Tag: Australia

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 bicycle touring in Australia

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Bicycle Touring USA: San Francisco On This Day 15th May 2012 | Travelsonabike2

Travelsonabike2 this day 15th May 2012 Tram with people on

On This Day 2012: Australia to the USA

This week’s Travelsonabike2 on this day bicycle touring blog post comes from Australia, New Zealand and the USA on the 15th of May 2012. A very long day as I leave Australia and head for the USA.

Tuesday, May 15th 2012. Brisbane, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand by Plane.

I said goodbye to Errol at breakfast this morning as he had to work today, which left just Zoe and me. The day seemed to fly past, and before I knew it, it was time to head off to the airport.

But before leaving, I had to say goodbye to the animals! Particularly Molly, the dog who has followed me everywhere. In the end, that was. It was a completely different story when I arrived ten days ago. She just sat there growling at me then.

We arrived at the airport, and I checked my bike and bag in, which went smoothly enough. Although I’m still nervous that my bike won’t make it to America, especially as I change planes in Auckland. But there’s nothing I can do about it now. I just hope I see it when I land in the US. With my bags checked in, Zoe and I went for one last coffee before I went through security and customs. I must admit that I’m a bit sad to be leaving. I’ve been so focused on getting to Australia for so long, and now it’s all over.

A group of people smiling
With some of my cousins and their families

Thanks to Zoe and Errol for putting me up and being excellent hosts. And thanks to them for organising some lovely family meals. It was lovely to meet the Australian side of the family. Many of whom I’d never met. And thanks to them for all their help and support. Hopefully, I’ll see Zoe and Errol later in the year or early next year when they come to the UK. If I’m home by then!!

On To The Next Part Of My Adventure

There was a bit of a delay in my departure. The plane was all loaded and ready to taxi out to the runway when one of the ground vehicles broke down, spilling diesel. The ground staff soon cleared up the spill, and we were only delayed by half an hour.

We made up the time and landed in Auckland only eight minutes late. I made my way through Auckland airport, and I’m currently waiting to board my flight to San Francisco. I hope my bike made it! Can I say I’ve been to New Zealand now? Next stop, the USA!

Tuesday 15th May, Still. New Zealand to the United States of America.

In San Francisco. Groundhog Day! I arrived in San Francisco half an hour before I left Australia! Very strange, but I’m now in country number nineteen.

My first impression of America was that the customs officers at the airport weren’t friendly. No sooner had I stepped off the plane. Then, the customs officials were shouting and yelling at everybody to show their passports, and they certainly weren’t polite about it. And that’s before they knew about me not having an onward flight, which I was supposed to have!

After queuing for nearly an hour to get to the immigration desk, I was then refused entry and had to go for an interview, which involved more hanging around. Eventually, I was taken into this small room and interrogated. I mean, interviewed. The customs officer asked me where I was going and if I had enough money to cover my stay in America. He then gave me a lecture about not getting an outbound flight before coming to America. And that he really shouldn’t be letting me into the country. But on this occasion, he would.

Tall building
My hotel for the next couple of days

At The Hotel

I got a taxi from the airport to my hotel, which was about fifteen miles away near Union Square. A lovely old-fashioned hotel with seven floors, and I was right at the top. My first job to keep myself busy and awake was to reassemble my bike. And I had the bike fully assembled in less than an hour. I’m getting good at that now.

After getting my bike back together, I went out for a walk to try and get my bearings. I only had a short walk before returning to the hotel for something to eat and drink. As I was eating my supper, I could feel myself nodding off. I hadn’t slept on the plane, and I think it was starting to catch up with me. Luckily, I soon found some people to bore with my story, first an Aussie from Perth who was here on business. Then, an American lady from Los Angeles who was here with her mother.

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Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. If you’re enjoying the ride and want to fuel my next mile, you can always buy me a beer. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I’m also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all my tours, along with regular photo updates that I generally publish each month.

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Bicycle Touring Australia: In Sydney On This Day 24th April 2012 | Travelsonabike2

Travelsonabike2 this day 24th April 2012 Arched bridge

World Bicycle Tour: Australia on this day in 2012

This week’s on this day bicycle touring blog post comes from Australia on the 24th of April 2012. A memorable day climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but not for the reason you may think.

Tuesday 24th April 2012. In Sydney.

Our climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge was booked for 11.35 am. And after checking in, we were put into our group. Our group consisted of two young lads from England who were out here on their gap year: a young Malaysian girl, three older Americans, and Jenny and me.

After a short talk, we had to take a breath test and sign a disclaimer. It was then off to get kitted out. First, you’re given a jumpsuit to wear. They don’t want your clothes catching on anything. You then pass through a metal detector. You’re not allowed to take anything up with you, no watches, cameras or phones. You can only take your sunglasses up, which are attached to you by a cord. It’s a shame I couldn’t take my camera up, but I fully understand it’s all about safety. Anything dropped from that height wouldn’t be good for whoever’s below!

Next to put on is a handkerchief attached to the arm. It saves having to wipe your nose on the jumpsuits! Then we’re given a safety harness and a radio so Tyrone, our guide, can give us the guided talk. And finally a waterproof jacket. And after a short go on the training ladder. We were clipped onto the safety wire, and it was out onto the bridge.

Up We Go

It was all a bit narrow to start with. And there are four sets of ladders to climb before you start to walk on the arch. The arch was a little steep, to begin with, but it levels out the higher you go. Tyson took several photos of us as we climbed to the top. Then, a group photo once we’d reached the top. There were brilliant views over Sydney from up there, and I would have loved to have had my camera with me. I think we should have taken more notice of what we could see!!

A group of people
At the top of the climb

Hold On

We’d just had the group photo taken and were crossing over the top of the bridge to start the climb down. One side is for ascending, the other for descending. We could see dark clouds gathering behind Tyrone as he took the photo, but never gave it much thought. But then, suddenly, those dark clouds developed into a raging storm. And we all scrambled to put our waterproofs on, but the wind and rain made it almost impossible. We were then pelted with hailstones. And with nowhere to shelter, they hurt! And now we had thunder and lightning.

It was a little worrying with the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. And we were probably in the worst possible place when there was lightning! I was more worried about the Americans, who were a good few years older than the rest of us. They were also at the back of the group, and I felt pretty useless, unable to help them. We were given strict instructions not to unclip from the safety wire. And to be honest, the wind felt that strong, I would have probably been blown off! The storm seemed to stop as soon as we were off the arch and down the ladders!

Terra Firma

Once off the bridge and back at the assembly point, we were greeted by several managers. And we were all offered our money back or another climb, plus seventy dollars worth of photographs on CD, memory stick and paper. Apparently, the wind was gusting over 50 mph, and the guides said they’d never seen anything like it. Perhaps it was a bit more dangerous than I thought. But as it turned out, everybody was okay, and I never heard anybody complain. Management was very good and couldn’t apologise enough. It certainly was a memorable climb.

Explore More Of My Ride Around The World

Watch My YouTube Video From Australia

Follow My Bicycle Touring Adventures

Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. If you’re enjoying the ride and want to fuel my next mile, you can buy me a beer. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I’m also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all my tours, along with regular photo updates that I generally publish each month.

If you want to find out if I’m away touring at the moment and check my location, visit the Where’s Garry page.

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Straight Roads In Australia

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 Flickr Video Straight Roads In Australia was filmed on the 4th-April-2012. The video, which Garry filmed while cycling across Australia, was originally posted on his Flickr Page but has now been transferred to YouTube. You can watch the video below or on Garry’s YouTube channel. But honestly, it won’t be any more enjoyable wherever you watch the video! You can also subscribe to his channel. You’ll then be amongst the first to know when Garry releases a new video. Or subscribe to Garry’s emails and receive all of his updates.

Flickr Video Straight Roads In Australia


Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Garry is also on Flickr, where Garry will publish the photos from this tour once home. Pictures from all of Garry’s tours and monthly photos can also be found on Flickr.

If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry page.

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Oversized Loads In Australia

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 Flickr Video Oversized Loads in Australia was filmed on the 4th-April-2012. The video, which Garry filmed while cycling across Australia, was originally posted on his Flickr Page but has now been transferred to YouTube. You can watch the video below or on Garry’s YouTube channel. But honestly, it won’t be any more enjoyable wherever you watch the video! You can also subscribe to his channel. You’ll then be amongst the first to know when Garry releases a new video. Or subscribe to Garry’s emails and receive all of his updates.

Flickr Video Oversized Loads In Australia


Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Garry is also on Flickr, where Garry will publish the photos from this tour once home. Pictures from all of Garry’s tours and monthly photos can also be found on Flickr.

If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry page.

Follow Garry on his travels

Subscribe to my email and follow me on my travels