain bikers from around the world has been bolstered by the announcement it will host one of the sport’s largest events.

MTB festival at MogoThe Sea Otter Classic started as a multi-day mountain bike festival in Monterey, California in 1991 and the now-annual event attracted more than 80,000 visitors last year.

Sea Otter expanded to operate editions in Spain in 2017 and Canada in 2019, and will launch its first southern hemisphere event in Australia in 2025.

The festival will be held in Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast and on the neighbouring Mogo mountain bike trails.

Read the full story at the ABC >>>

(It’s worth a read just to check out the aerial view of the track!)

Kiama BUG on Tour – 2024

Rail trail bridge

This year’s KBUG Cycling Tour will take in Victoria’s High Country Rail Trail and the Albury Wetlands, during the last week of March.

There will be three days of riding….

  • Monday 25th March: Shelley to Tallangatta (46 km)
  • Tuesday 26th March: Albury Wetlands (38 – 65 km with optional extension)
  • Wednesday 27th March: Lake Hume village to Tallangatta (62 km)

More information about each of the rides is available in the Ride Information package below.

Registration is now closed (11th March).

You will need to organise your own accommodation, staying in the area from Sunday 24th, to be ready to roll on the Monday morning, when we will be meeting at Tallangatta hotel at 8:00 am to drive to Shelley.

There is plenty of accommodation available in Albury and Wodonga, but with two of the rides (and if taking the extended option, the third ride) making use of the Rail Trail near Lake Hume, the Lake Hume Discovery Park (Victoria) will be the preferred base for most riders. The park offers a wide range of accommodation options.

More discussion and planning will no doubt take place on our regular rides over the coming weeks.

2023 KBUG Christmas Function

Santa cycling with presentsThe RSVP form is now closed. If you would like to attend, please contact Dianne – secretary@kiambug.org.au


Keep pedalling – to the Kiama BUG Christmas function….

  • Where: Sebel Restaurant
  • When: Tuesday 19th December, from 5:30 pm.
  • Cost: $20 per person
  • Menu: Mezze, cheese board, pizza slices
  • Drinks: From the bar

There are two steps to follow if you will be attending the Christmas function….

Step 1 – Transfer $20 pp to the Kiama BUG bank account….

  • Account name: Kiama Bicycle User Group Inc
  • BSB: 032-689
  • Account No: 135138
  • ‘To’ Description: Include your name, followed by the code CF23 (eg F Nurk CF23)

Step 2 – Let the caterers know you will be there….. Click/tap on the Kiama BUG Christmas wheel below to go to the RSVP form – submit before Tuesday 8th December…

RSVP wheel

RSVP

 

‘Vigilantes’ target cyclists on new Rail Trail

Nails on Rail TrailThe first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which opened on the 1st March, has apparently been targeted by people who aren’t so keen on the new trail.

The local council said the trail had drawn more than 8000 users in its first two weeks, prompting local businesses along the trail to extend their opening hours and offerings to cater for demand.

But councillor and Chamber of Commerce chairman Warren Polglase said someone was trying to spoil the party and had thrown tacks and nails on to the trail three times since it opened, puncturing tyres.

Polglase said some Tweed residents had opposed the project because they wanted to save the track and return it to the provision of rail services. Passenger trains stopped running in 2004.

Read more (SMH) >>>

Northern Rivers Rail Trail is open

Northern Rivers Rail TrailKiama BUG travellers now haver another rail trail to explore – the scenic Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, in northern New South Wales, opened on 1st March 2023.

Extending through 24 kilometres of countryside in the lush Tweed valley, the Tweed trail connects via the townships and villages of Crabbes Creek, Mooball, Burringbar, Stokers Siding, Dunbible and Murwillumbah, all once key train station stops along the original railway line, built in 1894.

The Tweed trail is the first section of the full 132 kilometre Northern Rivers Rail Trail to open and welcomes walkers, runners and cyclists to breathe in nature, explore country towns and immerse in the region’s rich agri-tourism offerings, from farm-gates to foodie hot spots.

Read More >>>

Thursday’s scheduled ride has changed

Macquarie Pass closedAttention all those keen cyclists who were planning to travel to Bowral for the ride to Berrima and Moss Vale on this Thursday (2nd March)…..

Due to roadworks, Macquarie Pass will be closed from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Thursday. OK for us to travel up to Bowral in the morning, not so easy to return in the afternoon – until after 3:00 pm!

Consequently the Thursday ride has been re-organised to commence at Port Kembla Pool, riding to Thirroul (8:00 am start)

More details on Ridewatch >>>

Dubai’s cool bike lane idea

Cycling in Dubai cool laneThe cool folks of Dubai have dreamt up just the thing for bike riders who want to chill out in a hot city on the edge of the desert.

A 93 km air-conditioned bike lane.

Called The Loop, the climate controlled structure would connect major landmarks and attractions throughout Dubai, while better integrating bike riding infrastructure with public transport.

Read the full story >>>

 

Trip to Canberra

Canberra

Monday March 27th – Thursday March 30th 2023

It’s on again!

Kiama BUG members are invited to join our cycling tour of the the nation’s capital, Canberra.

Three rides have been organised over three days during the last week of March – Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th March. All rides will be starting from the ALIVIO Tourist Park at 20 Kunzea Street, O’Connor. 

You will need to organise your own accommodation. The ALIVIO Tourist Park is an ideal place to stay, and has a wide range of accommodation available – Villas, Cabins and powered van sites. Information and  online bookings are available at the ALIVIO web site:

aliviogroup.com.au
or call (02) 6247 5466.

Note: If you register as a ‘member’ (prior to booking) you will receive a 10% discount when you book.

All rides will take advantage of Canberra’s extensive network of bike paths.

Rides are planned for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Our first ride will commence at 8:00 am on the Tuesday morning, so it is recommended to book accommodation from the evening of Monday 27th March. The park has a very good restaurant for a Monday night meal, and a glorious pool area, if the summer weather continues.

The schedule will be similar to previous years – ride in the morning, afternoons free, then meet in the evenings for a meal.

A more detailed programme of the rides and evening meal arrangements will be sent out closer to the event.

If you will be joining the trip, it is essential to complete our RSVP form before Tuesday 28th February. This will assist with our catering bookings and ride organisation. It is also recommended to book your accommodation as soon as possible. (The ALIVIO park is a popular venue.)

The RSVP form and other information is available at: KBUG Trips Away >>>

Monaro Rail Trail: Steam trains vs Cyclists

Chakola rail bridge, near CoomaA contest between heritage train enthusiasts and cycling advocates could derail plans to transform the old railway lines from Bombala to Queanbeyan (via Cooma) into the Monaro Rail Trail.

The NSW government introduced a new law in September to make it easier for community groups to take up thousands of kilometres of disused track and turn the old rail corridors into walking and bike paths instead.

At least a dozen rail trails are in the pipeline across the state. Once completed they would allow locals and tourists to walk or ride between towns, passing through tunnels and old railway stations and on restored bridges.

2022 Christmas Function

Santa cyclingKeep pedalling – to the Kiama BUG Christmas function….

  • Where: Sebel Restaurant 1871
  • When: Tuesday 20th December, from 5:30 pm.
  • Cost: $30 per person
  • Menu: Finger food platters
  • Drinks: From the bar

There are two steps to follow if you will be attending the Christmas function….

Step 1 – Transfer $30 pp to the Kiama BUG bank account….

  • Account name: Kiama Bicycle User Group Inc
  • BSB: 032-689
  • Account No: 135138
  • ‘To’ Description: Include your name, followed by the code CF22 (eg F Nurk CF22)

Step 2 – Let the caterers know you will be there….. Click/tap on the Kiama BUG Christmas wheel below to go to the RSVP form – before Tuesday 13th December…

RSVP wheel

RSVP