2019 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Maps

[Deleted member 18083]

It’s 2019!
The odometer has been reset to zero and it's time to open the gate to a new year of ebike adventures.

This is where I’m headed on my first Southeast Queensland ride of 2019 and I’ll share the adventure, in photos and words, when I’m back.

I hope you’ll add your own adventures during 2019.
… David

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Damn, David, that is a good looking bike!

Not a bad day either, apparently

 

[Deleted member 18083]

First ride for 2019 : To the Lockyer Creek Trestle Bridge …

A pleasant summer morning saw me take to one of my old favourites, country gravel roads and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. This time I continued beyond my usual turnaround. Cattle territory from there on! There ought to be a surprise in store after five dismounts to open and close the cattle gates (cattle grids, please!).

The state government’s gift to cyclists was to replace the derelict 1880s timber railway bridge across the Lockyer Creek with a faithful reproduction to be ‘completed by the end of 2018’. The job wasn’t quite finished when I arrived but the bridge was open (just try to ignore the safety cones and overabundance of orange netting). A lot of public money well spent.

Map & Data : Ride with GPS
Trip : 72 km

 

[John from Connecticut]

First ride for 2019 : To the Lockyer Creek Trestle Bridge …

View attachment 28528
A pleasant summer morning saw me take to my old favourites, country gravel roads and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. This time I continued beyond my usual turnaround. Cattle territory from there on! There ought to be a surprise in store after five dismounts to open and close the cattle gates (cattle grids, please!).

View attachment 28529

The state government’s gift to cyclists was to replace the derelict 1880s timber railway bridge across the Lockyer Creek with a faithful reproduction to be ‘completed by the end of 2018’. The job wasn’t quite finished when I arrived but the bridge was open (just try to ignore the safety cones and overabundance of orange netting). A lot of public money well spent.
View attachment 28522
Map & Data : Ride with GPS
Trip : 72 km / 2019 : 72 km

Please share photos from your 2019 ebike adventures.
… David

Wow ! Absolutely stunning. I love cows, beautiful land and eBiking. Approximately how long are the 'trails' that run through the pasture ? And what a great looking
bike as well. I'm a Trek guy too, so I'm biased : )

 

[Alaskan]

It’s 2019! The odometer has been reset to zero and it's time to open the gate to a new year of ebike adventuring.
(Link Removed - Attachment No Longer Exists)
This is where I’m headed on my first Southeast Queensland ride of 2019 and I’ll share the adventure, in photos and words, when I’m back.

I hope you’ll add your own adventures when 2019 arrives.
… David

It makes perfect sense to have an Aussie start things off for a New Year. I always enjoy your photos and perspectives, David. How soon will we be seeing your new bike in the photos? I am quite eager to read your review of the new Homage.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Dave, John and Richard …
Thank you for your kind words. May you all (and Nancy) have wonderful ebike adventures in 2019!

There's another thread that's been receiving attention of late: where should an ebike enthusiast retire to. Well, I retired and ebike paradise came to me. Where Jen and I live is scarcely road bike-friendly - a major freeway to the south and switchback gravel roads plus a rough rail trail to the north. With Jen's worsening dementia, I could not waste time driving to the other side of Brisbane to ride with a chain gang - even a geriatric midweek one. Enter the first ebike which, despite being a disappointment, gave me the freedom to ride from home and take on the gravel, hills and rail trail.

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is just two minutes from home. It's 161 km long and where I join is close to its start. The BVRT's history is not too different from rail trails elsewhere: three decades to build the line (early 1880s until 1910); eight decades of use (until late 1980s - we could hear the 'rail motor' going to Ipswich each morning and returning in the evening); a decade of decay (1990s); three decades of rail trail building and improvement (not quite finished!).

The trestle bridge that has just been replaced must have been one of tens (hundreds?) of thousands of similar wooden rail bridges around the world. It was not spectacular by any means (think Myra Canyon on the Kettle River RT!) but it was worth saving. Coominya station, in the left photo, has been preserved in perfect condition - I'll include a present-day photo later.

Click four-arrow icon to view full-size video.
Lockyer Creek Trestle Bridge
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
36 km (72 km ride from home)

 

[sexton Tom]

Happy New Year David !!! I really enjoy your post ! I am into open wheel dirt track racing here in Indiana ( Home of the Indy 500 ) . There are some American racers down your way mixing it up with the Aussies right now.

 

[Chancelucky2]

Dave, John and Richard …
Thank you for your kind words. May you all (and Nancy) have wonderful ebike adventures in 2019!

There's another thread that's been receiving attention of late: where should an ebike enthusiast retire to. Well, I retired and ebike paradise came to me. Where Jen and I live is scarcely road bike-friendly - a major freeway to the south and switchback gravel roads plus a rough rail trail to the north. With Jen's worsening dementia, I could not waste time driving to the other side of Brisbane to ride with a chain gang - even a geriatric midweek one. Enter the first ebike which, despite being a disappointment, gave me the freedom to ride from home and take on the gravel, hills and rail trail.

Interesting, one of the reasons I bought my e-bike when I did was that my mother was in assisted living and suffering from dementia. She was staying maybe 4 miles from us, but across the interstate and along some bits of road that had no shoulder and up 2 significant hills. There's something about an e-bike that made me a bit more confident, I suspect because I could use the motor to accelerate myself out of certain situations and because I could carry more stuff with me without having to think about it. I found that when I drove the car to visit, it sometimes could be depressing. If I rode my e-bike there and back, I always, at least, felt good about getting out on the bike. A few times, I'd go for a much longer ride instead of going straight home. I do find e-biking more therapeutic than regular biking, largely because I can make the ride as easy or as strenuous as I need to. Some days, it's the scenery more than the workout.

Going in the other age direction, I also like riding with my daughters' significant others (30 and 34 years younger than I). They can do the regular bike and I don't feel like I'm holding them back.

 

[Jerry LM]

Love the RR photos! I am a train nut and spend a lot of time in Co. chasing the narrow gauge steam. Love the history.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Trail Markers …
How do these markers from my regular ride compare with those on your rides?

• In the top photo Trekkie is propped against the original style marker - not much information other than what is obvious. Despite this, these markers are as distinctive as the white blazes on the Appalachian Trail or the scallop shells on the Camino de Santiago. The trail announces where it is, which is not always that obvious in urban areas.
• To the right is the next step from a few years ago - genuinely useful, except that it doesn't tell you where you are (Fairney View, actually). The latitude (as far from the equator as Tampa, FL) and longitude (farther east that every Asian city one has heard of) are interesting rather than useful (surveyors and emergency helicopter pilots excepted?).
• Next is one of the latest markers that are placed at one-kilometre intervals along the entire length of the trail. The numbering system is similar to exit numbers on freeways which show distance from the start of a route. The QR (for 'Quick Response') code can be scanned using a smartphone to provide almost limitless information or to call for help.

• The lower left photo is of one of the information boards along the trail. There is a large horse trailer parking and saddling-up area behind this one - with full video security, of course.
• I particularly like the railway station signs that mark the old stopping points. Lowood is in the lower right photo.
• What's missing? The names of roads that the trail crosses. Some people are never satisfied!

Trip : 59 km / 2019 : 310 km
… David

 

[Alaskan]

What is the bottom sign in the first photo? It seems to indicate "No bicycles" or "No Mountain Bikes" or is it "No Dirt Bikes".

 

[Deleted member 18083]

What is the bottom sign in the first photo? It seems to indicate "No bicycles" or "No Mountain Bikes" or is it "No Dirt Bikes".

The older signs were not clear - as if trail bike riders would stop to decipher them! Fortunately, they've been supplemented with proper highway-style signs - unambiguous and assertive - prominently displayed on gates.

Perhaps, the lesson hasn't been learned: a third of the 'information' on the shelter sign (bottom photo) is a Code of Conduct which is little more than a trail version of the Golden Rule: treat others with the consideration you'd like to have extended to oneself.

 

[DouglasB]

First Ride!

 

[Alaskan]

Those are great, solid looking bikes. Please post a report on their performance and build quality. I have a buddy who is quite interested.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Another solid looking ebike in the Pine Mountain Bush Reserve (QLD, AU) …

• R&M 2019 Homage GX Rohloff E-14 on its first outing.
• This ebike's made for gravel!

Trip : 34 km / 2019 : 344

 

[Alaskan]

Fantastic looking bike! May it give you many, many great rides, keep you safe and always put a big grin on your face.

What are your thoughts about the Rock Razor tires? How are they on pavement? As not one has reviewed this bike yet anywhere on the web, close up photos would be appreciated as would more details of how the E14 functions.

 

[Bruce Arnold]

Man, I like that bike, Dave.

 

[bob armani]

Compliments to you Dave Berry-This is one of the best threads I have seen in awhile and a great way to start off EBR forum for the New Year. Safe riding to you and yours during the new riding seasons! Those are some really solid rides you have there. Awesome looking landscape to ride as well.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Visiting friends …

• Clarendon, Queensland (at the turnaround point).

Trip : 60 km / 2019 : 464 km

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

2019 is sure going to be an exciting year for Dave!