The Cyclist
One of Andrew’s many passions was cycling where he was an active rider and strong advocate. As a keen sportsperson he had played football, cricket, tennis, golf, squash, volleyball, windsurfed, coached football, and some would say only just missing out on coaching at AFL and SANFL level. Through all this was a continued enthusiasm for all things related to bicycles and cycling. When coupled with Andrew’s gift of an endless collection of new ideas and his particular ability to organise and bring people together, cycling was a natural way for him to stay fit, commute to work and enjoy some great rides with his friends and family.
My first experience of Andrew’s ability to put ideas into motion and his love of cycling was a bike ride that we did in what I think was year 9 at school. Without me actually knowing where Cudlee Creek was and having never been there, I got caught up in Andrew’s great enthusiasm to do an overnight bike ride and camp at what was then known as the Gorge Caravan Park. I am not sure if we just told our parents we were staying at each other’s house but somehow a few days after Andrew had suggested the ride, we grabbed some food and hopped on our bikes carrying a small tent and a sleeping bag each and started riding. It turned out Cudlee Creek wasn’t that far away, although finding our way there in the days before GPS was probably a bit of a challenge. We arrived at a fairly dismal caravan park where the kiosk had already closed and there was nowhere we could buy food. We had only brought biscuits and breakfast cereal which we ate with water and after a cold wet night rode home in the morning already planning where we should go next time!
Needless to say, from that uncertain start, Andrew’s rides got bigger and better over the years, and the food improved significantly. Many of us owe a great debt to Andrew for encouraging us to join in many cycling events and share in he and Sally’s two wheeled adventures. He was an early starter in the Track and Trail series by Bike SA riding his classic Gary Fisher mountain bike in places such as Kuitpo Forest and Scott Creek. He brought together a group that continued to ride together for many years and even coined a name for the group – the Poochcutters. From those early mountain biking days he also rode the Coast to Coast from Glenelg to Victor Harbour, the Tour Down Under, Ride Like Crazy, Amy’s Ride, multi-day rides on the Mawson Trail and numerous other events, including cycling tours through France and Italy. It was always Andrew’s encouragement and enthusiasm for these events that helped so many of us join in and enjoy the experience with his flurry of emails, phone calls and texts before during and after the events.
His post-event summaries were always a good read. Here is one from the TDU that finished at Goolwa in 2010.
2010 TDU Finish - Goolwa
2009 Amy Gillett Ride start
And, how Andrew reported on it after.
“It was quite a mixed bag. The group was demoralised when at the meeting point we were to discover Anita was only riding to the start point. Regardless we set off for the starting line. More disaster, Nick Takos punctures on Winston Avenue. We start at the back of the field. Some riders see it as an opportunity to ride through the field others want to avoid the psychological damage of having 3000 riders overtake you. It was great to ride along the expressway. Groups split at 30 km. some riding straight onto McLaren Vale others taking the longer route via Sellicks Beach making a 60 km journey. Whilst the 30 km option looks good with hindsight congratulations to Jill for pushing on to the 60 km option after harassment from Sally. Nick “ironman” Takos was first into McLaren vale followed by David Doherty. Deb pushed all the way in an attempt to catch the sublime riding of David only to fall short by a very small margin. After a break at McLaren vale we head off home hoping the southerly wind would blow us home. Shortly after heading off I came across a very live snake on the bike path. Sally thought it was a good time to put her water bottle away and nearly rode into the back of me, she managed to swerve and miss me but gave the poor snake a nasty surprise. It was a grind home with Debs early aggressive riding taking its toll on her bike, breaking a rear derailleur. Pete the loving husband was summoned and rescued her. Sally and Jill bravely sacrificed their chance for a podium finish to emotionally support Deb in the back of the Oag car. One man was left to carry the flag home. Despite a sustained horn attack from a silver 4WD along South Rd I managed to get home safely. 3 votes to Andrew for being the only one to finish, 2 votes to Jill for soldiering on despite sensibly suggesting 30 kms an appropriate distance, 1 vote to Pete for bus services above and beyond.
Yours in cycling and cramping
Andrew”
There are so many great memories from all the rides, the discussions about bikes and bike parts , sorting out all those issues that happen when you ride, like getting lost and backtracking 10km, fixing things that break, picking out the next bit of hardware at the TDU village and always planning the next big ride.
We’ll miss you buddy.