CYCLING ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

Evening Star, Issue 10339, 12 June 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

CYCLING ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

Jerome Murif, the oyclist, who left Glenelg, South Australia, on March 10, for the purpose of riding across the continent, arrived safely at Port Darwin on Friday afternoon, May 21. Murif, who at the commencement of the trip had dipped his machine in the waters of St. Vincent's Gulf, on his arrival at Darwin rode to the point off Fort Hill and totally submerged bis machine in the sea. He was in splendid health, and when asked- why he undertook the long journey replied that his objeot was to fill hiß note book with what he saw and heard and did, for the purposes of future reference and narrative. He declared he had no object in accomplishing the trip in less time, because if good time were made it was unlikely that anyone would follow him. He would like to sre another man try the journey, but he was doubtful if he would be successful. He considered the best stage of the journey was made between Barrow Creek aud Tennant's Creek, in three and a-half days, and done on only one meal. He experienced bad roads. From Hergott Springs to Oodnadatta there were large rough stones in the road, and thence to Alice Springs it was terribly sandy. It was more or less bad from the last - mentioned place right through to Port Darwin, except occasional ten or twenty - mile patches. He experienced heavy head winds in- the early part of the long ride ; and had some difli oulty with burrs _ known as " Threecornered Jacks," and was compelled to improvise a patent to prevent puncture, which he found of great service. Annoyance wa3 also also caused by the long grass winding in the wheels of the bicycle. The track was often at a distance from the telegraph line, whioh sometimes was not seen for two or three days. He got bushed repeatedly, and sometimes had to go back on his own tracks. The aborigines in the interior were frightened of the bicycle, and always deoamped. On one occasion he appeared suddenly at a well, and a number of Natives dispersed quickly, abandoning their belongings Some Natives along the Great Northern railway line asked Murif what it was he "as riding, and he replied "A kangaroo ene : ne." He had a bad fall at El-*;.-, and wu- rendered unconscious for a suoit while. Ai hough he was proud of having completed the journey, he said it entailed muoh unpleasantness anxiety, aud misery, and he would not repeat it for much money. He intended to return by steamer.