Dear Fellow Cyclists,
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SBS has lost a great friend
following the passing of Johnny Warren on November 6. As a tribute to
an Australian sporting icon and the warm welcome he gave the cyclists
who completed the inaugural ride from Sydney to Jamberoo in November
last year, the decision has been made to start a cycling tradition in
Johnny's honour. After much consideration, the social ride scheduled
for Sunday, November 21 will go-ahead as planned.
In 2004, it will be named The Johnny Warren Jamberoo Classic with the
view to raising funds for Cancer Research so the invitation is open
for all cyclists to join us for the trek to Johnny's hometown on the
NSW south coast. Highlights of the ride will be screened on SBS'
Cycling Central – more importantly, it's the memory of Johnny Warren
that will hold pride and place.
Michael Tomalaris
SBS Television |
Make a note in your diaries: Sunday 21 November. The inaugural event
in 2003 was recorded by the SBS TV show ‘Cycling Central’. The
segment was nominated for best comedy on two wheels, thanks to the
hilarious attempts by the host Mike Tomalaris to climb Artillery Hill. The
sequel should be just as good.
The Tour Director has decided to stick to the same
course (Click
here for course details), but promises
better organisation of the King of the Mountain event, plus a few
intermediate sprints. (see attachment). We may be fortunate to again have
a Sag Wagon (courtesy of Frank Fortuna and the FRF Couriers Team) and a
camera car from SBS (to transport Mike to the finish line).
The official start is at Loftus at the entrance to the Royal National Park. From Loftus start to
Jamberoo finish is 110kms... plus whatever kms you cover getting to the
start. There are a myriad of options to transport yourself and your bike to
Loftus – pedal, drive or catch a train. Your choice, just be there on
time! If we get away at 7.30 am... should be at Jamberoo by 12.30 pm.
Our hosts at the Jamberoo Pub will put on a bus & trailer to transport
bodies and bikes back to the Albion Park railway station. Alternatively, make
it a family day and get your missus to drive down so you can go home in
comfort… your choice.
Remember this is a fun ride, but expect the pace to be a bit quicker than
last year… last year's peloton of 30 or so will hopefully grow in number.
This year Mike has nominated an official charity for the
The Johnny Warren Jamberoo Classic
- the Sydney Cancer Foundation. As some may know, Johnny
Warren was a patron of the Foundation and the link to Jamberoo, where he
was
the unofficial King of the Valley. We will suggest a donation of $10 per
rider will amount to an appropriate donation to the cause of cancer
awareness.
Get those cranks turning on your training rides.
Good
luck
Kyle Patterson
