Mark, Rob and myself decided to sweat it out... no that's not how it started.
OK
So we decided to go through the Mooball forest today, the usual root for me and as Rob was coming over Clothiers Hill Mark and he met at the bottom of the quarry hill to ride over to Reserve creek etc to Cudgera Creek. The start of the 1000 plus meters of ascending today over ~50kms through to Cooridilla Road(?). On the Wabba Road section another victim was claimed, Rob managed to get snake eye flats front and rear, changed the rear and tried to use a slow leaker on the front. This gaves us another 3 or 4 breaks until he finally used my spare, the freebie one from Minyon Falls ride. And in the shaded forest every thing was cool, literally. As usual I managed to find a way to do a sumasault, no damage. Mark wasn't able to escape totally unscathed he developed a slow leak on our way through the cane fields between Reserve Creek Rd and Clothiers. He managed to scrape home with just a few stops for air.
By the time we were out of the forest and well down Smarts Rd the temperature had climbed to 38 °C and stayed that way all the way to over Clothiers hill past Duranbah Rd and onto Mark's. Mark and I both finished 3 litres of water as we got to his place and were still dehydrated. Rob only took 2 bottles and was well wasted, lucky he finished before the return over the hill. By this time my knees were a worry and I elected to get the lift offered by mark in his work van.
So a good ride but hell hot! We only manage 12.5k/hr avg speed.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Hot Mooball
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Fires Round Mountain - the 9th
Watch and Act: Cudgen (Depot Road Fire) Fire Update Fire Update 09/12/09 14:27
Posted: 09/12/2009
A fire continues to burn in bushland to the west of Cabarita Beach in Bogangar and Tanglewood area.
Fire has now been reported to have now spotted to the east of Tanglewood Dr and is now burning upslope over Round Mountain (hill).
The fire is currently threatening a number of properties along Sliprails Rd.
Smoke is currently effecting visibility on Tweed Coast Road. Traffic advisory signs are in place. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution due to fire crews working in the area.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Again with the Fires
ALERT LEVEL: Watch and Act
LOCATION: Clothiers Creek 2km west of Cabarita
COUNCIL AREA: Tweed
STATUS: Out of Control
TYPE: Bush fire
SIZE: 0 ha
MAJOR FIRE UPDATE AS AT 7 Dec 2009 16:30: A fire is burning in bushland to the west of Cabarita Beach in the Bogangar and Tanglewood area.
UPDATED: 7 Dec 2009 14:55
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Minyon Congestion
Saturday was a new experience riding over mainly known territory. The ride started at 6am with Mark arriving at 6:30 to pick me up on the way to Mur'bah to then pick up Rod. We were all going to attempt a Minyon Marathon (quite a stupid name, to me anyway). Mark and Rod do the 40 kilometre and I selected the 20. The starts were staggered by 5 minutes to avoid collisions between riders climbing and descending the same section of gravel road!
The 60 k started close to on time and the 40k left 5 minutes later etc. Riding from Rummery Park(300 meters) along Peates Mountain Road to about 500 meters along a loose gravel well maintained fire tail for about 3 kilometres then everyone turned down a side "track" to descend Plot Fire Road, through various undulations, to about 200 meters over 5 kilometers then circled around and climbed back to the top of Perlite Road about 450 meters and 4 kilometres and back to the start/finish line. As I cruised through the first place getters of the 20 kilometre "race" were finishing, I'd ridden 16ks and still had a climb to go and they had finished their 20. The route was then to take a slightly technical "single track" but this was cancelled at the last minute instead the main track to the crossing of Minyon Falls was used including cars!
All riders continued up, to 375 meters, towards Telephone Road for 2 kilometres. Just before the summit the 40-60 riders split toward Boundary Road which Mark and Rod took, I continued back the finish line at Rummery Park. taking by my trip-meter 1hr 42mins but it mustn't read time below about 2 kilometres-an-hour because my time was 2 hours+, finishing just before the first 40k rider finished a good1/2 hour ahead of all his competitors.
I only got off the bike for about 100 meters of my last climb up out from Minyon Creek, not the steepest gradient but the climb with the longest steep gradient (hard to explain but I know what I mean), all that training on Jim's driveway helped but not enough. It was not that getting off would have slowed me down as many riders who elected to walk and push their bikes up the hills were actually travelling at close, within a k/h to the same speed as myself riding(?) and probably using less energy.
The knees held up and there was only one period of about 15 minutes, during the second climb, when I felt as though the boiler was going to overheat and explode still I kept chugging focused on not exerting the knees. During this climb a group of about 5 had decided to drop in behind me to let me set their pace, most of who I would not see again after the descent and start of the next climb they dropped me out the back on Minyon Fire Brk, thanks. Total climb 750 meters total descent 750 meters. (Mark did 1450 meters of up down)
As an experience it was fine, the lunch provided was good. Although the noise of a power generator as I waited for the others to finish was, after a short while, annoying. To the point of having to go for walk to get away from it.
I'm not sure if all the commotion and masses of people are required to make a ride enjoyable. This is, I have managed to undertake the same riding through the same areas without the added noise and congestion and, I think, more pleasurable! Your opinion may vary. You may prefer to ride with 270 others through the NSW's North Coast forest trails and tracks or maybe you prefer the solitude and associated tranquillity of riding in a much smaller group... different strokes for different folks.
If I do decide to go again next year I wouldn't change anything, I don't think I could!
Monday, 24 August 2009
Paddock Bash
Slow cruise on the old mtb with Mark today, starting at a mellow 9:00am. A paddock bash along cane roads, cattle tracks and old abandoned banana roads from Round Mountain Westwards to Reserve Creek then the same repeated through to Palm Vale. Returning via the road network. Of note was a couple of little creek crossings, climbing over an electric fence using the bike frames as ladders on either side and the discovery of another possible route into the Mooball forest! it took ~4hours to cover the ~22kms.
[caption id="attachment_353" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Paddock Bashing with Mark through private property"]
Saturday, 6 December 2008
A Bit of Everything
Thought about a ride today, even though I was feeling buggered and pulled a slow 45km which took 3 hours. Rode off toward Cabba, might as well get Cabarita Cycles to check the tyre pressure... My god it was humid with a brisk North Easterly blowing... Well even though it was expected to change to the South later in the afternoon I might as well ride North and look at climbing Duranbah and Farrants Hills. When I got to the top of Duranbah, I changed my mind and thought why not try to get through Forest Hill Road to Clothiers Creek.... it was not to be.
I rode round Duranbah Road to where I worked in 1987, memories.... and then back to Forest Hill Road. After trying the center route and finding it ends in the swamp at the North West Corner of Cudgen Lake I climbed the return circle, coming off numerous times. At the top I noticed a fairly well marked track to the east, maybe this would make it around the Northern edge of the Lake... After rolling to the small creek at the bottom of this track I noticed a new fence line climbing straight back up the side of the spur on the otherside.... Nearly vertical! Ah well around here there are lots of old fire trails and I wrongly assumed there would be one along the ridge somewhere.... Dragging slipping and sliding my way up the very steep slope with the peddly over fallen logs and loose rocks slipping backwards occasionally. Finally after about 30 mins I made the 300 meters to the top and looked out through the trees toward another valley with another ridge beyond that.
[caption id="attachment_316" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="That Steep Bit"]
The push up the hill had left me disorientated and the sky was closing in so I was not sensing where I was I decided to follow the ridge upwards. I came to a fence line of a property follwed it and it happened to be on Duranbah Road thus I had completed a Circle... the hard way... By now I was fairly exhausted, not to speak of wet from the rain that had started to fall and decided to take the Cudgen Quarry track down to the coast road via Kings Forest...
Here I missed a turn and when I lazily did a U-Turn over the edge of the track to rectify this I managed to pick up a large thorn in the rear tyre and the rain was getting heavier. I pushed the bike to an area of clay fill near a cattle grid with a gate? in amongst all the sand tracks covered with pine cones. All thumbs I swapped the tube for a new one taking out the thorn and refitted the wheel.... By now the rain had decided to really come down and with it the wind was picking up from the South....
I cruised slowly back along the track towards the coast road, where all the cars had their lights blazing in the rain. Thinking of the waiting beer in the fridge at home didn't get me riding any faster!
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Wabba-Solo
Rode off today without too many plans. I turned onto the road as a shower was passing over at about 12:30pm with the intention to ride a loop on the Cypress. As I rode down Kanes Rd the rain stopped but the clouds stayed around. As it wasn't raining and was quite cool still I thought a little climb of Cudgera Creek Road would be appropriate.... When I managed to put together a climb above 9 km/hr. It seemed a possibility to ride Wabba Rd through the Mooball Forest. I was a little unsure as it is a little isolated to ride solo, but what the heck! Just do it. After reading ChrisL's ride recent report, I thought conditions would be excellent it turned out that that is what it was like. Very short grass, dry gravel patches etc and few if any large rocks strewn on the track. The only obstacle was a fallen tree across the track, and that was easily negotiated.
[caption id="attachment_287" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Wabba-Solo elevation"]
The most common creature beside birds were Goanna's scurrying away as I rode past. I didn't see another vehicle from the time I left the freeway interchange at Pottsville until I got to the Pistol Range at Murwillumbah when a 1930's car went past towards Wardrop Valley. About 2 hours of complete solitude, bliss.
The ride was undertaken without sufficent water or any food... not something I want to repeat!
Occasionally toward the end of the ride the bike started to act up on a few of the changes down to the small ring as I was climbing Reserve Creek Road, but it was suffer-able.
The distance: 50 kilometers
Average Speed: 14 km/hr
Duration: 3 hours 30 mins
Monday, 15 September 2008
Hells Hole Continued and some...
Getting there
OK let's see... After cruising up Cudgera Creek hitting the summit at 180 meters we coasted down to the Burringbar Service Station, I was cautious after having taken a corner very wide on a small descent on Kanes Road and nearly losing it before the ride had even gone 5 kms. We then rode on to Mooball, ChrisL taking a comfort stop and me continuing, both of us knowing full well he would catch me on the next big rise, which he did and passed me to wait at the bottom. A repeat we would see throughout the ride, sorry Chris...
We took the stock road via the tunnel under the freeway bypassing Billinudgel proper, the second stretch of gravel and a new road for me. We were then on the Pocket Road a few kms of comparative flat before the climb and following decent into Main Arm, where ChrisL was once again waiting... Here I needed to get off the bike and de-numbing? my feet getting the circulation back. So sat by the side of the road and got some stretching in, for 10mins. Now across the undulations gradually climbing the last of the sealed road before the climb ChrisL had warned me about ok he said to ride like a slug just hang on and suck.
It was heavy going but I still felt good being out of the North Easterly, and managed to grind up towards the Manns Road intersection. Here google lets you down completely. Main Arm Road shows no sign of changing or you needing to turn off onto the Skyline Ridge Firetrail, Main Arm Road at street level just continues on until you reach the "T" intersection of Main Arm Road, Manns Road and Middle Ridge Road. I didn't make it! My forward speed dropped to 3 kms/hr and I basically stopped any forward movement! I got off and began walking, after 100 meters the steep pinch reduced and I again managed to climb back into the saddle and get going again at 6 kms/hr.
At the top ChrisL was once again patiently waiting at the intersection only this time he had some company. A four day mountain bike riding Gold Coast High School excursion was congregating at the intersection. They were at the middle point of their third day between the Gold Coast and Lennox Head and were heading toward Mullum', with two four wheel drive support vehicles and trailers stacked with camping etc equipment.
Now ChrisL informed me that the next climb was to be incredibly steep, he had warned me previously! Little was I too realise just how steep. He had climbed it with a full touring load only weeks before so I was going to give it a go even though my weight equalled his combined with his touring load! the very first stage is a little cruel, it's mildly downhill for a short distance then bang! it just starts climbing. Being in the dense forest you have no way of seeing the summit but these same trees gave great cover from the strong Spring sunshine! This was to be a very short ride! I only made it about 200 meters into the climb and my legs gave out, and had to push the bike the rest of the way to the very summit! The gradient of Middle Ridge Road was way, way, way steeper than the previous climbing section on Main Arm Road, to the point where my feet were slipping slightly on the loose gravel as I walked and pushed the kilometer up the hill! ChrisL said later that he made it with surprising ease. I jokingly suggested it might of been because of all the enforced rest stops he had been having!
ChrisL was waiting at the next intersection, (this time I think the waiting was not so patiently, too much stand around time previously and our destination was so close, maybe?). OK here I definitely needed a rest, even though ChrisL was very eager to be off with me having finally arrived. I crouched with my head between my knees for a bit to try and get rid of my dizziness and had a nut and fruit energy bar. After about 5 minutes we were able to get back on the bikes and begin the short descent along the now named road/fire trail Middle Ridge Fire Trail, which was according to Google just the continuation of Middle Ridge Road, so a new mystery arises where does the, not recognised by Google, rest of Middle Ridge Road go?
ChrisL stopped us at an intersection and asked me where now? as there was no street signs of any sort! He said he had ridden down to the left and it was a dead end! Straight on was a creek but no falls at either end. I had left my map at home, error #1, I thought I would ring home and ask them to read it to me, error #2 even though there was mobile phone reception. Error #3 was not realising that all the roads had been given new names and Google didn't know much about anything here but still bullshited something close!
Anyway I managed to waste a good 30 minutes trying to solve the mystery. In the end ChrisL and myself felt it would be best to cover some ground he had not ridden previously to see if we could get through to our final destination.
As luck would have it, just as we mounted our bikes, along came a couple of bush walkers from Mullumbimby. I asked if they knew the way to Hells Hole and guess what?, that's were they were going!!!! Anyway it was to the left off the Middle Ridge Firetrail. So ride the descent along the gravel through the lush rain-forest of palms, vines, old trees covered by moss and lichens and the superb quiet!
We arrived at the bridge at the bottom and my memories flooded back. We had made it! Now it was a short walk to the right along the slowly flowing creek bed to the falls. The only change in 34 years was that the jumping tree spanning the pools was now collapsed into the creek with the roots end still high up the valley side. At least it might save someone having an accident jumping into the water filled pool below it. I did it when I was young but now that I am old and stupid I have different ideas!. The quite sounds of the small flow of water falling over the first stage of the falls was what entertained us while I soaked my feet and eat my sandwiches. The View out over the falls was stunning with the steep sides of the valley framing it on both sides!
The return Trip
OK at 1:30pm we thought we should begin the return journey, back through UKI via Manns Road. The start was to be a walk/push on again off again ride back to the Middle Ridge Fire Trail, for me mostly walk and Push, for ChrisL mostly ride but still some walk/push. Along the Middle Ridge Fire Trail it was all ride, albeit slowly at times to the end of the trail and then the screaming descent down the loose gravel of Middle Ridge Road. Thank goodness for dry working brakes!
At Manns Road ChrisL gave me a precis of the road ahead, which I managed to ride all but for about 100 meters, my legs were sapped of all but the basic energy needs! Then it was the next fast descent over the gravel toward Uki and back onto sealed Roads. At Uki we were to part company. Again we had some luck the Uki Cafe was still just open, moments after we ordered they took the sign down! I said to ChrisL I was going to have a very sweet coffee for the sugar hit, I thought I was going to need it for the yet to come 35kms with 400 meters of climbing I still needed to do to get home. We sat together having our drinks.
My three hills combined were about the same height as the single hill ChrisL was yet to climb on his way home through Mur'bah to the Gold Coast.
I made it to the base of the Smiths Road hill and only managed to get about 1/3 the way before the legs gave out. Not a good sign for the two hills to come. Anyway the walk was pleasant to the summit. The good news after that walk is that there was only slow riding to come. Making my way over the small Stokers Road hill to the Tweed Valley Way, climbed to the top of the Burringbah Range screamed down the descent into Burringbah, turned onto Cudgera Creek Road and the now seemingly very long grind up to Wabba Road and then down again toward the turn off to Kanes Road and home along very familiar roads.
At the start of the descent into Cudgera Creek Valley it started to spit with rain and the sun was starting to set. So on came the lights but the rain was soothing to the skin rather than any form of annoyance.
All up for me it was a journey to be sure, but a very invigorating and personal limit stretching experience. I hope that my inabilities did not detract from the overall experience for ChrisL and that he made it home easily without the burden to slow his journey further.
Bring on the next one I say, but maybe ChrisL might just have second thoughts taking on the roll of riding partner in the future!
Ride length: 100kms (including walking and pushing)
Elevation Climbed: 1500 meters (including walking and pushing)
Duration: 11 hours (including rest stops, lunch and coffee breaks)
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Da'Yabby
On todays ride, the first on my main bike in 2 weeks, I went for a contrast journey. Started along the bike path then over to the freeway via Clothiers Creek Road. South to Cudgera Creek Road over the winding gravel over to the sealed section then return over the gravel to Reserve Creek Road. On the return right on top of the hill I nearly ran, slowly, over a v'large yabby a tail thicker than a broom handle and front nippers reared in anger the size of 50c pieces. I thought it strange to see one so high up, even though there has been a lot of rain of late. It may have been washed out of its' home or just looking for a mate and taking the oportunity of the weather to get moving.
All the gullys I passed by were cascading falls and the flat cattle and cane fields were inundated. Turning off Reserve Creek Road onto Round Mountain Road was quietly pleasant. When I approached the freeway overpass up ahead was quite a large and deep expanse of water across the road. No worries, ride on. Getting half way was fine but the second part took the water over the main crank and I felt a bit like I was churning water getting nowhere with my shoes filled with cold water.
I felt like going a little further so turned down Kanes road back to Cudgera Creek and onto Pottsville to ride a further 18km. I left Pottsville just toward the end of twilight and arrived home happy a little after dark, back along the Coast Road and interchanging on occassion the bike path.
The water crossing seemed to affect the gear changes a little. After making the crossing the down-shifting seemed to become a little sticky but the upshift was unaffected. So it was where able, down 2 up 1 to get a clean change. Quite annoying!
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Turn Turtle
Well put together the PEAK and Royce-Union adding a new front derailleur needed to be a top pull, also replaced the crank bearings ( a hammer worked well as I was ditching the arms) and got Jeff from Caba Cycles to replace the Rear wheel Bearing I dont have the tools to pull clusters or peddle arms later.... Anyway did the adjusting of breaks brakes and all the gear indexing and finally the seat and bar positions... took it for a few circuits of the yard and all seemed cool after a few tweaks so decided to take it for a short circuit. On the way home I bumped into Mark and a mate of his out doing some trail riding, both covered in mud and crap for their efforts, they were going to return over Towners Road and after a quick think I thought it would be good to complete a test ride on a very cheap Junk Pile MTB, (now calledthe "bitsa") with a bit of a bush-bash... It took the gravel climb well and I kept the speed down, just in case????, on the descent. After getting to Jim T's place we started on the "private" section of Towners and all was cool until I tried to get past a simple prone fence post obstacle. I was riding with a pair of strap peddles Joy had picked up at the tip and I had forgotten! Anyway the front wheel came to a stop against the post and I went to put my foot down.... I picked myself up after a somersault with the bike attached to my feet coming to rest on my back... no damage me or the bike... little dirty that's all and a good laugh. Mark was behind me and got a good view from there and helped me by getting the bike off the top of me.. lying like a turtle on my back in the mud!
The bike held up it just requires a clean and some minor adjustments after the cables, brakes and bearings have settled in etc
The most important thing is my dismount was not painful when I actually deliberately tried!
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Good Job, Not falling down
Last Saturday Jeff, from Cabarita Beach Cycles, asked me for a hand to help him load and later unload his new shop fittings, which loo good and are very functional. Only took an hour or so and no injuries sustained except for Jeff who managed to have a sliding cabinet door slam close onto his thumb and with his young daughter present he managed to withhold the obligotory expletive! Well held!
On a ride the weekend before I also managed to knock a bit of bark off my right knee and elbow. Well it's embarrassing but... Riding slowly up Reserve Creek Road toward Kanes Road I/the front derailleur decided to change to a non-existent cog when I shifted down once too often! I attempted to re-engage the chain and with the little momentum I had I right turned across the slope of the hill and continued to turn the peddles hoping the chain would take up... Next thing I knew I was laying sprawled on the ground having made no effort to arrest my fall. Without clips or straps quite the stupid thing to do... live and learn then repeat. Healing well now.
I have used my spare time Autumn pruning the beautiful, though massive, out-of-control and overgrown Boganvillia creeper near my front gate. Now I have given myself a mild case of RSI from using the 'ratchet pruning shears' to cut up 2 heaped trailers full and 3 stationwagons packed to the roof to take to the green waste depot (they don't come and collect it here Tweed Shire Council's reason supplied: not enough demand in that area... Oh! I get it! A Catch22 excuse.)
Back to bikes, I finally took my tired old MTB rear wheel down to Cabarita Beach Cycles to get the long needed new bearing fitted. I need to get a couple of tools if I am going to continue to ride cheaply. A peddle crank arm puller and a rear screw-on cluster remover (cause I use cheap equip) so I can replace these bearings when they require it. I bought a set of allan keys to go with the chain breaker and spoke spanner. If I plan on traveling with all this equipment and spares I will need a support vehicle just to carry it all. Might require a re-think here! Might be better off staying home, nah! just kidding.
Also I have stripped the Aluminium Frame and repacked and replaced the crank bearings next task buy a top pull 3-speed front deraileur to suit this particular frame. Then I can transfer all the other kit from the slightly too large "Old Peak MTB"... I must ask Jeff...
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Prelim
Did a bit of research on the Burringbar Tunnel over the last cupla' days. Came up with the Geochasers site where someone has placed a control point in the tunnel. I'll post some cryptic clues later in this post. and also stumbled upon a mapping site using Google Maps that also shows Terrain Maps Zeemaps Site Link it was good!
"
Easy walk flat ground.The cache is a round plastic container.
The usual small brick a brack plus log book.
This cache is a link to the past.
When you travel down this road you will come to
a gate this is not the end, continue on through the gate.
After you go past the banana plantation on your right
go down the track until you come to another gate,
go through this gate also.
A big hint to others - yes several gates have to be passed through.
The first gate made us hesitate as it looks like private property.
Yes there is a big cream shed over in front of you but the track to follow
in your car does continue through the gate.
Go through that gate and follow the track!!!
We backtracked and double checked we were in the right spot as we hesitate
about crossing onto private property of any kind!!!
Thanks for the cache - we thoroughly enjoyed it -
the glow worms and bats were awesome to see!
Found with gjdjb after 3 hours looking further south.
Should have taken a map or looked further before going hunting.
Had a good laugh when we finally found the correct road to take us there.
What a great spot! 2 geocaching families (warren9981) had a ball finding this one.
We didn't do our homework very thoroughly and tried gates at the end of a few other
roads before finding the right one - which of course couldn't have been more obvious!
And one we'd driven passed many times over the years!
Filled in a very pleasant Saturday afternoon. Took tb tftc
Quite an adventure!! First we searched for an hour to far south,
and couldn´t find the right gate.
So we tryed further north and everything fell in place.
After the gate it became quite muddy the last 350m very muddy,
not recomended after a lot of rain without a 4WD.
After out adventure-walk with heaps of glowworms we found the cache right away
This will take you to wp1 The rest is up to you.
Please close all gates as you go through them.
G1377T
28.42888S
153.42938E
A TORCH WILL BE HELPFUL.
GOOD LUCK
Additional Hints ( Decrypt )
Decryption Key
A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
(letter above equals below,
and vice versa)
860 fyrrcref sebz bar gb gur bgure. Oruvaq n ebpx. Ercynpr nf lbh sbhaq vg cyrnfr
860 Sleepers from one to the other. Behind a rock. Replace as you found it please.
"
And also re-discovered the way to Hells hole waterfall on the same site which will be a journey all it's own, another time....
"
Hells Hole
An odd name for such a beautiful place.
This is one of those hidden hideaways that not even many locals know about.Even on the hottest Summer day this hidden rainforest creek is cool and inviting.
The "hole" is a few swimming spots along it linked by little waterfalls.
Years ago you were able to drive down to the creek but now the fire-trail
is gated and it's around 2km downhill walk to the cache.
From Mullumbimby you would drive along Main Arm Road about 18km to
Middle Ridge Road. (S28° 29.023, E153° 22.462)
Or you could come from the West via Uki.
The dirt road is kept in good condition but take care in the wet.
Follow Middle Ridge Road road to the head of the
Fire-trail at S28° 29.475, E153° 22.134
where you will have to leave your car. (
If you have a Mountain Bike at this stage you will save yourself a walk!)
About 1.3km along the trail, turn left at the junction
and follow the road down the hill to the creek.
Then you can just follow the arrow.
"
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Mid April Musing
Just a rambling post...
Been in Sydney for a couple of days this week and on both days walked from Broadway to North Wynyard via George Street and Pitt Street. On the way I took note of all the bicycles I saw and there riders. The traffic was dense and the number of riders was in the 50's. But there was a noticeable disregard for road rules about 1 in 5 wore no helmet others rode on footpaths and on the wrong side of the road snuck through red lights rode through pedestrians etc It was a bit of an eye opener... There didn't seem to be any bike lanes or routes available.
And yet during peak hour there was a lot of riders blending into the traffic with safety and consideration... But the ones that were doing the wrong thing will be the ones remembered and talked about by car/truck drivers thus the stereotyping of bicycle commuters as arrogant law breakers... the few spoiling the whole reputation.... All I can say is I am glad I don't have to ride in the exhaust filled chaos that is the center of Sydney roads.
The rest of my time seemed to conspire against me getting a ride in every day this last two weeks but still managed to get in a fair few kilometers. But I will need to put in some extra effort this week in prep for next weekends little adventure....
Anticipating the tunnel treadly trip I sourced a site with a couple of images its Burringbar Range Tunnel to see the ride conditions.... not a problem as it would only be a couple of kilometers of pushing...
Below is a couple of images from that site.
Some of the track seems to be a bit overgrown!
Some of those contacted have shown varied degree of enthusiasm but I will go on my own if all find better things to do that day.....
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Feel the need
Started todays ride with the expectation to just d a loop but include a drop into Cabarita Cycles for no particular reason.
After that I thought OK the wind is a light SSW so I might as well ride the exposed freeway down to Billinudgel and then cross over the major road mish-mash to ride to New Brighton and take the Wooyung track back to the tweed coast and home... Just another pucture but this was a slowwww leak and only required pumping every 10 or so k's so left it. That makes 5 in 10 days! Even replacing the tyre, wheel and tube hasn't stopped the bad run! And not 1 on the front wheel in 15 months!
The track is a little over grown in places but someone from Wooyung must be riding it regularly, to get to Bruns. and this at least lets you still see the route.
Sorry wrong pic! This one is of what greeted me as I was about to step onto the front verandah after todays ride...
This is the right one Lots-of strands of grass to pull out of the rear derailler.....
And just to top it off here is one of a couple who cant read very well. The sign states that camping is only permited during School and easter Holidays! They are the only ones ignoring the notice.
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Wet n' loopy Tuesday
Today was my first venture out into the daylight since the end of November last year. It seemed that I would not have to worry about any skin photo-sensitivity. A day with full cloud cover and rain easing to torrential down pours. It is still raining as I write this entry.
The distance was a hard 48kms, for me anyway. I started out and thought that today would be the day to attempt a bit of a bush bash. So off I go over Towners Road towards Clothiers Creek Road. At the end of the Road is some private property owned by a bloke I know by the name of Jim. So it was over the locked gate and an attempt at his hill/driveway. Well I only made it about 10 meters before the rear wheel slipped losing traction and at the same time the front bumped a rock so off the bike I came. This was to be the start of the long push to the Summit of Round Mountain (the hill itself). After arriving at the top it was a little unclear as to which way to go as the whole area had been cleared. I selected a western track and finally got back into saddle. Came to a gate after some twists and turns and as it was scrub on the other-side lifted the bike and rode on onwards the North. This was to be a fairly short time in the saddle as the incline got so steep that the brakes no longe held the bike both the front and rear wheels slid over the leaf and sticks covering the running water covered clay. So it was off the saddle again. The descent was harder than the climb earlier. Just holding the bike by the brakes was difficult, it was sliding and so were both my feet for a meter at a time before I could get some purchase and take another step! This continued for about 200 meters until the track slowly started to level out a bit. So it was back in the saddle and on with the ride at last.
Leaving the forest behind I came out inside Tanglewood and decided to do a little look around as it turned out I was able to climb up to the top of Tanglewood Hill along Tanglewood Drive and through the next downpour down to Clothiers Creek Road. From here I decided to do a loop over Reserve Creek along Round Mountain Road via Watti Bishop Road etc This didn't seem long enough even with the heart pumping Maremma Race along Reserve Creek Road so I doubled back via Kanes Road and onto Bogangar along Clothiers Creek Road.
At Bogangar I went into
To ask Jeff about a 700c rear wheel as a spare for the Home-Grafton Trip and as a replacement for Humphery's warped one. While I was there I asked how he was getting on with his website, to cut a long story short nothing is in the works but the desire is there, so in the meantime I offered to promote his shop here (for free) and he agreed. It would be good if happy and not so happy clients were to add comments about the shop as It is good to have this shop locally and I think we need it to stay and will need to thrive to do this!
OK! back to the ride. After the rest stop I was now thinking of extending the ride by doing a standard Hastings Point, Pottsville, Cudgera Creek then Home loop and that is what i did.
But I was really starting to feel the last couple of little climbs, my legs were now spent, even though it was only just aproaching the 50k mark. I had not taken anything to replenish my depleted energy, especially after those couple of kilometers of pushing the bike which had taken a lot out of me...
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable Rainy Summer Ride!
Monday, 21 January 2008
Flat Coastal Dirt
Mark and I rode the flat track from Wooyung to North Wall Brunswick River Today. I used the old Peak MTB and it was OK although a few sandy gear changes occured without shifting and sometimes required a double shift to obey the command. Only light drizzle on occassion. Not much wind, blowing from the N-NNE.
The rough terrain, old Rutile and Zircon(?) sand mining road from the 60's was closed to cars in the late 80's so only bikes,walkers and motor-bike(not legally) use the track, crossing a few rock and pipe barricades.
Phone Camera used to capture the turn-around point at the Training Wall. Showing the thin cloud. Started out at 1620 and got home at 1930. A bit slow but a lot of side to side and up and down about a meter in each direction around and through the large washed out "puddles" every 10-20metres. So lots of zig-zag in 3D, though NO Hills!
I'll see how my first daylight ride, since xmas affects my skin. It was late on an overcaste day so I hope....
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Mooball State Forest - Cruise
Will do a cruise through the forest tomorrow via Cudgera Creek Road and see what the fires did if anything. (hardly any sign of a fire at all to be seen) Also check out any of the changes to the fire trails since the dry period earlier in the year ended(still very much the same). Tomorrow looks good with the forecasted temperature between 15°C-27°C (only got slightly above this) and the wind from the east nor'easter at blowing at 14-20km/hr.
I've updated this post, after the ride was completed.
I hope the mozzies are less in the forest than they are at home, I'll still be taking the "RID" as I am a bit of a sook when it comes to mozzies.....(not a problem not even when we walked around the creek at the bottom of Palmvale Spur Road)
Sunday dawned dry with lots of scattered cloud. The wind was lightly blowing from the South very early, during the ride it swung to the East NorEast and strengthened but was not noticable until we left the forest and started on our seperate ways home.
Chris from Life Cyclearrived first having already completed the 61kms(48kms after edit) down the coast (phew!) from his place. He and I set off towards Marks instead of waiting we met just before the turn off to Kanes Rd, so good timing all round.The days cruising then started with all of us turning into Kanes Rd then on to Cudgera Creek Rd and we were all keeping up as we crested the ridge to the turn off to Wabba Rd, (even the old bloke ME though I think the others were taking some pity on me) . This was the most arduous section of the ride where at one point we all had to get off and walk for about 30 meters, it was just too rough a surface, (long grass mixed with lots of 100mm diameter rocks interspersed with small spots of loose gravel) for the steepness others of better skill and determination may of been able to ride it, with some luck.
Heading into the forest along the lightly grassed gravel fireroads which was quite easy after the previous short climb/walk. We continued to just cruise along the spurs and saddles as they presented themselves in the shadow of the forest so stayed cool even when the sun came shining through the dispersing cloud.
Mark was the first to leave the group. He left via gated "Private Property Keep-Out" end of the Palmvale Spur Road exit of the Mooball National Park, he had work to do that afternoon. (he still would have to ride Palmvale Road then over the hill to Reserve Creek Road, then via Buglers Quarry Road(?) on his way home to Clothiers Creek Road. heh!heh!)
After Mark was out of sight we, Chris and I, doubled back upwards to the top end of the Palm Vale Spur Road, As it turned out it was an easier ride than I had at first thought when coasting so far down it. We just kept peddling in low gear all the way to the top..... Chris doing a repair to a loose light fitting halph way up, allowed me falsely, to arrive at the top first.
Then it was just a matter of taking the gravel road all the way "down" to Quarry Road and the Reserve Creek Intersection. Here was where Chris and I separated he going home to the Gold Coast via Tomewin (another 300m climbing and ~50k), me via Reserve Creek and Round Mountain home (170m climb), The ride for me ended with nothing left of my 2litres of water and jelly legs and 2hours over the time i had allowed that is 3:00pm.
After beginning the climb on Cudgera Creek Rd we didn't see another car or truck until we got to back down out of the National Park onto Wardrop Valley Road. And it wasn't until nearing the end of my ride that I was disturbed by a local hoon in dad's 4-wheel drive blowing his horn and skimming past on an otherwise empty road. Boys will be...!
