Home EmailingsEmailing

Date: 3/25/2026
Subject: Chain Reaction 25 March 2026
From: Bike North


18 March 2026	Your Bike North NewsLETTER

Give back to something you value

As mentioned in the last Chain Reaction we will be highlighting the board positions that will becoming vacant later in the year.

Secretary – Keep the Club Ticking

The Secretary keeps the wheels turning.

At its simplest, the role is about making sure the club runs properly and stays compliant.

The basics:

Organise meeting agendas and take clear minutes
Keep our records in order
Send required updates to bodies like Bicycle NSW, AusCycling, ACNC and NSW Fair Trading
Book meeting rooms

The Secretary is also our Public Officer — the official link between the club and the regulator. It sounds grand, but it mostly means making sure the paperwork is in order.

That’s the core job.

Beyond that? You can do as much or as little extra as you like — support other committee members, improve systems, streamline processes, or help shape how the club operates behind the scenes.

It’s a steady, central role — perfect for someone organised, reliable, and keen to help the club run smoothly.

David Thomson

President | Bike North

president@bikenorth.org.au

Cowra Essentials

Have you chosen your Tour de Cowra rides yet? Visit the Bike North Calendar to register.

Bike North Calendar

And, for a fun Easter weekend, ensure you download our TdC2026 checklist!

Tour de Cowra Checklist

Safety doesn’t happen by accident

Safety doesn’t happen by accident and Bike North will be conducting a yearlong focus on ensuring we have done everything possible to ensure the safety of our riders.

Read on about this new initiative and what you can do to help all riders return home safely at the end of a ride.

All Bike North members should be aware of our warning that exists on every ride listing and read at every pre-ride briefing. Part of this says:

“As a participant in this dangerous recreational activity, you may be exposing yourself to a significant risk of harm….”

Despite this, Bike North has an enviable reputation for safety and lack of incidents on our rides. But, as the heading states, safety doesn’t happen by accident.

All our rides are assessed by the Rides Committee for safety. During this assessment process, often changes are made to use safer paths or backstreets.

Ride leaders are trained in how to safely lead rides and are reassessed every three years to ensure maximum concentration on safety so that everyone has a safe, enjoyable ride.

Riders also must ride in a safe and responsible manner.

Through the balance of 2026, Bike North will be undertaking a focussed approach to safety, rather than it just happening by accident.

Each month, we will have a different focus with articles in Chain Reaction backed up by our Ride Leaders focusing on things that will improve our safety. This will include things like overlapping wheels and travelling too closely, use of lights, defensive riding, walkers on paths, etc.

Every rider must be part of our program and will be the beneficiary by improving the way we organise our rides.

So keep an eye on Chain Reaction, click through to our special articles and ensure safety doesn’t just happen by accident.

Brian Lynne

Rides Coordinator | Bike North

www.bikenorth.org.au

Safety and Signing out / in at TdC2026

The rides at TdC have always been different from other Bike North rides. There is no leader, no sweep and participants tend to ride in small groups rather than as a large bunch. Whilst following one of the day’s designated routes, riders can ride at their own pace, rest and regroup as they wish.

One thing that remains the same, however, is our concern for the safety of all riders.

To ensure the safe return of all riders, therefore, organisers require riders to sign out for the ride each day, and sign in upon return. If a rider has not returned within a reasonable or expected time, TdC organisers can take to the roads to find them.

This year, there will be a new and faster way to sign out when you start your ride, and sign in when you complete your ride, avoiding queues and delays and helping you get out and about more quickly.

Here’s how it will work:

Register for TdC rides as you normally would via the Bike North Calendar.
On the morning of your ride, attend the briefing and scan the provided QR code with your phone (even if you missed step 1!). Follow the prompts to confirm your details and select the ride you will do that day.

Note: one mobile number per rider for a phone that is being carried on the ride.
Enjoy the ride!
The most important step! On return, scan a different QR code and you will automatically be marked as returned safely.

If you have not registered for the ride on the Bike North Calendar, want to change your ride, don’t have a mobile or need any other assistance, TdC organisers will be on hand to help you on the day.

Plus, in the Cowra van Park at 8 pm on the Thursday evening (2^nd April). Thjere will be a very short briefing/Q&A for TdC riders including a demonstration of the new sign out/ in system. Bring your phone (and a glass of your favourite beverage!) to try it out.

Keith Griffin

Life member | Bike North

www.bikenorth.org.au

Big Rides day

The next Big Rides Day
will be held on 19 April 2026.
Put the date in your diary now and keep an eye on the calendar to register for a ride.

Trackwork this weekend.

Participating in the Bobbo this weekend?
There are no trains on the T1 North Shore line
or on the Metro North West.

Please make alternate arrangements.

Trackwork March 2026

CHAIN REACTION ARTICLE DEADLINE

Bike North members are keen to hear about your rides and ideas. Send your article to editor@bikenorth.org.au by 1.00pm each Tuesday for publication in our weekly newsletter Chain Reaction or for your article to be added to our News library.
Before sending your ideas please read the Guidelines for Contributors.

Submit your article

BICYCLE NSW DISCOUNT

Did you know that membership of Bike North entitles you to a 15% discount on a membership to Bicycle NSW? Use code 15NORTH when you join or renew. Bicycle NSW members receive global, comprehensive (personal accident and public liability) rider insurance and a range of other benefits as well as advocacy and legal support.

Find out more