Two Wheels Turning for Variety Cycle Event

From the 2nd to 16th April, the Sydney Variety Cycle returns to NSW. Participants will be peddling for two, seven or all 15 days around the city & beyond so now is the time to start training and getting familiar with your gears. You’ll enjoy 14 entertainment stages, 15 sunsets, presumably the same amount of sunrises and be part of raising $1m AUD for kids. 

 

Starting on day one north of Toowoon Bay at Rockhampton, the ride will take you right down Shelly Beach and throughout the course, reach Matcham, by Gosford, Cogra Bay and Brooklyn. The latter isn’t designed to surprise non locals, there actually is more than one Brooklyn on the planet. Continuing on, you’ll experience stunning scenery as you venture down North Turramurra, Chatswood and finish in North Sydney, just a hop, skip and jump away from Taronga Zoo. The website includes a phenomenally specific map including where to turn left, right and how many km between each destination. 

If the 15 day ride is more of your expertise level, you’ll be travelling from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef. Riding up the old Pacific Highway north of the city, you’ll cycle through coastal towns. Rolling hills, cows, sheep and sensational greenery is most likely on the cards. A coach will take riders through the Gold Coast towards Brisbane and then it’s smooth sailing towards the Tropic of Capricorn and the home of the world’s most beautiful fishes. In between, there will be pit stops at Noosa, Hervey Bay and then it’s all about snorkels.

The seven day ride map includes the old Pacific Highway north along Sydney and then through quiet back roads in NSW. Again, those rolling hills and farmland will be a sure bet as you venture to your final one week destination end point at Byron Bay.

If you’d prefer to ride the second scheduled seven day excursion, this will start at Brisbane and finish at the land of Nemo, again at the Great Barrier Reef. 

For all those cycling newcomers or only visiting Sydney for a few days, the two day excursions include a range of choices. From Sydney to Maitland, Brisbane to Noosa or Bundaberg to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Variety Cycle raises funds for Australian children who are disadvantaged, ill or have special needs. All funds raised by cyclists, donors and the charity help these munchkins overcome difficult life hurdles by providing programs, experiences and practical equipment. Heartfelt doesn’t even describe it!

With one of the end points being in North Sydney, you know that only the smartest will book their hotel accommodation at nearby Cremorne Point. You’ve cycled, met new forever Facebook friends, shared a few high fives with the scaly variety underwater so what better way to end on a high note than at Cremorne Point Manor. You can see the Harbour Bridge and Opera House from our hotel. Before you leave Sydney, maybe take a Bridge Climb and cross a well deserved, athletic trip off your bucket list.  

Remember to tag @cremornemanor & @thevarietycycle tweeting us with pics of your journey.  

Buckle Up for LGBT Bridge Climb

Mardi Gras Sydney returns from 25 February to 9 March and with all the shenanigans of too much hairspray, excessive glitter and the full rainbow attire, you can now take your glam to new heights. Literally, to the sky and back with Mardi Gras Bridge Climb. The Climb’s famous hiking meets walking meets crawling attraction brings millions of visitors to the city each year. For the more faint hearted, watching others climb the Harbour Bridge may be more your cup of tea but if heights are your adrenaline junkie rush, you need to break out those platform boots and join the up-there party.

 

The Mardi Gras team will have a retro track list on your headphones as you sashay behind your Climb leader during these dates. Sing like you’re Adele at the Grammys (with the sound working this time) and get ready for a karaoke machine of climbers. Starting at Bradfield Highway, your catwalk will take you right over the Harbour until you reach the Bridge’s base, at the Opera House side. It’s up, up and away as you start rising to the peak of the lower arch. Clicking those heels together, the next step is taking the staircase to the summit and after a few ‘heck yes’ hurrah’s of achievement, the Climb group will cross the ‘spine’ of the Bridge towards the Darling Harbour side as you start to descend. 

This is the same route as the regular Bridge Climb tour but with a more upbeat pace and fewer stops since you’ll all be glam strutting at the beat of the sounds. Taking around 3.5 hours and with a maximum of 14 people per group, you can either count each of the 1002 steps on the Climb or focus on your twinkle toes while you wow over the city skyline from above. There are four Climb schedules from mid morning, mid afternoon, twilight or an evening soiree.

Booking is a piece if cake on the website; just click the options and it’ll confirm your final cost. Rates change from day to night, weekends and weekdays, for adults and rugrats. But the averages are $228 AUD for a night/weekday for adults and $158 for kids at the same time. The highest price is $353 for dawn climbs. Then again, who wants to be up so early they can’t see for looking? Also note that kids must be minimum 8 years old and not freak out when they’re high above sea level. 

Once you’re wigged out from the Mardi Gras Climb, hop onto a nearby ferry to Cremorne Point and chillax with an oversized, glamorous pink cocktail at our Manor. You can see the Harbour Bridge from our guest patio and you can spend the evening reminiscing how brave you were, strutting your way across this incredible landmark. Kick off your heels, peel off the falsies (both fingernails and eyelashes) and give yourself a pat on the well-done-to-me back.