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The Adventures of Yowie & Birtles
OVERLAND TO SYDNEY. PROGRESS REPORT.
The Daily News (Perth, WA)
Date: March 15, 1907
Page Number: 11
Messrs. Lennie and Warren, the overlanders, who are cycling to Sydney, report by wire:—
Balladonia, March 8.—Left Coolgardie half-past 9, accompanied to Horse Rocks by Rev. Father Rodgers.
Road, fair to Widgiemooltha, where we stayed for tea. Distance, 52 miles.
March 9.—Left Widgiemooltha for Bynaringa. First ten miles heavy sand; then for the rest there was a lot of dead timber and it was bad riding. Arrived at Bynaringa about 2; overhauled bikes, and tramped. Day very hot. March 10.—Got 13 miles on Monger-road; where met Bennetts and Griegan, prospectors, and returned to well. Rained heavily all afternoon, but were all right, as we camped with Bennetts and mate, who made us very comfortable.
March 11.—Started (for Fraser's Range, about 70 miles distant. Three miles of the road heavy after the rain and covered with dead timber and saplings. It took us a day and a half to get to the Range, where we had a good time and a good night's rest.
March 13.—Started late for Balladonia. Good track for 25 miles to Newman's tanks, then sandy. Met a prospector, and camped with him.
March 14.—Started early at 7 o'clock. Road bad for about 12 miles, then fair, and for the last 22 the best we have had on the trip. Covered 40 miles by half-past 11. Met Birtles, and all start in the morning for Eucla. Splendidly treated at telegraph station. All feeling very fit.
Part 3
CYCLING. OVERLAND TO SYDNEY.
The Daily News (Perth, WA)
Date: March 25, 1907
Page Number: 10
Mr.Lennie, one of the party essaying the overland cycling journey to Sydney, wires:—
"Birtles, Warren, and self left Balladonia for Eucla on the 15th inst., about. 11 a.m. The track was fair for the first 15 miles, but then became bad. We followed the telegraph line for 15 miles, and then struck across country for about five, and struck a new stock route, and got good going. We travelled 10[?] miles, and got to a vacant tent. As the weather looked bad we camped, and made tea of jay and mutton.
"March 16.—We waited until about 10 o'clock to-day before starting for the weather to clear; we rode until 11, and then rain set in, compelling us to stop. We lit a fire, and camped. It was very cold, and raining heavily. We had to make some damper, which was very difficult owing to the rain. We have had no meat since Saturday.
"March 17.—Still raining heaviiy. It has rained every Sunday since we started the trip. Owing to the wet weather we, decided to go on an allowance of food, as we have about two hundred and sixty to go before we can expect more.
"March 18—We got a start at about 11 o'clock. The track was very soft. The weather was heavy, with showers. We walked until about 3 o'clock, and then rode until dark.
"March 19.—Still slight showers but the weather has cleared this afternoon. Birtles shot a turkey this morning, which saved the situation. A fair track was found this afternoon. Warren and Birtles are getting very tired, owing to the want of food, but, luckily, we struck tank-sinkers at Cockabiddy about 3 o'lock, and were treated splendidly by them. We got a supply of food, and started on March 20 for Modura. The track is drying. We passed nice grass country, and the tanks and water holes are all full. Between Balladonia and Modura we rode 63 miles.
"March 21.—Left for Eucla this morning, and I reached Muntebella about 4 o'clock. The others arrived later. It was very rough going, and we were glad to camp. We were well treated by Mrs. Talbot.
"March 22.—Resumed our journey for Eucla this morning. I arrived there about 3 o'clock. The track was rough an bumpy. Warren arrived two hours later, and Birtles about two hours after Warren. The trip seems to be a bit rough on them. The distance was 65 miles, and my time was five hours and a half against a strong head wind. We were made very welcome at the telegraph station at Eucla."
OVERLAND CYCLISTS
IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. A LESSON FOR W.A.
The Daily News (Perth, WA)
Date: March 30, 1907
Page Number: 7
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Mr. Lennie, who with Mr. Warren, is cycling overland to Sydney, sent the following message:—
March 22.— Warren and self left Eucla at 11 o'clock, Birtles deciding to spell.
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CYCLING. BIRTLES ARRIVES AT ADELAIDE.
The West Australian (Perth, WA)
Date: April 17, 1907
Page Number: 8
Francis Birtles, the cyclist who left Fremantle on Boxing Day with the intention of coming to the Pacific Ocean, arrived at Adelaide this afternoon. He had travelled 3,185 miles. His worst experiences were in the early part of the journey, when he essayed to travel the coastal route from Western Australia, and was driven back for want of water. Finally he went through Laverton to Kurnalpi—a trip which cost him much difficulty through lack of water. After he had reached Eucla he had very little trouble.
THE OVERLAND CYCLISTS.
Kalgoorlie Miner (WA)
Date: April 16, 1907
Page Number: 74
Adelaide, April 15.
Francis Birtles, who is cycling from Fremantle to Sydney, arrived at Yacka to-day, and expects to reach the G.P.O. Adelaide tomorrow afternoon.
OVERLAND TO ADELAIDE. CYCLIST BRITLES' RIDE.
Kalgoorlie Miner (WA)
Date: April 17, 1907
Page Number: 6
Adelaide, April 16.
Francis Birtles, the cyclist, who left Fremantle on December 26, arrived in Adelaide this afternoon, after a three thousand miles journey, and looks none the worse for his ride. He first made for Laverton, distant 600 miles from Fremantle, and then struck out across the desert of spinifex country, hoping to intercept the telegraph line between Oodnadatta and Alice Springs. Rain, however, held off, and he found the water holes dry, and, after two days, he returned to Laverton. He states that he then made for Kurnalpi, 250 miles away, and from there across barren country. He found, to his dismay, the rock holes full of dead rabbits, the stench filling the air for miles around. Veering on the south-east of the railway track, Birtles found the rock holes dry, and dead dogs lying around in scores. Millions of small black ants here attacked the unfortunate wheelman, rendering sleep impossible. Things were getting serious, and he tried to get back to a soak he knew of. This was the worst part of the journey, as when the water gave out he became delirious and began to "see things." A dingo followed him for 60 miles. Birtles stayed at the soak for a day, securing two quarts of water. He then got back to Kurnalpi, and struck out for Boulder, only provisioning himself for three days.
Heavy rains, however, delayed him, and he had to camp for two days and ran out of food. Eventually he reached Eucla, and had a short spell. Across the Bight sands he found cycling hard work. The going was heavy, and the sands were covered with myriads of March flies. His arms, face and hands soon assumed abnormal proportions, so, in desperation, he enveloped himself in a bag, and rode on blindly, reaching Denial Bay in safety. Here he obtained some flounders with an improvised harpoon made from a nail and a piece of wood. On the road to Yardea he had a severe attack of bad eyes, and for four days lay along side a tank in agony and almost blind.
On recovering partial sight Birtles struck out for Yarden Station, where he was hospitably treated. Barren, wild country took him to the top of Spencer's Gulf and to Port Augusta, and after this the journey was the nature of a pleasure trip.
Birtles covered 70 miles in the last five hours of his ride, and reached the General Post Office at 4 o'clock. His luggage weighs about 60 lb. Birtles is a native of Melborne, and is going on to Sydney. He saw service in South Africa with the field telegraph corps. He took photographs and filled in black and white sketches on his journey.
"NO DESERT"
THE TRANS-AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY. SIR JOHN FORREST ON THE COUNTRY.
The Daily News (Perth, WA)
Date: April 18, 1907
Page Number: 3
Sir John Forrest yesterday found another opportunity to speak on the country to be crossed by the trans-Australian railway in connection with the journey from Fremantle to Adelaide just accomplished by Birtles, the cyclist. Sir John Forest said the proposed railway would cross that same 500 miles of' plain, stretching away from Kalgoorlie. The plain was well grassed in good seasons, but was devoid of drinking water, save for a few rock-holes, but at no time, was it desert. Water would be obtained by deep artesilian bores and conservation. The Western Australian Government had splendid boring plant, and he would very much like it sent out to thoroughly test the country.
Sir John Forrest GCMG
(22 August 1847 – 2 September 1918) was an Australian explorer, the first Premier of Western Australia and a cabinet minister in Australia's first federal parliament.
THE OVERLAND CYCLIST
The Daily News (Perth, WA)
Date: April 18, 1907
Page Number: 8
ADELAIDE, This Afternoon:
The cyclist Birtles, who arrived from Western Australia on Tuesday, resumes his journey East, on Saturday at 3 p.m. To escape the Ninety-mile desert, he will go by way of Coorong. Birtles, who has covered three thousand miles without outside assistance, will endeavor to preserve this record, and swim the Murray with his bicycle and outfit.
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA)
Date: April 19, 1907
Page Number: 6
One of the events of the last week has been the arrival of Francis Birtles, the overlandinc cyclist, who purposes going from the Indian to the Pacific Ocean on a bike. He called on the South Australian agents for Bovril (Messrs. D. & J. Fowler, Ltd.) and told them that their Fremantle house, who are agents for Bovril in Western Australia, had given him several bottles of Bovril, and if it bad not been for the sustaining properties of Bovril be would have perished.
Bovril is the trademarked name of a thick, salty meat extract, developed in the 1870s by John Lawson Johnston and sold in a distinctive, bulbous jar.
Bovril can be made into a drink by diluting with hot water, or less commonly with milk. It can also be used as a flavouring for soups, stews or porridge, or spread on bread, especially toast, rather like Marmite.
Sunday Times (Perth, WA)
Date: April 21, 1907
Page Number: 10
Francis Birtles, the overlanding cyclist, arrived in Adelaide last Tuesday haying travelled 3,185 miles, according to his cyclometer. He travelled via Eucla, and after reaching that port his troubles were few and far between. Birtles proposed taking numerous notes and making sketches whilst travelling through the desert between Laverton and sunny Sydney Town; and intended to write up a thrilling account of his fights with hordes of painted-up blacks, etc. etc. He considered that his proposed book would be worth quite a small fortune to the Governments of W.A. and New South Wales, as it would convey information as to the quality of the country hitherto unexplored. Alas ! Birtles has, after all, been compelled to travel by a route comparatively well-known and so his book of wonderful adventures and daring fights with wild men and beasts will not be a matter of fact. Birtles is said to be a fairly good journalist, and a sketcher of more than the average ability.
THE TRANS-AUSTRALIAN CYCLIST.
The Register (Adelaide, SA)
Date: April 22, 1907
Page Number: 4
Francis Birtles, the trans-Australian cyclist, resumed his journey to the eastern capitals on Saturday afternoon. Just on the stroke of 3 o'clock he mounted his machine at the Lewis Motor House, Victoria square, and in the presence of about 50 cyclists who assembled to give a cheer, set out on the second stage of his long trip. He resolved to take the Coorong route, going south, and stopping at Ballarat and Melbourne on his way to Sydney. During his stay in Adelaide Birtles had his Dunlop bushman's tires and rims replaced with light 1½-in. roadsters. In the 3,000 odd miles covered on the former tires not a single puncture was sustained. The back tire is being exhibited at Singer's, Rundle street.
CYCLING ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA)
Date: April 22, 1907
Page Number: 9
At 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon Mr. F. Birtles, who last week completed the overland journey from Perth, made a start from the Lewis Cycle Works, Victoria-square, on his journey to Sydney. A large crowd had assembled to see him off and wish him bon voyage. Mr. Birtles looked fit and well. His costume for the journey consisted of a singlet, moleskin breeches, putties, and a slouch hat, and he carried a canvas-bag to serve as a bed. His itinerary will include the Coorong, Ballarat, Melbourne, and Sydney.
OVERLAND CYCLIST.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Date: April 23, 1907
Page Number: 10
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Between Belladonia and Eucla, the three overlanders carried provisions for three days to cover a distance of 350 miles. Heavy rains delayed the party two days, the consequence being that the provisions ran out and matter
looked serious for the overlanders. After a day's tramp on empty stomachs a wild turkey was sighted; Birtles took a shot and slightly wounded the bird which set off with two of the cyclists after it on their machines. A race for a feed then ensued and eventually Birtles overtook the luckless turkey, and fell on it machine and all. Needless to say, the bird provided an acceptable meal which embled the party to reach one of the stations along the bight. Some very unpleasant nights were spent on the trip, for heavy rains saturated Birtle's clothes and with no covering but a piece of canvas, it was a case of shivering until day light ended a night of misery.
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