CYCLING CLIFTON LOOP, QLD. AUS. via Victoria Hill and Allora.

 

Clifton, Qld.

As we moved out of Clifton on the way to Ryeford, we couldn't help but notice the trees in this particular section were stripped of their leaves due to a severe hail storm which cut a swathe through the area destroying a number of crops as it went.

 

Imagine what would have happened if the hail storm had cut a path through these two crops. One can only imagine the complete and utter devastation a farmer and his family would feel to see crops such as these destroyed in a matter of minutes. A whole season's income destroyed in a flash.

 

The above photograph is typical of the Australian bush, gum trees (Eucalypts), bloody gum trees, miles of them. It is also the type of country favoured by kangaroos and wallabies and this whole scene can change in an instant, especially at dawn and sunset when they're on the move. This was not the case on this ride however, as the dense bush gave way to open fields planted with sorghum, maize and sunflowers, beautiful vistas as far as the eye can see.

Victoria Hill, Qld.

Victoria Hill

Country halls are the lifeblood of farming families and have been used for all types of social occasions such as dances, indoor sporting facilities etc., keeping the fabric of rural social life alive.

 

Add caption

Roads as smooth as the one depicted here, help to make cycling a breeze and is pretty much what you can expect when riding in these two districts.



Wildflowers outside Allora, Qld.

The town of Allora, Qld.

Allora is typical of the towns dotted throughout the Darling Downs servicing the rural communities. In this case, it has a rather topical claim to fame in that it is the location in which the author P.L. Travers wrote her very successful series of childrens books titled "Mary Poppins" starting in 1934. It is topical in that the stage musical has been touring Australia and the Walt Disney movie "Saving Mr.Banks" starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson, about the making of the 1964 movie "Mary Poppins"  was released in 2013 and more recently here in Queensland.
 

 

If you are visiting the area and would like to see the house (now a private residence) it is on the northern end of the main street of Allora in Queensland.

A nice view of Clifton taken from Mt. Moller

The ride from Allora to Clifton is 18 km of mild undulating road and is a great way to finish another fine ride on the Darling Downs of Queensland.

Clifton loop via Victoria Hill and Allora

Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 62 km.
Surface: Sealed
Bike: Suitable to all bikes
Fitness: This is not a difficult ride.

I use Map my Ride for simplicity and elevation information. Become a member (free) and find similar rides within the area and elsewhere.

I really appreciate receiving good, constructive and polite comments.


Cheers and safe riding,
Jimmy Bee

CYCLING MURRARIE TO SANDGATE, QLD. AUS. 

This ride takes you through the following suburbs: Murrarie, Hamilton, Ascot, Hendra, Toombul, Nunda, Northgate, Boondall, Deagon, Shorncliffe , Sandgate and Brighton.

 

No sooner had we left Murrarie Railway Station, then we had to make a short, sharp climb along Queensport Road until reaching the lights at the junction with Lytton Road. Keeping to the path and crossing onto the overpass lead us to the entrance of  the Sir Leo Hilscher Bridge (Gateway Bridge) cycleway.

 



Gateway Bridge

The Gateway Bridge spans the Brisbane River from Queensport on the south side to Eagle Farm on the north side. As you can see in the above picture, there is quite a climb to the summit of the bridge but if you are reasonably fit and take your time there shouldn't be a problem. The ride down the other side is  exhilarating.

 

I have included the above map because once the northern side of the bridge has been exited, it can be a little tricky navigating your way to the bike way running along Schultz Canal and the Kedron Brook flood way.**

 



Albert Bishop Park, Nundah



 This is where the interesting part of the ride begins. The pathway is wide enough to accommodate both road and hybrid bikes but please, if you are an hybrid rider practise a bit of courtesy and stay on your side of the path and be vigilant of other riders as nothing irritates roadies more and with good reason, a slow bike veering to the wrong side of the path in front of them.

 



Schultz Canal



Recreational riding is all about enjoying the scenery around you and this ride has plenty to offer. It is the one chance you get to really mix it with nature. Close enough to the hustle and bustle of the city but also far enough away to appreciate the natural calming aspects of the ride.

  

The Boondall wetlands is home to a whole array of diversified indigenous birds as well as some migratory species which arrive each year to nest and fatten up before heading back to the distant lands of their origin.

 

 

When I see a pond of water with a lot of dead wood I wonder what it was that killed these plants.....was it natural or was it used as a chemical residue dump in years past. The birds wading and feeding in the foreground don't seem to mind so it would suggest that whatever it was that caused this damage has over the years self repaired.....to a degree anyway.

You can see by looking at the above collage of photos, that this area, known as the Boondall Wetlands is an enchanting place to ride.

If you are into water sports such as sailing, kayaking or perhaps a spot of fishing Shorncliffe is the northern bay side suburb you should be heading for. At weekends, these waterways are packed with people having fun in the sun.

Once you have reached Sandgate you may elect to either turn around and retrace your ride back to Nundah or if you still have the legs you may wish to continue the ride over the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge to the Redcliffe Peninsula, another worthwhile picturesque ride.

** Directions for navigating your way from Gateway Bridge to the bike way: Once you have come off the bridge, ride under the Gateway Motorway turning right into Harvey Street and a quick left into Cullen Avenue before turning right into Links Avenue North running onto the Schneider Road overpass. Just over the overpass, turn sharp left into Terminal Drive/Lamington Avenue, left into Nudgee Road and immediately right into Lancaster Avenue, past the gates leading into Eagle Farm Racecourse, rigt into Kitchener Road/Zillman Road, left into Gellibrand, immediately right into Widdop Street leading under the East West Arterial Road and across Schultz Canal and finally right onto the bikeway.


Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 37 km.
Surface: Mainly paths but with a small amount of on road riding.
Bike: Suitable to all bikes
Fitness: This is not a difficult ride.

I use Map my Ride for simplicity and elevation information. Become a member (free) and find similar rides within the area and elsewhere.

I really appreciate receiving good, constructive and polite comments.


Cheers and safe riding,
Jimmy Bee

 



VIRGINIA to TOOMBUL, QLD. AUS. via Nudgee Beach

 

I would like to wish everyone where ever you may live, a safe, happy and prosperous new year and for those people who haven't sat on a bicycle saddle for many years, then perhaps 2014 will be the year you make the decision to hop back on a bike and quickly realise what you have been missing out on as you don't really know the area where you live until you either ride or walk through it.

 

For the first post of 2014 I am going to start at Virginia Railway Station, take you out to Nudgee Beach and then on to Toombul Railway Station. The purpose of starting and finishing at railway stations is that if for some reason you don't want to or can't continue riding, you may take an alternative form of transport back to where you started.

 

 

Virginia to Toombul via Nudgee Beach (22 km)

The first thing that I noticed on this ride was the quality of the bike paths and although we had to ride on road for part of the way, it was not a problem.

Bike path from Virginia station to Banyo, Qld.

Whilst we were riding through the suburb of Virginia, one of our female riders directed our attention to a particular house, explaining that she used to live in the house when she was a child and that the house used to be the old Virginia Police Station and her father was the officer in charge.

 

 

Old Virginia Police Station
 

Old Virginia Police Station



The Old Police Station as it is to-day

 

If you look closely at the second photograph, you will notice two things that are quite unusual, the first being that the flag flying is the British Union Jack and secondly, there is a light aeroplane parked outside the station on the road. Perhaps the pilot was renewing his licence. If anyone has a more plausible explanation, I would be pleased to receive it.

 

Nudgee Catholic Cemetery

 

On riding past old cemeteries, I wonder at the stories the inhabitants could reveal. There is a lot of history wrapped up in these graves and their secrets may well remain hidden forever. I think that there would be a number of books and films that could benefit if only the dead could speak.

 

 

Pam's Cafe, Nudgee Beach

This little cafe/shop is a cyclist's dream. The owner, a Vietnamese refugee likes having cyclists drop in so much, that he has a pump and first aid kit on hand just in case it may be needed. The coffee is great and the owner just loves to have a chat if time permits. This guy is a hive of information so if you are out and about on your bike, drop in and have a cup of coffee. http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g255068-d590923-r127638255-Nudgee_Beach-Brisbane_Queensland.html

 

 

Nudgee Beach

 

Nudgee Beach

Nudgee Beach

On leaving Nudgee Beach we followed Kedron Brook Floodway past Albert Bishop Park in Nundah, then onto the station at Toombul.

Kedron Brook Floodway

If you wish to continue the ride, you may like to try:

* Toombul to Mitchelton
* Toombul to Murrarie via Gateway Bridge
* Toombul to City via Hamilton or take a ferry across to Bulimba

Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 22 km.
Surface: Mainly paths but with a small amount of on road riding.
Bike: Suitable to all bikes
Fitness: This is not a difficult ride.

I use Map my Ride for simplicity and elevation information. Become a member (free) and find similar rides within the area and elsewhere.

I really appreciate receiving good, constructive and polite comments.


Cheers and safe riding,
Jimmy Bee