Cycling in Brisbane Australia
New Years Day Ride
So how was your New Years Day ride ?
The sensible thing to do of course is getting out the door early in the morning to get a good ride in before it gets hot and the wind picks up.
When was I ever sensible though ?
I spent the morning with the kids, taking them to the park (on bikes of course) and bumming around the house eating my way through the lovely ham we bought for Christmas. At about 1 I got on the bike to go for a ride.
I wasn't exactly sure where I was going when I rolled out, I wanted to get a decent ride in. Distance for me usually means heading East to the bay, but the wind was pretty strong and I didn't really feel like that ride. Climbing could be fun, I did enjoy the Springbrook ride I did the other day. Maybe I could do something that involved Mt Gravatt ? Then I had a flash of an idea. A loop that contained Mt Gravatt and Mt Coot-tha.
So off I went, down Logan rd into a shocking headwind all the way. The turnoff for Mt Gravatt was a nice relief from the wind but made me regret having lunch before setting out! This is a steeper climb than Springbrook, 8 - 9 % to Springbrook's constant 6%, but obviously a fraction of the length.
Coming down was interesting, I'm a lot more cautious coming down Mt Gravatt. I'm not quite sure whether it's because of the steeper descent or the road surface, which is nowhere near as nice. Anyone done both and want to comment ?
After that I headed towards Southbank and towards the North side. In my two years here I've really not explored the North side much, so I didn't really know how most people even get to Mt Cootha, I figured Milton rd is probably the most direct, and how bad can it be ?
I'm glad I did it on a public holiday, I don't imagine that would be too much fun at 2pm on a normal day!
After stopping for water and figuring out how to get to the bottom of the road up the mt (again, there's bound to be some far simpler way to do this than the motorway entrance) I started climbing again.
Now, this was my first go at Cootha, somebody had told me that it was about the same at Mt Gravatt. Not exactly, it was 11-12% most of the way up to the lookout and in 36 degree with my climbing prowess (not!) it was hard work.
What I wasn't expecting was how lovely the rest of the loop was! Riding around in the cool air and the shade was a highlight for the day before flying back down to lower ground and heading home.
On the way home I did discover the better way in and out of there, the notorious (on this site) Sylvan rd and the bikeway. Too easy!
By the time I got back to Bulimba it was only 60kms but a solid 747m of climbing and I was pretty well done. A quick dip in the neighbours pool was most welcoming!
Did anyone else do anything fun to bring in 2012 ?
Comment
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Comment by Raymond on January 2, 2012 at 11:40pm -
[Sorry about the deletes/edits - hope this turns out right this time.]
Melvyn: Ah classic - you know which bike you'll be taking up Coot-tha next (right after you try it on your Bacchetta Corsa)...Coming down was interesting, I'm a lot more cautious coming down Mt Gravatt. I'm not quite sure whether it's because of the steeper descent or the road surface, which is nowhere near as nice. Anyone done both and want to comment ?
Yeah I noticed the Mt Gravatt descent had some rough patches - my first descent was a lot quicker than my second & third (but I think it was a little more busy that time too)... My first time up Mt Coot-tha was also clockwise and the back face descent was slightly damp from rain the previous day so I took it easier than easy. Main concerns there was not taking too much of the lane so that cars trying to overtake cyclists heading up could do so safely. Otherwise, I think I prefer the back descent as the front is just gun barrel straight (thanks to the width and quality of the road).
Now, this was my first go at Cootha, somebody had told me that it was about the same at Mt Gravatt. Not exactly, it was 11-12% most of the way up to the lookout and in 36 degree with my climbing prowess (not!) it was hard work.
Imho, someone once relayed to me that "it's like two Mt Gravatts" and I guess that's sort of true for the front face; especially if you attack too hard before the turnoff! The back face is probably much more like Mt Gravatt in that there are several turns, forest sounds, shade and a similar gradient.
The undulating hills between ABC and Summit Lookout is even better anti-clockwise! Perhaps do a lap each way next time to get your fix? I saw your GPS plot yesterday and thought you took Milton Rd for fun. :p
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Comment by Melvyn Yap on January 2, 2012 at 8:40pm -
Hi Damian, we rode up to Mt. Cootha on NY day too! Raymond, CX (not on BC), and I rode up on our hybrids at around 8 in the morning. We rode anti-clockwise as we agreed that this is a more pleasant route as we get to enjoy the scenery during the slow climb and fast descent with a front view of the Brisbane City.
We stopped for an hour or so at the lookout for some ice-cream before descending. Back at the bicentennial bikeway, we weren't quite satisfied with our small ride, so we rolled along the bikeway, across the Kurilpa Bridge and rode to West End ferry terminal. There I had my first test ride on the CityCycle. I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth it rides and the gearing is well-spaced.
After that, we split ways and head home to avoid unnecessary sunburn (no sunscreen applied).
© 2012 Created by DamianM.
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