Ride participants: Adrian (Yamaha FJ1200), Ben 1 (Kawasaki GPX250), Ben 2 (Suzuki Weeee-Strom 650), Jeremy (Kawasaki GPX250), Lawrence (Pillion), Rob (Suzuki SV650), Todd (BMW F1200GS), Toni (Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom), Steve (Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic) and Vinny (Yamaha Virago 250)
Ride Leader: Ben (aka Me)
Ride TEC: Steve
Photographs: Toni, Steve
I woke up at around 5:30AM as I do most days, check the weather and then go about my usual pre-ride morning routine. However this time I organised the BBQ since it will be a sought after commodity this afternoon for the ride lunch. It was about 7AM when I was sitting on the bike sweet talking it into starting after having neglected it for a week while cyclone Hamish was giving us grief. Once I got it on the road it was all good. Popped into the local BP servo to check the tyres as I still had a full tank from after the ride last week. From the BP I went to Rob's place in Wombye and did laps of his street until I saw him pop his head out the front door to rage at that noisy sewing machine that woke him up. Once he was sorted we started off at about 7:40AM to the Beerwah train station to pick Ben and Todd up.
So the four of us Sunshine Coast dwellers (except Ben who's from up Gympie way) made it to April Bella's in Beerburrum just a tad late, I think it was 8:20AM. Introductions were done and we were off at about 8:30AM. The others started off with a lovely breakfast at the new Legends Cafe in Redcliffe before leisurely making their way north to meet at Beerburrum - such hard lives I don't know how they do it.
So begins the first of many Sunshine Coast rides. I say many because it would appear that the Sunshine Coast has a premium of nice roads that must be ridden upon.
The first stretch went as planned. Heading down Steve Irwin Way and turning left at the Mooloolah BP service station heading towards the Mooloolah township. I must say that this road is much nicer without the sun in your face and I think the group enjoyed these first set of twisties and everyone stayed together nicely so there was no need for any lost biker posters and emu parades. Everyone liked the 'duck ponds' at Palmwoods which was our first group stop over.
Once we were rested it was off to Yandina via Keil Mountain Road and Bli Bli. I think this section now has a new set of fans with the assortment of hills and valleys and new views making for a interesting and fulfilling ride. However we did manage to part the group through some roundabouts but the group managed to consolidate at the Bli Bli castle where I stopped for a short time to gather everyone before the next few corners which weren't signed. Everyone liked the long straight in the valley - we'll have to think of a cool name for it. Personally I think it was a lot more interesting when a cane train once cut right in the middle - made for some interesting races - the tracks are no longer there.
The Yandina stop was a bit confusing. I had planned to stop over at the Lion's Park just before the township, which we did, but people needed fuel and more importantly - coffee. So in future I'll modify the ride plan for the stop to occur in Yandina itself as the Blue Moon Cafe is quite good and there's a BP servo just down a bit. Once Ben and Todd had finished interrogating a rider who had made the mistake of pulling up on a new BMW F800GS we were right to head off to the Obi Obi Road intersection. I opted out of going to the Bell Bird Creek Cafe because it would mean doubling back though Kennilworth and we had already had our coffees at Yandina.
The road between Yandina and Kennilworth is a nice one, particularly the stetch between Eumundi and Kennilworth. A wide road with 100kph limits with a few 80kph stretches that had some nice bends. Some beautiful views of the rolling hills around Eumundi and rural areas around Kennilworth. Everything was a vivid green due to the weeks worth of rain. The stop over at the Obi Obi Road intersection was on a bit of disused road where the views were good and the grass soft. It's a park area but I've forgotten the name of it.
During most of the ride we did see a few motorcyclist but no where near as many as we would see around Mt Mee and Mt Glorious. Personally I find this better since I find them a tad more difficult to contend with - overtaking in the same lane and whatnot. It's nice to have a good road with just your group on it sometimes. We were over taken by three cruisers (Harley's ) and that was it for the entire ride.
From there we took off up the wonderful Obi Obi road to Mapleton. There's a few one way bridges that I didn't remember to put in the plan - bit of a pain since they are definitely noteworthy as we were the ones giving way on them. It was good not having to worry about on-comming traffic however half the group had to deal with a caravan and then we got stuck behind a cruiser and a ute heading up on the good parts. I guess it was still somewhat fun but it could have been a lot more interesting. I located the turn off to the Mapleton Falls National Park - it's quite a sharp left hand up hill corner best taken in first gear.
Everyone was very impressed with this stop. While the parking wasn't particularly bike friendly with it's steep slopes we managed okay. The lookout is just a few meters from the car park and is something worth seeing since you're put right above the waterfall looking down what must be 200m at least. Very cool and pleasant - just what you need after tackling Obi Obi Rd.
Refreshed and ready to go we started off towards Montville to battle Palmwoods - Montville Road. This raging set of twists that rapidly find their way down the steep slope to Palmwoods is an excellent lesson in gears, engine braking and steering. I think everyone fell in love with the road and would probably have stayed there all day going up and down if allowed. Rob was quick to say that he lives just nearby and rides it all the time. The only problem was on coming traffic but there's plenty of space as long as you're not trying to break any speed records. Back through Palmwoods and this time dropping onto Nambour Connection Road heading north and turning onto Pringle/Panorama Drv and to my place for a BBQ at I think was about 1:30PM. I then spent the next 30min slaving over a hot plate to serve up what must have been the best cooked meat ever, because I cooked it Thanks to Steve/Toni for the snags and bread. Also, Toni, check this link out
Once people had their scoff and rest with a bit of conversation thrown in for social/politeness they said their good byes and parted ways. All in all I think the ride was quite a success and I've learnt a few things to improve 'Sooty's Circuit'. Plus Ben, Rob and Todd have pointed out a few other nice roads to include in other Sunshine Coast ride plans.
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