2015-02-07

"Road Closed" 38 km ahead

Half an hour after leaving home I pulled up at the pub of Tambourine Village, not for a drink but to don my waterproof jacket and pants. Rain was looming so better be prepared.

Leaving home, 30 km down the road, turning right at Beenleigh, the first low hills lead to Tambourine village at the base of Tamborine Mountain which is a prime riding spot, however I bypassed this beauty spot and headed for the sleepy towns of Beaudesert and Rathdowney. From Rathdowney the famous “Lions" road runs south. This used to be a rough surfaced dirt road but is now tarred all the way. The name has nothing to do with lions as this is the domain of cows rather than of those fury animals. The name comes from the Lions Club who looks after this road. After having planned to come this way you can imagine my disappointment finding a large sign on the side of the road stating “Road Closed after 38 km”.

I decided to keep going and take the risk of have to turn around. Over the years I have learned to ignore signs like this. A “Road Closed' usually means road works, a possible landslide or floods. I knew it had to be one of the first two. Wherever something is happening there is usually room for people or workers to pass through the trouble spot. If people can pass, a motorcycle should be able to pass as well, so I continued. Travelling through rain forest along the escarpment (a place where you can see trains do a 360 degree turn overlapping its own track. (if you time it right) by the time I reached the troubled area I had passed only 2 cars coming my way. Suddenly I was confronted by a narrow wooden bridge under repair and a barrier across the entrance. I slowed down, parked the bike on its side stand and went to investigate. Nearby a farmer working his field waved at me pointing in the direction of the bridge showing his upturned thumb as a signal that all was clear for me to proceed. A narrow pathway just wide enough to let me pas was enough to let me ride straight across and on to the town of Kyogle.

Undulating green field filled with Lucerne and hay bales accompanied me to the town of Grafton. I noted that 60 km north of Grafton I passed a Google Earth street level camera car; I will have a look in a few months if the bike appears on that. Another beautiful road, occasionally running through thick rain forest took me to Casino and Grafton. From here mountains again leading to the New South Wales capital of the banana industry: Coffs Harbour.

Time for a coffee at the Dutch Clog Barn? Sorry closed. Oh I forgot, NSW is one hour ahead of Queensland so instead of 5 past 4 it was already 5 past 5. I better got a move on and continued in one run to the beautiful town of Port Macquarie.