Seventy Km bike ride. In your dreams. But no, these paddlers are cross trainers and they cruised the entire distance at a steady pace. I whirred frantically to keep up. Peddling my heart out I had sympathy for the bush walker who occasionally picks up
a paddle for a jaunt with regular kayakers.
It was a perfect day for a ride. Fluffy clouds kissing the horizon were the only ones around. The breeze was light and usually from behind. The bay was calm and the water a beautiful shade of blue. Not that I did much bay gazing whilst on the move
from Kedron Brook Floodway to Scarborough Harbour and return. For
it is not politique to mow down parentless toddlers, distracted kids on scooters, distracted adults with ipods (you could argue the score on that strike), the aged who might have not heard the incessant bell tolling and red necks who blatantly refused to
budge. On the later I felt bolstered by the thought that six backups would be on the scene within 30 seconds should we have not made a successful get away.
Lawnmower Ray's long black legs were true to form. They did not flinch at an incline and flew up there at the same pace as on the flat. At a third the rotation rate he also made it look wickedly easy. Bargain came along part of the way with Dave who was limited to a stiff ride as only half of his gears were accessible. Renata had been peddling for Km prior to the start and had to pull out part way to return to work. Brian cruised the entire 70 Km. He is a real Speedy Old Fart with Attitude (SOFA).
Stuffed if I could mow him on the downhill leg of the Ted Snout Bridge.
There were some funny moments. A strapping teenage islander rugby
team politely stepped aside calling to each other "watch out here comes the bikie gang". Putting Brian in the lead I think was strategically smart, not just for my legs, but the senior
statesman face might have engendered a more muted response from some, although for most of the time a ting of a bell was usually enough. By the third protracted bell ring it might be fair to say it is "game on" on a shared footpath.
The Ted Snout Bridge is magnificent. Catering for south bound traffic, there is a wide cycle/pedestrian lane on the eastern / bayside. About half way you can turn off down to a
massive fishing platform. Located in the middle of the channel this platform is an impressive mass of concrete and stainless steel. The design provides shade, many seating places, a delegated point to scale the fish from which the by products can be swept down a hole straight back into the bay. Brilliant burly
creation and, as Dan pointed out, probably the best place to put
your line.
The place for morning tea was created by the disruption of the cycle path and road closure associated with the Jetty to Jetty fun run. Pulling up a seat we must have been looking in need of a feed as no sooner had we taken a pew a person magnanimously
appeared with a platter of freshly cut bananas and juicy oranges.
Since when have paddlers or peddlers ever been shy with an offer of nutrition ?
The foreshore is starting to look really beautiful in places. The
southern end of Redcliffe has an exquisite lagoon pool surrounded
by pandanus, hibiscus and plenty of tables for a picnic. More northern parts of this foreshore now have the road, a small dune style planting, the wide wooden boardwalk, some more of the same planting bordering a groomed beach. However, we were not the only ones to be out and about. It seemed like every person and their
little white dogs had taken to the path. The crowds only started to thin out by the northern end of Scarborough. Probably because
everyone else was in the queue at Morgans.
There were limited opportunities for photos given the pace of this ride and my favoured cycling pace and ability. Nevertheless there were some scenes that demanded a picture and even included an obligatory little white dog. All I can say is ride with
caution with this mob. They are hardier than most and with the cross training that either comes from other cycling or bush walking they put up a mean cruising pace over an entire 70Km.
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