Russell Island Exploration

I had a day free last week and decided that while it was still cool I would go for a look around one of The Bay islands. I had been wanting to take the kids on a ferry, then pedal around an island for almost ten years but it just never happened. Now that they aren't into cycling much I decided that that ship had sailed and I needed to go solo.

To make it a decent ride I would ride from home down to the ferry terminal at Redland Bay as we were only "about" 15km from the terminal. That would give me the chance to ride through the trails in Bayview Conservation Park to get there, adding some single track goodness to the day's ride.

Not being 100% sure of what to expect I decided to take the Plus size tyres in case I encountered sand.......after all, it was a sand island.

I eventually rolled into the ferry terminal about 5 minutes before a sailing and was hustled onto the ferry by the deckhand's "c'mon, we gotta go". I hastily parked the bike on the bow, securing it with my helmet strap, then found a seat. Gathering my wits for a second after the hustling, I wandered around the boat playing tourist.

Plenty of people do this twice a day, 5 days a week and I am sure they don't notice it any more but wow, the bay is pretty!

We went via the clockwise lap of the islands, stopping at Karragarra, then Macleay then finally my destination, Russell Island. The trip only took about 30 minutes.

Russell Island is the largest of the bay islands and has a population of somewhere around 3000. That probably swells on the weekend as mainlanders slip across for some R&R.

Straight off the boat and I was into the first little coffee shop that I saw. After all, it was morning tea time and I needed to get my bearings. I was going to follow a route that Neil Ennis and his mates had followed around the island back in January. I knew Neil would find all of the good stuff so why reinvent the wheel?

Setting off anticlockwise I soon noticed that this place was like a small country town. In places it was very much like some of the country towns where my cousins lived from the dirt/grass covered streets to the car relics lying around. I very soon got the impression that not much changes on Russell Island and that they might in fact like it that way......

I stopped to take this photo of a relocated house not 5 minutes into my ride and as I was pedalling off, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dive bomber coming straight for me.

 Magpie!!

I waved my arm up as it approached and it's wings crisply cut the cool morning air, making that familiar flapping/slapping/shwooshing sound that we all know and dread as it took evasive action, peeling off at the last moment. "Great, the maggies are out and I'm gonna get bombed all day" was my first thought. But it wasn't to be. This was the only aggressive little bastard that I encountered the whole day. Maybe he was off his meds?

Pedalling on and the crunch of gravel under the plus size tyres soon soothed my adrenaline spiked heart rate. These quiet back streets were rather pleasant and I shared waves with locals sitting on their decks enjoying the cool morning sunshine.

I pedalled around the edge of  a cricket oval, Jackson Oval, with views back to the mainland. Nice but I would hate to be the fielder looking for any westward sixes!

The route took me on a tour of lots of back streets of Russell Island. Like I said, many of these houses reminded me of towns from my childhood.

The local cement works had some relics slowly rusting away in the paddock next door. It was nice not to be in a hurry for a change and just take some time to look around.

I wonder if they have to mow the street or if the traffic stunts growth?

I was soon down at the south western corner of the island. Rocky Point park was a nice spot to stop and enjoy the serenity, nibble on a Cliff bar all while marvelling at man's ability to generate electricity......

Where the powerlines come across from the mainland.

I now turned east across the bottom of the island following the power line along Glendale Road. The problem here is that Glendale rd crosses a wetland/swamp for about 500m before emerging onto solid ground again. It didn't look too bad so I trudged in, trying to find a way around the water and through the waist high grass. 

The Fucarwie Tribe

This always fills me with dread here in Australia because you just know that there is a black snake or a brown snake somewhere under all that grass. I tried to make as much noise as I could and tried not to let my legs sink through the grass to touchdown on the ground underneath. 

Eventually I could see that there was no way of keeping my feet dry and at least I could see where I was putting my feet if I just took the plunge straight into the water. It was only ankle deep and did stink a tad but I was able to increase my forward progress by about 400% and was out of the quagmire in less that a minute as a result. And I only stunk a little bit.....

Yeah, that wasn't pleasant......

Emptying my shoes I pressed on toward the south eastern corner of the island.

There were MANY places for sale. This one looks back toward the mainland.

More quiet streets eventually led down to a little beach with a picnic area and playground. Lions Boulevarde camp ground looked like a great little spot to camp. 

Unless of course the midges and mosquitoes invade the place after dark. The park faces North Stradbroke Island which can be seen in the left of photo. Beyond that is the open Pacific Ocean.

Making my way up the eastern side of the island was very pleasant with plenty of waterfront housing looking across to North Straddie.

A few more back streets then I found myself outside the Russell Island RSL. It was tucked away and without some loud signage I would have not even noticed it. Being around midday by this time I wandered in to find quite a few people chilling out. Ordering a "works burger" was probably a mistake as once it arrived I actually struggled to fit it all in, despite having ridden up a 60km hunger by that point. Mental note - a regular burger will be just fine next time!

I then slowly made my way up to the most north-easterly point of the island where the Royal Brisbane Yacht squadron have their facilities. The gate was open so I rode in, asking the couple of people present if they would mind me having a quick look. They mentioned that it was a private site but sure, I could have a look. Nice setup with lawns, clubhouse and a pool but I didn't take any photos.

From here I meandered back to the ferry terminal and waited about 20 minutes for the next ferry. It was doing the clockwise loop again so the first stop was back on the mainland at Redland Bay. I always marvel at the shallow nature of Moreton Bay from the air and this shallow nature was reflected in the meandering course the ferry took to stay in the deepest channel.

Back on the mainland I made a beeline for home. It is a shame that Bayview is in a direct line home as I had to again sample some single track on the way home. I was starting to feel it in my legs by the time I neared home. I have certainly lost some fitness from my peak in early April.

The day turned out to be just over 100km(62mi) of which about 22km(13.5mi) were on the ferries. Not a bad day at all and probably more efficiently ridden on a cyclocross bike. There was only one section of sandy trail that lasted perhaps ~500m, so skinnier wheels might be the go next time.

I wonder if I will ever get the kids out there.....?

Cheers.

Who Needs Stilnox?!?

One of the local guys here in Brisbane put this little film together out on the local trails. Very well made and humorous. Enjoy.

Letting The Inner Child Free

My newfound enthusiasm for getting on my mountain bike has transcended the crappy weather we have had for the last few weeks here in Brisbane.

On Sunday I got out for a soggy road ride around the Redlands area, kicking a few steep hill demons in the process. Yesterday I jumped on the mountain bike for a wet fire road ride. The Bayview MTBing area is a very weather proof set of trails, being quite rocky for the most part, so quite immune to rainy weather.

Heading out into steady rain isn't something I have done in quite a while. It can be unpleasant if cold and is quite hard on the equipment when mixed with mud. But, to hell with it. I need to get some miles in my legs and it would be interesting to see how the Bayview trails handled the moderate rainfall we have been getting.

The way down was a bitumen road run, sticking to the quiet roads to avoid idiots in cars. It can be very challenging for them to actually drive while you are texting and those pesky cyclists just jump out at you! Still, I was warm and having fun and they didn't get me.

Hitting the dirt it was easy going despite the rain as the fire roads down here are quite well formed with a recent re sheet with crushed rock. This makes for zero mud off road riding. Good for both the drive train and the conscience. It also makes for some bloody good fun flying down hills and tearing through huge puddles like an eight year old.

WOO HOO! 

The area is so green with all of the rain at the moment. You might think I have pumped up the saturation in some of these Go Pro pics, but they are straight off the camera. The Go Pro isn't really known for it's colour or low light qualities but it is the only waterproof camera I have.

YEE....

HAA!

Moving up and over the hill into a bit of single track the heavens opened and the rain really pelted down. I was amazed at the water running along the trail. There was absolutely no drainage with sections 60-70-80 metres long funnelling the water along the trail until it finally found a low point to exit. If it wasn't for the rocky terrain these trails would have been erosion nightmares years ago.

As it is, some simple drainage would help futureproof the trail for years to come. I had planned on wearing my new shoes but as it turned out I was glad I didn't. Using my heel I dug several drainage points on some of the worst sections of the "Vegemite" and "Chicken Run" trails.

It is very simply done and the trail will benefit from it massively. I am not trying to be some type of "trail care hero" but I find it hard to ride a trail these days without a critical eye on it's condition. Some of the fixes required are so easy and take no time at all. If only more people would just have a go. These are "our" trails, despite what the powers that be would have us think. Government is there to serve the people, not the other way around after all...........end rant.

Heading out onto the road again it was a quick pedal to the Mount Cotton shops where a meat pie had my name on it.

Burning my lip on the filling I contemplated my next move. My plan was to chug up over the Eastern Escarpment then on toward home. The access to the EE was in doubt as the Rainforest Gardens was for sale last time I rode through. I wasn't sure if the way would be open (I sound like a Hobbit there...) and it is a large back track if it was closed.

So, the easy way home it would be. At least I managed another 30km and reminded myself of some of the good AND bad things about riding in the rain. All good training for a potential ride in changeable Victoria.

Cheers and thanks for reading.

Hello Spring ?

I found it waaay too hard to get myself out of bed at 5am for the Regular Daisy Hill Wednesday Morning Ride today. Its not that I didn't want to ride or to catch up with the guys. It is just that I need to try putting my body back onto a normal footing sleep-wise while I am on holidays. I found in the last month or so that working earlys, followed by lates, with the odd back of the clock wedged in sideways that I felt like the walking dead. So, this two weeks is being dedicated to getting liberal servings of sleep at normal hours, as well as a great ride or three.

Patting the family on the head and sending them out to the salt mines/school, I was wondering what use I could put this outstanding winters day to. Yesterday was a day of much gardening so today should be a day of much cycling. Balance is the key!

Kitting up I decided to head out toward Redland Bay to have a look at the old trails that have been given some TLC by the trail fairies. I decided to take a different route today. Part of my regular road bike route would lead me into the trails.

One of the reasons was so I could photograph this old house. I have done countless rides past it but must have been in the pain cave on each of them as I have never noticed it before last week. It is just crying out to be photographed in the early morning light, but that will have to wait until I am back on the hamster wheel.

Just one year ago the approach to Bayview was along a narrow fire trail, across a creek via a slippery, mossy fallen tree, then more fire trail to the entrance. That is all gone now, under hundreds of new Lego-Land dwellings. While I found the original fire trail emanating from the back of the housing estate, the cosy little creek crossing is long gone. Progress I am told.

Into the single track and the arm warmers came off almost immediately. Since it stopped raining the weather has been very pleasant. Today was feeling most tropical and I am wondering if we are in for an early Spring?

Through the usual trails and then I was off hunting the Shark's Tail Trail. I hadn't ridden this since January 2010 and that hiatus indicates what I though of it then. Now though, apart from one boggy spot, it is a pleasure to wind through. Feeling like you are in a living tunnel, the trail isn't too tight as it's heritage was originally a dirt bike track.

I deliberately had the map page up on my GPS today. That meant there would be no stats. No "how far have I gone". No clock watching either. I just stopped when I was hungry. I wandered around and explored interesting looking trails and didn't stress if they went nowhere. This being on holidays is pure gold! I highly recommend it!

I rode the Maze next. Last time I rode it we took about an hour to get through as we had to basically cut our way through. Today there is a 2-3m wide trail. It looks like someone drove a small tractor with a slasher along the trail. No issues with getting whipped in the face by undergrowth now. Shame really.

Heading back toward the main entrance, there is a trail called i0. It is only short but the forest through here is the most interesting, feeling like something from Jurassic Park, or Rotorua.

I was looking out for Newman here. The ferns have almost reclaimed this old Daihatsu jeep, with it only just visible off the trail side.

I love all the ferns through here.

i0, Bayview from Davey Crocket on Vimeo.

Climbing out through Blow, Fluffer and Vegemite I was soon on Valley Way and winging my way to the little shop at Mt Cotton. I was famished by this stage. Having no bananas in the house I was reduced to some nuts and a couple of gels to get me this far with the carrot being a banana(if that makes sense?). Much to my disappointment, NO BANANAS!  "The bloke is running late and should be here soon" was the response. Plan B was several Snickers bars. Yum, I was happy to roll with Plan B as Snickers are becoming my trail snack of choice lately. Great taste and they seem to keep me going for a while.

While munching on said sweet poison I was checking out the local notice board. How did I miss "Bender 6"? They probably would not have let me in due to the "No Shitheads" clause!

From here I climbed up to Mt Cotton Rainforest Gardens. I noticed a large "For Sale" sign out the front and hoped that this route up the eastern side of Mt Cotton isn't about to close. Major pain in the arse if it does. There would be no reason to climb up for this view over Moreton Bay either. It never ceases to amaze me how much rain falls in the bay while we are dry just a few miles inland.

Just near the honesty box, inside the gate, was a magnificent display of Poinsettia.

I loitered here for a minute or two while sucking down another gel and some water. The climb through the gardens is absolute Granny Gear territory for me.

Once at the top of the climb I felt the need for a brisker pace and gave up on my plan for a lap of the Karingal track, partly because two guys were standing at the gate and partly because my legs were starting to tell me that the 7km(4.5mi) track was 7km I really didn't need today.

So, I just put my head down and pedalled for home via Daisy Hill. I hit up a small amount of single track in Daisy then headed home via Wallum Froglet in Cornubia. I decided to hit WF as fast as my legs would take me, mashing the pedals on the short, mid descent climb and leaving the brakes alone for the down-bits. This netted me 3rd overall for WF on Strava! And on a hardtail at that.

 After 66km(41mi) and 1150m(3700ft) of climbing I must have been warmed up sufficiently!!

Rolling into the garage I felt that familiar tinge of fatigue, accompanied by some leg soreness and a huge smile. Ahhh sweet pain. It is but temporary.

Sure beats working......

Little Red-Head Riding to Redland Bay

With my trail care commitments I have been unable to take Lucy along to the regular kids ride at 10am on Saturday morning at Daisy Hill. The rain has also left a very disappointed little girl moping around on Saturday afternoons, so I promised her a ride on Sunday.

Luckily, good friends invited us down to Redland Bay for lunch on Sunday. I then began formulating a cunning plan to squeeze a kids ride in as well, because the route to Redland Bay can take in Bayview Conservation area (and it's MTB trails) along the way. It would also be a challenging ride for a nine year old to test herself.

So we readied ourselves, a little behind schedule, to set off on our little adventure. A certain little red-head was very excited. I was also a little thrilled at the prospect of riding through the bush with my not-so-little girl. She just seems to be growing up and exuding so much confidence lately.

First up were some walking paths here in Cornubia. All very familiar to us as these paths form some of our regular after school ride route. As a result, Red was zipping along and gabbling twenty to the dozen all the while.

As we then had to traverse a short section of busy road, the concentration face was bolted on and we made sure we stayed well left through here. I must admit, I wasn't apprehensive about her making the distance at all. I was most apprehensive about riding along this section of road. Putting my life (and my daughter's) in the hands of other road users is a bitter pill to swallow for me and I do avoid these situations, where I can, as a matter of priority.

Anyway, we survived this short stretch of Sunday drivers unscathed and were quickly plying the back roads of Mt Cotton where small acreages dominate the landscape. Spotting Shetland Ponies and regular nags...er..horses became the game until it was time to refuel.

About one kilometre down the road we turned off and entered Bayview Conservation area. I floated the idea that we could ride via single track or via fire road, pointing out that the fire road was probably faster and hence, we would be able to swim sooner. The little voice chose fire road and off we charged!

Only the odd stop for a drink was required. The questions were flowing freely though. "Hey dad, what are those squiggly lines on that tree?" "Hey Dad, did you see that goanna?"

With the layout of the trails, we did have to do some single track to get to our destination. This section of grass trees is, for me, the signature section for Bayview as it is always a bit surreal riding through the Grass Trees while negotiating the narrow single track. Lucy was riding really well and having a ball by this stage!

The only negative squeaks emanated when we were tackling some prolonged climbs and our speed was quite slow. The main area of concern wasn't that she was getting tired. It was that she was missing out on swimming time! So, a helping "dad hand" on her back through the climb raised the speed to adequately stifle these squeaks. It also raised my heart rate somewhat!

Passing by the chicken farm at the end of Days Road raised some choice nine year old comments that I will not repeat here! I must admit, the battery sheds do stink and the hot air that is being exhausted from the sheds isn't exactly the wafting of a gentle summer breeze. It must be as hot as hades in there for those poor chickens....

Out via Days Road and our little ride was almost at an end. Just a few kilometres of blacktop separated us from our post ride catch-up and swim.

I was very proud of my little girl's performance throughout the ride. She didn't really grizzle and was happy to be out on her bike, riding through the bush on a warm March afternoon. Stats wern't important either, but she did ride 17 kilometres with 300 metres of climbing on a warm, humid day.

On reflection, as I type this post, I see the value of this blog to me. Granted, it may be self indulgent drivel for the most part, but it's real value to me is that it demands I really think about what I have done on any particular day and it serves to highlight pivotal moments in my (and my family's) day to day lives that may otherwise go unnoticed. It is cliched, but it really does seem like just yesterday that I was first handed a tiny, pale faced baby that I had no idea what to do with and now here I am, indulging in my favourite past time with one of my favourite people in this world.

Does it get any better than this?

Yeah, actually, I think it will.........