Melbourne and Sydney – Final prep and Day 1

Bike plus Pacific, plus surfer if you look closely

Not that I expect any sympathy, but prepping for this trip in the UK had it’s down sides. Apart from everyone explaining the plethora of ways I was going to die, and listing out films about murders in the Outback, practice riding the week before leaving was brutal. With one glorious exception on the River Test, it was cold, wet and miserable rides everyday.

Location 1: Ripponlea balcony

Location 2: East 

Linchfield veranda

However all this made the final week’s preparations here all the sweeter. Right and left are the two locations where final plans were made. Jet Lag aside, I really couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to set up and set off for the trip.

After a rather undignified night sleeping on Perth airport floor, I flew into Melbourne to stay with two friends, Mike and Claire, who are getting married in the summer and moved back to Claire’s hometown 3 years ago. With an awesome flat in the cool Ripponlea area of town, the beach 10 mins away and all of Melbourne at their disposal they have a seriously cool life out here.

M&C and their very shiney

flat

Quite apart from showing and sometimes shepherding me around town to get the final bits and bobs required, they sorted me out with a seriously good time. With trips out to the beach, cracking bars and restaurants, a cycle round most of the city (including the beautiful Yarra trail) and a belting night out for Claire’s uncle 70th that included drinks in a suite 40 odd floors high in the Crown casino (the largest in Oz no less) and a huge and delicious Chinese meal, it was a brilliant few days.

It was a seriously cool way to start the trip, and I can see why everyone always raves about Melbourne. It’s cracking.

It was then over to Sydney staying with my cousin Emily and her family who moved over 2 years ago. From the moment I arrived I realised my departure would need to be delayed a day. It was just too cool to see their life there, and rushing straight on seemed silly. Also a technical hitch with the bike chain meant one final trip for another bike service.

So instead of rush in, rush out, I got to see what a great life they have in the space and sunshine of North Sydney.  Beaches short drives away, huge houses, lovely neighbourhoods, and a way of life that would be the envy of almost any Brit.

Fish and chips on Dee Why Beach - The elite athlete's choice

The two highlights though were a trip out to Dee Why beach for a swim and fish and chips on Saturday night. And starting the cycle trip with a ride round the block with my little cousin Ellie.

Sentimentally washing the
wheels in corrosive water

Rather than spend the first day flogging out to the beach before heading south west I decided to head off to do the beach  bit in the cool of late Sunday evening. So the trip started the moment I headed off to the beach. As I was going cycling, Ellie wanted to show me round her local area first. So pre the beach, the whole cycle started with a quick cycle round the block to see her school and the local shops. Surely how all adventures should start.

It was then a hilly ride out and back to Dee Why Beach to dip my wheel in the Pacific and question why I wasn’t just spending 5 weeks sitting on a beach.

Then supper, final adjustments, packing, and bed.