Old Bum On A Bike: Cycling Through The Heart

As much as people have probably forgotten today, cycling is etched strongly into our history. We have numerous medal at World and Olympic games and as far as the international stage is concerned, our riders throughout history have been up there with the best, making their mark and setting records. Even in Melbourne's Olympic Games which saw Australia's first cycling team, we stood proudly on the Podium along side the greats in both Track and Road.

But it isn't always about competition. Cycling has been at the forefront of meeting the transportation needs of the average Aussie. It has been a main source of commuting for adult and child alike. Unfortunately it was lost there for some time, but it is so wonderful to see the strong comeback that it is making, despite all the naysayers and anti bicycle brigade.

One record that is probably not well know was set in 1914. It wasn't an Hour Track Record or a Tour de France annihilation of the peleton. It was a 3000 km trek from Adelaide to Darwin through the heart of the country.

It was in May 1914, almost 102 years ago, a 21 year old Australian of German decent, Edward "Ryko" Reichenbach, rode his modified bike the 3000 km journey from Adelaide Post Office up through the center, to arrive at Darwin Post Office just 28 days later.

Edward, or Ryko, was a keen cyclist and photographer, and the 28 day journey saw him break the record for the Fastest Person to Cycling from Adelaide to Darwin.

He left Adelaide armed with a trusted Kodak camera and a companion by the name of John Fahey. Unfortunately for Fahey, he sprained his ankle just prior to crossing the South Australian/Northern Territory Border which saw Ryko finish the journey on his own.

Edward "Ryko" Reichenbach took over 3000 photos of his trip and a display was exhibited in the Darwin Library on June 11 2014. The Darwin Library is built on the site of the Darwin Post Office where Ryko arrived 100 years prior and the exhibition was to mark the centennial of his cycling and photographic achievement.

Through the early years of the war Ryko was suspected of being a German spy because of his heritage. After the trip he moved to Sydney, but not for long. In 1915 he moved back to the Northern Territory where he continued to roam in his delightfully wanderlust manner.

As a truck driver I had noticed over the last few years how cycling touring has increased. More and more people travelling on bikes up and down our highways, back roads and of course through the center. It is becoming more and more publicized and is fast gathering interest on all levels as we see the establishment of rail trails in the country. Sadly New South Wales and Queensland are far behind Victoria when it comes to this.

New Zealand and European countries have had wonderful success in attracting tourism in the form of riders to their areas. Maybe one day we will have a Local Government with vision enough to see the benefits that could be had through these trails and attracting the touring rider to our area.

But rail trails or not, when I read stories such as this, it just makes my feet more the itchier, desiring the wanderlust spirit of Edward "Ryko" Reichenbach.

I love all forms of cycling but out of all touring intrigues me the most. It isn't so much the distance, but the travel that gets me in. Yes, you could enter a masochistic ultra distance Randonnee, much like the Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1200 km push in under 80-90 hours. But that is still in a sense a race, one that is against yourself. A cruel punishment, that yes, does have its attractions and I'm extremely interested in the distance stuff.

But touring is a holiday, getting back to that no pressure kind of riding. That fact that you can travel around at approximately 20 km/h all day just soaking in the sites, travelling (pardon the cliche) the road less traveled.

Many manufacturers cater for the touring rider, ranging form factory steel frames to custom builds, Incumbents to tandems and tandem/incumbent mixes. There are wonderful manufacturers, the Dutch Cargo Bikes, Butcher Bikes, Salsa (my pick) and the varieties are nearly as endless as the imagination. If I had a bottomless magical refilling wallet the possibilities could just be endless.

The slow road appeals to me, the simple fact that it is just you and your bike, no time restraints, no rush, no have to's, just riding and getting there when you do. The countless back roads we have in this continent makes it a tourer's paradise.

One day shortly the old red road bike wil have its modifications done. Nothing too drastic, just a rack, some panniers and rack bag, handle bar bag, some wider tyres and some flat mountain bike/touring pedals and shoes. Oh and a new seat, it desperately needs a new seat...lol.

So hopefully in the next couple of months I'll be set and off on my first short journey, riding off into the sunset on my shining red steed. Maybe I'll see you out there?

Below are some historical photos taken by 'Ryko' on his epic journey