Sunshine glorious sunshine! After such a long time planning and
organising the one thing we had no control over was the weather. To
awake to a clear but chilly day was like icing on the cake. Riding
through Darlinghurst to meet with friends at Taylor?s Square before
heading down to Town Hall we were already drawing looks and comments
from cars and passers-by. It?s an odd feeling to be the one drawing the
comments in Darlinghurst. But dressed in our Tweed we were more of a
novelty than the drag queens, partygoers and all night revellers.
Down Oxford Street and towards Town Hall we start spying more riders
and bikes waiting for us. The crew from Canberra had increased from one
participant last year up to a handful this year displaying some lovely
vintage speedwells.
As it drew closer to 9pm the crowd was swelling, I was losing track of the sign on sheets but knew we were
well above last years numbers as I?d already run out of spoke cards. A
photographer from Getty images was on hand to capture all the styles of
the day including G who despite the cold turned up wearing nothing but
a pair of fluoro pink budgie smugglers and a helmet!
A quick hello and thanks to the crowd which included a blunder in my talking
calling the ride a race instead of a ride, which was quickly pointed
out to me and the good natured crowd took it in their stride.
9am and we?re riding. Through the city streets we rode at a genteel
pace, waving and ringing bells to people on the street. Stopping under
the bridge to get the obligatory group photo with the Opera House
behind you could really see the size of the ride.
Back on the bikes through the city, up Oxford st to Taylor?s Square (where a few
riders were asking which building was the planned ?bicycle hub?) and
down to Crown st, Ward Park, across Cleveland and down to Buckland st
for a much needed cup of tea provided by SYDBMA, bike polo by Le Pista
Resistance, professional portrait photos by Sydney BFF and Terence Chin.
It was a great sight to see with blankets, bikes and people across the
park having picnics and catching up. I was busy talking to sponsors and
organising prizes but I?m assured that Paul?s scones were a great hit
and cause for much talking point of his secret ingredient to make them
light and fluffy.
