Going Retro

On Saturday I went into the city to see the Royal Australian Navy's Freedom of Entry Parade. I then went down to Darling Harbour and took a look around. It is a nice place to go for a slow bike ride and sight-seeing. Coming back across the Pyrmont Bridge I saw some people riding along and heading towards a cycle-way which lead into the city. I thought I was try this cycle-way and find a train station to head home. Unfortunately I got lost (didn't have a map of this area), so two people riding vintage Raleigh bicycles lead the way and helped me get to Circular Quay, where I then got the train home. They allowed me to take a picture of their bicycles, which I thought were absolutely fantastic. The male bicycle is a 1977 vintage Raleigh and the female bicycle is a 1967 "Superbe" which was one of Raleigh's top-line models.


A his and hers pair of vintage Raleigh Roadster Bicycles.

They were quite enthused to see my Raleigh "Utility", which I had recently acquired. We had a marvellous chat about vintage bicycles as we rode along through The Rocks in Sydney. There are quite a few very good urban cycle-ways in Sydney, which I ought to explore.


My Raleigh "Utility", a non-folding version of the later-styled Raleigh "Stowaway". I believe this to be one of the lesser-known members of the Raleigh Twenty family.

I sent them an email with the photos I took, and invited them to the Sydney Tweed Run. http://sydney.tweedrun.info/

I have acquired an old Malvern Star Skidstar Standard - the straight-framed and slightly nerdy version of the more popular Skidstar GT. It is largely complete, but with a horribly mangled rear wheel. I had to cut the last few unbroken spokes because their nipples had rusted on solid. I have saved the rim, and will have to try to turn it back into a circle and braze the cracks that have developed. If worse comes to worst I will have to acquire a new (hopefully original) rim.

Mad Marty's Blog of Bicycle Adventures!

G'day,

I'm Marty, also known as ~Mad Marty~ for often having rather insane ideas, and being even more insane by planning out and attempting some of them! I am involved in many seemingly-unrelated things, some of which you may find interesting.

Today I am writing about Bicycle Touring.

Now, bear with me for a little while as this is my first blog, and I'm still getting used to all the features and functions.

At the moment I have started planning two possible tours to take via bicycle. viz:

1.) The Bargo Tour

Naturally because I want these tours to be as safe as possible, whilst I start out, Bargo is the more attractive tour. Firstly stays close to a major railway line, and you are never more than 20km from help. Keep a clear idea of what the name of the road is, and how far you are away from each town. If worse comes to worst, call 000 or 112 for emergency services in the area. Legs 1 and 2 on their own could be considered the Picton Tour I suppose. I intend to use this tour as the first part of a longer Southern Highlands Tour - possibly even to go from Sydney-Canberra. I'll let you know when I have conjured such a thing up.

1st Leg: (13km)
The Bargo Tour starts at Campbelltown Railway Station. The tour follows Menangle Road. At about 13km into the trip you come across Menangle. I don't actually know what's there. Since thre is a Railway Station, I presume that there must be some sort of shopping area. Hopefully at least somewhere to pick up some food and most importantly, water.

2nd Leg: (17km)
Back on Menangle Road, head shouth towards Maldon, where you make a right turn into Picton Road into the town of Picton. Now I know for certain that there is plenty in Picton. Perhaps this is a good place to stop, lunch, do touristy stuff and make a spectacle of yourself when you explain to any local or passer-by that you have just come by bike from Sydney (well, you fib - actually from Campbelltown only 30km away),

3rd Leg: (15km)
From Picton, follow the Remembrance Driveway, which takes you straight to Bargo. This section is about 15km I have been told anecdotes that there is a good verge on the Remembrance Driveway, and possibly even some cycle lanes, although don't take my word for it until I have actually completed the tour and have some photographs to show you. I have found that there is a caravan park where you can pitch a tent for the night (or two or three), and if you pay a little extra you can get a powered camp site.

The Heatcote Tour

Now this one is a gem. This is one between two railway stations again, however the distance is a little greater at 22km. You start at Holsworthy Railway Station, go through the car park, turn right and then head south-east on Heatcote Road. When you get to the Princess Highway, turn right and you willsoon find yourself in Heathcote. PLEASE NOTE: Everything to the Western side of the road is military reserve, and it is an offence to be there without permission. LIVE FIRING is carried out there, and you don't want to be in the path of any stray fire. Everything on your left, I believe is crown land, and might even be national park. If you need to pull over this is the side you should do it on. Beware of traffic, as this road is a 100km zone in many parts. Ride predictably, and stay out of the way of any Trucks you meet. I have driven down this road many times (in a car) and the traffic is always light. You'll be surprised to see more than 3 or 4 cars in a row there. This is definately NOT one to be doing at night. I plan to use this as the first leg of a longer South Coast Tour one day.

Phew! That's a hefty blog post which has given me much to think about and research before I post again. As I have said, I havn't done any of these tours yet, so please don't ask me piles of questions expecting expert knowledge.