Tweed Coast Treadly

Public Holiday Trip to Minyon Falls with Mark in preparation for the Freedom Ride. A bush ride on the Youcan.

We got underway about 10:45am with mark picking me up in his work van (without me leaving anything behind this time) a journey through Brunswick, Mullumbimby, etc through to the Nightcap Nat. Park. We parked at Rummery Park Camping area and rode west onto Nightcap Range Road to the sign posted Telephone Road, on the maps it is Wirupa Break, but we made our planed turn too late to the left off Wirupa onto Telephone Road instead of the Minyon Fire Break. Dohh!

This led us on to Baldwins Road and a Southern exit to the park (although the proceeding ride was a nice descent along well maintained gravel road with heaps of small jumps, created from the cross road drains and a multitude of 50mm diameter strewn branches). We would need to retrace our tracks and try to get back to Minyon Falls.
So back up the short distance to the turn off (right) to Quirks Fire Track to the Quandong Fire Track and passing through Quandong Falls. Here we rested eating our lunch to the sound of small waterfalls and cool view in total quite (except for the forest sounds) and a great view then it was onto the Minyon Loop.

Clambering over fallen trees and as often as possible riding in granny gear along a rough walking track all the way to the intersection with the Miniyon Falls–Minyon Grass walking track. Here we started to see people again. We continued along pushing and riding where possible to the Minyon Falls Parking area until we were once again on course to ride along the single track to Rummery Park and Peates Mountain Road (freedom ride course)

We then, well me anyway, grovelled up to 615 meters elevation continuing past Perlite Road, past Watts Folly Road and turned around just before Tugan Road. Then the descent down Peates Mountain Road for a breezy 5 and a half minutes back to Marks van.

Peats Road about to descend

No Photos, but here is a 5 minute video of the Descent of Peates Mountain Road from my new $120 – ALDI Oregon handlebar video camera (Warning: 7mb downloaded)…

Only 20 kilometres but a fun trip even getting lost was good!

nightcap route

Decided to kill two birds with the one stone today. Rode to South Tweed after fixing the “easy wheel” on the garage gate this morning. As I was going past “Battery World” I dropped in an picked up a new 12V 23AE battery for the wireless sender and a new 3V CR2032 for the computer receiver. Not to bad after 26 months of use, but still a quarter the price of a replacement cheapo HUFFY13 bicycle computer. The real reason for the trip was to get my timetable for the next two weeks of teaching, ughhhh!

The wind was a fairly constant NE-NNE about 8-10km/h. So not really any problem as a head wind nor that much assistance as a tail wind.

Only one “yobbo ute” incident on the way home so all up a pleasant 56km ride.

Well the teaching income will come in handy. I was researching DSLR cameras last night and found that I can use my Minolta AF reflex  lenses on Sony A200-A700 cameras (plus others). Which is really Great news! Now those $1000 investments will be able to stop gathering dust! If I get a DSLR body +$750.00

Organised with Mark during the week to try (sic) to climb to the top of Cudgera Creek Road. Just to test the knee, as all I have managed to put together are flat, intermittent, rides with varying degrees of success. But I had to bite the bullet and attempt a hill whatever the consequences or think about seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon.

Well I set of about 8:15am thinking I would catch Mark near Wattie Bishop Road before heading off toward Cudgera Creek. The arrangements were for Mark to get to my place at 8:30am but I set off anyway… As it turned out I needed to ride the 7km’s to Mark’s and wait for him to finish getting ready, (late night as a designated driver).

We pushed off at the planned SLOWWWW pace south toward Cudgera along the gravel of Round Mountain Road. Of note the surface was noticeably good clear of major potholes and braking corrugations, a very different condition to what we would find on Cudgera Creek Road.

No problems spinning up the King’s hill or past Quinns or James’. So on to Cudgera Creek Road. By now it was warming up out of the light Southerly breeze under the clear sunny winter sky. On the first flat corner I decided to stop and remove my jacket. Unclipped both peddles and put my foot straight into a dip in the road at the same time accidentally re-clipping my other foot. What transpired was a very slow fall to the surface of the roadway, clipped in! No damage just a few profanities….

Now a decision push on or turn for home. The knees had not suffered from the fall so onward and upward… We continued to spin upwards. At one point coming upon a couple of very young BMX kids trying to develop their skills at jumps against the side of the road embankments. As we approached we watched as one of them didn’t quite lift the front wheel enough to take the jump . Causing he and the bike to come to an abrupt halt. No damage or tears so we continued on.

Just chatting away we reached the turn off to Wabba Road. Here we encountered the owner of the property we sometimes use to access the Mooball Forrest. Gave our thanks for past access and we were told about a group of not so considerate riders passing through her property, to her aggravation, close by her house… not a happy camper!

Well everything was to turn out good. So we re-mounted for the downhill travel. The surface of the road has actually been washed clear of road base in many many places and all that is left is the bull dozed bed rock. Very rough on the bike but also local cars and trucks.

At the top of Kanes Road we parted ways and I made it home at 11:15am.

The only thing I might need to remember to take on the next outing is sunscreen!

Thanks for the good company Mark.

National parks authorities have vowed to crack down on illegal motorbike riding and horse riding in the Mooball National Park as part of a plan to protect the reserve.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said police will patrol the reserve to deter illegal joyriders whose bike exhausts pose a serious fire risk.

NPWS Tweed area manager Leonie Walsh said the move would also reduce erosion in the park, which leads to destructive soil run off.
‘This has been an ongoing issue and has had significant environmental impacts due to erosion,’ she said.
‘Law enforcement, regulatory signage and cooperation with the police will be used to help combat this problem.’

The crackdown is part of a draft plan of management developed for the park, which also covers the protection of wildlife habitat and cultural sites, the management of fire and weeds and recreation use.
In the draft plan, the NPWS said it had unsuccessfully tried to identify potential safe horse riding routes in the reserve, which is dominated by steep slopes and winding roads.

Cudgera Creek resident Rhonda James said banning horses and motorbikes was welcome.
‘I work in native vegetation and I see the damage these bikes do to our natural areas,’ she said.
‘It is a really positive outcome. Even as a horse rider myself, who likes riding through natural areas, I understand the impact and can accept the NPWS decision.

‘This reserve is a real asset to our area and has got to be protected.’
Under the plan, camping will also be prohibited but cycling will be encouraged on roads open to management vehicles and on management trails.

The NPWS is seeking submissions from the public on the draft plan before June 1.
Copies of the draft plan are available by calling the NPWS office on 6670 8600. It can also be accessed by visiting Hear.

source doc

Iv’e been able to ride spits and spurts over the last weeks… culminating in the 30km circuit  against a decent headwind yesterday. Only problem is I can’t seem to increase my cadence or peddle pressure without the left knee kicking up a stink!

It did prove to me that it is possible to ride my commuter distance, but still leaves a niggling doubt of bringing on some long term damage. Something I really want to avoid. I have another 22 days straight teaching relief work ahead of me so I will not be able to get in to see a Doctor until about the end of March. Ho hum!  But as two weeks will be only 10km round trip I hope to give the shorter commute a nudge! We will see.