Ride report from the rear – Jeff’s Ride
It’s Fringe time in Adelaide, and so it must be time for Jeff’s ride. You never know what you will experience on a Fringe ride – and this was no exception. Starting on the corner of East and South Terrace, following the traditional briefing, and photos we headed through the parklands. We passed a group with a loud dj, set-up near the adult climbing structure (its fringe after-all), and headed towards the traffic lights crossing Greenhill Road to Porter Street. Navigating the back streets of Unley Council area through the side streets and lanes (nearly missed a turn…), crossing Goodwood road destination the Goodwood Theatre building.
The Goodwood Theatre always has an interesting range of plays, and an onsite bar which can be visited even if not seeing a play. We parked our folded Brompton’s (thank-you site manager) and had a quick drink while catching up on everyone’s latest cycling adventures. Fitting with the cycling theme there is play on titled Cadel: lungs on legs (link is to the review).. and if you are free on 17 March feel free to grab some tickets and join us.
Back on the Brompton’s we avoided the traffic and quickly took a side street from the theatre, made our way through one of the new tram underpasses, and cycled along the path behind the Showgrounds, under the Greenhill Road/Anzac highway intersection to head long Anzac Highway towards the entrance of the West Terrace cemetery. The gates are usually closed from 7pm… but we were aware there are a number of Fringe events taking place within the grounds (don’t look they are all booked out).. and so thankfully we were waved through by the security guard (who is going to stop 13 Bromptoneers?). At the back of the group, where the interesting conversations occur, we were talking about cemeteries and their use – reflecting some people would find cycling/walking through uncomfortable. Its an interesting thought given 100-200 years ago people would use them as public spaces to walk through and promenade, given the lack of public spaces within society.
We continued through the parklands, near Adelaide High school, and crossed at the lights. Kym had once again tried to line up the ride with the great cycling lanes on Waymouth Street. At the last moment he remembered that there were no lights to cross West Terrace from the parklands. So, we ended up crossing into Currie Street, and down the back lane… which landed us into a dead end. This gave an opportunity to set up lights.. and lose the main group. Ah… thankfully I was grateful for having the map so we were not lost for long as we found our way to Light Square where everyone else was gathered outside a tent that was blocking the advertised route. Back in the heart of ADL we weaved through the side streets and crowds to get to Currie Street where bikes were parked to view and experience some free art. As they say.. what happens on the Fringe ride stays on the Fringe ride – unless at a later stage you ask Steve and he will gladly tell you about his experience ‘viewing fringe art’.
Leaving the art behind, we weaved our way around the streets and Festival Plaza to the Courtyard of Curiosities for some food. As it’s a fringe venue, you get to hear the announcements requesting people to queue up with their tickets, and there were certainly some interesting shows being featured. As previously stated, what happens on a Fringe ride, stays on the Fringe ride. Last stop was Ovo for an icecream on Ebenezer Place .. which involved dodging people and the nightmarket.
Who is Jeff? Back in 2024 we received a random message from Jeff Stolzer stating he was in Adelaide for the Fringe… and had his Brompton and was anyone interested in a ride… and just like that the tradition began. We know that one day Jeff will return to ADL, and until then we’ll continue to do a ride around Fringe venues in his honour.
Ride distance: approximately 17km
Brompton Riders at start: 13 ;
Brompton Riders at Ice cream : 9
