After a month at home, following three years of my big trip, I had an opportunity to get a ride in before the summer really got into full swing and made it too hot to enjoy. So I’m spending a week or two riding up through Gympie then along the rail trails down to Ipswich. I know what you’re saying – cultural highlights don’t come any bigger 😁
This morning, I left Cotton Tree at about 9am and rode north, well… west to the bridge, then north. It was ok riding but not spectacular. I had a bike lane or quiet roads and trails for nearly all of the way.
I knew there were coffee shops at Peregian, so that’s where I pulled in for the first stop. I’m still getting used to Australian prices, so a small coffee and a muffin had to do.
Next stop was a water fountain overlooking Noosa Beach at about midday. It was getting warm so I stayed for a while and watched the world go by as I drank water. It’s a great place to relax in the shade.
Back on the bike and next was Noosaville where I grabbed some lunch and sat in the riverside park eating some of the days treats from there I had thirty kms to go but this included the hill of the day on the Nooda-Cooroy road. It was pretty steep but luckily fairly short. Actually the worst was yet to come shortly after.
I often complain about Komoot’s routing abilities anywhere but in Central Europe, but today, it sent me along some great single track and dirt roads. They were the highlight.
Pretty soon, I pulled into Pomona Showground to camp but being Monday, it was deserted. I’ll pay them tomorrow. I was pretty tired after my first ride in a month so I was slow to pitch the tent and clean up, then sat and rehydrated. I definitely didn’t feel like cooking.
Into town, nearly everything was shut but the pub was open and so was the bistro, luckily. After dinner, I made a quick trip to the supermarket for breakfast and tomorrow’s goodies. It’s a longer day but I’ll have the option of staying nearer to Gympie if I feel like an easy day.
