86th birthday trike ride – David 13.12.23

James organised the 86th birthday trike ride for his dad, David. The original date was pouring with rain so it was postponed to this evening. Our trike rider met the whole family at the pick up in Kellyville, 36km NW of Sydney CBD.

As our trike rider said “this ride was a bit out of the ordinary”. James rode with them on his Harley, there was a Ford Cobra and other cars in the convoy. Basically, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and friends joined the convoy across Sydney 😍.

Kellyville

Kellyville is 36 kilometres north-west of Sydney CBD. Kellyville’s origins as a landmark, date to at least 1810 with the grant of land and the 1820s construction of the White Hart Inn. The foundations for the Inn remain.

In the convoy, our trike rider took the first 3 passengers on the first leg of the ride. They headed east through suburbs such as Dural, Thornleigh, Lindfield until they reached the Roseville Bridge. Here they swapped passengers, except David the birthday boy. He stayed on for the whole 2 hours.

Roseville Bridge

The Roseville Bridge is a pre-stressed concrete box girder road bridge. Davidson Park is underneath the Roseville Bridge and within Garigal National Park. The Garigal National Park is a protected national park. It is located within the North Shore and Forest District regions of Sydney. At 2,202-hectare (5,440-acre) in size, the national park is quite small but important. Moreover, it is situated just 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of the Sydney CBD.

Queenscliff

Queenscliff Beach is at the northern headland of Sydney’s famous Manly Beach and is famous amongst the Australian surf beaches for its “heavy” waves (bomboras) that break out at sea. Here they changed passengers again. So far, the 86th birthday trike ride was a celebration for everyone, not just the birthday boy.

Manly

Then, they rode past the main beach of Manly. Manly has several claims to fame; it was the birthplace of surfing in Australia, the first place to legalise all-day bathing in 1903 and one of the world’s first Surf Life Saving clubs. Manly Beach was the location for the first World Surfing Championships held in 1964.

Around Manly they rode and then onto the main road heading into the city. On the way, they road over the Spit Bridge.

Spit Bridge lookout

Crossing the Spit Bridge is fun and then it was a fun ride up a windy hill to the lookout. From there, you can see great views of Middle Harbour. The Spit Bridge is a steel and concrete girder bridge with a bascule lift span. The Spit Bridge was listed on the Roads & Traffic Authority heritage and conservation register on 24 November 2003.

They continued riding along Military Road and over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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 construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver was completed in 2012.

Sydney Opera House

Stopped near the Sydney Opera House to swap passengers again. We legally can’t ride onto the Sydney Opera House grounds but love to see it from the distance anyway. A multi-venue performing arts centre at Sydney Harbour, it is one of the 20th century’s most famous and distinctive buildings. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the building was formally opened on 20 October 1973.

On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building and its surrounds occupy the whole of Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour. Then it was north, back over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Kirribilli

Next, they 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. A perfect place to stop for photos and to swap passengers yet again.

The Kirribilli Loop

The loop is a fab thing to do, so 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.

Chatswood

Further north, our trike rider dropped the passengers off at Chatswood Railway Station. Chatswood is one of biggest hubs in Sydney’s northern suburbs, with concerts and performances at a purpose-built cultural precinct as well as a fantastic array of public street art. It’s also home to an amazing Asian food scene and its leafy streets lead to lush parks.

In conclusion, the 86th birthday trike ride was a huge success. David loved it bit so did all the family and friends who tagged along in the convoy. Design your own ride!