We three old farts (Willy, Eric and myself Kenno) from the Logan Bug riders group decided we would do a ride together...
And as I had been through the area 3 times previously on my bike with different companions I was ordered to make it happen again.
I have called it the Northern Rivers Ride and I truly believe it is one of the best 4/5 day rides on the planet.
Basically the ride calls for an early departure by XPT train from Roma st Station Brisbane and after 4 hours of a wonderfully panoramic journey passing through the border ranges we arrive at historic Grafton about 360 km from home base Brisbane (Springwood to be more precise).
Tickets were purchased (Seniors discount applies) Bike boxes organized (compulsory and max of 5 cycles allowed) Accommodation booked at Iluka ( 1st nite), Lennox heads (2nd nite) with 3rd nite left as an option depending on fatigue and weather.
Road bikes were chosen as preferred mode of cycle as no off road was envisaged together with a small back pack weighing no more than 3 kg and the credit card. Light and fast is what was called for.
On the morning very cool morning of Wed the 30th July we were at platform 2 at 0515 ready to put bikes in boxes supplied by XPT and pay an extra charge of $12 for bike carriage.
We pulled out right on time 0550 in a sparsely populated carriage although a bit dated is warm and comfy. Watching the poor peasants in the suburbs getting ready for another boring day is always a buzz and makes one feel very lucky. Limited breakfast was purchased from the dining car no bacon n eggs today thank you.
The train briefly stops at Kyogle and Casino and plenty of passengers boarded mostly bound for Sydney 15hrs away. I think they (the passengers were glad to to see us off at Grafton.
At Grafton now 1000 it was a crisp morning with clear blue skies and little or no wind ....just perfect for the 70km ride ahead.
Crossing over the magnificent Clarence river for the first time is great and definitely sets the theme for our Rivers ride.
We enjoyed a truly great coffee n cake in the sun on Prince st before hitting the pedals at 1115. Exit Grafton via Queens st which becomes the Lawrence Rd. A must is a stop at the historic prison gates from which voices were emanating from the other side.
Eric was off and we chased him down a few k down the road.Beautiful sunny ride toward Lawrence with the wide flowing Clarence river on our starboard side. Road surface not great for road bikes but it wasn't going to last forever.
By lunchtime we were entering Maclean and headed straight for the Maclean hotel renown for great pub food. Certainly was ...beaut steak n
salad for $5.50 washed down with some schooners of BLL we sped off eager
to make the last ferry trip Yamba to Iluka. We made it easily and had a
beautiful 45 minute cruise across the Estuary.
Accommodation was a 2 bedroom unit at 69 Charles. Comfortable and roomy we settled in quickly and had time for a sunset paddle before heading to the Chinese restaurant at the Bowls club.
After a good nights sleep at least by me we were up at 0600 and ready to go. It was cold as we headed for the bakery and sampled the bacon n egg pies with very hot coffee. We headed for highway one about 15k away on a quiet road through the Bundjalung National park. It was very cold as we stopped to put on extra clothing but the sun soon started filtering through with the promise of another fine day.
The promised breakfast stop was the interesting New Italy on highway 1.. 40 km from our start but unbelievably this quite large tourist complex had all gone on holidays for 3 weeks.
Stretching early morning cold Bundjalung forest
New Italy went to sleep but the big timber trucks rolled on.
No matter Woodburn was only 12k down the road and it proved a better choice for a long bum rest.
Good choice of Eateries and great coffee in the sunshine by the mighty Richmond river.
On to the Sugar town of Broadwater where I noticed a bridge crossing the Richmond . On my next trip I will investigate the river road on the east bank missing out on heavy highway travel.
One hour of fast pedaling on a smooth section of Highway 1 brings us to Wardell and onto the old Pacific Highway into the big town of Ballina via a river ferry.
This is a most delightful ride closely hugging the big river on the port side. Plenty of bird,fish wildlife to observe and don't miss the worlds smallest Post Office at Empire Vale.
Willy checking his mail !
On the ferry to Ballina.
(which way Willy)
Waiting for the ferry at Sth Ballina is cool and the ferryman has been on the job for 42 yrs and was operating back in the sixties when this was the main highway south to Sydney. Once over always take Kalinga st before the main road as its a much quieter and safer ride over the bridge with easy access to the cycle path.
Many fine eateries in Ballina but we choose a pub meal where the bar attendants were very kind to us .
I wonder why !!
A most beautiful bike path leads us out of Ballina along the river edge and to the river mouth. Ride the long breakwater (if you have time) and turn at the little lighthouse north toward Lennox heads. Some great ocean views along the way. Towards the end of the bikeway do not turn right on the overpass walkway, head toward the highway and the massive climb up to Skennars Head where there a great look out and hang-gliders operating. A new fast downhill bikeway takes you right into town ( the old road way was terrible, uphill and narrow). Lennox heads a great little village and we stayed at the Sante Fe motel central to town . Again great eateries everywhere.... we chose the Fisheries where we all ate 8 whiting fillets, chips and salad for $13. BYO from next door and no corkage . This was a grand meal to end a very enjoyable days ride even allowing for the painful uphill near the end.
Up at 0600 out at 0640 for a nice quick ride to Byron Bay along the Coast ride which is pretty good apart from the number of roadside crosses signifying lots of crashes on this section . The road is good apart from a couple of lumps near Broken head close to town. A very touristy town full of celebs and of course the celebrated Light house ..the most eastern point of Australia. Its a good steady climb to the cape. We didn't hang around a big northerly wind was developing and we had a long ride ahead to Kingscliff. I needed new bike pants (nix) from the bike shop exiting town as I was getting bum sores.
The new nix done the trick thank you !
Into Brunswick heads for a breather and out again riding through the Holiday park, took a a bad choice in opting for the bikepath out along the old highway. Don't do it ..get back onto the new highway (M1) asap unless you like endless hill climbs to nowhere ! Its tricky getting back on M1 but next time either by-pass Brunswick heads or exit town via first roundabout going south onto M1 then off the bike, cross the highway then go North . Nice and flat. Now Pottsville is great lunch stop.
By far the best way there is via the Wooyung rd and a beautiful flat quiet coastal road as they say check your local guides. We did access via the old Pacific highway and turn right over a splintery bridge from then onto to Pottsville its a great and easy ride (if no headwind).
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| ...ask Willy |
The large Pottsville Bakery must be one of the best in the country a great range of pastries to consume .
From Pottsville it is a nice promenade along the coastal road covering the very fast development of the old fishing hamlets like Hastings point and Cabarita. The Baby boomers are moving in at a rate of Knots. Plenty of eateries everywhere and doing good business too ! Take the road thru Casaurina visiting Salt n Pepper on way and not forgetting entering the bridge path (starboard side ) and take the easy way into Marine Pde Kingscliff. A good accommodation option is the Drifters Holiday park for a cabin (2 brm) we got the last one, had a quick dip in their nice pool and the headed next door to the Rugby/Bowls Club for some well earned grub ( the shanks were exceptional ) and sink a few beverages.
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| Playing silly Buggers with a Legend |
Cruising the Bikini route from Coolangatta to Labrador is always pleasant, mind to get your eyes on the path ahead. Can be a lot of distracting ped traffic early morning as the coast wakes from its hangover and struts its stuff !!
In no time at all on the fast smooth shoulders passing Hope Island we were at our fav bakery, Coomera. Visited many times before and always good for a couple of cream buns. Passing along the familiar route to home was a bit sad (and tiring) but will do it all again as this is... just gotta be one of best bike trips anywhere on planet Earth
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| 360 km go to woe |
go do it !
