News

Multiplex custom painted Colnago

Gladiator Criterium Report

With the news coming through of Lidcome Cycling Club putting on their “Gladiator” team criterium event, Bikebug North Sydney gathered some staff members and customers to battle it out in this unique event. The race format involved riders in team of 4 racing for an hour, with 3 intermediate sprints, after each sprint a rider from each team was to pull out, leaving the last 15 minutes of the race a battle between the 14 teams and 14 riders.

Riding for team Bikebug was store Manager Troy Glennan, sales assistant Shaun Higgerson ( SouthAustralia.com/AIS) and customers Kris Koke and Brad Glennan. On paper we were expecting Higgerson to be our man for the last 15 minutes, but the heat and Shaun’s busy schedule of late saw him do his part for the team in the first 15 minutes and bring back a break containing 3 FRF Couriers/ NSWIS riders.

The next 15 minutes saw a fall in one of the tight corners on the Dunc Gray Criterium Circuit, and a breakaway containing FRF Couriers NSWIS rider Rob Lyte and Troy flying the flag for Team Bikebug. This break was brought back on the lap before the 2nd sprint prime but Troy still had the energy to stay in front of the bunch to take the prime and the $60 prize to go with it. Brad decided he had done enough work for the day and volunteered to drop out next lap.

This left Kris and Troy to try and make the winning combination for Team Bikebug, with Kris spending plenty of time on the front of the bunch as he usually does. The pace was high, but as he was going to be the man that fought it out for the last 15 minutes he decided to save some energy and hide in the bunch. This saw another attack by FRF Couriers NSWIS rider John Ebeling which was usual behaviour from this team as they had in effect 12 riders in the race. Troy spent the next few laps with John off the front but the bunch had them well under control, so it came down to the last 15 minutes.

After a fast 45 minutes Kokey decided to hurt the rest of the bunch a little more and do a couple of hard laps on the front, and even causing a split of 3 riders on the 2nd last lap. This however was brought back on the bell lap and saw Peter MacDonald from FRF Courier NSWIS off the front, he held this margin the rest of the lap to win by the narrowest of margins from Jose Rodriguez ( Clarence St Cyclery) and Peter Milostic ( Penrith Panthers). Kokey held on to secure 5th place for Team Bikebug.

In earlier racing Oliver Martyn raced in the B grade men’s race, unfortunately the days work at Bikebug had proved a little too tough for Olly and after attacking the bunch and having to bridge across another gap he lost contact with the group and called it a day.

FEBRUARY 2007: Amazing Starting for Colnago's Teams

Speedplay Zero CSC Review

Bicycle laws and penalties

Under NSW legislation a bicycle is considered as a vehicle. As such, cyclists are required to obey the road rules, including stopping at red lights or Stop signs, Giving Way as indicated by signage and giving hand signals when changing direction. As cyclists have responsibilities when using the road system, they also have the right, like other vehicles, to use the road and be shown courtesy and care by other road users.

A bicycle means a vehicle with one or more wheels that is built to be propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears (whether or not it has an auxiliary motor) and includes a pedicab, penny-farthing, scooter, tricycle and unicycle. See Australian Road Rules for further information.

Cyclists also have some special rights, which include:

• Riding two abreast, no more than 1.5 m apart
• Travelling to the front of a line of traffic on the left hand side of the stopped vehicles
• Travelling in Bus Lanes and Transit Lanes. However, cyclists cannot travel in Bus Only Lanes
• Travelling on the footpath where indicated by signage
• Cycling on the footpath if the cyclist is less than 12 years old. An adult, who is riding in a supervisory capacity of a cyclist less than 12 years old, may also ride with the young cyclist on the footpath
• Turning right from the left hand lane of a multi-lane roundabout with the proviso the cyclists must give way to exiting traffic

To be a legal road vehicle during the day, a bicycle must have:

• At least one working brake
• Either a bell or horn fitted to the bike, within easy reach and in working order

To be a legal road vehicle at night, a bicycle must also have :

• Lights fitted and in use when riding at night - a steady or flashing white light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres and a flashing or steady red light that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear of the bike
• red rear reflector that is clearly visible for 50 metres when light is projected onto it by a vehicle's headlight on low beam

It is compulsory to wear an approved helmet correctly when riding a bike. This applies to all cyclists, regardless of age, including children on bicycles with training wheels and any child being carried as a passenger on a bike or in a trailer.

Failing to obey road or bicycle rules may result in a fine.