Saturday, Sept 21.

Sydney.

Today, my first day since leaving home that I haven’t been on the bike. Gave it a well-deserved rest.

Had a lie-in and met some of the Armstrongs for breakfast. No shortage of busy cafes around here serving excellent fare. Margaret lives nearby here in Potts Point and also John and Carol drove in to join us.

Afterwards, Margaret brought us on a short circular walk through fine residential streets right down to the water’s edge at Elizabeth Bay. On the way, she showed me John Armstrong Park, named after her late father located in a triangle between Onslow and Greenknowe Ave. Nice shady spot and the sound of falling water. This is a very desirable area of Sydney and so close to the centre. I really enjoyed meeting up and seeing a different aspect of the locality.

Donal O’Dwyer picked me up at mid-day and showed me other highlights of the city on the way to their house. After passing over the mighty bridge we swung around by Kirribilli (home of prime-minister while in Sydney). Drove down by the many coves and harbours such as Balmoral and Clontarf Reserve on the northern side. Also travelled out to view ’Ballagh’ in Colloroy and returned by the northern beaches with their breakers and surfers. 

From near Clontarf, we had a great view of the narrow opening to Sydney Harbour between North Head and South Head.

Had a lovely hospitable evening with Donal, Judith and family.

At 9.30 I took the Manly Ferry (30 mins) back to Circular Quay arriving into all the lights and in another 30 mins I had walked back to the hotel. 

I followed a clear route back to Kings Cross, with its throbbing nightlife, and from there I was on a direct line for home.

In the Potts Point area it’s more cultured with its fountains and sculptures.

Enjoyed this totally rest day....and in great company.

.......and thank God for a lovely day.

Friday, Sept 20

               Sydney.

One would have expected that I’d sleep-in to a late hour today after the exertions of the last two months, but old habits are hard to kill. I still woke up at 5-something and just couldn’t go back into slumber. No point in wasting valuable time here in Sydney, so up I gets and sets off again on the bike. My favourite seat on the house!

After a quick breakfast here on the room (supermarket nearby) I set off for Bondi, out along Oxford St and dropped down to the beach shortly after 8am. I wasn’t the first there. Already plenty were in enjoying the surf, others were striding it out on the 3 km walk from Bondi to Bronte; others were doing their lengths in the sea-swimming-pool in spite of the waves crashing in on them. It’s a glorious stretch of bay and catering for all type of activities.

On recommendation, I just had to have a coffee in Icebergs with the waves crashing beneath me and the beach in the background. Most other patrons were members relaxing after their morning exercises. Some were still doing their stretches and exertions on the open-air balcony. 

Rejuvenated by the caffeine rush I headed down to the beach and enjoyed the cycle along the prom as others ran and walked. Another spot where you just wished to linger on and soak it all in. So, this is the spot that so many people wow about! They’re perfectly entitled to.

I returned to the city centre by a different route, a route that came through a rather plush area of Sydney. It did have a good number of climbs - Sydney isn’t a flat city. In places today, the streets dropped away in front of me like typical San Francisco. I just hoped that the brakes would hold. On my route back, I met up with my two Muscovite friends from yesterday. Anything to bring on a crowd.

I returned to the city along Oxford St through Paddington, down Liverpool St (you could be in a different city altogether) through the tower blocks and eventually arrived at Wentworth Park in Glebe.

Wentworth Park is the major greyhound stadium in Sydney and is in the centre of the city, just a stones throw from Darling Harbour. Thomas had arranged for my extra gear to be delivered here and I had come to collect it. (That explains why I had two empty panniers on the bike in Bondi). The staff were so friendly and were just glad to be of assistance to me. I could just imagine this place when  races are in full swing. I transferred the gear into the panniers and back-pack and headed off.

Nearby, on another recommendation, I called on to the Fish Market. My plan was to just pass through, but I just had to have lunch there. Now, some of the sea creatures wouldn’t appeal to me. I found it off-putting just to be near them. The produce came from near and far. I settled for Barramundi and extras.

 Some seagulls outside also wanted their share of the action; and indeed other species also came by.

From the Fish Market I made my way home by Darling Harbour again. The strong winds today blew the flags to show them at their best. 

I again got onto King St, then onto George's St and came down by Queen Victoria Buildings in the busy traffic. I hopped on/hopped off footpaths as it suited me and enjoyed the full freedom of the city.

By the City Hall, I swung left onto Park St/William St and passed by some of the constructions for Sunday’s Sydney Marathon. I have an interest in that as my nephew is travelling up from Melbourne to compete. I’ll be there (as well as other family) to support him. On so many streets there are gantry signs indicating the traffic restrictions for this marathon that will attract 10,000 competitors or more.

This afternoon, I collected a bicycle box from WoolysWheels bike shop in order to bring the bike home. Colin, the boss, was very interested in the cycle that I did, and as a Specialized agent was especially interested in my steed and its achievements. I collected the box on foot in the afternoon as the strong winds blew up and it was difficult at times to hold on to it. I’m sure passers-by pitied the bloke lugging along the huge box (not knowing that it was empty).

I returned through Kings Cross, but this was Kings Cross by day; a totally different animal to Kings Cross by night. I wonder if I should wander up there some time after dark? or maybe just before dawn?

A good day here in Sydney, enjoying the city even if it’s not the typical tourist route. Tomorrow, I’ll meet up with family and relations, and I’m really looking forward to that too.

.....and thank God for a lovely day.

Thursday, Sept 19.

Day 49.         Katoomba to Sydney.

Distance: 116 km in 5hrs02min at 23km/hr.

Distance so far: 4913 km (on cycling days) 

         plus 224 km on Rest Days brings the total over the 5000.  

Climbed: 2247 ft.

Elevation tonight: 140 ft.

AHR: 96 bpm.

Punctures so far: 6.

 Out at 7.15 am.      In Sydney hotel at 4pm.

Well, what a day. Feels absolutely fantastic to have completed the cycle adventure according to plan with nothing going wrong. Thank God.

Packing up in Katoomba this morning was something special. This would be the last such packing for some time. By this stage the packing (and unpacking) has followed a set pattern, but that will be no more.

Very windy this morning in the heights of the Blue Mountains and I just knew that I’d have to keep my wits about me on the highway down, at least until I was out of the big gusts.

At this hour the Great Western Highway was quiet and ther was more fall than rise - a drop of 500 ft and then a rise of 100 ft. That accounts for the amount climbed today when in fact I dropped well over 3000 ft in all. 

This Highway isn’t a motorway at this point. The bins were out to be collected; kids were assembling for the school bus and even some strange joggers were out on the hard shoulder. At certain turns I could see the lower ground way out ahead. 

I passed through two stretches of road works below Wentworth and below Faulconbridge. The temporary roadwork signs asked motorists to watch out for cyclists.

 Looking up at the Blue Mountains isn’t like looking up at the Galtees that rise sharply out of the Golden Vale. The Blue Mountains just rise gradually step by step and you actually never see the ridge. Still, I knew that I was descending because the temperature was definitely rising and certain parts of protective gear was being removed.

At Glenbrook (almost at the bottom of the descent) I swung off to the left to visit Paul with whom I cycled from Perth to Melbourne. This was my morning tea (at 43 km) and we caught up on things on the balcony with tea and cake. T’was lovely to meet up again.

From Glenbrook down to Penrith was the steepest part of the descent and demanded concentration. 

So today’s cycle consisted of three parts - the descent, the motorway into Parramatta and the side streets to the Opera House.

Once I hit the plains, I just had to halt at the ’Welcome to Sydney ’ sign. Cyclists often celebrate such events by lifting the bike over their heads in a victory salute. I wasn’t going even to attempt such a thing with those panniers behind.

After passing over the broad Nepean River in Penrith, the road got flatter and busier. Now, I was on the plains, although there was the odd slight incline as I still passed through rural countryside. Now, I was on a 6 lane motorway (later to increase to 8) but cyclists are allowed to cycle on the non-urban parts of freeways. 

All cyclists have to leave the M4 at Parramatta and from here on I was in more stop/start traffic. I had a cue-sheet made out to help me navigate through these to the city centre and it worked out just fine with only the odd occasion when I had to enquire. I didn’t make any major errors or lose time.

After a few zigs and zags through a residential area I got my first sighting of the Olympic Park. Immediately after the Olympics in 2000, this area tended to be a bit of a white elephant, but it has recovered and rediscovered itself. Today it was busy and the covered arena (Alphones Arena)seems to be booked out for upcoming concerts.

One worker there when he realised i was visiting, gave me a concise guide to the complex. He had his truck in preparing for an event at the weekend.

At one end of Olympic boulevard was a magnificent set of fountains in full flow. I took a few shots and almost immediately they switched off. Wasn’t I the lucky one.

Next, was the main Olympic stadium (ANZ Stadium) where all the track and field events as well as opening and closing ceremonies. The inner part of that stadium can be shifted to cater for Aussie Rules (oval) or soccer/rugby (rectangular).

Nearby in the Cathy Freeman Park stands the cauldron that held the Olympic Flame. Inscribed on the ground all around are the medal winners of Sydney 2000.

All the 74,000 volunteers who were vital to the event are celebrated in the Volunteer Walk. All their names are inscribed on these pillars that snakes its way from the cauldron to the stadium. Further on I passed the Aquatic Centre and the new Netball arena.

As I pedalled on  I soon caught my first view of the high rise of the CBD. At this stage I was ona cycle path by the water and realising that ceann-scribe was close at hand. Local events were being advertised big time for the locals. With each turn those high buildings just got bigger and bigger.

Near the end of Lilyfield Road I spotted the unmistakable shape of the Bridge. Just one of many bridges I crossed today. First major one to cross was Anzac Bridge that takes Pyrmont Road over the water. 

Just a few more small streets and I was on the Pyrmont Bridge between Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay. This bridge is a colourful populous place and I took my time around here and got some few cycling routes from a London courier who had been on Sydney for a few weeks.

After Pyrmont Bridge it was into the cavernous streets of the city. much darker now. A left off King Street brought me down along George's Street for more than. Kilometre and then a right swing onto Circular Quay. This is one-way (the other way) but it’s just a matter of pulling the bike up on the path and walking on. Such freedom! 

There were crowds coming and going off the ferries as I proceeded around by the water’s edge towards my trip destination. The Bridge totally occupied the scenery to my left hand.

Vast crowds (mostly aged couples) were coming against me and I knew that an event had just finished. I turned a bend and there it was......Sydney Opera House, the official end of this adventure. It shone in the mid afternoon sun and those emerging crowds seemed to give it more life. One patron told me that she had just experienced Wagner No 2 and how it had lifted her.

I walked over and back relishing this moment and quite a few asked me if I had completed some cycle or other. I must admit I felt quite pleased with myself and just had to punch the air.

Now to get to the hotel that I’d booked. Again the bike proved its versatility and was hauled up one-way streets, up onto footpaths, up steps etc.

I finally reached the leafy suburbs of Potts point and located the hotel on Challis Avenue. I was relieved to be here and still smiled although I had to haul the bike up to my room was on the third floor.

What a day! What an adventure! To get here and to get here safely is something else. 

Now for a few days to explore this city (using the bike of course) and meet up with some more people. Will start on that tomorrow.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.