CYCLING CLEVELAND TO CAPALABA

 

 

Graffiti on a wall at Capalaba

I am not usually a fan of graffiti, in fact it can be plain ugly but in this case artists used a blank wall of a shopping centre facing the bush and in it's own way it was a pleasant distraction and, I say this with some hesitation, was a vast improvement to the completely ugly blank cement wall running parallel with the cycling track for some 100m or so.

 

Not too many bouquets are bestowed on our local and state governments, but you can see where the money is being spent, if you use the amenities they have provided for you. There are literally paths and trails going everywhere, in some areas a little more maintenance wouldn't go astray and if the local hoons could find some other form of releasing pent up energy rather than smashing bottles over paths, lives of both walkers and cyclists alike would be much more pleasant. A big thanks to our government representatives for allocating funds for the building of both walking and cycling paths and we hope they keep up the good work. An increasing number of your constituents appreciate your efforts and applaud you.

Hilliard's Creek, Ormiston, Qld.

Riding and walking through bush trails is almost always pleasant and with the variance of terrain , scrub, forest and passing over a number of creeks, one can almost completely dismiss the fact that we are riding through suburbia, but, with the minimum of hustle and bustle and associated noise attributed to living in the suburbs. It wasn't so long ago that I was one of the many who thought our daily lives were so busy that we couldn't possibly spare a couple of hours a week to enjoy the natural amenities we have right on our doorstep. We are so steeped in the colour of beige, everything being generic and bland that we have forgotten how to use some of our most vital senses such as sight, hearing, smell and taste. Even our food has been dumbed down by the demands of the Supermarket Giants for the perfect specimen or package, disregarding natural aroma and taste. Yep, I was one of these thousands of people and like the reformed alcoholic and smoker I am on a crusade to get people to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you. Even if you don't ride a bike, get out and walk regularly through some of the parks and nature reserves that are close to where you live, your stress levels will take a tumble and you will start to feel alive again.......sermon over.

Every month, a group of dedicated recreational cyclists from U3A Peddling for Pleasure, meet at the railway station and embark on a ride together. Sometimes, it is local but most of the time it is in another location and everyone is of the same opinion, it wasn't until they took up cycling that they became aware of the natural beauty that surrounds us and the feeling of euphoria that they now experience.

 

It's not necessary to spend a lot of money on expensive bikes, clothing and accessories, it's making that first leap that counts.

 

 

  This particular ride starts at Cleveland Railway Station and meanders through the suburbs of Ormiston, Alexandra Hills and Capalaba with the majority of the ride being in bushland.

 

A word of warning, if you decide to embark on this ride ensure you take good mapping material with you as, unless you are a local, it can be quite difficult to navigate. It looks reasonably easy on the above map but this can be deceptive as it is an overall look at the ride route and doesn't show the myriad of trails forking at different locations within the forests. Please don't be put off by this, the ride is really enjoyable and well worth the effort.

Length of ride: Approximately 32km return.
Type of surface: Bitumen, cement, dirt and boardwalk.
Degree of difficulty: Easy

 

See you on the trail and safe riding.

Jimmy Bee