The Adventures of Yowie & Birtles

OVERLAND CYCLISTS.

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA)
Date: April 26, 1907
Page Number: 6

MOUNT GAMBIER, April 24.—Mr. F. Birtles, the cyclist, who started from Perth, Western Australia, on Boxing Day of last year on a cycle trip from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, arrived in Mount Gambier this morning at 10.30, accompanied by Mr. E. Lewis (from Lewis Cycle Works, Adelaide), who is making the trip to Melbourne with him. Mr. Birtles appears to be in good health, and he is confident of being able to make Sydney Heads some time next week. He had a very trying time coming across the desert. Mr. Birtles and his companion left Adelaide on Saturday afternoon and have been riding through rain ever since. Birtles had a touch of the cramp on Saturday night in the Adelaide hills, and that delayed him somewhat, but he made the Murray next day, and swam across the river, sending his machine across by boat. It was very wet along the Coorong, but the cyclists varied the monotony near Gillap station by having an emu "as a pace-maker." They sighted the bird about 180 yards ahead, and for a couple of miles along the road they had a merry chase, which ended in the emu tumbling over a wire-netting fence. They left Kingston on Tuesday, and came through Millicent this morning, leaving there at 8 a.m. After a short rest at the Lewis depot at Mount Gambier the cyclists left about 11 a.m.

THE LONG DISTANCE CYCLIST.
WARM MELBOURNE WELCOME.

The North Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times (Tas.)
Date: April 29, 1907
Page Number: 3

Melbourne, Saturday.—Frank Birtles, the cyclist who is riding from Perth to Sydney, reached Melbourne at 4 o'clock this afternoon. He was met by an enthusiastic group of cyclists and cordially welcomed by representatives of the League of Victorian Wheelmen. Birtle's father and sister, who had not seen him for five years, were also present to greet him. He states the journey from Ballarat was one of the easiest stages of the journey.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.)
Date: May 1, 1907
Page Number: 2

Francis Birtles, the plucky overlander who has gone through some pretty rough experiences whilst cycling across the Continent, from Perth to Sydney, arrived in Melbourne last Saturday. Despite the hardships endured in his long ride of 3800 miles, especialy in his futile endeavour to find a track across the Victorian Desert between Laverton and Alice Springs, Birtles looks fine and little the worse for his ride across the continent. The overlander, who is riding a Dunlop shod, Davies Franklin machine, intends proceding to Sydney this week, and then terminate his long ride.

Overlanding Cyclists.
FREMANTLE TO MELBOURNE.
F. BIRTLES'S DARING FEAT.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW)
Date: May 3, 1907
Page Number: 19

("The Age.")
     Francis Birtles, the plucky young cyclist arrived in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon after his adventurous and hazardous overland journey from Western Australia. As the dusty, travel stained figure pedalled up to the "Age" office at 4 o'clock he was greeted with cheers by a group of cyclists and pedestrians who had assembled to witness his arrival. Mr. E. Shore, representative of the Victorian League of Wheelmen, and Mr. Percy Iredale, of the Dunlop Company, cordially welcomed Mr. Birtles, and heartily congratulated him on his daring feat. The cyclist was then taken to fine rooms of the Melbourne Bicycle Club, where Mr. D. Robertson, the chairman, in the presence of a representative gathering of brothers of the wheel, proposed his health. Mr. Birtles, who was apparently none the worse for his long and dangerous journey, after briefly returning thanks, again mounted his bicycle and proceeded to his sister's residence at Ivanhoe, where he will remain for a few days before continuing his journey to Sydney, his goal.
     The "Age" of 17th instant contained a telegraphed report of Birtles's arrival in Adelaide and the hardships he endured during his trip across the continent. He left Fremantle on Boxing Day and travelled about 600 miles through the eastern gold fields to Laverton, hence he struck across country in a north- easterly direction, with the object of making Alice Springs, on the Port Darwin to Adelaide telegraph line. He carried five gallons of water, sufficient for ten days, and a month's provisions in the shape of concentrated food. Going for five days through inhospitable spinifex country, he struck Minnie's Creek, 107 miles from Laverton, but finding no water there he went south 35 miles to a native well, which was also dry. He was forced then to return to Laverton, which he reached on the eleventh day, after suffering greatly for want of water. He then struck across country in a southerly direction to Kurnalpi, a distance of 250 miles. From there he essayed to make the South Australian border at Eucla, somewhat in the direction of the proposed transcontinental railway line. Reaching Gardunia, a rock hole 40 miles away, he obtained a little water. For five days more he travelled eastward for 150 miles through sand hills and scrub, and came on a clay pan 12 miles long and 1½ mile broad, with a bluff at the south-east end. The clay pan was covered with stunted salt bush, but was absolutely dry. This pan, which has been located for the first time, Mr. Birtles states, ought to be a valuable catchment area, and he has forwarded a report on the subject to the Western Australian Government.
     Not being able to replenish his water tanks, there was nothing for it but to retrace his steps to Gardunia. He eventually reached there after suffering terribly from thirst, being without water from Sunday morning, 10th February, till Monday night. The few rock holes he came across were either dry or were filled with the carcases of festering rabbits. They were in such a state of putrefaction that they actually made the water bubble with the gases that were escaping. "I can't describe this journey," the cyclist stated. ''I was delirious, and began to see all kinds of things. How I went on pushing my machine before me for miles I don't know. A large dingo followed me for ahout 60 miles, and I can see the brute grinning at me now. When I reached Gardunia rock hole I got two quarts of water. I spelled there till next day, and got another two quarts, and with that I was enabled to return to Kurnalpi."
     Seeing it was impossible to continue along thte transcontinental route, Mr. Birtles struck down south to Norseman, whence he travelled along the coast route to Balladonia, a soak, where he fell in with Lennie and Warren, the two cyclists who arrived in Melbourne last Tuesday. In company with these two he travelled as far as Eucla. While Lennie and Warren took the coast line to Port Augusta, Birtles struck across country for the lastnamed place. This journey was a most trying one on account of the swarms of March flies. These attacked his face so fiercely that he was rendered almost blind, and he had to lie up for a day covered with a sack, with his eyes poulticed with flour and water, mixed with a dilution of permanganate of potash. On arrival at Adelaide Birtles spelled for a couple of days, and then continued his journey to Melbourne, covering the distance in seven days, although interfered with by strong head winds and flooded roads. He was accompanied on this last stage by E. Lewis, of Adelaide.
     Speaking generally of his trip, Birtles states that he was unfortunate in striking the country east of Laverton and Kurnalpi after three years' dry seasons. From indications, such as granite rocks, and finding mud in rabbit burrows occasionally, and seeing the smoke from blacks' fires—which he dared not approach—he believes that water could be obtained along the transcontinental route. In places, particularly amongst the rooks, there was plenty of dried grass, showing that there must be rainfall. At Madura, an old deserted station near Eyre's sand patch on the road to Eucla, Birtles found an artesian well, giving forth a fine supply of very warm water, which was most grateful for bathing purposes. The greatest enemy except the want of water Mr. Birtles found to be ants, which attacked him almost throughout the whole journey, making sleep impossible at times. From the Darling Ranges in Western Australia to Port Augusta the feature that struck him most was, the entire absence of flowing water. During his journey he took sketches of the most striking features of the country he passed through, which he intends to reproduce.
     Mr. Birtles rode a Davies Franklin bicycle, a Ballarat make, and he speaks in high terms of the excellence of this specimen of Australian manufacture. The machine was fitted with Dunlop bushmen tyres, and they covered 3185 miles to Adelaide without a puncture. The tubes on arrival in Adelaide were found to be vulcanised on to the covers with the heat. Altogether the bicycle when loaded weighed 120 lb. On arrival in Melbourne the cyclist's cyclometer showed that he had travelled 3796 miles since leaving Fremantle on Boxing Day.

Euroa Advertiser (Vic.)
Date: May 3, 1907
Page Number: 2

Mr. Francis Birtles, the Kalgoorlie-to-Sydney overlanding cyclist arrived at Euroa at 4 p.m. yesterday. Birtles was in rare buckle, having made the run from Donnybrook to Euroa in six hours. After a half hour's spell and a snack, he resumed his journey, and is expected to make Benalla last night. During his half hour's stay at Euroa arrangements were made by him with Mr. E.McBrearty to attempt to break the record from Melbourne to Sydney on a National Progress bicycle, Birtles is confident that he can accomplish this feat after a fortnight's steady training in Sydney.

OVERLAND CYCLIST.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Date: May 8, 1907
Page Number: 12

Francis Birtles the intrepid cyclist who, during
the past few weeks has been riding across the Australian Continent from Perth (W.A.) to Sydney,
reached Mittagong a couple of day ago. He was expected to arrive in Sydney yesterday morning, but owing to an accident to an ankle, he decided to rest at Mittagong yesterday. In a wire to some Sydney
friends last night, he stated that he hoped to reach
Sydney to-day some time before noon. Arrangements have been made by the League of Wheelmen to welcome Birtles on his arrival. It is computed that when he reaches the Sydney Town Hall he will have
covered approximately on his cycle a distance of
about 4400 miles. He will finish at Bondi Beach.
From the Indian to the Pacific Ocean will complete
the tour.

LONG CYCLING TRIP.
PERTH TO SYDNEY.
4400 MILES ON A BICYCLE.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
Date: May 9, 1907
Page Number: 3

Francis Birtles, the intrepid cyclist who left Perth, Western Australia, on Boxing Day with the object of journeying overland to New South Wales, reached Sydney Town Hall at 11.50 a.m. yesterday. He had been 113 days over his trip, and had covered approximately 4400 miles. On his arrival Birtles was welcomed by Messrs. Allan M'Dougul and Alick M'Neil (vice-presidents of the League of Wheelmen). There was also a host of cyclists present to pay their tribute to the plucky rider on the completion of his arduous task. After a momentary delay, during which the overlander was besieged with inquiries as to his trip, an adjournment was made to the premises of Messrs. Griffith Brothers, where Messrs. Roberts and Austin and other members of that firm, together with representatives of the league and the various cycling bodies, tendered Birtles a hearty reception. On behalf of the league Mr. Alick M'Neil welcomed the overlander, and congratulated him on his moritorious performance of riding from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Mr. M'Dougal, a vice-president of the league, also spoke, and characterised the great feat just accomplished by Birtles as one of the most important that had been performed anywhere. He was of the opinion that the time was not far distant when the military authorities would recognise the great services that were possible to be rendered by wheelmen in case war broke out.
     After light refreshments had been served, Birtles, who is a fine, strapping, young man of 25 years of ago, and very much bronzed, gave a brief outline of his trip. He left Fremantle on Boxing Day, and shaped his journey for the flrst 500 miles or so through the eastern goldfields. At Laverton he took a north-easterly route, with the object of reaching some water springs near to the Adelaide-Port Darwin telegraph line, and after five days got to Mennie's Creek, which was about 100 miles distant. Finding no water there he was forced to retrace his steps in the direction of Laverton, which he reached almost dying of thirst, after 11 days, riding and walking. Here a rest was made before directing his journey in a southerly line. He got to Kurnalpi, 250 miles away, at the expiration of several days. From the last-named place a start was then made for the South Australian border, and Gardunia, 40 miles away, was entered after a trying run. The next five days, over sandhills and scrub, were not without some excitement, and during tho 150 miles covered a dry clay pan, covered with stunted bush, was met. At this stage water ran short, and Birtles was forced to return to Gardunia almost exhausted, having had no water to drink for 36 hours.
     "I was almost delirious over this part of the route," said Birtles, when questioned by a "Herald" representative. "The terrible heat, the incessant irritation of the March fly and ants, and the almost unbearable stench arising from dead rabbits, which had perished from thirst in hundreds round the dried water-holes—all tended to make me feel very queer, and I often wondered if I should over accomplish my journey. Added to this," said the cyclist, "the fine, dry sand, constantly blowing in my face, made my eyes, in one instance, so inflamed that it was with great difficulty that I could see my way. Indeed, I had to rest a couple of days owing to my impaired view, and as I was in want of water, and couldn't sleep lest any animals might attack me when resting, my nerves suffered a lot. On one occasion I was followed by a dingo for about 60 miles. I had a gun with me, but did not shoot the dingo, as it was only when I reached a water-hole that I became convinced that I had not been 'seeing things.' It was horrible, in my weakened condition, to see the animal, and oven now, when in civilised country, I fancy at times that I see him grinning at me."
     From Gardunia, after taking stock of about four quarts of water, Birtles returned to Kurnalpi. The route south to Norseman was followed, and thence the journey was made via the coast route to Balladonia. It was at this stage of his journey that Birtles met Lennie and Warren, two other riders who were making the overland trip. Over this portion of the run, when nearing Adelaide, the March fly was almost unendurable, and the cyclists had to rest at Adelaide in consequence. The ride from the South Australian capital to Melbourne, and on to Sydney, was uneventful. It was taken in easy stages. Birtles said that he ought to have arrived here on Monday, but when nearing Mittagong he sustained a slight sprain to his ankle, and decided to rest a couple of days. Speaking generally concerning his ride, the overlander said he would not like to do it again—for some time, at any rate. He had seen the smoke arising from the fires of blacks' camps on several occasions, but always kept out of their sight. Asked if he had observed any specimens of archaeological interest, Birtles was of the opinion tha, he had seen many specimens of worked quartz, and in some cases flint, but he had no time, and, indeed, no room, for such interesting relics. "My chief object," said the cyclist, "was to get along on my journey as quickly as possible, and to take care to find water-holes en route. As for food, I had four months' supply—mostly concentrated."
     In reply to questions about his cycle Birtles stated that he rode the one machine throughout. It was a Davies Franklin, 24in frame model, with free wheel and ordinary handles of the semi-drop type. He used two gears—a 64in over the desert, and an 84in for the better roads. His machine, which is to be seen at Messrs. Griffith Brothers' window, weighed 120lb when fitted with the water bottles, food boxes, and other impediments. An Eadie free-wheel hub was used throughout, and gave great satisfaction, as did the Dunlop tyres, which, after the 4400 miles, looked little the worse for wear.
     Birtles before leaving for home with his mother and brothers, who came to meet him on arrival, proceeded on his cycle to Bondi, so as to complete the run between the Indian and Pacific oceans. He will remain in Sydney
for some time.

LENNIE AND WARREN'S TRIP.

Messrs. Lennie and Warren, two cyclists who for the past few weeks have been journeying on their bicycles from Perth, Western Australia, to this State, reached Sydney at 6 o'clock last night. Messrs. Lennie and Warren commenced their trip across the Australian desert sometime after Birtles. They did not take the same route as the latter and consequently, though their task was an arduous one, they did not experience the same hardships. During their trip over the cyclists met Birtles when journeying along the coast road to Balladonia, and the trio then kept together until Adelaide was reached, when Birtles separated from them. Both cyclists when seen on arrival stated that notwithstanding innumerable troubles due to scarcity of water,the presence of flies and ants, as well as the sand nuisance they enjoyed the run, affording as it did a variety of scenery and an abundance of small adventures. As in the case of Birtles, their worst time was when crossing the desert. There was the prevalance of the March fly, and the fact that the numerous waterholes were dried up, necessitated their exercising the greatest care in using only a minimum quantity of liquid each day. From Adelaide to Melbourne, and thence to Sydney, the trip was fairly enjoyable and it was quite refreshing to get into civilised parts once more. Messrs. Lennie and Warren, like Birtles, used Victorian machines fitted with Dunlop tyres. With the exception of a few punctures no trouble was experienced by either, so far as their machines were concerned. Both wheelmen intend remaining in Sydney a few weeks.