70th platinum jubilee...acta special 70th anniversary (platinum jubilee) issue 2 1949 2019...

ACTA SPECIAL 70th ANNIVERSARY (PLATINUM JUBILEE) ISSUE 1

FRONT

ACTA 70th Anniversary Cycle Top designed by ACTA Member Di

Michels of Kiwi Cycling Company

REAR

ACTA 70th Anniversary Cycle Top designed by ACTA Member Di Michels of Kiwi Cycling Company

ACTA cyclists who participated in the Celebratory Ride on 24 February 2019 being 70 Years to the day after

ACTA was founded! The picture was taken near the end of the ride at West Brook Vineyard where the Anniversary was celebrated with drinks and a Special Anniversary Cake.

Special thanks also to John (an ex-ACTA President 2007-2011) and Briar Gregory who joined us for the celebration

70th PLATINUM JUBILEE


1949 2019

Rene-Herse French Touring Bike

with Mafac cantilever brakes and TA chainset

Trek Touring Bike

1949 Tour de France

2018 Tour de France

First Bike released by Honda in 1949 as a motor-assisted

“Dream-D Type” bicycle

2019 Pinarello Road e-Bike


Special 70th Anniversary Platinum Jubilee

1949 - 2019 Contents

CONTENTS Page(s) Your Committee: April 2018 – March 2019 and March 2019 – March 2020 4

Editor’s Comments 5

Message from your President 6 -7

List of ACTA Presidents and Secretaries from 1949 - 2019 8

The Bicycle is Born! 9

SECTION ONE A BRIEF HISTORY OF ACTA FROM 1949 UP TO DIAMOND JUBILEE 2009 10

Newspaper Advertisement of Meeting to form the Auckland Cycle Touring Association 11

The First ACTA Club Run 12

A Short History of ACTA by Arthur Sharp President 1996 / 1997 13

South Island Tour 1959 as told by Ron Shipton to Colin Kemplen 14 - 15

The Bikies Come to Town – humorous article by Arthur Westaway 16

Chas King, Ex-Life Member and Ex- President of ACTA and the “King” of Cycling 17 - 19

ACTA’s 40th Anniversary (Ruby Jubilee) Celebrations 20

ACTA’s 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) Celebrations 21

A Brief History of ACTA News Letters for Members and its Editors 22

Cartoons from 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) News Letter 23

SECTION TWO A BRIEF HISTORY OF ACTA OVER THE LAST DECADE FROM 2009 to 2019 24

An Important Legal Issue: The Incorporation of ACTA on 21 April 2015 25

Long-Term Renown Stalwart ACTA Members Who Died in the Last Decade 26 - 29

Some Prominent Leaders of ACTA Rides and Tours in Recent Years Since the 60th Diamond Jubilee in 2009

30 - 39

How did ACTA Celebrate It’s 70th Anniversary? 40

The ACTA ANNIVERSARY RIDE on Sunday 24 February 2019 being the actual day ACTA was founded 70 years ago on 24 February 1949 by Stu Andrews

41 - 44

The ACTA Weekend 70th Anniversary MATAMATA Ride on 16 & 17 March 2019 commemorating that ACTA was founded 70 years ago in 1949 by Stu Andrews

45 - 51

The ACTA 70th Anniversary Commemorative Ride on Sunday 31 March 2019 by Stu Andrews

52

The ACTA 70th Anniversary Tour de Taupaki Treasure Hunt Commemorative Ride on Sunday 28th April 2019 by Lyn Jobbins

53 -54

Reference to current ACTA Website and a brief resume of ACTA activities 55

Back Page - ACTA 70th Anniversary Logo 56


www.acta.org.nz

YOUR COMMITTEE APRIL 2018 – MARCH 2019

PRESIDENT Annette Collins 021 257 7365 [email protected]

SECRETARY Carolanne Oosterdjik

021 212 1828 [email protected]

TREASURER Geoff Phillips 022 301 1604 [email protected] COMMITTEE John Billinge 021 039 7164 [email protected]

Ron Jackson 027 611 1013 [email protected]

Sarah Ley-Bucherer

027 576 7155 [email protected]

Richard Oddy 027 293 6096 [email protected] Louise Sinclair 021 268 1155 [email protected] Ron Smith 09 815 1043 [email protected]

RIDES LIST Bruce Rankine 027 472 5067 [email protected] EDITOR Stuart Andrews 021 185 3088 [email protected]

YOUR COMMITTEE MARCH 2019 – MARCH 2020

PRESIDENT Annette Collins 021 257 7365 [email protected] SECRETARY Colin Quilter 027 715 4434 [email protected] TREASURER Geoff Phillips 022 301 1604 [email protected] COMMITTEE John Billinge 021 039 7164 [email protected]

Ron Jackson 027 611 1013 [email protected] Simon Bucherer 021 985 186 [email protected] Richard Oddy 027 293 6096 [email protected] Louise Sinclair 021 268 1155 [email protected] Ron Smith 09 815 1043 [email protected]

RIDES LIST Bruce Rankine 027 472 5067 [email protected] EDITOR Stuart Andrews 021 185 3088 [email protected]


Editor’s Comments:

Hi and welcome to your Special 70th

Anniversary Platinum Jubilee Spokesman

Issue… Editing this Special 70th Anniversary SPOKESMAN has been quite a task for me as to what to include. To provide a full and detailed history of ACTA since its founding in February 1949 would require hundreds of pages! However, there have been some previous special anniversary news letters such as for the 40th Anniversary (Ruby Jubilee), 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) and 60th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee). Some of our older and long-standing members plus the Committee, may well have copies of these, which, possibly, could be lent to newer members to read, should they be interested in learning about ACTA’s history and prominent members. I, personally, congratulate Pelham Housego and Dan Cole-Baker who are the oldest surviving ACTA Members. Both joined ACTA just a few months after it was founded. Pelham is renown for his regular Wednesday rides and has since been made an ACTA Life Member. Although Dan has not ridden a bike much over recent years and is no longer an ACTA member, the Committee has added him to the complimentary email list. I have decided to split this Special 70th Anniversary Issue into two Sections. The FIRST SECTION provides some historical snippets from the founding of ACTA through to its 60th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee). You will note from the brief history regarding ACTA written by Arthur Sharp, a previous ACTA President 1996/97, that ACTA initially flourished in the 1950s after its founding, but did decline somewhat in the 1960s, possibly due to the ability of average citizens to purchase motor vehicles. The SECOND SECTION covers the last decade from 2009 to 2019. There is no doubt that ACTA has flourished during this decade and thanks go to those who participated in the ACTA Committee over this decade. Certainly, in recent years, there has been innovation in order to provide variety and diversity of rides plus other activities such as pot-luck dinners and movies. In this Section over the last decade, mention is made of ACTA becoming Incorporated, the sad passing of ACTA members over this decade and mention of prominent recent Ride Leaders. Prominent recent ride leaders, together with their photographs have been included such that when the ACTA 75th and 80th Anniversaries occur, current members at that time will be able to look back and learn about those club members and how they participated and enjoyed ACTA. Also included are articles and pictures of some of our 2019 commemorative 70th Anniversary activities. I trust you find this Special ACTA 70th Anniversary SPOKESMAN Issue to be interesting and enjoyable. HAPPY RIDING!!

Kind regards from your Editor, Stu Andrews


70th Anniversary Message from your

President… Welcome everyone to this special edition of the Spokesman thoughtfully put together for you by our editor Stuart Andrews in recognition of 70 years of Cycle Touring in New Zealand. As you’re aware we have been running a programme of events to celebrate this anniversary and many of you have been able to attend one or more of these events. I thank my hard working 70-Anniversary Sub- Committee for organising these. It’s been a lot of fun putting this programme together. So, thanks to Simon Bucherer, Richard Oddy, Sally Johannessen, Colin Kemplen and Stu Andrews. We’ve had two 70km cake rides with a great turnout and perfectly choreographed by our experienced west and south leaders, Ray and Bill. They certainly lived up to our nickname, “Auckland Coffee and Tea Association” with numerous tea and coffee stops and a vineyard stop as well. We also ran the traditional “Tour de Taupaki” treasure hunt ride originally started by Colin Kemplen many years ago. We had a small determined group who turned up to play. Interestingly, they turned out to be fiercely competitive and when we had our “marking” session every answer was debated very LOUDLY, leaving some poor souls in hysterics! Another popular event we held to mark the occasion was our film night at the quirky Riverside Theatre in Avondale and all that culminated in our final 70th Anniversary dinner in Remuera where there was plenty of opportunities to socialise and “chew the fat” with many of our past members who attended. I am pleased to say that after 70 years our club is in great health. Although there were some quiet years in the history of the club, we now have a regular influx of new members and people willing to help get involved with the club, so we go from strength to strength. Our number of Wednesday rides and tours offered have been increasing over the last number of years reflecting our growing membership. And while we are not finding youngsters who wish to pedal with the club, the newly retired or almost retired are certainly gaining lots of benefits cycling with ACTA. People constantly tell me how they love meeting the truly diverse range of people we have out cycling and how members are very welcoming to newbies. The social aspect is equally as important as the cycling aspect of the club! And it doesn’t really matter who gets there first, does it? It’s the journey that matters. Even the roadies get to that realisation eventually! I would like to acknowledge our current life members. Pelham Housego: Joined just a few months after ACTA was founded in 1949 Betty Spicer: Joined in 1984 (I recall Betty telling me on my first Kumeu Wednesday ride she had been cycling since she was 3 and she was 83 then!) I’m assuming she started on a trike!!! John Gregory: Joined 1959 & 1984 John McKillop: Joined 1993 Helen Orchard: Joined 1983 Unfortunately, at the beginning of last year, we lost 3 of our life members, Denis Gothorp, Bryan Taylor, and Ron Shipton. These are mentioned more fully later in this publication.

My personal story:

I’d like to share my story as it illustrates just how ACTA can change your life!! Thinking back to 2008, I would never have imagined that I could cycle, carry all my gear including camping and cooking equipment while touring all over the world. Years ago, friends of friends of ours from England, turned up on our doorstep to stay, with their tandem and all their gear, for a trip around New Zealand. I thought they were very odd - well almost crazy!! And I would never have thought I would head up a Sports Club, or even be involved with one! In school, I didn’t even manage to play netball as after 2 minutes on the court I would have asthma, so I pretty much avoided sports!!


I learned to cycle as a teenager on a 1930’s single speed, back pedal Phillips bike (with no trainer wheels) that was given second-hand to my mother on her 13th birthday! So hence, while I rode as a child it wasn't anything fancy or remotely adventurous or acrobatic! I learned by being pushed down our driveway by the neighbour’s boys and stopping when I grabbed hold of a fence rail so the bike would fall away from under me. In the 1980s Steve and I had a brief go with a couple of basic bikes and flew them to Cairns where we managed to ride from Cairns up to Kuranda and I thought that was a massive achievement! Then early 2008 I contacted Stu who I used to tramp with, but got Gaye instead, who said to try cycling as an alternative, so she lent me a bike to try, took me on a couple of rides and introduced me to ACTA. On one of the Wednesday rides, I swapped bikes with “Mac”, so I tried out an Avanti Blade and the next week I bought my own!! My mentor “JB” adopted me and was extremely patient and encouraging without being pushy and taught me some good and bad habits, mainly good! I hope I have paid him back by introducing him to a lady in red who he has now been happily married to for over 8 years! We also managed to help him get a passport and got him to England to re-meet his brother after 48 years. This involved cycling from London to the north of Liverpool via the canals. Recently in ACTA, in many cases with couples in the club, it has been the lady who joined first and then the husband wanted to find out what was going on and what fun they were missing out on. For example, it was Gaye, me, Louise, Sarah, Nancy who joined first and then their partners being Stu, Steve, Andrew, Simon and Bruce who joined later and then realised how enjoyable ACTA is! Luckily, I was able to persuade Steve that you can get to many “out of the way” places on your bike and even try tramping with your bike. So, together we have toured, sometimes with others, to some pretty out of the way places and, in particular, our two trips through Eastern Europe were a fabulous experience where we met many of the locals who wanted to know why these weird Kiwi folk were riding bikes through their country! We ended up staying with locals on many occasions and, one night, we even stayed in a water bottling factory. So, this is the confidence that riding and being supported by ACTA can do! Who knows where it will get you!

While many members have been cycling since they were tots, there is a huge scope for those with moderate experience to gain the confidence to do so much more!!


List of ACTA Presidents and

Secretaries from 1949 – 2019

Years: PRESIDENT SECRETARY Years: PRESIDENT SECRETARY

2019 - Annette Collins Colin Quilter 1997 Arthur Sharp John Gregory 2018

Annette Collins Carolanne Oosterdijk

1996

Arthur Sharp Colin Kemplen 2017 Annette Collins Louise Sinclair 1995 Chas King Colin Kemplen 2016 Annette Collins Louise Sinclair 1994 Chas King Colin Kemplen 2015 Tony Simmons Annette Collins 1993 Chas King Colin Kemplen 2014 Tony Simmons Annette Collins 1992 Chas King Colin Kemplen 2013 John McKillop Annette Collins 1988-

1991 UNKNOWN

2012 John McKillop Annette Collins 2011

John Gregory Annette Collins

1987 Norman Chilcott Doris Shipton

2010 John Gregory Annette Collins 1981-1986 UNKNOWN

2009 John Gregory John McKillop 2008 John Gregory John McKillop 1980 George Garside Arthur Sharp 2007 John Gregory John McKillop 1961-

1979 UNKNOWN

2006 Betty Spicer John McKillop 2005 Betty Spicer John McKillop 1960 George Garside Arthur Sharp 2004 Betty Spicer John Gregory 1958-

1959 UNKNOWN

2003 Betty Spicer John Gregory 2002 Betty Spicer John Gregory 1957 F Bird P Doyle 2001 Colin Kemplen John Gregory 1950-

1956 UNKNOWN

2000 Colin Kemplen John Gregory 1999 Colin Kemplen John Gregory 1949 A S Griffiths-

Jones (Chairman)

F Bird 1998

Colin Kemplen John Gregory


The Bicycle is Born! Editor’s Comment – although this is a special issue of the SPOKESMAN providing some detailed history of ACTA celebrating its Platinum Jubilee, it is felt appropriate to provide a brief snapshot of how the bicycle originated Like many of the world’s greatest inventions, the machine that gave rise to what we now know as the bicycle was born of necessity. A string of poor harvests in Europe in 1812 led a German civil servant to develop a human-powered form of transport to counter the reliance of horses, which were in short supply due to the scarcity of animal feed. Karl von Drais christened his 1817 invention the “Laufmaschine” (running machine), after the swift walking movement required by the rider in order to propel it forwards.

Left: Karl von Drais Right: Karl von Drais’ Laufmaschine

Although his initial design lacked pedals, Drais’ breakthrough was the realization that forward motion and balance could be maintained on just two wheels, an idea that he attributed to watching ice skaters. The laufmaschine – also called the draisine, velocipede, or dandy horse – quickly caught on, sparking a craze across Europe. By the 1820s, however, it had died out because of safety concerns. The idea was revived in the 1860s, when pedal cranks were added to the front wheel of a velocipede in Paris. The inventor of this revolutionary improvement is not known – several claims were made in subsequent decades, none of which could be proven beyond doubt – but the first manufacturer to produce such machines on an organized scale was Pierre Michaux, in 1867. Like von Drais’ Laufmaschine before it, the pedal velocipede – soon nicknamed the “boneshaker” after its jarring ride – was instantly popular. For the first time, people could propel themselves while balancing on two wheels, with their feet off the ground. The bicycle was born!

➢ 1830s – Tricycles and quadricycles became popular because of improved safety of the rider;

➢ 1866 - Pierre Lallement’s 12mile (19 km) ride to New Haven, Connecticut, is the first record of a pedal velocipede in use outside Europe;

➢ 1868 – the first velocipede race is held at the Parc de St-Cloud in Paris. Englishman, James Moore, wins the three-quarter mile (1.2km) race;

➢ 1869 – Paris Engineer, Eugene Meyer, invents tensioned-wire-spoked wheels, and develops the high wheeler, which has a larger front wheel to enable higher speeds;

➢ 1880 – the “High Wheeler” – later known as the “penny farthing” – reaches its zenith with wheels of up to 5 ft (1.5m) in diameter;

➢ 1885 – John Kemp Starley introduces the “Rover Safety Bike”, the world’s first commercially successful rear-wheeled, chain driven bicycle;

➢ 1888 – Scottish veterinary surgeon, John Boyd Dunlop, invents pneumatic bicycle tires, vastly improving cycling efficiency and comfort.


SECTION ONE

A BRIEF HISTORY

OF

ACTA

FROM FOUNDATION 24

FEBRUARY 1949

PRIOR TO IT’S

60TH ANNIVERSARY

DIAMOND JUBILEE

24 FEBRUARY 2009


23

FEBRUARY 1949 Price: Two Pence

MEETING

AUCKLAND DISTRICT CYCLE TOURING ASSN

With the object of discussing and forming an Auckland Cycle Touring

Association, a general meeting is to be held at the Physical Welfare Rooms,

Fifth Floor, Houghton House, 47 St Paul’s St, City, on Thursday, 24th, at 7.30

pm. All persons interested in the formation of this association are invited to

attend. – J P Brien, Convener. Phone 48-468.

The meeting was duly held, and The Auckland Cycle Touring Association was formed on 24 February 1949 and was initially affiliated as part of the New

Zealand Cycle Touring Association.


The First ACTA “Club” Run

Both the Pictures of the First ACTA Club Run shown below are dated Feb/Mar

1949

Lunch at Mission Bay

Along the Waterfront


Short History of the Auckland Cycle

Touring Association written around about 1983

by Arthur Sharp who was ACTA President in 1996

and 1997

The club came into being as the result of an advertisement by the Physical Welfare

Division of the Department of Internal Affairs for cyclists to form a touring group. [1949]. (Refer Page 10). At this time, they were supportive of various sporting activities. Many sporting groups blossomed as a result of the Empire Games in New Zealand in 1950. The club expanded, as did others in various towns, leading to the formation of the New Zealand Cycle Touring Association (N.Z.C.T.A.) based in Wellington. An annual Easter Rally was established, hosted at various centres. Both groups had New Zealand’s Governor General of the time as Patron.

Auckland reached a maximum membership of about 120, and had a programme

of weekly runs, long weekend and annual tours, and a series of fun events such as the Hill Climb, Rough Stuff ride, 50 miles in 4 hours, 100 miles in 8 hours, 150 miles in 12 hours and 240 miles in 24 hours, and a Map Reading Contest. A weekly clubroom meeting was held to discuss rides, play table tennis and darts, and enjoy a cup of tea.

With the growing affluence of the fifties, realizing the dream of a car for the average man, membership and participation declined, and by 1960 official runs finished. The club was held together by social evenings at each other’s homes, and a few members still rode actively. The N.Z.C.T.A. came to an end, although Wellington still had a good riding nucleus.

With the start of the energy crisis about 10 years ago, and the bicycle boom in the

U.S., and the Japanese entry into the market with cheap and reliable quality products, cycling again took off here. The club decided to re-activate it's riding programme, initially with a monthly run, then fortnightly and eventually weekly. In addition, we have had weekend and longer tours and assisted various overseas visitors with itinerary planning.

Whilst we feel sure there is a large field of enthusiasm to tap and build up a strong group, growth demands time - and involvement, which done in free time means less time for riding, so we have not gone out to recruit. At present we have an enthusiastic core with a minimum of committee meetings, a large store of information on international travel, which could be useful for many riders, and increased with our meeting of overseas riders. The feeling is that provincial town groups could be built up again, but such would involve paid secretarial remuneration and stationery expenses. Success breeds success we are told. We hope the New Zealand Council can start the tourist wheel rolling to greater numbers.


A South Island Tour in the “Good Old Days”

of 1959 as told by Ron Shipton in 1988 to Colin Kemplen

January 1959 – holiday time and six weeks between jobs – time for a tour of the South Island! The late Ron Shipton, a founder member of the Auckland Cycle Touring Association, recounted some highlights of that 1959 trip. Ron’s solo trip started at Blenheim after a steam train ride from Auckland to Wellington and the usual Cook Strait ferry crossing. The plan was to “do” the South Island in a clock wise direction. It included free camping and Youth Hostels. As Ron recalled, you had to do it “on the cheap”. Ron was only earning 15 Pounds ($30) as a Builder’s Carpenter. Mind you, at that time a Youth Hostel only cost 2/6d (25c) a night. Blenheim to Christchurch was straightforward enough, but it wasn’t all sealed, in fact only half of the roads on his entire South Island Tour were sealed. Being well-aware of the dry and dusty trip from Christchurch to Timaru, it was back to the steam train. Ron confessed to being a railway enthusiast, hence the opportunity to take a train was not allowed to pass. From Timaru, Ron rode up over the Lindis Pass to Tarras, Cromwell, Arrowtown and Queenstown. Tourist Mecca Just as it is today, Queenstown was a Tourist Mecca in 1959 and a trip on the coal-fired steamship “Earnslaw” on Lake Wakatipu was a must. After a couple of days there, Ron rode up over the Crown Range to Wanaka and Lake Hawea. At that time, there were no sealed roads in this part of the world. Also, once past Makarora, Ron started to run out of road.

The Earnslawon Lake Wakatipu in 1959 with an extra bus on board

Cattle Track The Haast region was remote even by 1988 standards when Ron recounted this article, but, in the good old days, you couldn’t complete the round trip by road. All there was in 1959 was a cattle track from the Haast River up through to Lake Paringa in the north. As Ron explained “The road as we know it in 1988 didn’t open until 1964.equipped with automatic scour recording devices on the piles in case of flooding. When I went through you took your chances in fording all the rivers as they came down off the mountains.


Ron Shipton taking a breather just before the track ended at the Haast River

Locals at Haast Township told me that if it started to rain when I was on the cattle track, I was to stay put in one of the huts rather than get caught in a flooded river!” The trip took two days and included a ride across the Haast River in a rowing boat. The ferry “master” (or “mistress”) was a lady who took you across on request. By 1988, the river is spanned by a 736metre concrete bridge – in case of flooding. Meeting a Fellow Cyclist It was while he was on the cattle track that Ron met a fellow touring cyclist. What’s so unusual about that? As Ron explained: “He was the only cyclist I met on the whole six-week trip. He was on his way around in the other direction.” When touring the South Island in January in the 1980s there seemed to be more cyclists than cars on some days.

Back on the Road Again The metalled road started again at Lake Paringa. From there, Ron cycled on up to the glaciers Fox and Franz Joseph, then the long haul to Hokitika via Ross, where the Youth Hostel was very interesting. As Ron said: “I was the only guest that night. It was a huge old homestead on a hill. I remember a large kitchen, a huge common room full of chairs and a spacious bunk-room. I was relaxing after my evening meal when I had visitors. They kept arriving in twos and threes. The men were dressed in collars and ties, with some in top hats! Hardly, YHA Members, I thought! They turned out to be local Lodge Members arriving for their weekly meeting.” Once the meeting was over, Ron settled into his sleeping bag – alone at last, or was he? As he explained: “I put the light out and had just started to nod off when I heard the patter of tiny feet. The tiny feet belonged to small grey rodent-type people. Mr. “Ratty” and all his friends had come for their evening meeting too!” Ron said he didn’t sleep too well at Ross- especially after all his evening visitors. The South Island trip continued up through the Buller Gorge to Nelson and ended in Picton. From there Ron took another ferry trip and steam train back to Auckland. All that Dirty Washing It was a hard and dusty ride around the South Island in 1959 and your clothes got pretty dirty. What do you do with all that dirty washing? Ron had it all worked out. “I had a very special girlfriend in Auckland and decided to send it back to her”. Ron’s “washer woman” was indeed special. Not long after his South Island trip Ron and Doris “tied the knot”. Ron told us in 1988 that Doris still washed his socks from time to time. Trusty Steed The trip of over 1,000 miles (not kms) was trouble-free. For the mechanically minded the trusty steed in question was a “Carlton”. As Ron said: “An English one – 531 tubing and 5 speeds. I recall the front chain ring was a 47 over a 27 at the rear. The 26inch wheels were shod with good old Dunlop Sports Tyres. The rear panniers were two home converted ex-army packs. The front panniers were the “real” thing. There is a sad end to this story. After many reliable miles Ron’s “Carlton” met its maker. It was in the boot of Ron’s car in 1987 on the way back from an out-of-town ACTA club run and, you guessed it, he was involved in a minor “nose-to-tail” and the “Carlton” was beyond repair.


The “Bikies” Come to Town! A humorous

Article written by Arthur Westaway one of the

“Famous Five” and one-time Editor of the ACTA News

Letter”

Cambridge will never be the same after the recent invasion by the hordes of the Auckland Cyclists Touring Association over the 1988 Labour Weekend!!

Thirty of the chain wielding mobsters were escorted into the town by the police where they proceeded to scandalize the natives with their bizarre behaviour. A small group had reconnoitred the area on the Friday and on Saturday morning were reinforced by the Hamilton Chapter. They stood ready-dressed in their “gang regalia” all designed to send shivers of terror through the gentle folk of Cambridge. There, they stood beside their gleaming machines with vile words such as “Campagnolo”, “Winstones”, “Uncle Sams”, “Penny Farthing” displayed on their bikes for all the world to see. It was a horrible sight.

The first day was spent spreading alarm and destruction on the roads between

Cambridge and Matamata. This beautiful peaceful countryside was split wide open with the noise of missed gears, punctures and cries of "Where is the tea place?" 33 of them descended on a simple home in Matamata and demanded drinks. Where they got all the cups from, I'll never know! We went back via Walton and Scots man Valley Road.

The rest of the weekend followed a similar pattern. The days were spent intimidating the natives all over what must be some of the most beautiful cycling regions in New Zealand. The evenings were spent at the local pub where an astonishing amount of food was “put away” before other patrons could even get their hands on a plate! Before roaring out of town, it was decided that, as there was so much to see and do in this area, we should come back, so long as the natives have not put barricades up!


Chas King, Ex-Life Member and Ex-President

of ACTA and the “King” of Cycling

This tribute comes from older members and friends of the Auckland Cycle Touring Association (ACTA) and from a satisfied customer (but more of that later)

Wednesday Rider Chas was a life member of ACTA, a Past President, and when he lived in Auckland, he was a member of the Wednesday Riders – a select group of those who are retired, unemployed, self-employed or just “layabouts(?)” There was the late John Dunbar, the late George Garside, Arthur Sharp, Arthur Westaway and Chas. Rather like the “Famous Five with Last of the Summer Wine overtones!” The minimum qualification for this group was that you could ride a bicycle, drink tea and tell yarns about “the good old days”. Chas excelled in all of these and especially riding a bicycle! The legs said it all. Sometimes there would be a cry from the group “last one to the tea-rooms buys the tea!” The King’s legs ensured he never paid for the tea! He was invincible in the tea-rooms sprint.

Three of the “famous Five” being from Left to Right: Arthur Sharp Arthur Westaway John Dunbar


Trailer built by Chas King for Club Bikes

Wry Wit Chas’s contribution to cycling yarns was delivered with that wry London sense of humour that was enjoyed by all. It manifested itself at one AGM when Chas was president. As at all AGMs, it is customary for Hon. President to present his or her report. As chairman at the time, I asked Chas to give the President’s address. Chas stood and said: “36 Gilliam Street, New Lynn” and sat down. End of report! ACTA AGMs are not big on pomp and ceremony. The Pot Luck Dinners, and what used to be BBQs in the old days, that goes with the AGMs and more cycling yarns are more important.

Chas, the Olympic Cyclist As well as Chas’s Olympic success as a bronze medallist in the Teams Pursuit in the 1936 Olympics there were many, many more feats of cycling endurance that, as a local cyclist, would make normal cyclists go weak at the knees! He emigrated to New Zealand in the 1950s, where he remained active in the cycling scene. He was an active member of the Auckland Cycle Touring Association where he became President in the 1990s and was later made a Life Member.

Take the charity bike ride of125 km from Hamilton to Whangamata. Chas would do the ride in about 5 or 6 hours and then ride back to Hamilton. He was bemused that the New Zealand Herald should take such an interest in him. After all, at the time he was in his late seventies. Arthur Westaway vouched for this and especially for the beautiful young reporter that the paper sent out. Chas rode round Taupo many times as part of the annual charity 100 miler. More often than not, he was the oldest entrant and always did a very creditable time of about 7 or 8 hours. This always included a couple of stops for tea and buns.

As Chas grew older, he rode around the Cambridge area and after one little spin of about 70 kms remarked that he must be losing his touch a bit because he had to walk one of the hills. Most of us half his age would walk up!

Chas King, the Bicycle Frame Builder Upon his emigration to New Zealand Chas remained not only active in the cycling scene, but also as a custom frame builder. The Tribute to Chas referred to one contributor who became a satisfied customer after obtaining one of Chas’s bicycle frames. If you wanted the very best of bicycle frames you went for the bespoke “Chas King” because of his bicycle frame building expertise.

Chas King Bike Frames


One Contributor wrote:

“As a testimony to their popularity, you would always find Chas King Frames on old ACTA club rides. Many a time it proved to be the only brand being ridden on the day! I well remember a Te Awamutu weekend when we were about to start out for the day and all fifteen of us noticed we were on Chas Kings!

On a personal note, our Chas King tandem, now 14 years old, has been on four trips to UK & Europe, Australia, the Pacific Islands and around New Zealand. It has never missed a beat. We have, but not the tandem!”

Left: A custom made Chas King racing bike

The Kemplens on a Chas King Tandem!

Factory Closure The Contributor also wrote: “About 5 years ago Chas made me a solo bicycle. I think I am the proud owner of the last one off the factory production line. Chas told me that there had been a lot of union problems at the factory, so he had made all the staff redundant. The factory at 36 Gilliam Street in Chas’ garage was closed. The “Managing Director” was moving to Cambridge to do a little more cycling. ACTA has since lost its oldest member and in many ways its most prolific contributor to our cycling enjoyment. Chas passed away on 19 July 2001

“The King is dead. Long live the King!”


ACTA’s 40th Anniversary (Ruby Jubilee)

Celebrations Saturday 7 October 1989 saw around 60 members and friends of ACTA celebrating forty years of

cycling fun and fellowship, which occurred on 24 February 1989.

From Left to Right: Tony Curry, Chas King, Gabrielle Kemplen (in the background), Arthur

Westaway, Brian Webber, David Goryll, Shep Shepherd, John Stiles, John Dunbar

From Left to Right: Arthur Sharp, Charlie Waugh, Megan Waugh, Sue Dunbar, the gentleman with

glasses unknown, Margaret Hainen, Joe Hainen, Diane Crooks and Jim Marshall (striped shirt)


ACTA’s 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee)

Celebrations

To celebrate ACTA’s 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee), which occurred on 24 February 1999 a series

of events were organized in 1999 to mark this important milestone. There was a Breakfast Ride at

the beginning of the year followed by both a Morning Tea Ride and a Luncheon Ride in the middle of

the year. For those who may have missed some of these celebrations, there was also a Golden

Jubilee Afternoon Tea Ride later in the year.


A Brief History of the ACTA News Letter

for Members and its Editors

Originally, the ACTA magazine was simply known as the ACTA News Letter. In 1961 it was given the name “The Coureur”, which in the French language means “Runner” or “Racer”. In early 1997, Arthur Westaway, the then Editor of “The Coureur” who was renowned for his humour and wit, retired gracefully and handed over the Editor’s mantle to John McKillop, who is now a LIFE MEMBER of ACTA. Arthur Westaway's last issue was Number 34, for February and March, 1997. At that time, there were 6 Issues per year i.e. one after every two months.

JOHN McKILLOP ACTA LIFE MEMBER

John brought his own brand of humour and, being computer literate, was adept in creating an electronic magazine. John’s first issue was Number 35 for April 1997, and his last was Number 50 for September and October 1999. In early 1999, prior to handing over the editorial mantle to

Phil Shambrook, John McKillop changed the name of the ACTA News Letter from “The Coureur” to “The SPOKESMAN”. Initially, one lady club member objected to this name at the time because she did not regard it as being “gender neutral” due to the inclusion of “Man”. However, virtually all other members, irrespective of gender, loved the name, and felt it to be most appropriate for a cycling club. They felt the objection made by this one lady member to be simply innocuous.

Phil Shambrook took over from John McKillop with Number 51 for November and December 1999 and he finished with Number 59 for July and June, 2001. At that time, there were some “politics” in the Club resulting in Colin Kemplen and Phil Shambrook resigning as President, and Editor respectively, as well as another Committee member taking off. As a consequence, John McKillop looked after issue 60 which covered July to October 2001. From that time, 4 issues per year (quarterly issues) became the norm. Cathy Sheehan did Number 61 for November 2001 to February 2002. She continued until Number 69 for May 2004. Ben Garside then took over, doing issues 70 for August 2004 and ended with Number 77 for the quarter ending February 2006. Bill Duffy then started with Number 78 for the quarter to May 2006 and he ended with the August 2009 Issue as well as editing the ACTA Special 60th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) Spokesman Issue. Section One of this Special 70th Anniversary (Platinum Jubilee) Issue covers history up to the 60th Anniversary in 2009. During the last decade (Section Two) there have also been some excellent Editors. Names that come to mind are Briar Gregory, Vicki Watson and Di Michels.


Cartoons from 50th Anniversary (Golden

Jubilee) ACTA News Letter


SECTION TWO

A BRIEF HISTORY

OF ACTA OVER THE LAST

DECADE

FROM

DIAMOND JUBILEE

24 FEBRUARY 2009

TO

PLATINUM JUBILEE

24 FEBRUARY 2019


An Important Legal Issue: The

INCORPORATION of ACTA on 21 April 2015

As mentioned in the article shown in Section One entitled “A Short History of the Auckland Cycle Touring Association” by Arthur Sharp the club was triggered into being as a result of the then NZ Government Physical Welfare Division of the Department of Internal Affairs and ACTA was affiliated as part of the New Zealand Cycle Touring Association (NZCTA). Sadly, NZCTA came to an end in the 1960s. The Auckland Cycle Touring Association (ACTA) simply carried on as an “Association” or “Club” for about 66 years. However, ACTA “administrators” (your then Committee) began to appreciate that they, as individuals, could be become legally vulnerable and wisely decided to INCORPORATE ACTA.

By Incorporating ACTA, it makes the “Association” a legal entity and gives it a legal structure independent of its individual members (it’s administrators being your Committee, in particular), making it easier for the organisation to enter into contracts, among other things. Under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 when incorporated, ACTA is authorised by law to run its affairs as though it were like an “individual person” or a “legal entity”. An incorporated association is a registered legal entity usually established for recreational, cultural or charitable purposes. Benefits The benefits of an incorporated society's structure include the ability to: • create documents in the club's name. • enter into contracts in the club's name. • buy, sell, own, lease and rent property subject to the club's rules. • borrow money and give securities subject to the club's rules. • sue and be sued in the club's own name. While ACTA is a recreational cycling club, sometimes your Committee endeavours to become more innovative, possibly expanding activities. As a consequence, the Committee also needed to rethink the legal nature of ACTA as a previously casual, recreational club. By becoming Incorporated on 21 April 2015, ACTA became an individual legal entity thereby shielding individuals (administrators) involved in the “Corporation” from personal liability while conducting business. If a lawsuit occurs, an individual's personal assets are not on the line and they cannot be held responsible for a corporation's debt or taxes. The only exception is if a director or manager of a corporation performs unethical, illegal or self-serving behaviors. For a social or recreational club, incorporation has the effect of making the club its own legal entity, capable of making and spending money.


Long-Term Renown Stalwart ACTA Members

Who Died In The Last Decade (from 2009-2019)

Since your Editor, Stu, took over in early 2017, we have endeavoured to include obituaries in subsequent SPOKESMAN Issues of long-term stalwart members who passed away since early 2017. The list below includes the mention of some long-term renown members who passed away in the last decade i.e. since ACTA’s 60th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) in February 2009. We apologize should we have accidentally omitted the name(s) of other ACTA Members who also passed away in the last decade. In addition to the list below, brief paragraphs and pictures are included of only some selected prominent members shown in the list below.

“In Memoriam”

* Life Members

ARTHUR WESTAWAY

Arthur was not only made a LIFE MEMBER of ACTA, but was also on the ACTA Committee and, for a while, was Editor of the ACTA Magazine. Arthur’s editorial flair soon became apparent with his wonderful command of the English Language. His wit and sense of humour showed through every issue of the ACTA News that he edited. If you refer to SECTION ONE of this special ACTA 70th Anniversary SPOKESMAN you will find an article written by Arthur Westaway that belies his well-remembered sense of humour. “The Westaway Wit”! He was also one of the “famous five” Wednesday riders.

PREVIOUS ACTA MEMBER DATE of PASSING AWAY

SHEP SHEPHERD July 2005

TONY CURRY June 2007

ARTHUR WESTAWAY* December 2009

CATHY SHEEHAN September 2011

JOHN KELLY January 2014

PHIL STRICKETT August 2015

DENIS GOTHORP* January 2018

BRYAN TAYLOR* April 2018

RON SHIPTON* April 2018

PETER JONES July 2018

KEITH GODDARD October 2018


CATHY SHEEHAN

Cathy was fatally injured in a car vs cycle crash in Kuala Lumpur on 2 September, 2011 when she was on her way home from 8 months touring in Asia being predominantly China and also Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Prior to setting out on her solo cycle tour, Cathy was inspired by the book “A Bike Ride” written by Anne Mustoe. Upon setting off on her overseas trip, she did feel a bit guilty about leaving behind her two sons aged 22 and 18, whom she felt she would miss. Cathy wrote extensive blogs during her tour that can be found through the ACTA website. Her first post in her blog commenced as follows: "At 55, I'm a year older than Anne Mustoe was when she set off for France on her first round the world cycle tour. It's taken 10 years from when I first read her 'A Bike Ride' to be in a position to begin my own solo cycling adventure. I'm not as well-prepared or well-funded and my life is messy, but here I am, about to fly to Kunming, southwest China, two weeks from today. I no longer have a job, my house has been let for the next 12 months and I have found new homes for my dog and cat. I love my home, my family and friends and my life in Auckland, New Zealand, and would prefer to be able to keep the dog and cat. But for many years I have been obsessed by travel, and if I don't go now - when will the timing be perfect? My parents died at 49 and 59, so I have never expected to live very long - there mightn't be many years left."

In memory of Cathy Sheehan, ACTA decided to hold a MEMORIAL RIDE and felt it fitting that her memorial ride should be a re-run of an ACTA ride she organized in 2008 to show us “eco initiatives” that had been put in place in West Auckland. Frances, and Cathy’s sister Bernie, came over from Sydney to take part in this memorial ride. A selection of the Memorial Ride pictures are shown below:

Frances and Cathy’s sister, Bernie, who came from Sydney to

participate in the memorial ride

PHIL STRICKETT

Former club member Phil Strickett passed away on the 8th of August 2015 at the Maungataroto Rest home at the age of 79. He was out regularly on both Sunday and weekend away trips from the late 1980’s through to the early 2000’s when he retired to Maungataroto and, from there he continued his daily cycle routine. He was the club “strongman” and was known for doing extremely long rides and powering up hills (off the seat). One day he rode a club trip on one pedal after having broken the other and we still struggled to keep up with him! Once he and David Loe joined the annual “pohutukawa” ride from Thames to Coromandel, but they both started their ride from Phil’s house in Papakura and returned there! He did long solo tours around NZ and was a regular tourer throughout the UK and Europe.On club rides whenever we encountered any road abuse, Phil would reply “and a Merry Christmas to you too”. Phil always rode in his famous faded pink ultra-short running shorts and called everyone “sunshine” and in turn we knew him as “Phil Sprocket”. One of the club’s real characters!


DENIS GOTHORP

Denis Gothorp joined ACTA in 1987 and was a stalwart member for just over 30 years. As a consequence, he was made a LIFE MEMBER of ACTA. At the time, he also enjoyed the outdoors including tramping. When cycling, he liked low-geared hybrid style touring bikes and felt that cycling was good for fitness and a great way to enjoy “mother nature”. While Denis, himself, was a humble and gracious man, he had lovely things to say about ACTA. He regarded ACTA as being like a nice large family group, very approachable and sociable with lots of activities. Not only did Denis ride from Cambridge through Ohakune and Taihape and over the “Gentle Annie” to Napier and back to Waihi Beach, which at the time, he regarded as one of his hardest rides, but upon undertaking and completing his first ride around Lake Taupo (The Lake Taupo Challenge) he, personally, felt it was like receiving a gold medal at the Olympics. Denis lived a full life and had talents that some members of ACTA may not have been aware of. Denis had a fine tenor singing voice and was a member of both the “Red Jacket” Te Atatu Men’s Choir as well as a Waitakere Choir. Because of his talent, he joined the New Zealand National Choir that performed overseas in the Year 2000. In addition, he also performed occasionally on stage.

BRYAN TAYLOR

A Memorial Ride for Bryan was held on Sunday 12 May 2019

Bryan Taylor (no middle name) joined (Auckland Cycle Touring Association) ACTA in 1990, ago and was made a LIFE MEMBER OF ACTA in 2010. Bryan was very much a fit outdoors man who belonged to the Auckland Joggers Club and Auckland Tramping Club (ATC) as well as ACTA. When interviewed in 2009, on the occasion of the ACTA’s 60th Anniversary, Bryan mentioned that Phil Strickett, probably one of the fittest in the ATC at the time, said he was going for a cycle ride around the Hunuas, so Bryan decided to go with him, but found it was hard work. As a result of that cycle trip, Brian Webber, another friend from the ATC introduced Bryan to ACTA. In his early ACTA days, Bryan recalled riding with Arthur Westaway, Arthur Sharp, Betty Spicer, Chas King, Colin and Gabriel Kemplen, Pelham Housego, Phil Stickett and George Garside. Bryan was renown for the following: (1) Despite his loudish voice and straight talking (calling “a spade a spade”) Bryan was a gentleman; (2) He encouraged cyclists to join ACTA and always welcomed new members; (3) Being helpful to members, particularly if they needed advice or help fixing or modifying a bike for touring; (4) Should someone within an ACTA group he was riding with have either a puncture or a mechanical problem,

Bryan was always the first to render help to that person due to his extensive mechanical knowledge of bicycles; (5) Carrying extensive tools in a pannier bag on his bike, which was virtually like carrying a mechanical bicycle workshop with him; (6) Assisting ACTA by running workshops for new members in order to help them learn to fix punctures and do minor repairs; (7) His extensive overseas cycling tours both in Europe and USA. (8) Being the first ACTA member to purchase an e-Bike, thereby triggering other older members who feel they are becoming slow and struggling somewhat on hills, to also purchase e-Bikes.


A youthful Ron Shipton receiving a cup for cycling achievement at the 1958 Club Dinner

of Previous ACTA Members who passed away in the last decade

RON SHIPTON

Ron was born on January 15 1932, attended school in UK and later completed a carpentry apprenticeship at Bromley College. He attained many cycling awards from the West Kent Cyclists Touring Club, UK, in 1951-1953 including a marathon of 250 miles (402KM) in 24 hours. This passion saw him that year visit Spain and he continued to follow the cycling trails through many countries from China to the USA. As the years unfolded, he emigrated, along with many of his fellow countrymen, to New Zealand, in January 1954 aboard the ‘Captain Cook’. Ron married Doris on 12th September 1959 in Auckland and their 2 children Peter and Karen made their arrivals in 1963 and 1965

respectively. They built their family home in New Lynn where

they led a happy life with trips in NZ and abroad. After 29 years of happy marriage Ron lost his wife Doris on 10

August

1988 to cancer at the age of 52. Life can be very cruel because 11 months later Ron lost his only son Peter in an automobile accident. Ron’s enthusiasm for cycling and railways both full scale and model railways filled the void that certainly overtook him after his tragic family losses. His daughter Karen’s family became a healthy respite for his loneliness with 6 grandchildren

to spoil. Colin Kemplen, ACTA’s President in 1999, made the following comments about Ron, when he was talking about various members’ hidden talents.

“Ron Shipton is another long standing (or is that long sitting if you are a cyclist?) member who joined ACTA in 1959. He has cycled the highways and byways of New Zealand and, in some cases, places before the byways even existed. Ron undertook a trip to the Haast Pass down a cattle track before the road was put through!” An article concerning Ron’s South Island Tour in 1959 is included in SECTION ONE of this 70th Anniversary Issue of SPOKESMAN. Ron had a complete love of cycling. He enjoyed exploring, and he loved being immersed in the beauty of the countryside. Richard Oddy also recollects that Ron used to stuff his tyres with hay when he had too many punctures! A true ACTA Member?? He was later made a LIFE MEMBER OF ACTA.


Some Prominent Leaders of ACTA Rides and

Tours in Recent Years Since the 60th

Diamond Jubilee in 2009

Your Committee encourages ACTA Members to lead Club rides! It is appreciated that new members may be initially hesitant to do so due to aspects such as (1) their cycling expertise and speed and (2) their knowledge of areas suitable for riding. Those who volunteered to lead Saturday Morning Rides are pretty much “fixed” in place for a relatively longer term. For variety, their leadership is rotated such that they lead a ride every sixth Saturday. The current Saturday Morning “Coffee Ride” Leaders are: Robyn Hodge, Paul Cook, David Reid (replaced by Simon Bucherer in March 2019), Stu Andrews (who took over from the late Bryan Taylor), Ron Jackson and Maurice Kwan. Longer rides, including the need to take a “cut lunch” with you, take place on Sundays and Wednesdays. Originally Wednesday Rides took place from the Kumeu Bakehouse. The rides ranged between Riverhead, Coatesville, Greenhithe, Swanson, Henderson, TeHenga, Muriwai and Helensville. Mention has already been made in Section One of the “famous five” who rode regularly on Wednesdays. In addition, other prominent riders from the past were Pelham Housego, Betty Spicer and Bryan Taylor. While it is not possible to mention all the regular Wednesday riders today, special mention should be given to two regulars being John Billinge and Glen Mune. In the case of Wednesday Rides, your Committee has been innovative following a membership survey with, in addition to Wednesday Rides starting predominantly from Kumeu and about once a month from Riverhead, there are also a couple of South Auckland Wednesday rides from Papakura and a ride on the first Wednesday of the month leaving from the Ferry Terminal in central Auckland. Your Committee appreciates all those who have volunteered to lead the Sunday Rides. Fortunately, they are not all long-term members and, sadly, it is not possible for your Editor to mention all the Sunday Ride Leaders because some may have been accidentally forgotten, despite the fact, that all Sunday Leaders are greatly appreciated. ACTA also has an excellent “Tour Sub-Committee” that organizes ACTA Supported Tours and Unsupported Tours to ride through various selected areas of both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Supported Tours have a van-type vehicle to accompany cyclists and carry their baggage, whereas unsupported tours require participants to carry their own clothing and possessions in pannier bags on their bikes. Originally both these were held annually but, due to demand from a flourishing club, the Supported Tours are held twice yearly with the November tour repeated in April the following year. Your Committee acknowledges with thanks all those ACTA Members who have led rides over recent years. The participation of many ACTA Members in not only leading ACTA rides, but also

participating, demonstrates how ACTA has been flourishing over the last decade! Those

Leaders shown in the pages that follow have simply been selected due to their service to ACTA and their innovation.


RAY MANKELOW

Ray wrote the following:”I think I met Gaye Andrews and others several times (sometimes at the Redwoods Café in Swanson) when I was taking a ride out to Bethells Beach as my regular Wednesday route. Then I recall Gaye telling me about ACTA. At that time, Gaye was with Betty Spicer and Pelham Housego and they were heading off to Herald Island for their lunch stop. On the first Wednesday when I wanted to join the ACTA “Group” I recall I failed to find them when I went into the first Cafe on my right in Kumeu, (the one that is usually our meeting point over the Christmas period when the Kumeu Bakehouse is closed) and the staff there couldn't help me. The next time I met the ACTA guys at Redwoods I was corrected on the meeting point and started riding with the club in 2008 and very much enjoyed the companionship.” Ray’s knowledge of the North West area of Auckland ranging from Henderson, Ranui, Waitakeres, Muriwai, Bethells, Helensville, Waitoki, Dairy Flat, Silverdale, Riverhead, Coatsville, Hobsonville, Greenhithe and Albany is amazing!! Not only that, Ray gave us a treat by taking us on several occasions up the hills on Atwood’s farm to the old airstrip and then across the paddocks. As a consequence, and perhaps unwittingly, even though he enjoys it, Ray has become the regular leader of virtually all rides from Kumeu and, subsequently from Riverhead, for many years! Ray also wrote: “My first ACTA Wednesday ride as Leader was around the Boord Crescent loop at Kumeu - twice and I had a vague feeling that I had already cycled along this route without realising we had turned left for a repeat after the first loop. I guess I was too busy to notice.

Another picture of “Ramblin” Ray


The likes of various leaders, including John Gregory, showed me some interesting alternate routes that I hadn't been aware of. I also remember David Reid taking us out to the Macadamia Nut Farm and Cafe near Kaipara and I remember also Sinclair Park was a reasonably regular lunch stop when we went north of Helensville. Those Wednesday ACTA rides made some hard riding for me to get back home in time, have a shower and head off to work for my afternoon shift as an Announcer at “Coast” Radio Station. Of course, I could then give a teasing mention of various riders earlier that day. Also, as Betty Spicer was getting older, she was becoming a little slow on hills and, when we went out to Muriwai, she preferred to stay on the main highway. Then she, and whoever kept her company, would meet us Taiapa Road riders at the bus shelter at the turn off to Maori Bay. Jack Shaw was another 80 plus cyclist I admired - I would get ahead of him and then, somehow, he would catch up. And he could do the Taupo Challenge faster than me - someone suggested it was his long legs. Paul Ranby “Rambo” was always entertaining with his 'believe it or not' stories”.

Riding on Atwood Farm near Kumeu

The ACTA Committee conveys sincere thanks to Ray and hopes that he will continue to lead these Wednesday Rides.

BILL PEPLER

Bill Pepler joined ACTA about 5 years ago (2013). He had been looking for a good cycle club to join. A club member suggested ACTA. Bill says he feels so lucky to have found a great club with high standards and found so many friends with great qualities. Having regard to urban development in Auckland and the need for variety and diversity in ACTA rides, your Committee decided to have at least one Wednesday Ride in South Auckland per month, in addition to the Kumeu Ride, starting from Ron Keat Drive alongside Papakura Railway Station. Recently, this has been increased to two Wednesday Papakura Rides in addition to the Kumeu Rides. Bill Pepler has become the long-term monthly Leader of these South Auckland Rides and has an amazing knowledge of the South Auckland Area including Drury, Ramarama, Pukekohe, Patumahoe, Kingseat, Waiau Pa, Clark’s Beach, Glenbrook and Waiuku. He leads great enjoyable rides at least once a month in South Auckland.


GARTH BARFOOT

Garth wrote: “Though my association with ACTA goes back 15 years (I was a cyclist in the Kumeu Bakehouse when the ACTA group would come in most Wednesdays) I do not remember joining until the club had a Cambridge weekend in May 2009. What attracted me to this trip was the fact that it was based in a motel, the first time to my knowledge that the club had used this civilised alternative rather than requiring you to carry all your gear on your bike. I must have been enthused, because 4 months later I led a motel-based trip to Dargaville.

In 2011 the date was changed to mid-June and the trips became known as “Winter Solstice” trips. Locations for these Winter Solstice trips have been Waitomo, Taumarunui, Waipu Cove, Whangarei (Kamo), Whangarei (Central), Cable Bay (Northland), Napier, Nelson/Golden Bay, Palmerston North and this year (2019) it will be Invercargill/Catlins.

Members sometimes ask me why I always arrange for these ACTA Tours to be held in mid-winter? The answer is nothing to do with me being a masochist, but more for me to find a regular annual date that does not clash with either the Australasian triathlon season or the northern hemisphere triathlon season. Triathlon is what I am better known for outside of the club having accumulated 25 Ironman finishes and 10 age group International championship medals. This year, I am off to Spain to see if I can add to my international total. I just have to hope that the proverb “the pitcher goes to the well once too often” will not be applicable!”

Editor’s Comment:

Having regard to his age, Garth’s Triathlon and Ironman accomplishments are amazing! Both Garth, and his wife, Judy, are currently 82 and will turn 83 in 2019. They joined ACTA in 2008. It is wonderful to have them participate in ACTA rides!


ATHOL BERRY

Athol wrote: “I joined ACTA in 2010 as I have always enjoyed cycling. I did a lot of tramping with Auckland Tramping Club before that, but I do more cycling now! I have organized and led several Cycle Tours for ACTA. One was from Napier to Martinborough along SH 52. There were 13 cyclists in the ACTA Group. The cycle ways along the coast from Napier and inland to Havelock North are just great! Then, it was on through Waipukurau to Masterton. In February 2017, I led a trip from Ohakune to Himatangi Beach through Taihape, Hunterville and Marton. Someone got the tides wrong (me!) for the ride along Himatangi Beach and we arrived at high tide which was a bit embarrassing! Other cycle tours I have participated in were with Cycle Queensland including 850 other cyclists and in Western Australia with the Western Australian Cycling Assoc. Later, I rode from Picton to Queenstown in the South Island of NZ. The most recent weekend trips which I led were in the Coromandel and from Nikau Caves to Raglan and return with 25 cyclists.” Editor’s Comment: Athol’s tours have become popular among ACTA members because he has led some great rides.

SIMON BUCHERER

Simon wrote: “I joined ACTA in 2014 after a Waikato rail trail cycle tour weekend led by Athol Berry. Being a roadie as well, it gave me a perspective on how riding slower can really be very enjoyable! I am now almost totally converted to the “dark side” and I am always looking forward to the next tour or weekend away with ACTA.”

Editor’s Comment: Since joining ACTA in 2015, Simon has made a massive contribution to the club. He, himself, has organized and led several Sunday ACTA rides on Auckland’s North shore. In particular, he is renown for arranging for two tours in the first weekend of December 2017 and 2018 on the Twin Coast Cycle Trail in Northland cycling to Opua on the East Coast via Kawkawa from Kaikohe on Saturday and to Horeke on the West Coast via Okaihau. In addition, Simon also led a weekend ride in the Cambridge area in early February 2019. In addition, Simon has been on the 70th Anniversary Sub-Committee and has assisted with the organization of the various celebratory activities.


HELEN ORCHARD ACTA LIFE MEMBER

Helen, who is a Life Member of ACTA, wrote: “I had been cycling once about once a month with a group of North Shore Tramping friends and we called ourselves “Shore Spokes”. We did cycling weekends away and 10 day tours around the North Island (just like ACTA does!). But, as “Shore Spokes” group members got tied up with family etc., the trips became less frequent, so I decided to join up with ACTA (I had seen ACTA club trip reports in the “Southern Cyclist” Magazine). I joined ACTA and started started cycling with ACTA groups in 1983. At the end of my first club ride, which was out to Bethels Beach, my fellow riders asked: “Will you come out with us again?” I surely did and, since that first Sunday ride, went on to participate in many more and great ACTA weekends away and day rides. Since then, I have regularly led Sunday rides through the decades. In those early days we rode over a lot of hilly gravel roads, which are now mainly tar sealed. I think I still have a reputation of leading some very hilly rides! When I look back on all the enjoyment and camaradie over the years, I know that joining up with ACTA was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life!”

COLIN QUILTER

Colin took up cycling as a means of commuting to work, so, when he retired in 2010, cycling and cycle-touring were a natural consequence. He joined ACTA in 2010. Colin wrote: “Joining ACTA was a lucky event. One of the club members commented to me, "What's not to like about cycle-touring? It allows you to make friends, see the world, eat like a pig and lose weight!" He was right! In the last decade I've gained a heap of new friends; cycled in Norway, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland and Australia; had coffee and cake in a thousand cafes, and I'm still the weight I've always been. Long may it last.” Editor’s Comment: Colin has led some great rides including some on the first Wednesday of the month leaving from the Ferry Terminal in central Auckland. Colin has a great knowledge of cycle paths throughout Auckland and has led some great rides. These rides proved to be popular and Colin has set a record of the number of ACTA Members participating on his rides. Colin was also awarded the “Best All-Rounder Cup” in 2018 due to his knowledge of Bike Mechanics and other contributions to ACTA.


MARGARET LAW

Her parents Cycle Shop in Willow St.,

Tauranga

Margaret wrote: “I joined Alpine Sports Club in the early 1990's. About 2 -3 years after that, I joined ACTA. It was as a member of the Alpine Sports Club that I met Arnold and Marieke Van Zon. Arnold told me I could get fitter for tramping by cycling so I started cycling just around Whangaparaoa up and down hills near where I lived. Invitations to cycle with ACTA were given to me more than once by Alpine Sports Club members John and Briar Gregory when they found out I was cycling around home. I was aware that ACTA Sunday rides could be 80kms or more, but I was unsure that I could cycle that far initially despite my level of tramping fitness. It was thanks to the then local cycle shop owners of Orewa Cycle Works who invited me on one of their fun rides that I found I could easily cycle 80kms with a mountain bike in those days. I then thought I could manage the ACTA Sunday rides. There were no ACTA 40km Saturday rides in those days so I thought it would be a big jump up to 80kms. My first ACTA club ride was on a mountain bike, but I soon got a touring bike. I certainly found I got a great run for my money on Sunday rides in those days with many more gravel roads around greater Auckland and some of the rides being 90kms plus. I grew up in a bike shop in Tauranga. I cycled everywhere growing up including cycling to school on my 5th birthday (one and a quarter miles each way). I have attached an early photo of Koops Cycles, our family business. Over the years I have participated regularly and lead many rides, being weekends, day rides and tours etc. It has always been my pleasure to lead rides. I know I might have tarnished my reputation in ACTA by leading somewhat hilly rides over the years, but that’s all good by me. I think the first weekend ride I led was from Tuakau to Waingaro Hot Pools and return. Down through Naike, Waikaretu to Waingaro. Some of it on gravel with Peter Buck coming off his bike on gravel on Churchill Road by the Waikato River on the Sunday breaking his hip. I have toured overseas from 2005. Some of the early members I remember riding with, apart from John Gregory and Pelham, were Peter Buck, Ron Shipton, Colin Kemplen, David Lowe, Dick & Lyn Hopper and many others. I also remember riding with Betty Spicer when I was first in ACTA. Betty was about the age I am now. We were coming back through Ardmore on the flat. I couldn't keep up with Betty. It was only on a hill I could get ahead of her. But then, she did ride hills in quite high gears. I also remember Phil Strickett riding all the way down from Papakura for a Rangiriri ride. He was an amazing cyclist and so strong. I was then in my mid-forties and was astonished at his riding. During a winter ride Phil rode most of the way in the dark with a dark coat on and no lights!”


LOUISE SINCLAIR

Louise wrote: “I joined ACTA in 2012 after I bumped into Annette and Steve at Danny’s bakery in Patumahoe, while they were out on an ACTA ride. I had been doing mainly road riding plus some multi-sports events but was interested in learning more about cycle touring. So, I turned up a few weeks later at a ride led by John McKillop and decided to give it a go. It was great to meet a group of people who were very happy to talk at length about bikes and touring and share a wealth of experience.

It wasn’t long before the then ACTA President, Tony Simmons, asked if I was interested in helping out with rides in the Pukekohe/ Waiuku area and so my interest in route planning began.

I enjoy looking for “interesting” roads and believe that a road less travelled on is often the most rewarding choice for touring cyclists. I have also enjoyed helping with several supported and unsupported tours that provide the opportunity to see fantastic “out of the way” places. It is the friends and experiences that really make ACTA special to me.” Editor’s Comment: Sometime ago Louise arranged an interesting weekend ride with participating members either staying in her residence, in their motor homes, camping vans or camping on the grass in the lovely garden area of her home located in Bald Hill Rd between Waiuku and Pukekohe. Louise has done a great job for ACTA. Not only is she currently serving on the ACTA Committee, but she has proven to be a great organizer on the ACTA “Tour Sub-Committee” planning the routes and logistics of ACTA’s annual “supported” or “unsupported” Tours.


RON JACKSON

Ron wrote:

“I have been a member of ACTA for 11 years. I cannot remember exactly how I was introduced to ACTA, but I recollect that Gaye Andrews may have had some hand in introducing me to the club.

I am on the current ACTA Committee and I am also on the Club “Touring Subcommittee”. In addition, I am one of the six leaders of ACTA’s regular Saturday morning coffee rides. The ride I lead every six weeks departs from Papakura railway station. I have also been a past “ACTA Rides List Coordinator”.

ACTA has some outstanding rides and tours. My wife (Susan) and I have enjoyed many of these and the company of fellow ACTA members. I have led many Sunday rides, occasional “weekend rides” and some of the annual ACTA Supported and Unsupported Tours.

As many members may know, I like tinkering with bikes including building my own from frames.”

JOHN BILLINGE

John, affectionately known as “JB”, wrote: “I have been a keen cyclist for many years of my life and, not long after my previous wife had died, I had been for a ride, and, coincidentally, I happened to call in at the Kumeu “Bakehouse”. Lo and behold, who should be there but Betty Spicer! I had known Betty for many years. She suggested I come on the next Wednesday’s ACTA ride. We rode out to Swanson. At that time, I had never ridden that slow! Initially I felt no way would I come back to ride with those old fogeys! I then realised I was an old fogey myself and proud to be one! Therefore, I changed my mind and returned the following week. Since then, I have ridden on ACTA Wednesday rides for just about every Wednesday over the last 12 years! Over the years ACTA has provided fabulous weekend rides and tours. Most of all, I value the friendships I have made, which are great. With ACTA still going strong and flourishing after 70 years I am very lucky to belong to the best cycling club anywhere!” Editor’s Comment: JB is renown for his cycling and especially his ability to climb hills. He is also considerate of other ACTA cyclists and has often agreed to be the “Tail End Charlie” on various ACTA rides.


Above the Col du Lautaret

KEVAN FLECKNEY

Kevan riding in the Avantidrome

Kevan wrote: “I joined ACTA around Christmas 2006. I was living in the UK at the time and it was my sister in France who joined me up. My first ride with ACTA was the weekend I arrived in April 2007. That ride included Stu, your current SPOKESMAN Editor. I have been an occasional (hilly) Sunday Ride leader over the years. I have also always been a fill-in leader for Saturday Rides, taking other Leaders rides when they are unable to do so. For some years I have also taken all of the Christmas and New Year Saturday rides, as there has been a good demand for them and the roads are quiet. I try to maximise interest (or complexity!) and minimise difficulty for Saturday rides, though I feel that I am starting to run out of new routes and fresh ideas!” The Editor comments that despite being born in the UK, Kevan has a better knowledge of streets and cycleways around Auckland than those of us who were born in Auckland. “I never came back to cycling, as I never stopped in the first place and I’m one of those oddballs who logs their miles, and I have done so since the early eighties (I’m sure I’m not the only one!). I used to commute 26km daily across West London in the eighties, then 32km a day in South Devon during the nineties and early 2000s (apart from the winter months, as the cold, wet, slippery and unlit high speed roads through active clay workings were very hazardous…so I drove!). I now live close to work, so I catch the train or walk, so my cycling miles have taken a bit of a hit in recent years. My main sport back in the UK was Audaxing. An Audax is a long-distance timed ride, with distances generally starting at 200km and increasing through 300 and 400 to 600km in length. There were longer rides up to 1400km, but I could never stay awake long enough to do them. Sleep was an issue on the longer ones; the clock keeps ticking until you finish, so stopping to sleep can put you outside the time limit if you are a relatively slow rider like me. I came into touring late in life. Aside from hostelling weekends in the UK and France, I completed my first proper solo tour in 2016. Failing eyesight means that my touring career will be short.” The Editor comments that those ACTA Members who know Kevan, who is one of our younger members in his 50s, will be sorry to learn of his deteriorating eyesight and hope that he will be able to continue to enjoy his cycling for some time to come.


How Did ACTA Celebrate it’s 70th Anniversary?

ACTA’s 70th Anniversary (Platinum Jubilee) Celebrations 2019

Sunday 24th Feb Actual commencement date for the club in 1949!

Ray Mankelow leads a 70km ‘cake’ ride starting from Kumeu Bakehouse.

Weekend - Sat 16th Sun 17th March Matamata weekend ride staying at Opal hot springs holiday Park

Leaders: Richard Oddy 0272936096 /Colin Kemplen Sat ride approx 75km – Sun ride approx 50km

Sunday 31st March Louise Sinclair & Bill Pepler lead another 70km ‘cake’ ride starting from Papakura Rail Station.

Sunday 28th April Tour de Taupaki Treasure Hunt ride

There is fun with a morning treasure hunt starting at Taupaki Park opposite hall. Bring your own picnic lunch

Saturday 1st June – Movie Night & Roast dinner 5.30pm for dinner at 6pm - At JC Ryder’s private cinema 117 Riversdale Rd, Avondale

Followed by the re-enactment of the 1928 Tour de France with Phil Keoghan Retracing the most brutal T de F in history! $35 per head with limited numbers of 60

Saturday 29th June Anniversary Dinner (Final Event) From 5pm for dinner at 6pm at Auckland Bridge Club, 273 Remuera Rd, Remuera, Auckland

You will have a chance to share your ACTA experiences along with listening to & seeing historical stories from the past.

Catch up with all your riding friends and enjoy a fantastic meal. Bar will be open.


The ACTA Anniversary Ride

on Sunday 24 February 2019

being the actual day ACTA

was founded 70 years ago on

24 February 1949 by Stu

Andrews.

Prior to the ride occurring, the weather forecast was ominous with light rain predicted all day on Sunday 24 February 2019. Despite this, the number of members attending and participating in the North West Anniversary Ride was encouraging.

ACTA Members participating in the Anniversary Ride at the Kumeu Bakehouse prior to commencement of the

ride with some wearing the Club’s 70th Anniversary Cycle Tops

Just after the above picture was taken, light rain occurred. Fortunately, it did not last long, and it did not rain for the rest of the ride. While it was overcast and cloudy for part of the ride, blue sky with a warm sun occurred for other parts of the ride. Indeed, the weather added to the celebration! Because the Auckland Cycle Touring Association (ACTA) was formed on 24 February 1949, the Anniversary Sub-Committee decided we should undertake a 70km ride on that actual day in 2019 to commemorate ACTA’s 70th Anniversary. Our wonderful Leader, Ray Mankelow, who regularly leads ACTA’s Wednesday rides in North West Auckland, endeavoured to plan a 70km route but, despite this being the plan, we actually ended up doing close to 80km. From the Bakehouse in Kumeu we rode toward Riverhead and then onto the Coatesville Highway. Just before arriving in Coatesville we turned left onto Sunnyside Road which has some one lane bridges and substantial hills.


On Sunnyside Road

From Sunnyside Road we rode downhill on Green Rd to the Dairy Flat Highway. After riding briefly on the Dairy Flat Highway we turned into Postmans Road and rode past the Dairy Flat Airfield. We then rode up Wilks Road to the East Coast Road where we headed north to Silverdale for morning tea and coffee at the Silverdale Kings Plant Barn Café.

Garth Barfoot advised that, originally, he was programmed to undertake a cross harbour swim, but it was cancelled as a result of the wind forecast. Therefore, he joined us briefly and it was great to have him “on Board” and join us for morning tea and coffee at the Silverdale Kings Plant Barn Café.

The group arriving at East Coast Rd from Wilks Rd

Simon (Left) and Garth (Right) after Garth

joined the group


After morning tea and coffee at Silverdale Kings Plant Barn Café, we rode further north onto Wainui Road and, after riding through new suburban sub-divisions in Silverdale, we crossed under the Northern Motorway and continued west on Wainui Road toward Wainui. We then turned onto Waitoki Road and rode into Waitoki where we had our lunch at DD’s Café. DD’s Café very kindly allowed those who had brought a cut lunch with them to eat it at the café. After a rather late lunch at DD’s Café in Waitoki, the group rode along Kahikatea Flat Road towards Helensville. Upon reaching Highway 16 (the Kaipara Coast Highway) we turned into Peak Road. For those who had never ridden on Peak Road before it seemed like a never-ending road with plenty of steady climbs. Left: Morning Tea and Coffee at Silverdale Kings Plant Barn Café Below: Lunch at DD’s Café, Waitoki

At the top of Peak Rd we turned into Old North Road and then into Ararimu Valley Road where we visited West Brook Winery to enjoy drinks and a cake to finally celebrate ACTA’s 70th Anniversary. A special anniversary cake was baked for ACTA by the Kumeu Bakehouse and was delivered to the West Brook Winery by Glen Mune. Due to the size of our group and the time taken to serve us for morning tea/ coffee at Silverdale and lunch at Waitoke plus occasional stops for photographs we arrived at West Brook about two hours later than they had been expecting us. As a consequence, we have sincere thanks to John and Briar Gregory for their patience in waiting at the winery for us. It was wonderful to have them with us and for John, as an ACTA Past President (2007 to 2011) to help cut the delicious commemorative carrot cake.


The Group about to celebrate ACTA’s 70th Anniversary and enjoy the delicious commemorative carrot cake

ACTA Past President John Gregory

commencing to cut the cake

Past President John Gregory and

Current President Annette Collins cutting the cake

The ACTA Commemorative Carrot Cake

After the celebrations at the West Brook Winery, most of the group rode back onto Old North Road and passed the Waitemata Clay Target Gun Club before turning down Oraha Rd. to arrive back in Huapai and Kumeu. At about 5pm as members were preparing to go home, steady rain started.


The ACTA Weekend

Matamata Ride on 16

&17 March 2019

commemorating that

ACTA was founded 70

years ago in 1949 by

Stu Andrews.

Just as there was a good response for the anniversary ride on Sunday 24 February, there was also an excellent response of ACTA Members participating in the Commemorative Matamata Weekend ride on 16 and 17 March indicating how well ACTA is flourishing! Virtually all arrived at the Opal Hot Springs and Holiday Park located in in Okauia Springs Rd about 6.7km from the centre of Matamata on the evening of Friday 15 March 2019. Upon arriving, most were shocked and saddened to learn of New Zealand’s first terrorism event that occurred at a mosque in Christchurch that afternoon. Several also enjoyed a nice soak and swim in the hot pools. SATURDAY The group was briefed in the Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park grounds by Steve before taking off just after 8.30am.

The route for Saturday’s ride: Loop North along the base of the Kaimais to Manawaru and then headed west to

the famous Kereone Homestead where we had lunch before riding SE via Waharoa back to Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park. Estimated Total Saturday Loop Ride: 77.4km


The group being briefed by Steve before starting on Saturday

Above: Colin Kemplen

The Group of 28 Persons plus Colin Kemplen taken before we commenced the commemorative ride. Note John McKillop on the far left wearing his fancy waistcoat, but he omitted to include his bow tie! The tandem shown in front was ridden by Mike and Nita.

Upon departure, we rode a short distance along Okauia Springs Rd. before turning into Old Te Aroha Rd. We rode past the turn off to the Wairere Falls, but we did not climb up there. However, upon looking back from Old Te Aroha Rd. it was possible to get a glimpse of the falls, which have two leaps. We continued along Old Te Aroha Rd. until we passed under a railway bridge and reached the memorial commemorating the lives of four men when the Kaimai railway tunnel collapsed in 1970 and the opening of the new tunnel by the then Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. R. Muldoon in 1978. A lovely farming couple, Louise and Steve Wenzlick, whose farm is where the railway line, Kaimai Railway Tunnel portal and the tunnel plaques are located, met us at the plaques and gave us an interesting talk about the local area, with emphasis on the Kaimai Rail Tunnel.


Later, after riding about another 2km we stopped at the memorial plaque near Gordon for the air crash of a NAC DC3 aircraft, which was, at the time, the worst air crash within New Zealand with all 23 passengers and crew being killed. This memorial is 4.3km south-west of the crash site in the Kaimai ranges and was dedicated on 5 July 2003 to mark the 40th anniversary of the accident.

Some of the group riding up a short climb on

Old Te Aroha Rd.

Louise Wenzlick talking to us about the local area

and Kaimai Tunnel

The NAC DC3 Air Crash Memorial Plaque

The Group at the Air Crash Memorial Plaque

It was kind of Colin and Gabrielle Kemplen to accompany us in their car and for Colin to take pictures and videos of the group as well as ensuring the whole group took the correct directions. We continued a short distance down Old Te Aroha Rd. before turning left into Shaftsbury Rd and riding down to Manawaru Rd. where we stopped for a brief comfort stop before continuing along School, Piraunui, Waihekau and Ngarua roads and a brief ride on State Highway 27 before turning onto Maungakawa Rd. where we turned off and rode up the driveway to the famous Kereone Homestead owned by Rachel and Kerry Pound. It proved to be an amazing original kauri homestead built in 1904 where it stood in pride of place atop one of the largest farms in the Waikato, in which the Aiken family first settled in 1893. Rachel and Kerry were amazing hosts! Not only did they allow us to tour through the homestead, but they had put out tables and chairs in the shade and provided us with lovely scones with jam and cream to augment our cut lunches, which we thoroughly enjoyed in their garden.


Enjoying lunch at Kereone Homestead

Kereone Homestead Entrance Hallway

Kereone Homestead Billiard Room

The Group prior to leaving Kereone Homestead after lunch

Enjoying an ice cream or gelato at Waharoa

From Kereone Homestead we rode along Maungakawa, Settlement, Hutchinson, Walton and Landsdowne roads into Waharoa where we stopped at the Kowhai Creamery Caravan to enjoy lovely delicious ice creams and gelatos! After that we rode along Mowbray, Tower and Okauia Springs roads back to the Opal Springs Holiday Park. After enjoying the hot pools and showers we drove into Matamata to the Matamata Club where we enjoyed both drinks from the bar and a buffet of multiple hot and cold dishes and dessert including a special cake. It was lovely to be joined by Colin and Gabrielle Kemplen, Rachel Pound, Louise and Steve Wenzlick and Ray Kitchener. Special thanks go to Colin for bringing old historic cycling magazines for ACTA group members to peruse.


SUNDAY Once again, the group was briefed in the Opal Springs Holiday Park grounds by Steve before taking off just after 8.30am.

Sunday’s Route: Loop South to Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel

Estimated Total Sunday Loop Ride 60km

The Happy Group after Sunday’s Briefing at

Opal Springs Holiday Park

We rode about 6km toward Matamata where we met John McKillop and Colin and Gabrielle Kemplen who were waiting for us on their special tandem recumbent. Colin and Gabrielle then led us on a lovely loop around the Matamata green belt park. Sadly, Susan obtained a puncture at the beginning of the loop and Ron helped repair it. Although both missed the rest of the green belt loop, they were able to meet up with us before we departed from Matamata.

Meeting Colin and Gabrielle on their special tandem recumbent bike


Riding around Matamata’s green belt park

Colin and Gabrielle left us on their tandem recumbent and rode to their residence in Burwood Rd. where they collected their car and accompanied us to the Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel. After leaving Matamata we rode a short distance down State Highway 24 before turning right onto the lengthy Taihoa South Road. We then turned down State Highways 27 and 29 before turning right onto the rolling hilly Rangitainuku Rd. From there, we turned right onto Okoroire Rd. and then continued along Somerville Rd. to the ancient and historic Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel, which dates back to 1889. Historically, the springs were used by the sick and by Maori women as a place to cleanse after giving birth. Visitors now frequent the pools while staying at the hotel and its camp ground. They also have the opportunity to play golf on the 9-hole on-site golf course. The hotel staff were prepared for us and, just like yesterday at Kereone Homestead, we enjoyed lovely scones with jam and cream together with tea or coffee either out on the deck or in the historic dining room.

Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel


Tall trees lining the path to the Hot Springs

Some of the Group enjoying tea, coffee and scones on the hotel deck

From Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel we rode back down Somerville and Okoroire roads and onto the main road to Te Poi. We then rode a very short distance down SH 29 before turning into Old Te Aroha Rd., which proved to be very hilly in places.

Reaching the top of one of the last hills on Old Te Aroha Rd.

After conquering the hills, we then turned into Okauia Springs Rd. and returned to Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park. The total estimated distance covered over the weekend was 137.4km What a fantastic weekend we had! Special thanks to Steve and Annette for their organisation and to Colin Kemplen for joining us and providing local information. This commemorative ACTA 70th Anniversary weekend ride will be well remembered by those who took part.


The ACTA 70th

Anniversary

Commemorative Ride

on Sunday 31 March

2019 by Stu Andrews.

Bill Pepler, one of ACTA’s Ride Leaders very familiar with the South Auckland Area led a special commemorative ride. 27 members departed from Ron Keat Drive alongside the Papakura Railway Station and we rode south through the Karaka area and then, from HW22, we took the road to Patumahoe where we stopped for morning coffee and tea and enjoyed a special commemorative ACTA “birthday” cake.

The South Auckland ACTA Anniversary Cake

Long-term member, Richard Oddy, cutting the cake. A picture of the late Bryan Taylor shown alongside

The group after morning coffee & tea at the Patumahoe Café From Patumahoe we rode North West through Waiau Pa to Clarks Beach where we sat on the grass alongside the beach and enjoyed our lunches. From Clarks Beach we rode north along Seagrove Rd and we stopped and visited Ian Bell, a friend of Marlene’s, at their lovely home with a beautiful view of the Manukau Harbour. They also had some South American alpacas in the field alongside. From Seagrove Rd we rode a bit south again on Wrights Rd and then followed Irwin Rd before returning to Papakura.


The ACTA 70th

Anniversary

Commemorative Tour de

Taupaki Treasure Hunt

Ride on Sunday 28 April

2019 by Lyn Jobbins.

Some of the Treasure Hunt Clues

• Where do you post a letter in the neighbourhood?

• What is the number of a letterbox that looks like it will roll away?

• Bring back an Arum Lily.

• In a nursery rhyme you ride a horse here.

• Who has a wind sock? • Who is the ‘infamous’ DJ who lives on this road?

Is this a letterbox with a porthole and will it roll away?

Above are just some of the 30 clues on our treasure hunt commemorating ACTA’s 70th Anniversary. The weather forecast for this Sunday morning looked rather grim. Nevertheless, 13 intrepid cyclists set off in groups of 2/3 on a jaunt around Taupaki, Waitakerie, Kumeu and Huapai to search for the answers. After 25kms of cycling and searching, in dribs & drabs we arrived at the Kumeu Bakehouse for the morning coffee stop. Pies seemed to be the “go to” refuelling choice!

Registering for Treasure Hunt at

Taupaki

Morning tea at Kumeu Bakehouse


Just when we decided to continue with the Treasure Hunt the rain arrived. Fortunately, the wet was short lived and we continued searching for answers on our way back to Taupaki. Due to the likelihood of more rain it was decided to adjourn at Ray Mankelow’s home for lunch and prizegiving.

It looks like Neale has found an Arum Lily

Lunch and Prize Giving at Ray Mankelow’s Residence

There was unbelievable banter when it came to marking the answer sheets of the ACTA Participant sitting next to each of us! The jury is still out on what constitutes a letterbox with a porthole!

Sarah and Simon amassed the top awards so scooped the prizes.

A big thanks to Annette Collins, John Billinge and Richard Oddy for organising an entertaining and fun cycling day commemorating ACTA’s 70th anniversary.


You are referred to the home page of Auckland Cycle Touring Association (ACTA) website being:

www.acta.org.nz

A brief resume about ACTA shown on the home page of the current ACTA website is reproduced here as follows: “The Auckland Cycle Touring Association (ACTA) was formed on the 24 February 1949, and an invitation to all persons interested in cycling continues to this day with the club catering for cyclists interested in riding in the company of others. Currently, the Club has a membership of around 120 families or individuals. At one stage the youngest member, who rode a tandem with her parents was 8 while the oldest was 84. The Auckland Cycle Touring Association (ACTA) offers easy paced, non-competitive rides. We have frequent coffee stops. (It was once suggested that the initials of the Club stood for “Auckland Coffee and Tea Association”. However, “Away Cycling – To Adventure” is equally fitting.) There are frequent social events including “pot-luck” dinners, Christmas dinners, fun rides and we send out a regular rides programme and newsletter. The Annual Subscription is $20.00 per household. The main ride of the week is run on Sundays. These can vary from 50km to around 100km and will generally keep you entertained up to about 4.30pm. We also have rides either North or South of Auckland on Wednesdays finishing mid-afternoon. On Saturdays we have a morning coffee/ tea ride of about 40km commencing at 9am and we try to finish about 12.30pm. There are also the occasional long weekends away, which could see us in places such as Matamata, Whangarei or Otorohanga. We also have longer tours of up to around 14 days, with tours supported by a van in November and April and an unsupported tour in February/March.”

http://www.acta.org.nz/

70th platinum jubilee...acta special 70th anniversary (platinum jubilee) issue 2 1949 2019...

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