2022 - On the road

[MichaelB]

This thread is partly inspired/copied from WW where people send in the pictures from their rides - not so much the bikes, but the scenery & conditions.

Whilst we don't have some of the great alps and snow capped mountains that Eurpoe does, we have some great views, wildlife and brilliant roads.

So here is my effort for a start.

It's near the top of Top of Mt Osmond (Beaumont side) and is a brilliant descent with some great hairpins and smooth bitumen.

Pic taken on a pre-WFH ride this morning. A bit hazy, but great weather for it !

[P!N20]

Somewhere between Evandale and Ben Lomond, Tasmania:



OK, so it was very late 2021.

[elantra]

A few days ago.
Qld/NSW border ranges, about a hundred metres south of the border crossing.
Fairly steep and winding descent for several kilometres, as the sign suggests. Next town in this direction is Chillingham, about 10km distance
This stretch of road is part of the famous “big loop” which was a popular off-season training ride for Robbie McEwen during his Pro career.
The “big loop” is usually done anticlockwise and includes the climb from Mudgeeraba to Springbrook plateau.
Unfortunately, between Chillingham and the next little town of Crystal Creek, there are a few km of really dreadful road, narrow, windy and Roubaix-style road surface
Much nicer up in the mountains

[MichaelB]

A few days ago.
Qld/NSW border ranges, about a hundred metres south of the border crossing.
Fairly steep and winding descent for several kilometres, as the sign suggests. Next town in this direction is Chillingham, about 10km distance
This stretch of road is part of the famous “big loop” which was a popular off-season training ride for Robbie McEwen during his Pro career.
The “big loop” is usually done anticlockwise and includes the climb from Mudgeeraba to Springbrook plateau.
Unfortunately, between Chillingham and the next little town of Crystal Creek, there are a few km of really dreadful road, narrow, windy and Roubaix-style road surface
Much nicer up in the mountains

Think I've done that route as one of those century rides when staying at the Gold Coast. Some nice scenery up that way !!

[find_bruce]

Part way up Mt Macedon

I didn't make it to the 16% pitch. Officially I ran out of time to descend in daylight, but the unkind may suspect there were other reasons involved

[P!N20]

Part way up Mt Macedon

That's one climb that I'd really like to do.

[find_bruce]

It’s a nice way to escape my MIL & her cats. I’ve ridden up from the Woodend side but that’s not as steep. Coming down at 70+ makes up for climbing slowly

[MichaelB]

A couple from the weekend :

About to head down the rest of Montacute, and this is at the cnr with Corkscrew Rd, made famous numerous times in the TdU



And the beach at Henley - caught up with the Missus and had a coffee by the beach before heading home

[elantra]

A couple from the weekend :

About to head down the rest of Montacute, and this is at the cnr with Corkscrew Rd, made famous numerous times in the TdU

Reminiscing for the trip to Adelaide for TDU… I recall being at the finishing line, hearing (? Phil) commentating excitedly as Cadel Evans got a bit of a lead descending Corkscrew Rd to win that stage in (?) 2013.

Back to Qld now..

Pic taken from Rosins Lookout at Beechmont during unsettled weather conditions last wkend.

The ridgeline in the ranges about 10km south is the border between Qld and NSW, and the peak visible beyond the gap in the middle is Mt Warning, (increasingly referred to by it’s indigenous name of Wollumbin.)
To the left of Wollumbin is Springbrook National Park, and to the right is Lamington National Park.
If the pic is clear enough you can see some interesting geological features including the aptly-named “Shipstern” ridge, Lamington NP.
The peaks of Springbrook, Wollumbin, and Lamington are all slightly over a thousand meters above sea level.
There are some good road cycling opportunities in these mountains, weather permitting. (But seek local knowledge (and Strava) about which roads are best avoided)
Bushwalking is also good here, but mainly in the winter months when it is cooler (sometimes quite cold, but never snows)
Also some great gravel riding, mainly on the NSW side of this border

[MichaelB]

Reminiscing for the trip to Adelaide for TDU… I recall being at the finishing line, hearing (? Phil) commentating excitedly as Cadel Evans got a bit of a lead descending Corkscrew Rd to win that stage in (?) 2013.

They climb Corkscrew and descend Montacute Rd. And yes, remember that day too as the camera bike couldn't quite keep up with Cadel.

Was at the finish line as well

Back to Qld now..

Pic taken from Rosins Lookout at Beechmont during unsettled weather conditions last wkend.

Beechmont is a nice climb and descent. Have done it a few times when staying on the GC.

[Brendan H]

Hey thats my stompin grounds. I Live in Murwillumbah. Good riding around the area with minimum traffic and seems to be less and less Road Bogans .

[Sharkey]

Early morning heading up the Northern Rd to Luddenham. The new runway for Western Sydney Airport is just to the right.

[MichaelB]

Early morning heading up the Northern Rd to Luddenham. The new runway for Western Sydney Airport is just to the right.

That's a sweet pic !

[warthog1]

No aptitude for photography here sorry.
Couple of photos from yesterday's gravel ride. No cars and quiet.

[MichaelB]

Nice !!

[10speedsemiracer]

No aptitude for photography here sorry.
Couple of photos from yesterday's gravel ride. No cars and quiet.

I like this one, nice and flowing.

Very cool

(Note to self : finish gravel bike rebuild)

[elantra]

Hey thats my stompin grounds. I Live in Murwillumbah. Good riding around the area with minimum traffic and seems to be less and less Road Bogans .

Hello Brendan H I look forward to meeting you out on the road, I moved to M’bah area a few months ago, but in truth I am quite familiar with this area, have been visiting Tweed valley (from Bris or GC) for decades….
Anyway here is another recent pic, the weather conditions this year have been quite challenging, the rain has given a lot of local roads a flogging, but some roads (such as this one near Stoker’s Siding) have been relatively unaffected despite being gravelly surface.

The Trek pictured is a good all-rounder, a road bike from the 1990’s with a reasonable amount of tyre clearance for mild gravel conditions. (Using 25 or 28mm tyres)
Needs new bar tape !

[trailgumby]

No aptitude for photography here sorry.
Couple of photos from yesterday's gravel ride. No cars and quiet.

'
No cars is always a bonus, especially on gravel.

[Mr Purple]

Have just started doing some miles out at Brookfield, and had heard of the locals being a bit 'anti-bike' without really experiencing it.



So this sign is at the end of a 11km dead end road with next to no traffic, and a bunch of very long looking driveways with no houses in sight. Must be a real struggle to put up with people talking.

Fair enough about not leaving rubbish though, that would be stupid. Nice ride, even if it seems to be raining every time I do it.

[g-boaf]

Early morning heading up the Northern Rd to Luddenham. The new runway for Western Sydney Airport is just to the right.

That’s a great road to ride on. Shoulders either side and a cycleway (but very bumpy concrete). Bringelly Road is also good and it’s very easy to reach Camden and beyond now.

[warthog1]

No cars is always a bonus, especially on gravel.

Yes new routes too.
No idea where I am going without mapping on the garmin

Surprisingly when you do see a car on the gravel they almost always seem to slow right down and give room.

[Sharkey]

Early morning heading up the Northern Rd to Luddenham. The new runway for Western Sydney Airport is just to the right.

That’s a great road to ride on. Shoulders either side and a cycleway (but very bumpy concrete). Bringelly Road is also good and it’s very easy to reach Camden and beyond now.

I live in the Blue Mountains so I mostly do the Penrith end of Northern Rd but occasionally get to Narellan or Camden. On this ride I had started at 4:30am and done Greendale Rd, hitting the Northern Rd at Bringelly just as it was getting light.

[Prydey]

The peaks of Springbrook, Wollumbin, and Lamington are all slightly over a thousand meters above sea level.
There are some good road cycling opportunities in these mountains, weather permitting. (But seek local knowledge (and Strava) about which roads are best avoided)

I've ridden to O'reillys from canungra. Approx 30km climb and 900vm. Last time was back in 2019. Best to go real early as its very narrow in parts. There is a lookout towards the top too with some awesome views but the name escapes me.

[fat and old]

No cars is always a bonus, especially on gravel.

Yes new routes too.
No idea where I am going without mapping on the garmin

Surprisingly when you do see a car on the gravel they almost always seem to slow right down and give room.

Freaky, I know exactly where that was.

[warthog1]

No cars is always a bonus, especially on gravel.

Yes new routes too.
No idea where I am going without mapping on the garmin

Surprisingly when you do see a car on the gravel they almost always seem to slow right down and give room.

Freaky, I know exactly where that was.

You are doing better than I.
I took the photo and I'm still not sure.