Places – Page 67

Cycling, Pine Rivers

The Tortoise and the Hare

by NeilEnnis 23 September 2010 2 Comments Shortlink

While I was rocketing down a trail by the dam this afternoon I almost ran over this little guy ambling along by the side of the track.

He very kindly let me take his photo while he stood next to my bike, then as quick as I came, I went.

Reminds me of an old fable – except this time I got home first 🙂

Total distance: 25.45 km
Total climbing: 370 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 01:19:29

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Cycling, South East Qld, xc

Point Glorious and Browns Creek

by NeilEnnis 20 September 2010 No Comments Shortlink

I thought I’d explore some of the forest up in the hills to the west of Yandina.

There are some awesome trails in those hills, and the forest is beautiful.

Unfortunately it was raining quite heavily and the clouds blocked out any view from the lookout.

One of the hills on Browns Creek Road was heart braking, and actually beat me. It was a continuous rocky and muddy climb in excess of 20% for about 3km. The gradient was fine, but when I stopped, I was unable to clip into the pedals again, and had to walk a couple of hundred metres up the steepest part.

Browns Creek. Gorgeous. What more can I say?

Browns Creek Road

The view from Point Glorious.

Total distance: 71.5 km
Total climbing: 812 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 05:02:04

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Cycling, South East Qld, xc

Weyba and Noosa

by NeilEnnis 19 September 2010 No Comments Shortlink

I spent a couple of hours exploring some dirt roads north west of Coolum this morning.

I didn’t really have a plan – just wanted to stay off the main roads and discover some places I’d never been before.

Even thought it was raining when I left, I wasn’t disappointed. There are plenty of dirt roads, fire trails, and bush tracks around here and I had a great time finding some new places.

Lake Weyba is a large salt-water lake north-west of Coolum. There aren’t many roads that allow access to the lake because it’s bounded on the east by national park and mostly on the west by private property.

After riding down a dirt track for a kilometre or so, I eventually found the lake shore. It’s quiet and picturesque – well worth the effort to find it.

Noosa National Park – Emu Swamp Section is low-lying swamp land containing lots of paper-bark / Tea Trees, Banksias and Tree Ferns.

Total distance: 39.58 km
Total climbing: 350 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 02:44:00

Download file: activity_49568834.gpx
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Cycling, South East Qld, xc

Brisbane Forest Park

by NeilEnnis 4 September 2010 No Comments Shortlink

Simon and I had an awesome ride today through Brisbane Forest Park.

We rode from Lawnton to Samford, up the Goat Track to Mt Nebo, down South Boundary Road fire road to The Gap, up Highvale Road to Mt Cooth-Tha, and then along the Coronation Drive Bikeway into the City.

All up, just over 70km, and 1,500m of climbing.

We rocketed down some amazingly fast dirt roads, climbed some mountainous steep hills, saw some beautiful sights, and met some great people.

I really must do that ride again!

Neil: “It’s down that road somewhere I think….”

Simon: “Should I believe this bloke?”

Total distance: 70.75 km
Total climbing: 1633 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 07:28:11

Download file: activity_47451427.gpx
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Aboriginal Australia, History, Moreton Bay, Pine Rivers

Tom Petrie Memorial

by NeilEnnis 29 August 2010 5 Comments Shortlink

The unveiling of the refurbished Tom Petrie memorial was an amazing experience for many reasons.

I’ve written several articles here previously about Tom Petrie. The man was remarkable for the way he learned the ways and language of the local Turrbal Aboriginal people, and showed them a respect and honor that was more than a century ahead of his time. It was fitting to remember him on the 100th anniversary of his death.

I also had the chance to meet Maroochy Barambah, an elder, Songwoman and Law-Woman of the Turrbal Aboriginal people. This talented and dignified woman is the great grand-daughter of Kulkarawa, a young Aboriginal girl who ran off with a Sri Lankan man named Shake Brown in the 1840’s. Brown was killed in the 1840’s on the banks of what is now called Browns Creek. By some strange co-incidence I actually took some photos of this area and wrote an article about it a few months ago. So I was overwhelmed to meet someone who was actually related to Kulkarawa (Granny Kitty) and Shake Brown (Grandfather Brown).

This event was the first formal occasion that descendants of Tom Petrie and the Turrbal people had met face to face since Petrie’s death. It gives me hope that things like this happen. The mutual history of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia is something that can unite us, and strengthen our souls. It reminds us how precious is the place in which we live. It gives us continuity and reminds us that each of us is here for such a brief time, while the land is always here.

Australia, Cycling, Tasmania, xc

Blue Tiers, Tasmania

by NeilEnnis 3 August 2010 1 Comment Shortlink

I plan to ride a mountain bike through the Blue Tiers in Tasmania this Sunday. It’s a picturesque, remote alpine area of north-eastern Tasmania that is supposed to be well worth the effort.

The only problem is that I’ll probably be riding it alone, and I’ve never been there before.

So to be on the safe side, I’m publishing my proposed route here, with some checkpoints along the way, and I’ll update my twitter feed with a photo from those checkpoints so that (if you’re interested) you can keep an eye on where I’m up to. If I fall off the bike, or get abducted by aliens, at least you’ll know how far I got and where I plan to go.

I’ll be leaving the Weldborough Hotel at about 10.30am and aim to be back by about 3pm.

The checkpoints are: