Successful Easter Club Ride

The early drizzling rain wasn't enough to deter a group of intrepid CATS riders from their Easter Tuesday club ride.  The early group set out from Parkwood at 6.30am to meet the main group at Pimpama.  Peter Flynn led the group out at a moderate pace but the further into the ride we went the faster the pace seemed to get.  The Pimpama area is a great cycling circuit with little traffic and some great stretches to crank up the pace.  The occasional flat tyre on the wet roads enabled those who were looking for a break to regain their strength and continue the attack.  The ride concluded at the Whistle Stop Café for some whilst the rest rode back to the Coast clocking up a solid 100kms for the morning.  This is definitely a club ride to repeat and watch this space for confirmation of another ride on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Spotlight & Caffein Café Bunch Rides

A bunch ride leaves from Spotlight on Southport-Nerang Road every morning at 5.30am.  The bunch rides to Runaway Bay picking up other riders at Caffein café around 5.45am.  Each day is a different ride with Monday and Friday being the moderate level rides for all involved (generally averaging 30kph) with no climbs of any significance.Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday offer more challenging rides but those wishing to ride at a moderate pace can break off at Harbour Town.The bunch will wait for stragglers at the top of climbs.  Mid-week rides do a circuit of 40kms from Caffeine café, 60kms from Spotlight.  There are also rides on Saturdays and Sundays usually heading south at a moderate pace and doing around 80kms.  The rides terminate at Caffein café where several riders stop for a beverage and/or breakfast.

Tuesday/Thursday Bunch Rides

The aim of the ‘Go for GOLD Cycle Bunch’ is to provide a safe, fun and social atmosphere in which to enjoy bike riding and increase your bunch riding skills while also being able to challenge yourself! Sara Carrigan organises the ‘Go for Gold Program’ to offer riders a positive cycling experience, to present opportunity to overcome fears, to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, to meet like-minded people, and to have a great time! This bunch is for riders who already feel some level of confidence in your ability but there is a beginner bunch on Thursday and an Intermediate bunch on Tuesday that both depart 5:15am (can vary according to season) and returning 7-7:15am at Coffee Sisters (Cnr Monaco st & Rio Vista Blvd, Broadbeach Waters). The program runs continuously so you are welcome to join the Gold bunch at any time. REGISTER NOW

• BUNCH ETTIQUETTE FOCUSAn enjoyable, safe, cohesive and efficient bunch is reliant on all members of the group adhering to both accepted road rules and correct cycling etiquette. So each week there is a bunch etiquette focus to serve as a friendly reminder and to also help new riders learn what it is all about.
• POST-RIDE ACTIVITYAfter each ride, there is a focus on one of three areas including core, stretching and strength exercises to ensure you receive the correct education and allow you to build up your own program to complete at home.
• ULTIMATE GOLD RIDE Every 12 weeks or so the ‘Ultimate Gold’ ride takes place on a Sunday, which may be a track day or a longer endurance ride of up to 100-150km through the Gold Coast hinterland.
• MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT Enjoy a physio screening, in which cycling-specific tests are conducted to identify areas in your body that need attention to reduce your injury potential and maximise your technique and athletic ability.
• EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPSYou can further your knowledge and attend the scheduled workshops that will focus on various issues
• WET WEATHER If it is pouring with rain, we head indoors for a group session on our bikes on windtrainers. Afterwards you can enjoy a chinwag over a complimentary coffee at the coffee shop after each Tuesday or Thursday morning

  Follow this link for program cost and more information...

Tuesday 26th April is a public holiday and a great time for CATS to assemble as a club and ride together.   We encourage all club members to participate in this club ride at Pimpama starting at 7.15am.  Anyone wishing to ride to Pimpama we suggest meeting at the BP station at Olsen Ave, Parkwood at 6.30am.  Start of the ride in Pimpama is the Whistlestop Cafe at the northern turnaround point of the road race.  It would be great if members wear club kit for this event.  We can share a coffee at The Whistlestop after the ride – mug of excellent coffee only $3.50 / great breakfasts, cakes, muffins, etc. Convenience store next door and the bottle shop if you are desperate!

Club President
Steve Davies