THE FOUR POINT RIDE, QLD.

For an embedded Ride with GPS map please open http://ridewithgps.com/routes/10409769

This app. will not only allow you to get a greater resolution but a cue sheet as well. Unfortunately, it will not allow the printing of the map until you take out registration with Ride with GPS.

The first part of this ride starts at Cleveland Harbour adjacent to the railway station, riding both on and off road, skirting through the suburbs of Ormiston, Alexandra Hills, Birkdale and on to Wellington Point our first Point, which is surrounded on three sides by water and a great place in summer to take the family for a picnic, kayaking adventure, a swim on a hot day or wind surfing/ kiting on a windy day. When the tide is out, a walk out to King Island is enormous fun particularly for younger members of the family.

A collage of views on the first stage of the ride

For the second part of the ride we follow the coastline west for awhile before turning south and heading to Thornlands where we skirt around Crystal Waters Park which is renowned for it's diverse bird life and then head for Lakeside where there are a number of cafes to choose from to stop for a coffee or cool drink. From here you will ride on a sealed path through bush land reserve, first heading west and then south before turning east. This is the sort of ride that if you are carrying a compass, the needle will be constantly swinging around. After a convoluted ride through a series of back streets, you will find yourself at the very tip of Victoria Point (Point No. 2). Having a map in this instance would be of great assistance.

A small collage of views on the second stage of the ride

On the way to Cleveland Point (4th Point on this ride) you will mainly ride on well maintained paths through Point Halloran, (3rd Point), Pinklands and the eastern side of Thornlands. Like most of my rides, I try to keep to paths and off road trails but inevitably there will be some on road riding but mainly on safe secondary or suburban roads or failing this, wide dedicated and marked bicycle lanes. This is the nicest part of the ride where you will be mainly riding beside the water, through bush land or parks and if you don't enjoy this section then you are definitely hard to please.

The above photographs were taken on Cleveland Point.

Each one of these four Points is unique in it's own right and although you ride some 69 km I doubt whether you will become bored and not especially if you take a camera.

From Cleveland Point, you make your way back along paths through a series of parks to Cleveland Harbour where it is always nice to stop off at the Hog's Breath for a nice refreshing ale and afterwards, if not a local and not driving you can board a train for a relaxing journey back to where you live.

Cheers and safe riding,

Jimmy Bee

AN EVER GROWING LIST OF CYCLING MAPS WITH JIMMY BEE CAN BE FOUND BY OPENING THE FOLLOWING LINK:  http://jimmyb9.blogspot.com.au/

CYCLING LAKESIDE, VICTORIA POINT to CLEVELAND HARBOUR via Cleveland Point, QLD.

Lakeside Restaurant & Cafe complex.

If you are the type that has to have a coffee before venturing out, or a social rider or weekend warrior of the hybrid variety that loves cycling as a form of exercise as well as recreation, then maybe this is the ride for you and more so if you live in this part of the world.

Before I continue this post, I would like to apologise to my readers for the long absence. Unfortunately I succumbed to some mysterious illness which was labelled atypical pneumonia and has laid me low for some four months. I am happy to say that I am back on deck and it is my intention to bring you some interesting posts.

Lakeside is situated in Victoria Point and consists of an array of eclectic restaurants and cafes opening up onto a small lake with a family or two of tortoises which surface  from time to time to check out the strange earthlings.

The ride is only 36 km but being on the bay it is very scenic in places. It also takes in a couple of forested areas which you should enjoy. I personally love riding through the bush areas because you seem to be so remote from suburbia. As you can see by the elevation chart there are no hills of any consequence that could make it hard for you and when you reach Cleveland, there are a number of food and drink outlets.

The views from the seafront at Victoria Point are extraordinary and more so on a beautiful sunny day. The photograph that you can see above shows Coochiemudlo Island in the background and is well worth the 10 minute ferry ride across to explore the island. There are numerous beaches fronting clear clean water for swimming. Depending on the number of passengers boarding the ferry, it is possible to take your bike with you, in fact why not make this trip on another day when you will have the time to explore the entire island and have a swim as well.

Sometimes paths fill people with some trepidation as they really don't know how their bike will handle it. Well, I can safely say that any bike will be able to handle these paths with ease. And.....I hasten to add that you will immensely enjoy rising through these areas.

Here is my trusty steed Scotty posing for the camera adjacent to a beautiful tranquil lake in Thornlands on our ride to Cleveland Harbour.

Usually the waters around Cleveland Point are quite placid but on the odd occasion when the wind is in the right direction and blowing hard and the tide is high, these placid waters can change in a flash.  I've paddled a kayak around this point in similar conditions and it is just like what I believe, paddling in a washing machine would be like.

Everyone has an icon in the city/town in which they live and the Grand View Hotel built in 1856 is one in which most 'Clevelandites' feel proud of.  It is the epitome of the colonial style Australian hotel. This hotel has a great garden at the back where you can sip an ale at your leisure whilst looking over the bay.

You're so right, that is Johnny Depp's boat from the film Pirates of the Caribbean resting in Cleveland harbour while Johnny the lad high tailed it back to his pad on the Gold Coast by helicopter. Oh! to be rich and famous.

I hope you enjoy the ride.

Cheers and safe riding,

Jimmy Bee

AN EVER GROWING LIST OF CYCLING MAPS WITH JIMMY BEE CAN BE FOUND BY OPENING THE FOLLOWING LINK:  http://jimmyb9.blogspot.com.au/