Bicycle Network: Great Escapade

Well done to all Riders, Volunteers, Staff and Contractors who took part in the 2008 Great Escapade – Blue Mountains to the Hunter Valley. We all had a fantastic time exploring this wonderful region of Australia. The communities were incredibly welcoming, we will never forget the frost in Lithgow or the singing Mayor in Mudgee, Matthew’s bike in Ilford and the Police, willing to go to great lengths to raise money for the MS Society – what a Ride!

The Great Escapade started on 29 March in Lithgow with a Loop Ride. Then we headed off on our journey, with overnight stops in Oberon, Portland, Rylstone, Mudgee (Rest Day), Cassilis, Scone, Denman, Singleton (Rest Day) and Morpeth. There was a spectacular finish overlooking the Hunter River and Newcastle from Stockton. Over 1100 Riders took part, supported by a team of almost 300 Volunteers, Staff & Contractors. The Ride covered around 750km over the 13-days.

The Route

Day 1: Saturday 29 March 2008

Lithgow Loop Ride, 18km

Day 2: Sunday 30 March 2008

Lithgow to Oberon, 62km

Day 3: Monday 31 March 2008

Oberon to Portland, 55km

Day 4: Tuesday 1 April 2008

Portland to Rylstone, 83km

Day 5: Wednesday 2 April 2008

Rylstone to Mudgee, 56km

Day 6: Thursday 3 April 2008

Mudgee Rest Day

Day 7: Friday 4 April 2008

Mudgee to Cassilis, 102km

Day 8: Saturday 5 April 2008

Cassilis to Scone, 105km

Day 9: Sunday 6 April 2008

Scone to Denman, 70km

Day 10: Monday 7 April 2008

Denman to Singleton, 73km

Day 11: Tuesday 8 April 2008

Singleton Rest Day

Day 12: Wednesday 9 April 2008

Singleton to Morpeth, 64km

Day 13: Thursday 10 April 2008

Morpeth to Stockton Beach, 53km

The Good Oil

The Good Oil is a daily newspaper which was produced both during and before the 2008 Great Escapade. Click on the links below to view each day's Good Oil.