Day 3 - Kyogle to Beaudesert

Distance  - 93 kms

Ascent - 740 m

Average speed - 18.7 km/hr

Difficulty - Hard

View the ride here:

http://cyclemeter.com/4539622a02fdb662/Cycle-20140702-0658

Off the back of what the lads were telling me at the pub last night, I needed to prepare for a brutal day. It didn't turn out that way. It was tough but not stupid. In fact, I enjoyed one of the most scenic days cycling I've had in a long time.  In particular, the Grady Creek Road and Lions Road section just south of the New South Wales border is something special to ride. The Lions Road section was built by the Lions Club 40 years ago (see photos).  What a massive community effort that would have been, it is difficult terrain.

It was a frosty start but turned into a warm sunny day with very little wind - perfect.  I reckon it took me about an hour just to warm up, crickey it was cold.  There were patches of frost still in to the mid-morning.  I turned off Summerland way onto Grady Creek Road after about 15 kms. The next 30 Kms of road to the border were a combination of skinny two lane, one lane and bits of dirt.  There are numerous creek crossings, most with single lane wooden bridges.  Not knowing what to expect and after the scaremongering of the previous night,  I decided that any really sharp bits I would walk, to avoid blowing up at the end of the day. As it turned out I probably didn't need to but glad I did because I got in to Beaudesert feeling pretty good.

The ride up the range had bits of really sharp stuff, but generally those were short.  The rest was 10 kms of slowly grinding away to the top. 

The way down has some scary descents, you really need to be careful when hauling a load. There are a series of 15 to 20° ups and downs for a few kms including numerous creek crossings. The lancscape then opens up into The Scenic Rim region of horse paddocks and cow country with a slow descent pretty much all the way to Beaudesert.

A great days cycling !!

Pretty easy day tomorrow. 70 odd kms, about 450 m of climbing.  Might even sleep in, expecting a cold one again tonight.

Scared the bejesus out of one of the early morning pub staff

Ready for action, outside the Kyogle pub.  

The turnoff to Grady's Creek Road

Not suitable for fat old cyclists towing a heap of gear either.

There are numerous creek crossings just like this

The fun begins

A steep road

Road is down there somewhere

Near the top

This road was built by the community

The top and the New South Wales Queensland border.  Look closely at that sign, it's warning a 19° hill.

A creek crossing on the way down to Rathdowney

The Beaudesert pub - what a cracker!!

The Beaudesert pub. 30 bucks a night including access to the balcony to watch the trucks go past.  You can't beat that.