Spring Creek and Girraween National Park Trip
I headed up to Spring Creek for two days with the intention of giving the Thorn Nomad its first work out on a 62km trip from Spring Creek across the border into NSW and back to Spring Creek via the Condamine River Road. It was not to be though. When I unloaded the bike at Spring Creek I found I had left the quick release through axle for the front wheel at hoem. Ahhhh!
So I chilled out at Spring Creek Cottages the first night with a roaring fire and the next morning after Bev's great breakfast I headed down to Girraween National Park via the old Mt Lindsay Rd. There I climbed up to the first Pyramid (steeper than I thought it would be) with its great views over the National Park. At some stage I will have to go back there and do more walks in the park.
After that it was back to the cottages and dinner at the cafe with pasta cauliflower and mushroom ragu followed by upside down tarte tatin with ice craem and toffee sauce, awseome! The weather was great both days with clear blue skies and cold mornings with the temperature still only around 2 degrees at 7:30 on both mornings. I will have to get back there soon to do the ride on the Nomad.
So I chilled out at Spring Creek Cottages the first night with a roaring fire and the next morning after Bev's great breakfast I headed down to Girraween National Park via the old Mt Lindsay Rd. There I climbed up to the first Pyramid (steeper than I thought it would be) with its great views over the National Park. At some stage I will have to go back there and do more walks in the park.
After that it was back to the cottages and dinner at the cafe with pasta cauliflower and mushroom ragu followed by upside down tarte tatin with ice craem and toffee sauce, awseome! The weather was great both days with clear blue skies and cold mornings with the temperature still only around 2 degrees at 7:30 on both mornings. I will have to get back there soon to do the ride on the Nomad.
Future Cycling Tours
The following are the cycling tours that I have planned or am in the process of planning
1)The Mawson Trail South Australia - September 2010
2)The Outer Hebredian Islands Scotland - June 2011
3)Kangaroo Island South Australia - November 2011
1)The Mawson Trail South Australia - September 2010
2)The Outer Hebredian Islands Scotland - June 2011
3)Kangaroo Island South Australia - November 2011
Warrie Circuit Springbrook
Today, I traveled down to Springbrook to walk the Warrie Circuit which is part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. Unfortunately, 150 metres into the walk my feet went from under me on slippery moss covered rock and I slammed down onto my back, completely winding me. My back pack, thankfully saved the back of my head from slamming onto the rock and most likely a more serious injury.
Regaining my breath and checking nothing was broken I noticed that the lens on my camera was now bent at 45 degrees. Fortunately, I managed to straighten it and the telescopic zoom worked alright but the rim of the lens body was partially smashed and the lens protector will not close. However, the camera still worked well enough to take pictures during the rest of the walk.
Regaining my breath and checking nothing was broken I noticed that the lens on my camera was now bent at 45 degrees. Fortunately, I managed to straighten it and the telescopic zoom worked alright but the rim of the lens body was partially smashed and the lens protector will not close. However, the camera still worked well enough to take pictures during the rest of the walk.
The Warrie Circuit is the longest walk in the park and takes you past 11 waterfalls. Leaving Canyon Lookout, I continued 300 metres on the right fork to the Rainbow Falls. Walking behind the falls you can see a rainbow through the shimmering water. Continuing along the base of the cliffs to Goomoolahra Falls, I was confronted by the spectacular view of the rainforest valley below and the Meeting of the Waters.
Working my way along the base of the cliffs I past Ngarii-dhum Falls before gradually winding my way down through pristine subtropical rainforest to the Meeting Of The Waters, the spot where several creeks converge. The track then zigzags back up to a ridge passing the triple waterfalls of Poondahra, Poonyahra and Blackfellow Falls. Then, reaching the track junction, I turned and passed under Blackfellow Falls, before climbing back up to the Canyon Lookout and the car-park.
Working my way along the base of the cliffs I past Ngarii-dhum Falls before gradually winding my way down through pristine subtropical rainforest to the Meeting Of The Waters, the spot where several creeks converge. The track then zigzags back up to a ridge passing the triple waterfalls of Poondahra, Poonyahra and Blackfellow Falls. Then, reaching the track junction, I turned and passed under Blackfellow Falls, before climbing back up to the Canyon Lookout and the car-park.
Thorn Nomad MK2; Its Arrived
The Nomad arrived today. It came in one huge box. First impressions even though the frame is wrapped in protection is that the build quality is very good, and the Brooks saddle looks fantastic. More pictures as I get it assembled.
Customs and GST
I got a phone call from the air freight company this morning
saying the bike is in Brisbane and ready for collection. All I had to do was pay the custom duties and GST and the bike will be delivered. So I shelled out $571.95 in duties and tax and the bike should be delivered tomorrow. I was hoping to have a bit of a win and avoid paying the GST as I had heard in recent times that a couple of Thorn bikes had slipped through customs without GST being charged, but it was not to be.
saying the bike is in Brisbane and ready for collection. All I had to do was pay the custom duties and GST and the bike will be delivered. So I shelled out $571.95 in duties and tax and the bike should be delivered tomorrow. I was hoping to have a bit of a win and avoid paying the GST as I had heard in recent times that a couple of Thorn bikes had slipped through customs without GST being charged, but it was not to be.
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