Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Chris L
07-26-04, 04:56 AM
Twelve months ago last weekend. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=33206)
Yesterday I set off early, 5.20am, heading due south. I was on a mission. I passed through suburbia in the pre-dawn "chill" (i.e. 15 degrees C). The first sight was the most amazing sunrise of 2004 to date. It literally made the entire sky glow as the clouds were positioned just so on the "climb" of Sexton's Hill (which, for some unknown bloody reason has a fearsome reputation, but is barely enough to get warmed up on). From here I headed south, through Kingscliff, and the newly created outer-urban trailer park known as "Salt", and the slightly older Casuarina Beach, onto Cabarita.
Here the Tweed Coast starts, with the coastal banksias flowering, ocean and/or estuary views through the villages of Hastings Point and Pottsville. It is at Pottsville that this ride really starts. Here I head inland across a couple of small climbs, taking me to Mooball, and south through Billunudgel, and onto Mullumbimby, now the climbs are getting bigger. The planned bakery stop doesn't happen here as it's closed (is that sacrilege or what?).
The stretch between Mullumbimby and Nimbin is some of the most special riding in Australia. Mountains, Gorges, waterfalls and rainforests with magical powers. There are a series of climbs in the 200-300 metre range, but my legs aren't feeling them, as I stare in wonderment at the scenery unfolding before me. Names like The Crystal Castle, The Channon and Repentence Creek are testament to the wonderment of this area. The final climb just before Nimbin is the hardest, because the road turns to dirt here, and it's slightly steeper and higher than the others. However, it is soon overcome, and the scenery is still awesome.
A quick change of plans after the screaming descent into Nimbin. Seeing two drug-dealers shouting abuse at each other across the road is enough to make me decide to press on to Uki for lunch. The drug dealers are so prominent in Nimbin now, that even the hippies have largely moved out. Anyway, the Uki Dreaming Cafe is worth pressing on for. I climb another 200 metres or so to the Blue Knob on the way out of Nimbin. Now I'm showing 2,150 metres of climbing, 2,000 of which has come in the 110km since Pottsville. Here I am presented with another awesome sight, the Sphinx watching over Mt Burrell. Wonders never cease in this area.
Turns out I have just enough water to make it to Uki, good job I can refill there, as well has have another of their legendary salads. This cafe has been a focal point of so many century rides in the last few years -- and they have a new waitress there too! :love: It's a little difficult to get the legs going after sitting down for a while, but move they do, on through Murwillumbah (the political, economic, social and cultural capital of the known universe).
Here I make another decision. I could come home the easy way along the old highway, but this is a ride of repentence, so I take the more interesting and challenging option, through Urliup (and more rainforests with magical powers), and the dirt road leading to Bilambil. Now the light is fading, but I no longer care at this point, in fact, I'm glad. After pausing in the rainforest to eat my last muesli bar, I reluctanly return to suburbia, but at least the coastal route is reasonably pleasant.
A headwind makes one last, final attempt to stop me, but by this stage it's a futile pursuit, and it loses interest after Currumbin anyway. On 247km I have to be alert to avoid yet another Gold Coast moron careering out of control down the wrong side of the road. I hope Darwinism takes care of him soon. I make it home to watch that evening's TdF highlights with about four minutes to spare, just time to fix myself a quick snack, and enjoy the afterglow of a memorable day. Final stats: (for those who care), 250.9km, 2,628 metres of climbing.
Now, I have finally repented! If this is how redemption feels, I might have to sin more often in future.
Yesterday I set off early, 5.20am, heading due south. I was on a mission. I passed through suburbia in the pre-dawn "chill" (i.e. 15 degrees C). The first sight was the most amazing sunrise of 2004 to date. It literally made the entire sky glow as the clouds were positioned just so on the "climb" of Sexton's Hill (which, for some unknown bloody reason has a fearsome reputation, but is barely enough to get warmed up on). From here I headed south, through Kingscliff, and the newly created outer-urban trailer park known as "Salt", and the slightly older Casuarina Beach, onto Cabarita.
Here the Tweed Coast starts, with the coastal banksias flowering, ocean and/or estuary views through the villages of Hastings Point and Pottsville. It is at Pottsville that this ride really starts. Here I head inland across a couple of small climbs, taking me to Mooball, and south through Billunudgel, and onto Mullumbimby, now the climbs are getting bigger. The planned bakery stop doesn't happen here as it's closed (is that sacrilege or what?).
The stretch between Mullumbimby and Nimbin is some of the most special riding in Australia. Mountains, Gorges, waterfalls and rainforests with magical powers. There are a series of climbs in the 200-300 metre range, but my legs aren't feeling them, as I stare in wonderment at the scenery unfolding before me. Names like The Crystal Castle, The Channon and Repentence Creek are testament to the wonderment of this area. The final climb just before Nimbin is the hardest, because the road turns to dirt here, and it's slightly steeper and higher than the others. However, it is soon overcome, and the scenery is still awesome.
A quick change of plans after the screaming descent into Nimbin. Seeing two drug-dealers shouting abuse at each other across the road is enough to make me decide to press on to Uki for lunch. The drug dealers are so prominent in Nimbin now, that even the hippies have largely moved out. Anyway, the Uki Dreaming Cafe is worth pressing on for. I climb another 200 metres or so to the Blue Knob on the way out of Nimbin. Now I'm showing 2,150 metres of climbing, 2,000 of which has come in the 110km since Pottsville. Here I am presented with another awesome sight, the Sphinx watching over Mt Burrell. Wonders never cease in this area.
Turns out I have just enough water to make it to Uki, good job I can refill there, as well has have another of their legendary salads. This cafe has been a focal point of so many century rides in the last few years -- and they have a new waitress there too! :love: It's a little difficult to get the legs going after sitting down for a while, but move they do, on through Murwillumbah (the political, economic, social and cultural capital of the known universe).
Here I make another decision. I could come home the easy way along the old highway, but this is a ride of repentence, so I take the more interesting and challenging option, through Urliup (and more rainforests with magical powers), and the dirt road leading to Bilambil. Now the light is fading, but I no longer care at this point, in fact, I'm glad. After pausing in the rainforest to eat my last muesli bar, I reluctanly return to suburbia, but at least the coastal route is reasonably pleasant.
A headwind makes one last, final attempt to stop me, but by this stage it's a futile pursuit, and it loses interest after Currumbin anyway. On 247km I have to be alert to avoid yet another Gold Coast moron careering out of control down the wrong side of the road. I hope Darwinism takes care of him soon. I make it home to watch that evening's TdF highlights with about four minutes to spare, just time to fix myself a quick snack, and enjoy the afterglow of a memorable day. Final stats: (for those who care), 250.9km, 2,628 metres of climbing.
Now, I have finally repented! If this is how redemption feels, I might have to sin more often in future.