Border Ranges Ride

 So with the Ducati finally all set up (well, pretty much) with accessories and having had it’s first service I took the opportunity to get her out on a multi surface spin. I planned a quick 300 odd kilometre loop through the border ranges on Gaia GPS, despite rain being predicted for the afternoon.

I wanted to be able to explore any other roads while down there, on a whim, so I topped up with fuel at Tamborine. Probably not strictly necessary but better to be safe, eh?

Out through Beaudesert and on to Rathdowny for a coffee. Another cracking morning in south east Queensland!

I took the Lions Road south out of Rathdowny. Clearly they have had plenty of rain in this part of the world as it was bright green grass everywhere I looked. Cloud wrapped over some of the hills that flanked the road making for spectacular scenery.

Some sections were more spectacular than others.

Climbing up to the border crossing I was soon in the bottom of the cloud and getting covered in dewy, misty precipitation. The road gets very twisty here and I was interested to see how the Pirelli Scorpions would feel in the wet. Now, while it wasn’t driving rain, the road was thoroughly wet and I am pleased to say the tyres gripped exceptionally well. I pushed it a bit hard just to be sure and apart from some rear abs activation while braking hard into some corners they were absolutely rock solid.

I turned up Simes road at Grady’s Creek to begin the climb to Tweed Range road but after a few kilometres it became obvious that it was going to be very wet up there. Having a brand new bike that was shod with road oriented rubber, it wasn’t a situation that I wanted to be in. With the escarpment located inside a cloud this morning there would be absolutely no view and I was intending to ride up there as much for the view as for the ride.

So, I backtracked and got onto Forest Road, then Lynch’s Creek road to head back out to the Summerland Way at Wiangaree and on to Kyogle. The rain soon stopped and the road dried up as I descended so I was happy with my choice.

I rode straight through Kyogle and out the Uki road. The road was dry and I enjoyed hooking through the traffic free twisties. I was impressed with how well my Africa Twin handled on the winding roads but this Ducati is next level on the black stuff. The highly muffled exhaust note belies how wickedly fast the engine pushes you from bend to bend!

I turned left into Link road at Wadeville to enjoy some quiet dirt across to Tweed Range road. Yep, I wasn’t giving up on the dream of taking in that view just yet!

The road was damp here but that just made for great traction. In fact, these tyres were proving to be pretty damn good. That was until I started hitting patches of wet clay. They weren’t super-slimy but I could feel the bike moving around a bit now. Stopping at the location below for a “comfort stop” a car coming the other way wound it’s window down and said in a slightly pissed off tone “the roads closed up there”. Hmmm, interesting. 🤔 So I wouldn’t have got through from the other end and I won’t go much further from here anyway. So, I turned around and enjoyed the ride down the hill to the Uki road again. This is why I wanted a full tank of fuel because you never know where you might have to go.

I wasn’t on the black stuff for long though as I soon turned off at Mt Burrell onto Cadel road. This took me through Mebbin National Park which is on the western side of Mt Warning. I have done some mountain bike races here in the past and I did feel some familiarity with bits of the forest. Of course, on the mtb you can duck past the gates that block many an interesting fire trail. Today I contented myself with cruising through and getting to know my bike/tyre combination with nary a soul to disturb me.

Cutters Campground was very familiar. Many a muddy mtb race was started from this point!🙄

I cruised into Tyalgum for lunch at the General store - even though I am only a lowly captain 😜.

They do great fresh food here and I enjoyed a simple, fresh sandwich and an iced coffee milk while swinging my legs like an 8 year old.

Things went a bit south from here as I noticed a number of missed calls from the neighbours who live either side of Dad, my wife and my little bro. 

Shit.

This can’t be good.

Returning the first neighbours call I found that Dad had had a little lie down on the carpet - for about 30 hours. Luckily we (Dad) have good neighbours who regularly check on each other. They called the ambulance and he was on his way to hospital at that very moment. Seems I had only missed those calls by about 5 minutes or so. 

I think I need a Cardo in both helmets.🤔

So, here I was, only 100ish kilometres from home but about 1000 bends in between. I jumped on the bike and hooked it for home. Once I got onto the Advancetown road things slowed up a bit as it had rained and the road was thoroughly wet. Riding into Nerang I began to become concerned as lightning bolts began to rain down. Needing fuel I ducked into the 7-11 at Nerang to top up and wait the storm out.

This is what the radar looked like….

I had several chats with bike owners (who were in their cars) about the weather with one guy showing me a photo a friend had just sent him from Beaudesert showing a massive cell that was green looking!

 Shit!

Checking the radar again and events were evolving rapidly! 45 minutes had elapsed and checking the radar it looked even worse! (Yes, I was under that big red bit under “Nerang”)

I was stuck at the servo until the weather cleared but the silver lining here was I got to make a stack of phone calls to Steve, my wife, the neighbours to generally sort some shit out. 

I eventually decided “fcuk it” and rode out into the weather. I got absolutely soaked by a massive downpour and can safely say that the Pirelli Scorpion tyres on the Duke can walk on water!

313km for the day through some magic countryside proved that this bike was the right choice. I am trying not to be a “fan boy” but can I just say that I am quietly impressed. 😎

Thankfully, I have an awesome brother who also cares about our parents too and he dropped everything to head straight out to see Dad. I organised to drive the 1000km a few days later with Lucy and we are spending some important time with Dad. He isn’t out of the woods yet and at 82 and some change he might never be but at least we are here for him. 🤗

Despite planning with Gaia GPS maps I find Ride With GPS the perfect interactive mapping tool to post to the blog.

Cheers.

I needed a beer after today…….