Cycling in Orange

Akangaroo raises its fuzzy grey head from the ochre grass and stares right at me. Just as astonished by the encounter as the native creature, I stamp down on the brakes of my bicycle. Not impressed with my intrusion, the kangaroo and its smaller mate hop away into scrubby bushes at the edge of the field.

Three and a half to four hours west of Sydney, I’m in the land of food, wine and apples (ironically known as Orange), experimenting with a more active way to sightsee the countryside. On a bicycle.

After the long car ride to the Central West town (Orange is technically a regional city with a population of about 40,000), it’s a creative way to stretch my legs. Along with touring the town, I’m cultivating a new skill.