Stradbroke Island

A Ride to Brown Lake, Stradbroke Island – 24 April 2014

The weather was beautiful, I was still on holidays, so surely that must all add up to a bike ride.  So where to go?  Why not check out Straddie again!

waiting for the ferry

In 2009, we went over to Stradbroke Island and rode (and walked) across the island, past Brown Lake, Blue Lake and across to the eastern side.  It was a painful ride for me, unable to ride up the sharp hills – almost unable to push old Nellie up even when walking… 

Then in 2012, we tried again – this time to test the GoPro.  It was raining and blowing a gale, but we pushed on to Pt Lookout, ending up pretty chilled and buffeted. 

So what was Straddie going to deal out to me today?  Well the weather was beautiful, tho I just missed the 9am ferry by about 2 mins,   So time for a flat white.

Eventually landing at Dunwich, I headed off in the direction of Brown Lake as indicated by the street sign, which didn’t follow up at the next intersection, so of course, I got lost!  But a whirl around and eventually I was groaning up the major climb out of Dunwich. 

Terrible memories were flooding back as I wheezed and huffed and puffed up that climb.  Just to the next corner, to the next patch of shade, just to that tree etc., until at last I was at the crest!!  Feeling pretty chuffed, I was soon spinning down the road towards the next hill.  

eroded roots on paperbark at Brown Lake

Imagine my surprise when around the corner was the turnoff to Brown Lake.  Already??  Well, why not!  so I carefully rode along the dirt road into the Lake.  There were only a few people there, with a family with kids playing in the water – sounding very Russian (or is my mind playing tricks?)

Wood ducks at Brown Lake

I watched a couple of Wood ducks resting in the shade of a paper bark, before they were moved on by a cheeky kid.

Straddie is just a big sandhill or 2 - thankfully this is not the road I had to ride

So – do I ride on to the Blue Lake?  Well why not?  So after a snack of nuts and banana, I headed back to the main road and to the next hill.  Again, it looked too high, but I was so pleased with myself when I made it to the top, even tho right ahead was an even higher hill waiting.  Oh well, just get some serious speed up – that will help.  So down I swooped and just as quickly I was huffing and puffing up this next one.  Surely I wouldn’t make this one?  Clicking right down to the granny gear was the only way to get any forward movement and slowly I ground on.  Speed right down to 6kph, but still I pedalled on.  Yes all the way to the top!!

Banksia in new leaf,following bush fire last year

The next hill ahead didn’t look too bad as the road was swooping down in curves, until brrrrrr…… that new noise can only mean a flat rear tyre….  Dang it!  So before I had got to the bottom, I pulled over into the shade and yep – flat tyre…. 

another hill conquered, on a new tube!

Well, just as well I have my panniers and inside one was the pump and a new tube.  So grumble, grumble… but without any major hassles the tube was removed and replaced and pumped up pretty tight.  But there was some damage to the tyre wall, slightly frayed…  Hmm… not that wise to continue onwards, so I turned around and headed back to that high hill.  Thankfully I had only got down it about half way and it wasn’t as sharp from this way. 

Looking down onto Dunwich

To cut a long story short – I made it back to Dunwich, stopping only to take a couple of photos at the top of the hills and with only 15 mins to wait for the 2pm ferry. 

waiting for the ferry

So, I ended up being pretty chuffed that although I am 4 ½ years older than that first horror ride, I am now much better at hitting the hills – or was it just my Granny Flat Out shirt that helped me get over those ridges J

farewell Dunwich