SINGLE CYLINDER SUNDAY RUNS Robin Dutton's Single Cylinder organisation has recently started a regular Sunday club run-style ride. The rides start from Java Express at the Bowen Northfield Mall and usually last for two to three hours. I was curious to see if these were the kind of group rides I could stay with so last Sunday, I met with the group and followed them with a camera for the first part of their ride.

The group kept together, obeyed all traffic signs, and proceeded in a safe and orderly way at 24-25kph.  On this particular day, there was a long ascent about six kilometers into the ride, on Nanaimo Mines Road,with a few stiff gradients to traverse. The pace dropped and run leader Robin dropped back to look after a straggler while the stronger riders continued to the top of the climb, where they waited. Once all were together, the group continued at a sensible pace on Nanaimo River Road to the Island Highway, and then down onto Cedar Road and Yellow Point Road.

For anyone looking for a steady 60-70km Sunday ride, this one is ideal for a range of abilities and fitness level. For slideshow of the ride, go here

CAMERON CROSS PHOTOS Pictures from the Cameron Cross intermediate and elite races held in Gorge Park, Victoria here

CLUB CLOTHING COMPETITION

As we prepare to set up organisation for the new club, one of our priorities is a distinctive, attractive, marketable design for our jerseys, shorts and other clothing. If you fancy yourself as an artist, or have some ideas on how our jerseys, etc. should look, please submit. This competition is not restricted to local riders - anyone may send in an entry. The winning design may be used for our club colours and the winner will get a free club jersey and shorts. Find shorts template here and jersey template here. Deadline for submissions is December 31st. 2010

CAN YOU HANDLE AN MTB LIKE THIS? Go here for a great video showing a young kid giving us a lesson on bike handling. Just take off your chainset and try this!

CYCLO-CROSS FROM THE 1950'S Cyclo-cross today is a fast, technical division of competitive cycling. However, in the early days of off-road competition, cyclo-cross courses were more like commando training sessions, with mud , blood and guts thrown in for good measure.Here is some rare film footage from an event in Yorkshire. BTW, your tame editor cut his teeth indulging in this kind of " fun"!