General Cycling Discussion - 2004 in pictures part 2 -- return of the dry?

I may have to do part 2 in two parts because I managed to retrieve most of the pics from my camera before it died last weekend. There were actually more than I thought -- so look forward to another update in the near future. :eek: For those who don't know what this is all about, I am in the process of documenting my local riding throughout the year 2004 on this site. Part 1 is available here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=49513). It's about time I shared it with somebody, and there aren't many people around here who like riding with me for some reason. :( .

Of course, since the last update, the weather has cooled noticeably (and mercifully), and "winter" in South Queensland means wildflowers...

And just to prove the last lot weren't a fluke, here are some more I snapped at Austinville, a ride I re-discovered after a five year gap at the end of last year.

Not sure where this was, I've forgotten, but I suspect it may also have been at Austinville, so it fits in here.

They call this place Green Mountains.

But perhaps this is a better view -- albeit from the same spot

A little further along the same range, and a brief gap in the trees that is all too easy to miss.

Occasionally you can hear a waterfall through the trees from the valley below.

See, we also get the red leaves here, too.

The estuary at Hastings Point, just for a complete change of pace.

I love clouds.

Hard to believe, but this is only about 85 metres above sea level -- if that. Urliup Road was another ride that I re-discovered last year.

Scenes like this do not need any words.

The really cool thing about clouds is getting right up into the mist, feeling the moisture, breathing the purity. Bliss.

They call this Best of All Lookout. Springbrook is actually the highest of the climbs in this area.

You shouldn't take pictures looking into the sun at 7.30am. Can anyone tell me why?

The best thing about this time of year is night time commutes, well, almost.

And the downside of this time of year? It's dry, so things aren't quite so green anymore.

Slogging away toward Lahey's Tabletop. It took me eight years to discover this climb. On the day I finally found and conquered it, I was delayed firstly by a wrong turn, and then a crash on the way up.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the reward.

Compare this to some of the early photos. It's hard to believe just how quickly it all dried out.

Beautiful scenes Chris. Thanks,

Cheers,

Ed

Thanks, Chris! Really nice job. I'm sure you'll find someone to ride with, and soon. (Unless you are a speedmeister and leave them to struggle in your dust. :))

Thanks again for sharing your bit of heaven with us. You made my day, again! Happy trails.

Nice pictures, if I'm ever in your neck of the woods I'll remember to bring my bike :)

(a bit of a ways from here...but still you never know!)

Chad

Enjoyed the pics and commentary totally. Thanks!