NEW ZEALAND - ALPS to OCEANS BICYCLE TOUR

Excited! you bet I am, as I am one of 18 experienced recreational cyclists from U3A's (University of the Third Age) Peddling For Pleasure Group heading off to cross the ditch (Tasman Sea) to the South Island of New Zealand to take part in a ride - Alps to Ocean Cycling Tour organised by ADVENTURE SOUTH Five days of totally organised touring in this very scenic region with friends, will be heaven on two wheels.

 

As our departure date is fast approaching, I thought I might give you a summary of the tour. Well! that wouldn't be quite honest would it? considering I haven't been on the ride yet, instead, why don't you click on the following tab http://www.advsouth.co.nz/cycle, it contains all of the information you need to whet that travel lust. On my return, I intend publishing a series of posts giving my impressions both verbally and photographically.

 

In March 2013, the same group rode on a cycling tour of Hawkes Bay, on the North Island of New Zealand and if it as good as that we are in for one hell of a good time. For an insight into this tour which I highly recommend click on http://www.takarotrails.co.nz/ and for a more in depth experience open the blog posts which I published on my return from that trip.

To top it off, I have been asked by an Australian leisure clothing manufacturer to trial a new cycling jersey made specifically for the recreational cyclist. The jersey is made from a breathable mesh material, UPF 50+, is antibacterial and has superb moisture management. I have already put it through the hoop whilst riding in Queensland's 80% humidity and now I get to wear it in a totally different climate in the South Island of New Zealand. All I can say so far is it is a joy to wear and wicks beautifully. Not for everyone, granted but not all riders are into lycra either and this garment is certainly a comfortable alternative. Have a sneak preview of their website http://www.sunprotection.com.au/  and then follow up by reading my full review of the jersey on my return.

Cheers and safe riding,
Jimmy Bee
 

CYCLING CLEVELAND TO VICTORIA POINT, QLD. AUS. via Ormiston & Thornlands.

  

Cleveland Harbour, Qld.

 

All roads lead to Rome as they say and although this is not the regular route to Victoria Point, I thought it worth a post....why? because it is picturesque and suits riders not liking to mix it with heavy traffic. Can I take the kids? Sure as long as they are under supervision when crossing busy roads. What about Granny? If she is a regular cycling granny, why not....so long as she is kept under supervision. 

 

Wellington Street, Cleveland, Qld.

 

Wellington Street, Cleveland, Qld.

 

 Wellington Street can be a bit of a chore for some but it is a shared path and if you have to walk part of the way....walk.... and.... you are definitely allowed to curse.

A sample of trails within the Redlands, Qld.

Even on a hot day, there are enough forests to keep the core temperature down....one pointer though....don't jump into cold water immediately after a ride. Yes! I know it is terribly inviting but not so advisable after exerting yourself, let the body cool down first and you will enjoy it a whole lot more.


Hilliards Creek, Alexandra Hills, Qld.

Cleveland Harbour, Qld.
 

Crystal Waters, Thornlands, Qld.

 

Talking about water....there is water, water everywhere and even some to drink. The start of this ride is beside Cleveland Harbour, plenty of creeks running through the forests and then a nice lake at Crystal Waters Park. Another lake beside Victoria Point Shopping Centre and it is back to riding along beaches and of course Victoria Point itself with more water splashing along it's shoreline than you could drink in a lifetime....except it's terribly salty and not very palatable.

Water facilities like this can be located in most parks where there are paths.

 

Even though we are in the first month of summer and the temperatures have been reasonable, over the next couple of months you can be assured of increasing temperatures coupled with very high humidity. Sensible people ride early in the day to avoid this unpleasantness. Sometimes it is unavoidable, particularly on longer rides and precautions have to be taken like wearing appropriate clothing which breathes and wicks away the sweat, keeping hydrated (drinking plenty of fluids), replacing lost electrolytes by slurping on a bottle of Gatorade or something similar. There is usually suitable drinking water in the parks and if H2O is not you're scene, then there is always soft drink to be bought from one of the many vendors along the ride. You know, I have always thought that COKE, the soft drink variety I'm talking about had to have an additive such as rum or bourbon to make it palatable....have I been misled here? a misspent youth perhaps? Is all that sugar good for you? If somebody has the answers, I would love to hear from you.

 

The Land of Oz has an unenviable reputation of having one of the highest incidence of sun cancer in the world. To keep this lurking monster hungry, is simply a matter of wearing suitable head cover,  wearing 50+ sun protection clothing and smearing any exposed body parts with 50+ sun screen lotion. No big deal really, just common sense.


Judy Holt Bushland Refuge, Birkdale, Qld.

Hilliards Creek, Alexandra Hills, Qld.

One of the fun things I do on my bike is to explore an area and find secret paths and trails that few people know about. Over time I have found many paths and trails throughout suburban bushland that few people know about. They don't even appear on a Google map. I'm beginning to smell a conspiracy here between local councils and Google. These trails are well maintained but people don't know about them and I can ride on any one of them on any day of the week and be lucky to come across another single person. Come on guys, advertise this great feature, let Google know so they can be mapped, otherwise it is just a sad waste of money.




The ride from Cleveland Harbour to Victoria Point via Ormiston and Thornlands is just another great recreational ride to be had in the Redlands.

Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 27 km.
Surface: Mainly paths, both cement and dirt and a small amount of on road riding.
Bike: Suitable to all bikes
Fitness: Moderately fit.

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

 

BRIBIE ISLAND, QLD, AUS. Part 2 - BONGAREE to BUCKLEYS HOLE and return to BELLARA

Woorim Beach with Moreton Island in the background

Woorim Beach is the main surfing beach on the island and during weekends and holidays it is extremely popular with day trippers. It is also a magnet to the grey nomads (retirees in caravans and motor homes) as it has everything a retired person could possibly need. Not only that but the fishing is good as well.

 

The coffee must be good here as they tend to drop in by parachute as well.

Being only 19 km. this is the shortest section of the ride, none the less, it is just as picturesque and you get to explore the southern end of the island.

An old Leopard tank

As we passed the RSL (Returned Soldiers League) I was compelled to take the above photograph as it was the first Leopard Tank I had come across used as a memorial. RSLs usually make visitors welcome so if you have worked up a thirst by this stage, this may be the place to sate it. I don't usually advocate the use of alcohol to rehydrate but in this case with only a few kilometres left to ride, I don't think a Schooner of beer is going to worry you that much.

Buckley's Hole is on the south western corner of the island. To learn more please open the following link  http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bribie-island/pdf/bribie-isl-vis-guide.pdf

We rode as far as we could into the conservation park and walked the rest to Red Beach which is on the south western corner of the island. Looking left and then right I was greeted with  a beautiful strip of pristine sand. Lapping this beach was sea water displaying an array of blues and greens synonymous with colours only found in jewels such as emeralds, aquamarine, tourmaline and Sapphire. This was truly a magical moment.

 

 

Our ride on Bribie Island was coming to a close as we rode back along the western side of the island to where we had the truck parked. As we passed the entrance to the bridge spanning the channel to the mainland I couldn't help but notice how narrow it was. There was barely enough room to ride across, that alone trying to pass another cyclist coming in the opposite direction, except, for a couple of passing bays. It was particularly testing when being passed by a large van in the vehicle lane, as it had the effect of creating a cross wind which made it more difficult keeping the bike in a straight line.

This was accentuated when you realise that your centre of balance was equal with or a little higher than the railing. Things became more interesting when a cyclist was coming across in the opposite direction and we were both in between the passing bays. I can tell you, it was a tight squeeze, with us stopping and hugging the rail and the other cyclist raising the bike above his head to squeeze past. If you cross the bridge by bike and want to return then you have to repeat the performance. We not only crossed over once but also made the return journey......just to prove a point. I would not recommend this if you only ride occasionally.

 

Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 19km.
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

BRIBIE ISLAND, QLD, AUS. Part 1- BONGAREE to WOORIM via Welsby

Bribie Island looking over the Pumistone Channel to the Glasshouse Mountains. 

When I saw the above panorama I immediately knew that I had made the right decision to cycle around Bribie Island and in this post I am covering the route from Bongaree to Woorim Beach via White Patch and beyond, which is at the extremity of the north end of the island  still traffic able on a hybrid bike. Past this point and you would be advised to use a mountain bike with wide tyres due to the the amount of loose sand to be negotiated.

 

Such a pretty island. So much to see. So much to do. I've been here before of course but this is the first time I have ridden my bike and I can tell you quite genuinely, it is definitely the only way to see it properly.
 

This little group of shops included a convenience store and cafe and was directly opposite where we parked our vehicle.

On crossing the bridge from Sandstone Point on the mainland, we turned left and found plenty of parking areas near the bike path. Finding an outlet for coffee wasn't difficult either. As a matter of fact, if time had allowed, it would have been nice sipping on a coffee whilst gazing across the Channel. Oh well! perhaps on another occasion.

 

A fair indication of the quality of paths travelled.

By far the biggest part of the ride was on shared paths. We did however, have to use roads on occasion but the traffic was minimal, apart from two main roads. This may well be different on weekends.



A bespoke retaining wall

Even the retaining walls show a line of thinking outside the square which is something unique in a country hell bent on making everything beige and boring.

 

View taken from the western side of the island looking towards the Glasshouse Mountains 

There is something very special and  spiritual about the Glasshouse Mountains as seen in the above photograph. A group of mountains, not all that high as mountains go but they seem to command a certain presence, something majestic in their appearance. I do have it on my list to ride and when I do I will bring you a post on it.

 

I can understand why Bribie Island is a haven for retirees as it has such a laid back lifestyle, excellent amenities and reasonable land prices including blocks with canal frontages. If there is a negative, then it has to be the distance from the City of Brisbane but I can't really see why that would bother anybody not having to work there.

 

If you are travelling on a hybrid bike, the entrance to the Bribie Island National Park  is as far as you will want to go. I have read reports that the above track to the far northern end of the island is a hard slog even for a mountain bike. Riding on loose sand is never easy.

The ride back was uneventful until we reached Goodwin Road where the rise in vehicular traffic was noticeable and this continued when turning left into First Avenue which took us to Woorim on the Eastern side of the island.

 

Northern end of Woorim Beach

Northern end of Woorim Beach with Moreton Island in the background.

Northern end of Woorim Beach with Moreton Island in the background.

Although these three photos show a deserted beach, this is not the case on weekends and public holidays when the population increases with day trippers, as this is the closest surf beach to the northern suburbs of Brisbane.

 

In my next post, I will continue this ride through to Buckleys Hole on the south western tip of the island and return along the western side to where we started.

Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 27 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 ST. LUCIA TO NORMAN PARK, QLD. AUS. via Storey Bridge

Sir Fred Schonnel Drive, St. Lucia.

                                       

University of Queensland

St. Lucia, apart from being a lovely leafy suburb in which to reside, is also home to our premier university. It is easily accessible through good bus and ferry services, close to the city of Brisbane, it's very own Eleanor Schonell Bridge spanning the Brisbane River catering for buses, cyclists and pedestrian traffic only and a dedicated bike path to the city and beyond.

St. Lucia Golf Links

The St. Lucia Golf Links has a great open air cafe overlooking the course, where cyclists are very welcome.

 

 

Bicentennial Cycleway



Bicentennial Cycleway

 

Riding along the banks of the Brisbane River on the Bicentennial Cycleway is sublime. If only all cycleways were as good as this, commuters would be leaving their cars at home and riding to work. This is as good as it gets. Stress free and after initial costs of buying a bike, the running costs are far, far less than running a car or using public transport and then there is the added health benefits.

Brisbane City Botanical Gardens

The next point of interest is the Queensland University of Technology, Garden Point Campus, where you can either elect to ride through the campus, continuing on through the City Botanical Gardens and exiting back onto the cycleway/shared pathway at the junction of Alice Street and Edward Street or you can continue on the cycleway/shared pathway on the riverside of the gardens.

 

 

The City of Brisbane. 

 

The shared path /cycleway continues along the river with the CBD in the background. There are numerous outlets selling beverages and snacks in this vicinity. If you feel a caffeine deficiency or sugar drop coming on, the only reason you won't be able to sate either is because you left your wallet at home.

The Storey Bridge

Section - Storey Bridge to Dockside.

We follow the pathway along the river until we reach the northern entrance to the Storey Bridge. Crossing this bridge by bike can be a lot of fun as the views of the Brisbane River and surrounds are truly superb.

A colourful piece of artwork you will pass on the way.

Another view of Brisbane City

Dockside

Dockside

As you exit on the southern side of the bridge, turn left and follow the path. This ride follows the river past Dockside which is an upmarket residential complex at Kangaroo Point. I could think of worse places to live.

 

 

Entrance to Mowbray Park, East Brisbane.

Section - Dockside to Normn Park Station.

 

The last section of the ride takes you through a series of side streets which are cyclist friendly, through Mowbray Park (all of the major parks in Brisbane have toilets and fresh water faucets). You will exit Mowbray Park onto Laidlaw Parade which is a narrow street but light on vehicular traffic. As this leads into busy Wynnum Road, stay on the footpath, cross Norman Creek and turn right at Norman Avenue necessitating the crossing of Wynnum Road at the lights. As you can see by the above map section that it is now an easy ride on road to Norman Park Station and the end of our ride.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 19 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