My Sunshine Coast Cycling Tour

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Cyclone Marcia and Hartley Hancock my English cycling guest arrived in Brisbane simultaneously.
Luckily the eye of the cyclone was far to the north so we weren't troubled by winds just 3 days of very heavy rain. We were housebound though !

Hartley had asked to do a loop from Brisbane.

I had pre-mapped a scenic route on small roads and cycle pathways, esplanades and coastal routes.
I was so inspired by my plan that I decided to go along for a week or so as well.

We set out from Birkdale loaded with camping gear.

Through the Lota Boardwalk.

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 Along the Manly and Wynnum foreshore

Over the Gateway Bridge.

 

Through the Boondall Wetlands.

and the woodlands

                                                       

Over the Houghton Highway Bridge and around the Scarborough Peninsula and then on to Deception Bay to camp for the night.

85 kms of mostly flat roads.

"No Sweat " I would have said except that the tropical cyclone conditions of high humidity meant that I was awash!
Nothing a cool shower and washing out my lycra couldn't fix!
Drink, drink, drink.........Water!

Fine camping weather :-)

We now had to head inland a little through Caboolture and on to Beerburrum road. Some lovely forest covered rolling hills and I soon found my "cycling with panniers legs!"

Snake!!!

Zipping down hill I accidentally rode over a green snake as it was crossing the road.....Sorry Snake!!!
We saw many snakes on the road. The wet had them on the move.

The 11 Glasshouse Mountains were named by Captain Cook in 1770 as they reminded him of his Yorkshire Glass furnaces. They are the well known subjects of Aboriginal legend. The tallest is Mt Beerwah at 556m. They were formed over 26 million years ago as molten lava cooled in volcanic cores. Plenty of pineapples out there nowadays and a delicious cold pineapple crush drink can be had locally. So refreshing for a hot cyclist. Yum!

I have climbed Mt Tibrogargen. It is only 364 m but VERY steep with a sheer rock face in one section. Real rock climbers go up the front!

                                                                                                                                                                 

Some compulsory climbing up Ngun Ngun for Hartley.......I AM the tour guide!

He loved it.

A "shortcut" along Roy's rd did avoid some of the busy Steve Irwin Way and was very enjoyable but after the first brilliant section of forest lined sealed roads we came to the roadwork. I knew about it but didn't know they would cut off the side rd that we needed.
Oh well, a small backtrack, some advice from two enthusiastic young fellows in a truck and we were on to rolling gravel hills. A few convoluted turns  to avoid a collapsed bridge and cycling over soft, wet roads that felt like they sucked onto the tyres and we were on the Caloundra road and heading for  beautiful beaches.

Golden Beach overlooking the Tip of Bribie Island and the Pumicestone passage.

Kite surfing on the Caloundra bar.




















The next few days we cruised up beside the beaches cycling short distances, camping, relaxing in the ocean and climbing Mount Coolum for another birds eye view and some great heart stimulation. 
All very enjoyable!

On up to gorgeous Noosa where I said farewell to Hartley as he continued northwards.

I spent a few days with lovely friends Pete and Barb enjoying a resort holiday in absolute luxury and comfort in their beautiful home before cycling south. 

Mooloolaba.

                             

Noosa.

I loved doing a local tour in such magical surrounds. It was so self indulgent and far better than driving to one or other of the beaches for the day.

My ride home was into the wind but I just wore a peak and plastered myself in sunscreen and lip balm and stopped at little beach resorts such as Peregian, Coolum, Marcoola and then Maroochydore.

Plenty of coconut water, watermelon and just plain water kept me well hydrated and feeling fantastic. Superb scenery all of the way!

I spent a very enjoyable time visiting with Al and Meredith at Marcoola and then stayed the night for a good old catch up with Sarge and Heather high up in the Duporth building with a marvelous view over the mouth of the Maroochy river and the ocean. Birds and fish aplenty!

On my last morning I cycled 15 kms with a few hills to Nambour to catch the train home to Birkdale.

I am now eager to do more Australian cycling tours both near and far.

                               Will you join me???

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