The Family sends Angelo out for a ride for his birthday.

Angelo having done 50 years on the planet, his family wanted to give him something memorable.

What better than a 4 hour Harley ride with me?

The tour was supposed to be Circular Quay to the Royal National Park then around the Illawarra. When I discovered where Angelo lived, we exercised our combined knowledge and flexibility and explored the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney as he knows the Illawarra better than I.

Circular Quay. our meeting point. 

The new route went, after our meet up at Circular Quay, we geared up, saddled up and were on our way.

The Harley sits with strangers wait for us to go,

Along Macquarie Street, Angelo was given a little history lesson through the Sena Bluetooth headsets then we rode to Mrs Macquarie's chair, there were no major events so the road to the point was open but we had a lot travelling to do so there was no stopping today.

A 'ride by' a Harry's cafe de Wheels at Woolloomooloo as we were too early and too soon into the ride for a pie and peas. Some of you will not believe it as it has been suggested I only ride to get to the next food and drink stop.

We had a gentle cruise through Kings Cross then past Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay and Rose Bay.

Rose Bay, I informed Angelo was an old international airport for Sydney and Catalina's Restaurant is where the old terminal was. Click here for more details.

Today the seaplanes are smaller and you can be taken on some great flights by Sydney Seaplanes.

Past Rose Bay we climbed Heart Break which is well known to runners in the Sydney to Surf Race. The Harley just climbed without any stress or strain and since having had the suspension raised, no scrapes of the running boards. The road weaved down to Watson's Bay and we did a quick loop with explanations of the area including the infamous Gap.

It was then time to head south and through the back of Dover Heights, then down hill to Bondi Beach. The weather was great so the traffic was very heavy which meant no photoshoot.

Out of the car pack and back on the road as we were going to discover the other Eastern Suburbs beaches, one of which Angelo informed me he is very familiar with, Coogee. It used to be a haunt for Angelo and his mates though one night they found themselves overdressed compared to the locals which he found at the time to be very embarrassing.

This portion of the trip ended at La Perouse and a photo shot. It was also time for a little leg stretch in preparation for the next portion of the ride.

Angelo with Bare Island in the background.

Past Port Botany, past Sydney Airport along the side of Botany Bay we rode then after Sutherland, we entered the Royal National Park for a leisurely 60 kilometres per hour and somethings 80 kilometres per hour ride through the northern part of the park. The southern part is 70. Once upon a time, it was a 100 with overtaking opportunities.

We left the Royal National Park at Otford and rode through the car park at Bald Hill, Stanwell Park as the new car park seems to have less parking spaces and there were no spaces.

Further south and down the hill we stopped for our break at the Stanwell Park Beach Kiosk where Angelo is introduced to their ice coffee. Happy birthday Angelo, all we needed to do was add candles to the cream on top.

Re-mounted, we continued to head south and crossed the Sea Cliff Bridge. As the view is better we turned around and crossed it again.

On to the old Princes Highway and the 100 kilometres per hour zones, the Harley just got into its stride. We didn't stop until Angelo's home as the time had beaten us.

Returning Angelo to his family, there were lots of photos taken, especially by Angelo's wife. Being witness to this activity I think I can see a Harley Davidson in Angelo's future.

Angelo is ready to continue the ride. Where's your pillion?