3 Bridges disability ride – Glen, Sean x 2 + David 15.02.25

The carer David organised the 3 Bridges disability ride for his clients. He has used us quite a few times to take the passengers who live with a disability, on a ride. He emailed afterwards, “…Sooooo good Katrina. Those guys are legends…” The full review will go up soon. Our two Harleys and one trike picked them up at their hotel in Camperdown.

Johnston Street in Annandale

Firstly, they rode down Johnston Street which is Annandale’s principal thoroughfare and north-south artery. With its ambitious 100 feet width and large Victorian villas, including the famous “witches’ houses” at its northern end, it defines the suburb’s character and distinguishes Annandale from its Inner West neighbours with their narrow, irregular streets and small allotments. Info taken from “Industrial Annandale” website.

ANZAC Bridge

After a couple of turns, they rode over our favourite bridge, the ANZAC Bridge. We think it is incredible, a work of art and design. It is main bridge #1 of this tour. Similarly, it is also great to see without a roof over your head inhibiting the view.

Most noteworthy, the stay cable design concept development and final design for the new bridge were carried out by the Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW. Finally, the bridge was opened to traffic on 03 December 1995 as the Glebe Island Bridge.

The bridge was given its current name on Remembrance Day in 1998 to honour the memory of the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (known as ANZACs) who served in World War I. Already, the 3 Bridges disability ride experience was so much fun.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Secondly, they rode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We always tell our passengers to look up and enjoy the unique view. The more than 6,000,000 rivets are so interesting and the arch is so iconic. It’s nicknamed ‘The Coathanger’ because of its arch-based design. It is the largest steel arch bridge in the world. This bridge is the eighth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge, measuring 134 m (440 ft) from top to water level. It was also the world’s widest long-span bridge, at 48.8 m (160 ft) wide, until a bridge in Canada was completed in 2012.

Kirribilli

They turned off the Sydney Harbour Bridge and rode past Kirribilli House. Kirribilli House is the secondary official residence of the Prime Minister of Australia. Further on is Admiralty House. It is the Sydney residence of the Governor-General and one of the most historic and important residences on Sydney Harbour. The house – originally called ‘Wotonga’ – was built in the mid 1800’s.

After that, they rode around the corner to Jeffrey Street Wharf. From here, the views across Sydney Harbour towards the Sydney Opera House and the CBD are magnificent. In addition, it also has an up-close view of the side and underneath of the bridge. What a great view of the Sydney Opera House!

The Kirribilli Loop – Harbour Bridge north side

They rode under the north side of the bridge and continued on their tour. The underside of the northern end of the SHB – Sydney Harbour Bridge – is very interesting. The Kirribilli Loop was finished by riding past Luna Park and the North Sydney Olympic Pool. As usual, the 3 Bridges disability ride on trike and Harleys, was showing some beautiful sights and icons of Sydney. Another perfect place for photos, it’s where this photo was taken.

They continued riding on through North Sydney and Crows Nest before joining River Road. It is a fun road to ride on. River Road leads to Burns Bay Road which, in turn, leads to another bridge but not one of the main three. S

Fig Tree Bridge, Tarban Creek Bridge, Gladesville Bridge

The next bridge is an old but smallish bridge – the Fig Tree Bridge. It opened in 1963 and spans the Lane Cove River. After that bridge, they continued on and crossed the second of the bridges Tarban Creek Bridge. This spans Tarban Creek, likewise, it has nice views east to the Harbour Bridge. Then they got to bridge #2 of the main 3 Bridges, the Gladesville Bridge. It has wonderful views along Parramatta River towards the Harbour Bridge and the city.

Gladesville Bridge is a heritage-listed concrete arch road bridge that carries Victoria Road over the Parramatta River, from the western suburbs to the city (or vice versa). It was the first 305-metre (1,000 ft) span concrete bridge in the world and had a substantial number of engineering and technical elements that made it a world-leading bridge design and construction achievement. It was also the first bridge, if not one of the first bridges, to utilise computer programming in its construction.

This bridge is on the main arterial thoroughfare of Victoria Road – from the western suburbs to the city (or vice versa).

Bay Run

Then, they did a detour off the main arterial road through the inner west suburbs of Rozelle, Lilyfield, Haberfield, Five Dock and Drummoyne. They followed part of the Bay Run. It is a 7km long (4.3 mi) shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians that encircles much of Iron Cove. It never deviates more than 20m from the water so the views are pretty nice. 

Camperdown

However, the hour was up so the riders dropped the passengers back at their hotel in Camperdown. This suburb is 4km SW of Sydney CBD. It takes its name from the Battle of Camperdown and was named by Governor William Bligh, an explorer who had an extraordinary life. On 13 August 1806, Bligh was appointed Governor of NSW, with orders to clean up the corrupt rum trade of the New South Wales Corps. But, that’s another story!

In conclusion, the 3 Bridges disability ride on the Harleys and trike was a success. It was so much fun that one of the passengers was a repeat customer! Feel the Freedom!

Check out the 3 bridges ride here!

or just email trevor@trolltours.com.au and tell us what you would like to do.