John Sinclair and Graham Felton at Olympic Park before they departed on their ride.

Cruising for a cause

By Kerri Carr

Retired teachers Graham Felton and John Sinclair are riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle and sidebox around Australia to raise money for the Ageing and Alzheimer's Research Foundation.

They are following the 16,000 kilometre route taken by Jack Bowers and Frank Smith, who rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle and sidebox around Australia in 1929, as depicted in the book Around Australia the Hard Way in 1929 by Jack Bowers.

Mr Felton said he only learned about the Bowers and Smith journey when he attended a Harley Davidson exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in 2002.

This is not the first time Mr Felton and Mr Sinclair have embarked on a long motorcycle journey.

In 1958 they rode a 1942 UL model Flathead Harley Davidson with sidebox from Sydney to Cairns, Darwin and through to Adelaide, Melbourne and back to Sydney.

"I was only 20 at the time and I just wanted to ride around Australia on a motorbike," Mr Felton said.

This time they are riding a 1940 U model Flathead with a sidebox.

The Felton-Sinclair ride started in Sydney on July 4 and will finish in Sydney on September 21, World Alzheimer's Day.

They have been joined by about 10 other people, for the distance of the whole trip. To help celebrate this significant anniversary, motorcyclists are welcome to join them for part of the ride.

To find out more about their progress visit.www.anniversaryride.datacom.com.au

Donations can be made by following the link to the Ageing and Alzheimer's Research Foundation from the above link.

For further information

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