WOODFORD TO PEACHESTER RIDE – 28 JUNE 2013

We awoke to cloudy and rainy weather but, despite initial concerns that this ride might have to be abandoned, nine riders assembled at the start site just beyond Woodford and were rewarded with a rain free ride through beautiful scenery which was just made more interesting by the constantly changing cloud patterns chasing across the blue sky. We saw a fair bit of that as well along the way.

The route followed Old Cove Road, Cove Road and Commissioners Flat Road to Peachester. We passed picturesque paddocks with cattle and horses and numerous large dams, surrounded by wooded hills with, occasionally, good views of Beerwah in the background. A short forested section beside a muddy brown creek added variety to the scenery.

The roads were mostly flat or undulating and, despite the earlier rain, the unsealed sections did not present any problems. At times, there was a bit more traffic than originally anticipated but on the whole the roads were fairly quiet.

A few of the hills proved reasonably challenging and certainly got the heart pumping but it was generally agreed that this was a good thing and made the ride more worthwhile. Some rode up and others walked up but, as predicted, the downhills were worth the effort.

At the characterful Good Old Days Coffee and Tea House at Peachester we sat outside in the garden and enjoyed coffee or hot chocolate artistically decorated with both chocolate powder and chocolate sauce which was a novelty. Several riders also partook of some yummy quiches or cakes and cream and a good time was had by all.

Louise's beautifully (to be gazed upon) decorated coffee
Apparently it tasted as good as it looked

The well-deserved coffee break

At The Good Old Days Coffee Shop

After morning tea, we gathered in front of a board map of the Peachester area and a hapless lady quietly minding her own business in a little garden nearby had her reading interrupted when she was hijacked into taking photos of the group (which she did with a very good grace). Her comment that she never had time to herself anyway as she had kids struck a chord with several of those present!

Ready for the Return Ride to Woodford

We returned via the same route which nevertheless looked a bit different in the opposite direction. According to my speedo, we had ridden 40km in 2 hrs 35 mins (excluding the long coffee break). Following the ride we eschewed the wonky picnic table in the park where we had left the cars in favour of lunch at the covered picnic tables in the centre of Woodford, where we successfully disturbed a gentle man quietly minding his own business (and his dog).

The ride was unanimously voted a success and will certainly be repeated when memories have faded somewhat (we can then take advantage of the loyalty cards liberally dispensed by the Good Old Days barista!). As for me, the ride lived up to all expectations and I would be happy to lead it at any time, subject to demand.

Isabel Cooper

29/6/13

Great ride and organisation, Isabel.  (Sandra)

SPINNAKER SOUND TO BEACHMERE

 MARCH 22 2013

An interesting ride today starting from Spinnaker to Beachmere with a good group of 12 cyclists taking part.

The group rode on the Ningi Bike Path as far as the Ningi Esplanade where we cut across Ningi to Bestmann Rad and then Bribie Island Road before we turned left ino the housing development which took us to Peel Road and on to Beachmere. 

Leader Isabel and long term resident of Beachmere ably provided a commentary at various stopping points which included interesting and informative facts of the area.

Our routes and stopping points were:

Bayside Drive Lagoon (with many black swans)

Beachmere Beach (from several vantage points)

Clayton Park (and bowls greens and Club Beachmere)

Beachmere's new War Memorial in Clayton Park

Moreton Terrace Park (where people exercise their dogs on the beach at the end of Biggs Avenue)

Biggs Avenue Lake (where the fish kills occurred some time ago)

Trinity Waters Canal Estate and Caboolture River

Beachmere Tavern and Beachmere Village Shopping Centre (built by the developer who is building the resort complex overlooking Pumicestone Passage at Sandstone Point)

Burnt trees showing how close the bushfire came to the Shopping Centre and houses last December

We also sang 'Happy Birthday to You' to Dawn, an elderly friend of mine who was entertaining friends at her beachfront home next door to the park where we had stopped to look at the beach (and erosion).

Wild Life at Beachmere

Black Swans

The cyclists

The morning finished with a lovely morning tea provided by Isabel which we enjoyed on her cool balcony.

Then it was back in the saddle for the 20 kms back to Spinakker. A good ride with a total of 40 plus kms covered.

GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS RIDE

15th MAY 2013

Riders:

Bob S – Captain

Tami T

Tommy

Yoshiko

Isabel C

Ted B

Sandra A

Robert H

A very pleasant ride took place today at the Glasshouse Mountains. Weather, although a little cool, was fine and sunny and we warmed up as the day progressed and our wheels began spinning.

After meeting up and parking just adjacent to the primary school on Steve Irwin Way we began our ride. A very pleasant ride through bushland on a cycle track although a bit rough and hilly in places we were rewarded with birdsong and the peace and quiet of the bushland. The track took us out onto road eventually and we had a coffee break at the bakery at Glasshouse.

After refreshments we continued riding along Sahara Road passing avocada tree orchards and many pineapple fields with lovely views of the various mountains in the Glasshouse Range in evidence. A beautiful clear outline of the mountains today enhanced by the clear skies. Continuing our circuitous route back to Glasshouse along Coonowrin Road where we picked up Ted for the return route back on the track to where we had parked out cars.

By this time we were in need of more refreshments so once bikes were loaded into cars we drove along to Vecchios Fruit Barn where there is a very pleasant coffee area outside in the bushy garden complete with roaming chickens much to Yoshiko's dismay. However, we shooshed them away for her benefit and had another pleasant rest break before returning to Bribie.

A good day and thanks to Bob S for arranging this ride.

The Group taken by Tommy

Tommy

A welcome rest break

BLACKBUTT TO LINVILLE AND MOORE (1) COLINTON TO TOOGOOLAWAH (2)

MAY 4/5: Cycling Blackbutt to Linville and Moore, then Colinton to Toogoolawah

On Friday Bob S, Ted B and Harry F went up during the day and Kerry D and Adele F after work. The Fieldings had their little caravan, while the others booked into the Linville Pub (which was quite an experience in itself).

Old photo of Linville Pub.  It has now an orange sign.

After Bar-B-Q dinner, we watched the footy on the “big telly" at the pub, huddled around a little gas heater: a lot cooler evening than it would have been on Bribie.

Saturday morning Dave G joined us for egg and bacon breaky. 8am was load up time (joined by Robert H, Barbara and Kees P) with some cars remaining at Linville while all bikes and riders were transported up to Blackbutt, to be joined there by Isabel C. 9am departed on our ride to Benarkin (Bob S found three hiking friends) and then down the mountain towards Linville. For details of the terrain and history, refer to David J’s Blog from the March 30 trip. This is my favourite bike ride, mostly gradual down hill. The terrain is a coarse gravel and sand, and our road bikes did fine, although wider tyres would obviously make things a little easier. There are some steep and rough river crossings, (feet dry) where most of us got off and walked, but some more mountain bike types did enjoy the added adrenalin of attempting to ride through these as well. We stopped half way down for snacks and toilet stop.

Arriving at Linville shortly after noon, Isabel and Harry decided they hadn’t had enough work out yet, so refilled water bottles and turned around and rode back up to Blackbutt in a further 3 hours. Kerry drove the drivers up to Blackbutt to collect cars while Bob, Adele and Barbara rode on to Moore. This part of the ride was quite challenging with some hilly sections on mostly grass surface, after mid-day and on the hottest May day in the area. We were very glad of our water bottles. Drivers and riders met up at Moore for coffee and picnic lunch and time to review and discuss the ride. Some had comfy picnic chairs in which to relax, while others used the picnic benches!

Robert, Kees, Barbara and Isabel returned home while the others headed back to Linville (Kerry and Bob riding) for afternoon naps. Adele found a river crossing where she could relax in the cool refreshing water. Her sister Corinne and mother Norma (from Sydney) had chosen this afternoon to explore the area and squeeze in a visit.

Adele cooling off

Richard and Sandra A arrived late afternoon and set up their tent.

Bar-B-Q dinner was shared, before Dave headed back to Bribie, and others re-visited the Linville Pub for socializing and Snooker, joining up with Bob’s three friends who had walked the rail trail. Some turned in at 8.30 while others made the most of there being no worry about having to drive home, and locals were available to escort one to their camping site.

On Sunday, sustained by another egg and bacon breaky, we headed off 8.30am for Colinton BP station, where we unloaded the bikes in the rest area, and drove all cars to Toogoolawah, bringing the drivers back in Kerry’s car. 9.20am departure for approximately 24 km on a little used back road between Colinton and Toogoolawah. Ted decided to be our vehicle back up rather than to wreck his knees. There were several hills, (not mountains) but enough to give us quite a good work out and downhill speeds in excess of 50km/hr were recorded. There is one sign posted turn to the right (easy to miss), to Toogoolawah (not left to Harlin), 4km of gravel road, and approx. 18 km of single lane, little used and tar sealed country road through farmland and over two low level bridges, bringing us into Toogoolawah near the Showground. Arrived Toogoolawah Station just after noon, for shared picnic lunch before we finally had to say good-bye and head home. Harry delivered Kerry and Adele back to Kerry’s car at Colinton and returned to Linville to hitch up the caravan and return home.

The Country Road en route to Toogoolawah
Riders and a Cow checking us out

Someone is Watching Us

This lot followed us with interest

Almost There!

Thanks to everyone for the enjoyment of your company and good food on this fun weekend and enjoyable rides.

Posted by Adele F

A great ride, Adele, those hills really gave us a workout.  We'll do the rail trail next time that ride is offered.  Sandra A.

NUDGEE BOAT RAMP TO MITCHELTON

Date: 12^th April 2013

Riders: Richard (Leader)

Sandra   Bob   Ted      Mary   Ute     Peter

Barbara  Kees  Nancy Chris   Harry  Adele    Joyce

Tommy  Yoshiko  (Welcome to our annual visitors from Penang, Tommy and Yoshiko)

Although the morning started off very wet and dreary by the time we arrived at Nudgee Boat Ramp the rain had stopped.

We set off along the cycle track on Nudgee Road and then followed the MBRC route which took us along past Nudgee Golf Course (much to Richard's chagrin that he was pedalling a bike and not swinging a golf club) and followed the Kedron Brook floodway passing under the Gateway Motorway and then on to Toombul. After Toombul we followed the track again along Kedron Brook through Stafford, Everton Park and onto Mitchelton. So far we had travelled approximately 22 klms. Time for a coffee break. Blackwood Road at Mitchelton is a good eatery street and gave us time to recoup over coffee and a nibble. By the time we were ready to leave a light rain was falling.

We set off for the return trip during which the rain became more persistent eventually arriving back to Nudgee Beach rather damp and bedraggled for our picnic lunch. As luck would have it, the rain stopped and the sun peeped through the clouds so we were able to have a pleasant lunch before taking off for home.

Approximate kilometres: 47

A good turnout for this ride, one we hadn't done before and I think it was enjoyed by all participants.

The Riders

Lunch at Nudgee Beach

THE GREAT IMBIL ADVENTURE

20/21 April 2012

A beautiful sunny weekend full of riding white water, platypus, birds of prey, hill climbing, lots of fun and a good fire.

On Friday 19th five Eager Beavers - Kim, Bob, Joyce, Barbara and Kees arrived to set up and secure the best camping spot just above the creek where there is a rocky beach and a great view of the creek.

On Saturday Peter, Ute, Robert, Tami, Adele and myself (Dave) arrived at the camp ground at about 9.30 a.m. After setting up, a quick cuppa and snack we headed off up Yabba Creek into the wilderness. We passed lots of fallen trees, a big slab of concrete and a water tank bent around a huge tree thanks to the floods earlier this year. The floods had changed the creek by building up the rocky banks making some small rapids that we had to carry or drag our kayaks over. As the creek narrowed the scenery became spectacular. There were lots of water hens, snake birds and cormorants to be seen. We travelled at an easy pace turning around at about 1 p.m. We were looking forward to having a go at the small rapids, there was one flowing very fast which also had a large rock at the entrance. We all chickened out of this one but most of us had a ball riding the other rapids - even Kim and her dog did it easily. There were two mishaps but what happens on camp stays on camp.  (We're curious!)

We arrived back around 2 pm for a nice lunch, cool drink and a lay about. On Saturday evening most went to the pub for tea. I stayed back at camp, had a feed and watched the Fire Nazi build the fire .

When everyone arrived back from the pub the Fire Nazi wanted a rating from 1 to 10 on how good her fire was and she was not happy until someone gave it a 13. We all had a bit of fun discussing the days events and then off to bed.

On Sunday morning Bob and Joyce went for a paddle at the crack of dawn and spotted a platypus and an osprey.

At 9 am we started our ride up into the forest (up being the operative word). The road followed a small flowing creek through a beautiful Bunya Nut grove of trees and semi rain forest. It was beautiful but hard going up some long steep hills. Peter and Ute turned back after about 6 klms. We went a further 5 or 6 klms before also turning around. After a smoko break we headed back to camp, the trip back was a lot easier going arriving at camp about 12.30 p.m. (I will do this trip again but maybe leave from the dam).

After lunch we all headed home except Peter and Ute who stayed another day.

I would like to thank everybody for making this weekend an enjoyable adventure.

Posted by Dave Gale

(Sounds like a great weekend, Dave. I am sure it is one of the rides that we will like a repeat of some time in the future).

Beachmere or Bust

Beachmere or Bust:

Wednesday 10^th April, 2013

Peddlers: Adele and Harry, Joyce, Robert H and led by John P.

We didn’t have any photographers with us this time.

9.30 am Info center, 10am Bestman and Rose Rd corner (Goodwin Beach turnoff) where we met up with John. Continued on Bestman Road to round-about, cycled on the grass beside Bribie Island Rd, through the housing development to Peel Rd, left along Belay Rd till it brought us out again on Peel at the Nature Conservatory corner, and left into Beachmere. Fish and Chips for lunch. Return journey via a look at the cold and windy beach, then the same route as outward journey until we made a detour off Bestman Road to take trail to Ningi Shops (raining very hard by this time) and continued south and onto familiar bike trail south of John’s place, over the bridge and home to welcome warm showers, dry clothes and afternoon naps. So, in this unstable weather, take good rain jackets and a change of clothes for in the car (if far from home) rather than missing out on the bike ride altogether. It was a lovely and fun ride, thanks to all participants who made the trip on short notice and varying degrees of comfort.