A group of 7 bikers and our MG backup crew left
Gateway under clear blue skies for a ride into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
and back – a distance of exactly
300km according to Google Maps.
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| Leon & new Ninja 600 |
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| The old and the new (bikes I mean) |
Our morning tea stop at “Café au Lait” in Beerwah was
a little more upmarket than usual (read ‘feminine’ décor) but the proprietors
were most welcoming and the coffee was wonderful. The much needed toilets were
a bit far away though (it was a cold ride up the highway).
After a short ride up to Peachester we turned into
Bald Knob Road for a gentle ride under the gum trees before joining the
Landsborough road up to Maleny. Plenty of mountain scenery and nice winding
roads were enjoyed as we then headed for Kenilworth and the Bellbird Creek Café
for lunch. The contrast of this Biker cultured café with the previous Café au
Lait was very obvious as you will see with the photos.
A very relaxing lunch
was enjoyed and the constant ringing of bellbirds was God’s provision of
background music to enhance our experience. The lunch time entertainment was
provided by a carpet snake that was trying to find its way into the kitchen –
snakeburgers for afternoon tea?
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| someone else we left behind |
In Kenilworth we ventured into the Cheese Factory for
a bit of cheese and yoghurt sampling (and buying). Unbeknown to us, Larry’s
flat battery delayed his departure from the Bellbird Creek Café and we didn’t
see him again that day. I (David E) accept responsibility for not going back to
find out what happened to him – as leader for the day I should’ve shown more care
for our fellow rider.
Our ride up to Mapleton from the west included that
twisty, one way, bitumen section that was so much fun on a bike. If it wasn’t a
dirt road in the opposite direction we may have been tempted to go back down
and do it again!
After some refueling at Mapleton, we headed south
through Montville and along the sweeping road toward Maleny. Here we split up
for alternate routes home – some via Landsborough, some via Woodford (for yet
another cup of coffee) and the backup crew took to the hills again, going home
via picturesque Mt Mee.
The promise of a clear and sunny day drew eleven bikers & support vehicle (Tim and blax MX5) out of their bed to rug up and venture out into the cold on a ride. I was quite excited as this was my first ride in six months after a double hip replacement and overseas travel last 7 weeks.
