Beautiful sunny skies greeted us again this morning as we rode our bikes down the road and out on to the Coogee Beach Foreshore ready for the start of our adventure!

The temperature started to climb rapidly and we all sought what shade we could find, as family, friends and well wishers came out to see us off, and Channel 10’s news crew set up on the beach for a live cross to their morning television show for the start.

Randwick City Council’s Mayor came out to wave a Harley-Davidson flag to send us on our way, local Dragon Boat paddlers came armed with paddles and rose petals to give us a guard of honour, and the northern beaches motorcycle club, who had helped raise funds for Donna Handley came out to ride along.

After a live on-air interview with David and Kim, we jumped on our bikes, the flag was raised, and we took off up Coogee Bay Rd, with the local riders blocking the lanes to give us a free head start.

By the time we reached the toll booths on the Eastern Distributor, the heat had really taken its toll on the group and we missed the ramp to take us over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, diving down through the Harbour Tunnel instead.   It was probably the better choice being both cooler and saving us a number of lane changes and traffic.

Out the other side we stopped at the first petrol station to rehydrate and cool off in the air-conditioning before continuing on our way.  Out on the open road things cooled off considerably, and we headed north on Highway 1 for 20kms before detouring on to the Old Pacific Hwy at Berowra – one of the best motorcycling roads in the country.

We stopped for coffee at the famous biker haunt, the Mt White Road Warriors Café, and encountered our first obstacle – the security system on one of the bikes had developed a fault and the bike kept arming itself and disabling the ignition.  After an hour and a half on the phone with a technician we got the bike going again, and rolled up the road through Gosford and across to the Entrance arriving about 1.5 hrs after our schedule.

A group of Dragon Boaters had come out to meet us, although some had to go home before we arrived due to the late arrival.  We appreciated the welcome from those who had stayed, and enjoyed the cool sea breezes and water as we stopped for lunch.

Back on the bikes for the final run into Newcastle and back on to the Pacific Hwy 111.  Beautiful views of the lakes and the ocean, and high speed sweeping curves on our way into town.

We arrived at the youth hostel about 5pm and after a quick shower were out down to the waterfront for a leisurely dinner.  A great first day!  A heatwave is settling in over Sydney so we are glad to be heading north where we are told it will be cooler!



Megan, Lizzie, Donna, Donie, Meredith and Gail


Preparing the shot for the morning news on Channel 10


Morning briefing


Waiting in the hot sun



Sydney Dragon Boaters show their support


The Mayor of Radwick prepares to wave us off