Shakedown After Arriving in Sydney

Yesterday was an early start with my son , Chris picking me up at 7.00 am for the ride to the airport. Very grateful for the ride as the bike box was rather large( see photo)

I was a bit concerned that the box might be too big for Qantas , but had no problem at all. In fact the bike transport was very smooth with the bike arriving intact at Sydney airport. 

After taking a taxi I arrived at the Sydney Youth Hostel which is right across the road from the main Sydney railway station.

I met Chris and it was great to see him again after a long time due to Covid and all the pandemic restrictions.

It was then time to assemble the bike which apart from trouble with pumping the tyres up was relatively quick. The issue with pumping the tyres related to the valve not seating when the pump was removed and we spent some time pumping and re-pumping the tyres when the valve blew off!

In the end we got one tyre pumped up and had to take the other wheel to a bike shop to get them to help.

After all of this we decided to go by ferry to Manly for dinner. It was a really pleasant trip across the harbour and after a short walk to the beach we found an Italian place for a bowl of pasta….good food!

After dinner it was back on the speed ferry and tram to the youth hostel and in to bed!

This morning we were up and about at 7.00 am and on our bikes at about 8.00 am for the shakedown ride

The weather was good for the day. Virtually no wind and warm sun.

The ride was planned by us using cycle.travel and was a loop around the inner harbour on the western side of the harbour… it took in some very pleasant scenery along Darling Harbour and crossed a number of bridges including Anzac, Gladesville and of course the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

On the way we had breakfast near the Opera House, lunch in North Sydney and made a visit to the bike shop in Sydney central to sort out a couple of things.

The ride was about 50 kms monsoon bike paths and was enjoyable plus it gave me a real chance to set the bike up for the days of riding ahead.

We arrived back at the Hostel and showered and sorted out washing and a few grocery items for breakfast.

Not sure where we will have dinner tonight but think it it maybe local with an early night ahead of an early start for the ride tomorrow.

A good couple of days to start the ride… looking forward to the days ahead!!!!

There are no photos at this stage as I am having trouble downloading them….sorry will send them later!!!!

grrrrrrr!!!!