The Gap to Milton, Brisbane (2010-2015)
Route:
See map. This shows the run in reverse going home, there are some slight variations in the morning, but route is mostly the same. (You can possibly reveal more of the route
here.) Total distance (one-way) is about 10km (6.2 miles).
In the past I used to go through Bardon and Paddington along Latrobe Terrace/Given Terrace, later through Fernberg Road to join up with Baroona Road and then turning off Park road. These routes are semi-major arterials, and not great for cycling. Over time I've slowly cut out the major routes. Greer Street is steeper to come up of an afternoon than Latrobe Terrace and is much more narrow with no footpath, but it has about 10% of the traffic so I find is preferable. In my previous job, I also used to work at West End, that's the other side of the Brisbane River.
Road conditions / surfaces:
Combination of on-road bikeways and off-road concrete bikepaths as well as conventional roads.
Traffic:
In the early mornings, bugger all. It picks up after 5AM, becoming quite heavy at 6~6:30AM. Afternoons it's quite busy until after dusk.
Environment:
Reasonably pleasant, no stunning views unfortunately but typical suburban living even towards the destination. Part of the run hugs Mt. Coot-tha forest, there's the opportunity for some mountain biking en-route if you wanted to.
Hills:
Two significant up-hills (Monoplane Street and The Drive), first of which I usually walk unless I time it right (there's a right-hand turn at the bottom). One BIG down-hill (Greer Street).
Frequency:
Week-Daily commute all-year 'round.
Departure time: between 4:00AM and 5:30AM ideally
Bike: '09 model Giant Boulder / '12 model Giant Talon 29 ER. Dahon Boardwalk (if I'm really desperate!)
Bike name: No real names for my bikes, I consider the Boulder my "road bike" and the Talon my "mountain bike", even though both are technically mountain bikes.
Cargo: Breakfast, clothes when I get to work, sometimes my laptop computer. The radio gear is more or less semi-permanently mounted on the bike so it comes along too, sometimes I have the HF antenna with me for a bit of long-distance radio contact fun.
Helmet / Mirror: Both. Former required under Queensland law.
Destination:Parking: My workplace has two bike racks right outside the front door.
Cleanup: Shower, there's a line outside to hang clothes.
Amenities: Office has lockers out the back. No cafeteria but Park Road, Milton has stacks of eateries there's 3 or 4 cafés in the immediate area.
Departure time: 2-4PM usually (unless I work late)
Alternative Transportation: Public transport possible (bus into Brisbane CBD, then get a train out), otherwise it's taxis or private transport. It takes me about 40-50 minutes to ride in, public transport would get you there in an hour.