One of my favourite spots on the Dunlop Lane / Smiths Road loop is the Mosquito Creek crossing. It’s in the middle of several km of quiet bushland trails. When I first rode it, I had to dismount to complete the crossing, but these days I just zip across it on the bike and always feel smug about it 🙂
Another survey tree. It’s amazing how once you know what to look for, these trees just seem to pop up everywhere.
Surveyors “blazed” Iron Bark Eucalypts like this one, for use as survey markers, because the species is very slow growing. So a mark will remain relatively unchanged for decades. This one is probably almost 100 years old. I’ll update when I find out more info from our wonderful local history librarian.
A camel thinks she’s part of the herd. I stopped the bike and asked the camel if I could take her picture. The only reply I got was a very low grumble. Camels have attitude!
Total climbing: 628 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 02:36:13
More data
Hi, I have ridden through Mosquito Creek before but never tried Dunlop Lane. It seemed to go through Slickers before exiting to Dayboro Road so I didn’t want to ride down there only to turn back. Is it okay to ride through?
Hi Ron
I spoke with Darryl at Slickers and asked for his permission, as I ride it a couple of times a week.
He didn’t have any objections provided I shut the gates after me, rode with no more than 2 other people and didn’t spook the horses. If anyone is on a horse, you can’t ride past them unless they see you and wave you on, and if there are any horses in the paddock in your way, you need to give them wide berth.
I also assured Darryl I’d stick on the track and wouldn’t go off on other tracks on his property (no matter how tempting it looks).
If it’s something you want to do regularly, I suggest you speak with him.
Dunlop Lane appears to be a gazetted road reserve. But even so, I think the right thing is to get permission before using it.
Neil
BTW if you’re interested, I’d be happy to ride through it with you some time soon so you have an idea of which gates to go thru and where the gazetted road goes. I’ve got your email address, so just reply here if you’re interested.