A tight group of five turned up for the spring ride along the Linville to Blackbutt rail trail. The welcome heavy rain that had fallen in and around Brisbane the day before had missed the area, but there had been enough to wet the track, create sloppy mud and puddles for a tyre wash and a pepe stripe.
Although today's crew were all paddlers, there were some cross
trainers amongst us and I knew from the outset that I was going to be the slow poke on the pull up to Blackbutt. Stan volunteered to be keeper of the key, which was just as well as he was jumping fit and having the key reigned him in. There are some of advantages being slow poke for the day. While you might huff and
puff up the hill, by the time you get to the gate it is open so you just sail on through. Sure you get lapped before the next gate, that is by design so you can continue to breeze through the waiting gates.
Spring is a great time for this ride. The flowers are out, there is pollen a plenty so it really was a huff, puff and sniff trek accompanied by a variety of birdlife. Cloisters of bellbirds chimed, with so many that you could see the little critters
darting amongst the eucalypts. A fat pigeon or dove with light mauve back and brown feathers on the wing with a distinctive whooping flight stayed amongst tall trees, while pairs of tiny birds with startling red breasts and pardolotes darted amongst the shrubs next to the track. The day was cool but a headwind and steady incline ensured we did not chill off.
The ravines where bridges had once crossed had me laying claim to plenty of 'girl germs' and walking the bike through. After last time I knew it wouldn't take much to have me can off and I did not want to have to replace another helmet. Chris called for morning tea after one gully so we took a pew on some heavy old wooden
piers that would have supported one of the bridges. The Anzac biscuits from the Linville Store went down well with a coffee.
The remembered downhill run into Blackbutt seemed to flatten out into a headwind. By the time we pulled up at the park it was quick smart to the bakery. The lazy wind persisted so we took refuge on the grass in the shelter of the loo block. With full
bellies full after second (and in some case third) visit to the bakery here we soaked in the warmth of the sun.
A few lads were seen to ride over the cycle jumps whilst dodging a belligerent magpie. Some jumpers were more successful than others. Onto the downhill rally, no slow poke here, that was until the mandatory walk down the gully or having to wait for the gate keeper to arrive.
The track now continues another 7Km onto Moore, however there were no other takers so we left that for next year's spring ride - Moore to Blackbutt.
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