The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail from Fernvale to Coominya via Lowood (40Km return) provided a total body workout. The first long bike ride in years, a tender touche was to be expected – not sore shoulders. The ‘funky chicken wave’ was our repeated defence from incursions by the black and white joint strike fighters (JSF). These infamous squadrons took up strategic positions, often close to roads or gates where their peddling quarry had to slow or was otherwise distracted with latches.
Some worked in pairs with a pincer manoeuvre. The first JSF came from a rear high vantage point (usually a powerline above the gate or style) and herded the hapless peddlers along the track past bushes where the other squaddie was ready to complete the attack. Then there was Hans solo. With several seasons under its wing, Hans aggressive technique was well known to locals. Today was no different. Hans made two passes on the lead peddler charging down the gully before angling in for a facial strike.
Other squadrons had chicks in training. The season’s new recruits practiced diving techniques pulling out well short of contact. Beyond Coominya local legend had it that up to six JSF are now working as schmick aerial team mastering complex and aggressive interplay that had palled even the most seasoned peddler.
Aerial attacks aside, the track was wide and relatively smooth. There were no corrugations or baked churn created by cloven hooves. The surface was hard, usually had some couch topped with a smattering of loose gravel. While a robust road bicycle would suffice, it was better suited to hybrids or mountain bikes (and padded pants from Aldi).
The trail passes through open farming country. Some of the fields were filled with golden crops of parched rustling wheat. There were very few trees and limited shade. The dark stony track and overhead sun made for a hot ride. Once at Coominya Dean hailed Carol and Alison who had carried the sustenance and, together with Irena and Michael offered a return journey in air conditioned comfort.
A lot of work has been done on the track since November 2006. Many of the track and bridge features seen around the Lowood Bend have been taken out. The Coominya section preserves a remarkable wooden rail bridge which the trail goes under. There is a magnificent planting of native shrubs and trees just west of Lowood opposite the golf course.
Next year the section leading through to Kingaroy will open making it a 160Km one way ride out from Ipswich. This is on the ‘to do’ list for Autumn with the plan to have a couple of nights in pubs or tents along the way.
Rail trails have a lot of potential. This trail could become renowned for its spectacular variety of native flora and fauna backed by a hospitable and accommodating rural landscape – all only an hour from Brisbane. Continue with dense native plantings to create shade, encourage a greater diversity of birdlife and other fauna. Link in transport, encourage local B&B, spruce up pub accommodation and campgrounds. It would be great to be able to ride the trail without being attacked by magpies, especially repeat offenders because it is all fun and games – until somebody loses an eye.
