South East Qld – Page 56

Cycling, Pine Rivers, xc

Missed it by “This Much”

by NeilEnnis 21 May 2011 4 Comments Shortlink

Last year I tried to ride to Dianas Bath. Today I thought I’d give it another go.

Diana’s Bath is a beautiful rock pool on Byron Creek in the D’Aguilar Ranges. It’s secluded, hard to get to, and picturesque. You can drive there in a 2wd car from the west via Esk. You can get there via 4wd and a bit of a hike over the mountains from the East. So I thought I’d (again) try to get there from the east via Dayboro.

I drove to the foot of the mountains, and rode from there, rather that riding from home – saving me about 60km. The ride starts with a 200m ascent in less than 2km. It’s a tough climb but if you sit back and work hard, it’s do-able. The views at the top of the hill are worth the climb:

Then there’s some fun downhill, and bouncing along the creek beds. Byron Creek is really pretty. The water actually looks a light cloudy blue colour. I don’t know whether it’s sediment, or something in the water, but it’s amazing to see. The banks of the creek are fringed with palm trees and rainforest vegetation, and there’s a continuous sound of Bellbirds and Whipbirds ringing in the air.

Eventually you have to do another 200m ascent, but this time it’s in about 1.5km along Diana’s Bath Road. I think they should rename this road “Heart Break Hill” because you need to be totally committed to be able to ride to the top.

When I got to the top, I saw a sign which said “A Break” – so I thought – why not? 🙂

I followed the road as far as I could and eventually it disappeared into lantana and weeds. So I decided to play it safe and turn around. I wasn’t going to get to Diana’s Bath today.

It was only when I got home and checked out the track log that I realized I had gotten to within 100 metres of Diana’s Bath, but didn’t realize it at the time. So I think it’ll be a case of “Third Time Lucky”. Perhaps I’ll take a long-suffering friend with me next time for my final assault on this elusive part of the world!

All up, about 1,000m of ascent in 25km, and about 3,000cal. Very hard work. Some of the ride was flat, but when you consider that I came and went on the same track, and if you subtract a few km for the flat bits, that works out to 10km of 10% climbs, 10km of 10% downhills, and 5km of bumpy creek beds.

Total distance: 25.98 km
Total climbing: 1010 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 03:51:01

Download file: activity_86919315.gpx
More data

Aboriginal Australia, Cycling, History, South East Qld, xc

Old Gympie Road

by NeilEnnis 16 May 2011 3 Comments Shortlink

Old Gympie Road

This road was blazed in the 1860’s because of the Gympie Gold Rush. Every man and his dog packed their picks, shovels and tents and headed north from Brisbane to strike it rich. Some accounts even speak of people piling their meagre belongings into a wheelbarrow and walking from Brisbane to Gympie.

Before then, parts of it were actually an old aboriginal trail used by the Turrbal and Kabi / Gubbi-Gubbi people as they walked the area between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

This is part of the same old road that passes through what is now modern-day Strathpine, Lawnton, Petrie and Kallangur. It’s just further north along that same road.

There were no horses on it today, or wheelbarrows, just a few trail bikes, 4wds and one Mountain Bike (me!).

In her book “Reminiscences of Early Queensland“, Constance Campbell Petrie writes how her father, Tom Petrie, helped blaze parts of the road:

When Davis (or ” Duramboi “) was asked to mark a road to Gympie, he sought my father’s assistance for the first part of the way, saying he would know where he was all right when he got to the Glass House Mountains, as he had been there before when living with the blacks. So Father took him to the other side of Caboolture and put him and party on his (” Tom Petrie’s”) marked tree line to Petrie’s Creek, on the Maroochy River. Then when the line to Gympie was marked, he went with Cobb and Co. to help them pick out stopping places for the changing of horses. The road was just frightful at that time ; we in these days could not recognize it for the same.

Aboriginal Australia, Cycling, South East Qld, xc

Beerburrum East State Forest

by NeilEnnis 15 May 2011 No Comments Shortlink

I made a spur-of-the moment decision to try the Beerburrum East State Forest today. I rode it about six months ago and really enjoyed the long flat dirt roads which let me zone out and just concentrate on the ride.

The forest is full of these roads, and at this time of year they’re perfect to get a few kilometres under the belt.

Elimbah Creek cuts through the forest and is a nice place to stop for a quick breather. I came upon a few motor cyclists and be both were effusive about how incredible the place was, and what a beautiful day it was. Even if you’re into different things, it was great to meet someone enjoying what they were doing as much as I was enjoying what I was doing.

As you get further north, the Glasshouse Moutains impose themselves on most views. Here’s Beerwah, the legendary mother of the family watching over me today. She’s still pregnant, but mountains take a long time to give birth 🙂

…and Father Tibrogargan, still brooding, watching grumpily out to sea. He still hasn’t forgiven Coonowrin. Apparently some mountains take a long time to forgive.

All-in-all a perfect day. Next time I’d like to bring a few friends along and take it slower.

This time I was 2 mins slower than last time, but I didn’t have a major break this time, and still managed to average 21.5km/h over 60km, so I’m happy 🙂

Total distance: 60.53 km
Total climbing: 412 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 03:14:42

Download file: activity_85677627.gpx
More data

Cycling, Pine Rivers

Mount Nebo

by NeilEnnis 14 May 2011 2 Comments Shortlink

Isaac and I had a great time cycling up Mount Nebo to the lookout today.

We climbed for about 6km, then explored a few fire trails, then descended for 6km.

As you can see – it was perfect weather for mountain biking.

For someone who doesn’t ride much, Isaac did very well!

Total distance: 20.97 km
Total climbing: 725 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 02:41:08

Download file: activity_85426665.gpx
More data

Cycling, History, Pine Rivers

Simply Happy

by NeilEnnis 12 May 2011 No Comments Shortlink

If you want to be happy, it helps to know what you want.

A few days ago I thought to myself that I’d really like to explore some new trails by Lake Samsonvale, and today I did just that! And now I’m pretty happy 🙂

This time of year in Southeast Queensland is beautiful. The westerly winds clear the skies to a deep blue, and the temperature drops. Perfect weather for exploring this part of the world.

There are some beautiful trails by the shoreline of the lake – and many of them barely see a human once per week.

This is the remnants of Gordon’s Crossing Road looking towards the north west. Today, Gordon’s Crossing Road West stops near the shore of the lake. But 50 years ago it continued pretty much in a north-westerly direction, across the North Pine River to where this photo was taken.

Today the only company I had on the bike was an elusive fox whom I managed to quickly photograph before she slunk away into the lantana.

A view of Mount Samson from the shore of Lake Samsonvale at Harrisons Pocket.

A view of Clear Mountain from the other side of Lake Samsonvale. Most of the time my experience of Clear Mountain is straining on the pedals trying to get up the steep hills, so it was a pleasant change to see it from this angle.

So – I’m happy because a few days ago I took a few minutes to make a mental note of something I’d like to try. And today I took a couple of hours to give it a go. I honestly don’t want to win the lottery – I’d just like a few more afternoons like this. And unlike the lottery, I think I’m almost certain to get this wish!

Total distance: 28.86 km
Total climbing: 465 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 02:14:54

Download file: activity_85090539.gpx
More data

Cycling, Pine Rivers

Samsonvale Flora

by NeilEnnis 8 May 2011 No Comments Shortlink

A couple of bright plants caught my eye while I was riding by the lake this morning, so I thought I’d share them here.

There are many striking yellow banksia growing along the shoreline of Lake Samsonvale. There are so many variations of this plant that I can’t accurately name this species, but if I had to guess I’d say a Coastal Banksia (Banksia Cuninghamii), named after the prolific Alan Cunningham – an impressive botanist and explorer of this area in the early 19th century.

If you want to be pedantic, this fungus isn’t a plant, and I really shouldn’t be including it in an article entitled “Samsonvale Flora” because it’s not Flora. Fungus is in a separate kingdom from plants and animals. If you’re interested, you might like to read this article. But they’re bright, and they grow on trees all over the place round here. I wouldn’t have a clue what species it is.

Today’s ride was pretty short, but I was delighted to see Powerlink has repaired some storm-damaged fire trails, and I was able to smash a couple of challenging hills during the ride.

Total distance: 25.68 km
Total climbing: 389 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 01:54:27

Download file: activity_84171918.gpx
More data

Cycling, Pine Rivers, xc

Laceys Creek Mega Loop

by NeilEnnis 2 May 2011 5 Comments Shortlink

I’ve been thinking about this ride for weeks. Basically I wanted an enjoyable dirt ride which would let me get from Mount Glorious, up in the D’Aguilar Ranges down to Dayboro, and back home. A friend of mine (Russel) suggested a route, so I fed it into the GPS, talked Simon into coming with me, and set out on another hare-brained adventure.

The first part of our trip was from home to Samford, up the Goat Track, then to Mount Glorious, and Wivenhoe Outlook. That first stage was just over 50km.

The view from Westridge Outlook on the first part of the ride.

Then we hit the dirt and headed down the hill towards Lacey’s Creek and Dayboro. The track undulates for 5 or 6 km and has some amazing views..

Then the track suddenly drops 500m in elevation over 5km. That’s the exciting bit 🙂 The only problem was that by the time I’d got to the bottom, my brakes were so hot they were smoking.

Simon demonstrates the number one rule about climbing hills. It doesn’t matter how steep or tough they are – don’t give up!

I’d really like to do this again sometime. All up we rode 102km. Total ascent for the ride was 2,100m, and I burned 6,300kcal which is the equivalent of 13 Big Macs.

Total distance: 104.3 km
Total climbing: 2253 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 09:50:56

Download file: activity_82958690.gpx
More data

Cycling, History, Pine Rivers, xc

Rush Creek

by NeilEnnis 1 May 2011 2 Comments Shortlink

I thought I’d explore some quiet roads out the back of Dayboro this afternoon. It was a good excuse to get a few miles on the bike before I go for a huge ride with Simon tomorrow (weather permitting).

Rush Creek is one of those districts that figured large in the history of the Pine Rivers area. It was logged in the mid 19th century. William Henry Day (after whom Dayboro is named) planted one of the first sugar cane farms in South East Queensland using Kanak labour.

Today, much of what was the Rush Creek district has been flooded by the North Pine Dam…

Rush Creek Road was closed off in the 1970’s when the North Pine Dam was built, and local farmland was flooded.

It used to be the main road between Petrie and Dayboro, and crossed Rush Creek at Whiteside / Quinns Crossing. That crossing disappeared under the man-made lake 40 years ago, and the road hasn’t been used since.

It’s funny how you can still make out the double white line down the middle, under all the grass which is slowly reclaiming the land.

One of the other unusual roads in the area is Raen Road…

I followed a dirt road over a cattle grid. It eventually turned into a vehicle track, and before I knew it I was in front of an old farm house.

Will, the farmer, was really friendly and explained that the road reserve ran through his property and disappeared in the grass after a few hundred meters. He very kindly let me ride around and take some photos. I really liked these old Hoop (A.Cunninghamii) and Bunya (A. Bidwilli) pines along the banks of the upper reaches Rush Creek.

The final road I explored was Strongs Road. The sign says it’s a “No Through Road” but it actually turns into a muddy vehicle track, and eventually comes out on Mount Samson Road – a much nicer ride than battling 100km/h traffic on Dayboro Road!

Wild bees have built a hive in the trunk of an old Eucalypt along Strong Road at Dayboro.

All up, 55km, 2,500kcal (= 6 Big Macs), and 800m of ascent.

A fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Total distance: 55.94 km
Total climbing: 854 m
Average temperature: NAN
Total time: 03:59:43

Download file: activity_82624820.gpx
More data

Musings

Musings

Category: South East Qld

Missed it by “This Much”

Old Gympie Road

Beerburrum East State Forest

Mount Nebo

Simply Happy

Samsonvale Flora

Laceys Creek Mega Loop

Rush Creek