When Karl arrived in Australia, his Red Bird bicycle was already causing quite a stir in the local cycling community. In a letter he wrote to the Canada Cycle and Motor Company* from Sydney on April 4, 1900, Karl sang the praises of his trusty bicycle:

"After some 5,400 miles sometimes through the roughest of country, with eight or nine hundred miles on the railway track in different parts of Canada and the United States... The 600 miles in Australia from Melbourne to Sydney is extremely rough, rocky country and altogether I have ridden over 6,000 miles on this 'Red Bird'. Today it is as good as new except the enamel being knocked off in places, and I would not exchange it for a new wheel of any other make. I am satisfied I can ride the same wheel until my trip is finished."