Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

At the end of this month I’m heading to Kewarra Beach to stay with my son for three or four weeks to get away from Melbourne’s horrible winter, and I just wanted to check if there are any regular group rides around that area.

Cheers,
Tom

Have done a couple of solo rides from Kewarra Beach towards Cairns along the Captain Cook highway and back again, but have reached the stage where I’m wondering if it was worth the bother and expense of buying a bike bag and bringing the bike.

The problem I’m having is with the roundabouts on the CC highway.
At every roundabout there has been a bike path installed all the way around each roundabout which is all good and well, but unfortunately in each case when entering the roundabout after giving away to the traffic coming from your right on the roundabout you then have to content with the left turning traffic coming from behind you cutting across you as they take the turn at speed.

In theory they are supposed to give way to you, but at this point in time the drivers are looking to their right, seeing all clear putting their foot down and are on top of you before they realise you are there going straight ahead through the roundabout.
I tried giving a right turn signal at each of these roundabouts while proceeding straight ahead without any joy as some drivers just don’t see you.

So on my second ride I took the lane before each roundabout ignoring the bike lane, only to get abused by several drivers telling me to get back on the bike lane.

Turning right at any of these roundabouts is even more of a problem, as you have to get from the bike lane across two lanes of heavy speeding traffic to make it into the only lane you can safely turn right from.

Any solutions?

Ah Tom that sounds like a terrible place to ride a bike.
You are witnessing what passes for road engineering in Queensland.
The only world class road here goes to the airport in Brisbane.

I suggest that if time allows, find a bike shop ride at a Cairns bike shop and ride with the locals.
They will surely know where you can ride and survive.

The road up and down the Rex range from Mossman used to be a nice ride on road bike.
But it is 8 years since I have been up that way and you would have to drive from Kewarra to Mossman anyway.

Here's hoping you can find some nice riding.
Steve.

Visiting the LBS in Cairns to find the best area to ride is a great idea, might even find another broken down 67 year old to ride with.

Thanks,
Tom