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

POPULAR CYCLING POSTS by Jimmy Bee in 2013

As this year comes to a close, I thought I would summarise the six most popular posts for 2013.

 

Before I do this, I would like to reminisce for a moment on the new year period I experienced as a child. I was most fortunate that my parents and I used to take annual holidays around Christmas and New Year and would spend the period at either Manly Beach or Bondi Beach in Sydney. The practise in Manly was to row a boat a short distance from the harbourside beach.  At the stroke of midnight a 'dummy' was thrown from the boat, representing the drowning of the old year and then to usher in the new year, everybody would walk the esplanade kissing each other whilst creating a racket with blow out whistles, popping balloons and of course the obligatory fireworks.  Does anybody else remember this, similar or more bizarre proceedings occurring on New Years Eve?

Now to the most popular posts:
 

1. The Gap via Enoggera Creek and Ithaca Creek bike ways.

Enoggera Creek and Ithaca Creek bike way



Ithaca Creek, Brisbane, Qld.

Enoggera Creek, Brisbane, Qld.

Considering that these two routes have been flooded twice in two years causing millions of dollars of damage, the council workers appear to take personal pride in the restoration of the pathways and their bordering parkland.

2. 2013 and in the spirit.



At peace with the world.



My brother in law, Merv,  posing with his Lefty and my Scotty

2013 was a great year for finding and riding trails and paths in and around Brisbane and South East Queensland. I'm looking forward to making 2014 even better.

3. Hawkes Bay, NZ. Waipawa to Hastings (63 km).

Hawkes Bay, NZ --Waipawa to Hastings


This part of the world is just one unbelievable landscape after another. Imagine what it could look like if they weren't experiencing a drought.

4. Hawkes Bay, NZ - Taradale to Ahuriri (45 km)

It could be said "a rose amongst the thorns" 

A cool trail through the forest .



Fattening up the goose.

 

Back to the coast

The last day of a tour is one of mixed emotions, on the one hand, it is nice to be going home but on the other there is a sense of returning to reality, rather than waking up to a new adventure each day as we had done for the last five days. If you are contemplating a cycling tour in another country try booking with  http://www.takarotrails.co.nz/ on the North Island of New Zealand. Our group liked it so much earlier this year that we have booked a tour on the South Island with http://www.advsouth.co.nz/cycle/road_cycling/Alps_to_Ocean_Cycle.tour.



5. Clifton loop via Kratzman Road and Old Elphinstone Road

 

Clifton loop via Kratzman Road and Old Elphinstone Road.

 

Kratzman Road, Clifton

Sunflower crop on Clifton-Allora Road

Clifton is only a two hour drive from Brisbane and can be a great destination to have a cheap weekend of recreational riding with routes covering North, South, East and West. The riding is mainly on low traffic roads of quality surface and suitable to all bikes.

6. Cycling Downfall Creek.

  

Downfall Creek route





 

  

 

 

The last time I rode this route, we had to cross some really busy main roads which in my opinion, makes it unsafe for taking all of the family unless they can be carefully supervised. I know the council is intending to remedy this situation but I am unsure at this point in time whether it has. Having said this, it is a very interesting trail to ride.

I wish you a safe and prosperous new year and I look forward to bringing you a wide variety of new rides in 2014.

Cheers and safe riding,

Jimmy Bee

 

CYCLING WELLINGTON POINT TO CLEVELAND HARBOUR, QLD. AUS.

Wellington Point to Cleveland Harbour via Birkdale. (Map my Ride map)



King Island, Wellington Point

Wellington Point looking towards King Island

Wellington Point is a favourite of mine because the colour of the water and sand changes many times between dawn and sunset, ranging from the muted to the vivid, depending on whether the tide is in or out.

This is an alternative route to Cleveland, starting at Wellington Point Recreation Reserve negotiating a series of stairs and a relatively steep dirt path with the bay and it's associated mangroves running alongside. I didn't find it too difficult to negotiate, as the stair section, has just enough room to push a bike along the side with little effort.

 

At the end of Douro Road, Wellington Point, there is a great viewing spot looking west across Waterloo Bay to the Manly Yacht Harbour.

The path depicted above leads to the Sovereign Waters Foreshore. This is a beautiful part of the ride as it meanders through coastal scrub and exits at The Three Paddocks park. Where the path forks, take the left hand path and ride through the park to Birkdale Road.

Surman Reserve trail running from Bailey Road to Valentine road, Alexandra Hills, Qld.

 Another highlight is the Surman Street Reserve which runs off  the western end of Bailey Road, Alexandra Hills. A third of the way along the path, turn left into Valentine Road.

Trail running through the Judy Holt Bushland Refuge, Birkdale, Qld.

Follow your map through to William Street where you will find the Judy Holt Bushland Reserve on your left. Take the time and ride the short trails through the reserve.

Our next highlight is the Doug Tiller Reserve which lies between Hilliards Creek and Montgomery Drive, Birkdale

Hilliards Creek Platypus Corridor, McMillan Road, Alexandra Hills, Qld.

On exploring this area, continue along Montgomery Drive and turn left into McMillan Road where you can ride the short trail through The Hilliards Creek Platypus Corridor.

 

 

Continue following your map to reach Bainbridge Street West and continue to the eastern side of Bainbridge Street. This will exit into Nautilus Drive which in turn will take you to Cleveland Harbour and the end of another interesting ride.

Useful Information:
Always use a good map or a trusty GPS.
Distance: 17.5 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
 

CYCLING THE ALPS TO THE OCEAN in NEW ZEALAND

Well! the word is out and we are going back to ride New Zealand next March. This time it is the South Island, riding from Mt. Cook to Oamaru on the coast and then onto Christchurch.

 

 

  

Each year the U3A Peddling For Pleasure group democratically choose a destination either within or outside Australia where we can cycle and enjoy each others company for 5+ days. It is preferred that the trip is organised through a Cycling Tour Operator, who is familiar with the area and can either supply maps or a guide. Also we like the operator to organise accommodation and back-up in the case of fatigue, illness or bike failure plus bicycle rental.

 

The package we have chosen reads extremely well, but, like everything else, the proof lies within the pudding and I will post extensively on the ride when we return.

 

In the meantime you may wish to look at the web site by hitting on the following link http://www.advsouth.co.nz/cycle/road_cycling/Alps_to_Ocean_Cycle.tour . The tour we are taking is "Cycling the Alps to the Ocean".

 

In the past, our group has partaken in the following rides:

 

 

Hawkes Bay Ride, NZ

  

Havelock North to Waipawa section of the Hawkes Bay ride.

2013....Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand...http://www.takarotrails.co.nz/

 

 

Old rail tunnel on East Gippsland Rail Trail

 



One of a number of wooden trestle rail bridges on East Gippsland Rail trail.

2012....East Gippsland Rail Trail, Victoria, Australia....http://www.snowyrivercycling.com.au

 

 

The view from Mt. Buffalo on the Murray to the Mountains ride, Victoria

 

Ovens River, Porepunkah on the Murray to the Mountains ride Victoria

 

 2011....The Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail....http://www.murraytomountains.com.au/the-rail-trail/

 

 

Map courtesy of Google Mapping

 

2010....The Otago Central Rail Trail....www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz  (As I wasn't on this particular trip, I can't give specific details on the operator used.)

 

In the past, I have posted on Hawkes Bay and East Gippsland rides. Unfortunately, I wasn't blogging when I did the Murray to the Mountains ride.

 

Of the three rides I have partaken in, very little criticism was given at the time and I am of the opinion that the majority, if not all riders thoroughly enjoyed their experiences.

 

It's great fun travelling in a group of familiar faces but if you are not a member of any riding group, don't feel intimidated because a lot of riders from around the world participate in organised rides and it is a true and tried formula for travelling and meeting other people.

 

The only way to really see and appreciate the country you are travelling in is to either walk or ride. Once tried, you won't want to do it any other way.

 

Cheers and safe riding,

 

 

Jimmy Bee