The Far North Wilderness Bicycle Tour
17th – 24th September 2005
Cardwell to Cairns via the Rainforests and Wilderness of FNQ.
Basic
itinerary & information
Pre-ride, Saturday 17th Sept. Cairns to Cardwell by train - or other means. Ride to Kennedy State School after lunch. 25 kms, [Evening Dinner only]
Summary : The forward journey is courtesy of Queensland Rail. Leave Cairns 8.30am. Assemble at station 7.00am. Bikes come down on the trailer. An easy ride after lunch to a lovely little school at the base of the range. Briefing at 5.00pm about the next 7 days’ riding. After dinner, perhaps a slide show on North Queensland landscapes. Non-train travellers must make own arrangements by bus or car to be at Kennedy by 4.30pm. Those flying into Cairns should ideally arrive Friday night. If that's not possible contact organisers for assistance.
Day One - Sunday 18th Sept. Kennedy to Blencoe Falls area. 65 Km. 100% dirt granite road. [Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.]
Summary : A tough first day of hill-climbing with not much let up. 20km to the top of the range, 9km down the other side with a solitary 2km of dead flat to lunch. The rest is a relentless succession of ups and downs as we follow the ridge lines and gullies though the mountains. All but the very fit should get lifts from the rider support cars during the day. However, today has some of the best riding through rainforest you will ever get. After lunch rainforest gradually gives way to delightful high-country woodland as riders head west. Spectacular river and gorge scenery at destination.
Day Two - Monday 19th Sept. Blencoe Falls to Herbert River Crossing : 100% dirt granite road, all good quality. 37 Km. [B.L.D] (Option to inspect Herbert River Falls - a tough extra 40km return)
Summary : Riders now begin a 2 day journey through the dry country which will take them from the Cardwell rainforest to rainforests further north. But today is an easy rewarding day - from swimming hole to swimming hole. As riders continue west, initial hills and gullies soon give way to flatter country. For the adventurous, a tough 40 km diversion takes one to the grand Herbert River Falls. Camp tonight is on the banks of the Herbert River further upstream.
Day Three - Tuesday 20thSept. Herbert River Crossing to Uramo : via Gunnawarra Rd and Mt Garnet. 95 Km. 65% dirt clay road. [B.L.D.]
Summary : A long and tough day which will be hot, dusty and dry. Stark ironbark woodland country. Today will be a test of the will on this lonely stretch of outback corrugated dirt. By lunch the toughest part is over and a sealed road welcomes riders into the tiny town of Mt Garnet. However, a further 10 km stretch of narrow bitumen highway, followed by 5 km of dirt, must be negotiated to finish the day. Packs and rider discipline will be required for this highway section. Our overnight stop is again near the Herbert River.
Day Four - Wednesday 21st Sept. Uramo to Ravenshoe via Glen Gordon Station and Wooroora Rd, 80% dirt clay then sealed road. 45 Kms. [B.L.D]
Summary: We follow a bush track along the Herbert River until a crossing at Mandalee. Fairly dusty dirt road now until we get to Glen Gordon Station. 5 gates to open and close during the journey through the cattle station. Flat roads eventually gives way to hillier country, and a higher, wetter, cooler climate regime is not far away. The bitumen begins at Vine creek and a steady climb brings riders up to the Ravenshoe Pony Club for lunch. This is also the overnight stay spot. After lunch riders can explore the many attractions in and around Ravenshoe or just rest up - or perhaps head into the chemist to buy that tooth brush left back at Cairns. Ravenshoe, at around 900 metres elevation, is an interesting town which has the "highest" this and the "highest" that historical feature. There is also a big wind farm not far out of town, and also some great water falls in easy riding distance. Riders are also free to book a room in town for the night.
Day Five - Thursday 22nd Sept. Ravenshoe to Upper Barron 45 Km. 80% dirt clay and granite road. Or Ravenshoe to Upper Barron via Tully Falls and Gorge. 110Km [B.L.D]
Summary: Today is slightly complicated as there are riding options in the morning. Riders who wish to see the Tully Falls and Tully Gorge have the option of leaving at 7.00am and riding the 60km return journey. Everyone else can just have an easy morning.
The early starters enter the World Heritage section of forest outside Ravenshoe and travel on some fantastic down-hill bitumen sections through the closed canopy rainforest to reach Tully Falls. At the Falls, organisers will try (depending on resources) to have enough support cars to transport riders over to have a look at the Tully Gorge (from the top). Riders will see why this river is so renown among the white water rafting community. Of course there's a steady uphill push back along the rainforest corridor to Ravenshoe. Organisers will again ferry some riders (given resources) back up the hill to Ravenshoe.
Lunch is at 12.30 in Ravenshoe. At 1.30pm all riders will leave Ravenshoe and head to Upper Barron via Herberton. Riders proceed uphill to Tumoulin together. Here they can split up and soon leave the bitumen after getting on to Flaggy Creek Road. Riders are now trending downward to a lower level of the Atherton Tablelands. Camping tonight at the delightful Upper Barron School. Here we produce the hot water for our temporary shower set-up in our famous donkey boiler.
Day Six - Friday 23rd Sept. Upper Barron to Tinaroo Dam, via Malanda, Lake Eacham, Yungaburra and Kairi, all sealed road. 51 Km. or via Danbulla Forest Drive. 90km, 80% dirt granite road and bush track. [BLD]
Summary: Riders are back in civilization, but we stay very much out of its way. Again today we have riding options. Fitter riders can attempt the rainforest circuit behind Tinaroo Dam via Danbulla. This is a rough and tough circuit. By day six your body will tell you if you are up to it. The only condition on this leg is that riders must promise to stay in a bunch until lunch time to avoid getting lost on the back tracks.
The more relaxed circuit ambles across the Tablelands visiting all the well loved attractions of the Tablelands, with riders swimming and visiting coffee shops. Camping tonight is at the Black Gully Environment Centre lakeside at Tinaroo.
Day Seven - Saturday 24th Sept. Tinaroo to Cairns via Clohesy river 70% dirt granite or clay road, all of reasonable quality. 90 Kms. [B.L.D]
Summary : Today has some challenging hills, but the ride across the mountain ranges and down into Cairns must surely be one of the best rides of the tour. Individual permits will be required as riders must pass through a State forest section today.
On leaving Tinaroo hills confront riders, before giving way to a dry rain-shadow area which descends to a flat middle section where riders skirt along irrigation canals. Now, unfortunately, 10 km of main highway has to be negotiated. That over, riders are again on isolated dirt heading down Clohesy River Road for lunch at the first creek crossing.
From here riders start climbing into rainforest. There are about six more creek crossings, some steep climbs and some steep descents - all of which will have to be walked by most riders. Eventually, riders arrive at Copperlode Dam and its famous kiosk nestled above a spectacular rainforest and water vista.
It's time to shout yourself some coffee and cake. You've made it and there's no more dirt. There are only a few short but sharp climbs to bring riders to the edge of the escarpment, then the magnificent long descent into Cairns. It's all over.
Maps will guide riders from the base of the range to the Environment Centre. Luggage pick up is from 4.00pm. Saturday evening farewell dinner kicks off at 6.00pm.
The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre : All proceeds of this ride will go to the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre. This year the Centre turns over 25 years of community service. It is a community-based group and is comprised of a volunteer board of management. It employs 3 part-time staff and serves the area from Cardwell north to the tip of the Peninsula and west to the Gulf. It relies on fundraising events like this bike tour to survive.
Phone : 40 321746 (Wed & Thurs), Fax: 40 533779 E-mail : bikeride@cafnec.org.au
Aboriginal history of the bike route : The land we travel through in the area of the Herbert River region is the county of traditional aboriginal owners who still have close links to this land. The organisers of the tour recognize the stewardship of this area by the traditional owners over countless generations, so that we can enjoy the high conservation values of this land today. Likewise, we thank the aboriginal people of the Ravenshoe and Kuranda areas for sharing the best of their country with us.
Start and Finish: For unsupported riders, the starting point is the Cairns Railway station, which is centrally located behind the Cairns Central Shopping complex. A relaxing train journey, courtesy of QR, gets you and luggage down to Cardwell, with bikes going down on our trailers. After checking out Cardwell, and after some lunch, riders make their way to Kennedy School (25km). Riders with car support need to be at Kennedy School for the pre-ride briefing by 4.30pm Saturday. Finish point is The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, about 4 kms north of the railway station.
Your car can be left at Cairns Central car park: By arrangement with Cairns Central management we can park cars together, for the week, at the very southern end of the car parking area on the top uncovered deck above the railway station. There is a security presence around the complex, but neither the Environment Centre nor Cairns Central can take on any liability for damage to, or theft from vehicles.
Book Early: Reserve your place with a $200.00 deposit.
The tour is during the Qld school holiday period (2nd week). Also during the semester break for James Cook University students.
Early registration and confirmation allows us to confirm the group booking for the train travel.
The ride is limited to 50 adult riders in total.
Contact the above addresses for registration forms.
Payment of balance of fare: Full payment is required no later than Thursday 25th August. The organisers have the right to refuse participation by any person who has not paid the fare in full by this date. In this event the deposit amount will be returned, less a small administration fee. For cancellations after 26th August, reimbursement of the fare will be at the discretion of the tour organisers.
Surcharge for credit card payments : Due to the high bank charges on credit card transactions, the tour is forced to introduce a 3.5% surcharge on payments made by credit cards. That means about an extra $15 on an adult fare. This amount will go straight to the banks. See registration form for details.
Forward journey to Cardwell free to riders and courtesy of QR.
Luggage support : The tour will carry all luggage within the limitations set below. As the tour requires a train ride for many riders, we've adopted the Queensland Rail criteria for luggage. QR's booklet states : "Each passenger is allowed two suitcases per person weighing no more than 25 kg per case. The maximum size per case is 180 linear centimetres (1800 millimetres). (A linear measure equals is the sum of height + length + depth). Also, passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage").
Unfortunately you won't be allowed on the train with anything more than the above. So that means no bulky items like swags, as they just take up too much room. The above allocation is generous considering many other tours only allow 2 x 20kg cases. But notwithstanding, we would appreciate it if you packed as light as you can.
Meals: Evening meal only on Saturday 17th. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner [BLD] on all other days, including farewell dinner Saturday evening 24th. Please advise of vegetarian or special dietary requirements. (see also "sustenance" below)
Accommodation: We camp in environment centres, camp grounds, schools and the bush. These vary from excellent facilities to basic. There will be toilets at every stop - built or mobile. We provide temporary hot showers where necessary, however, on three evenings we will embrace the greater luxury of a delightful swim in the remote rivers that we camp at. This is a wilderness tour after all!
A rear view mirror is also essential - as it is in cars. Riders just can't rely on hearing, as wind rush in the ears from downhill speed or head winds will blank out noise. A mirror will help the safe passing of support vehicles and trailers on the narrow dirt roads. Mirrors will also make the highway sections safer as you will see any semi-trailers in the distance and be ready.
You'll also need two water bottles on your bike. Also check your water bottle brackets.
Other fairly essential on-bike items would include: A bike pump, a basic repair kit, a spare tube, sun protection creams, a couple of first-aid items and perhaps some toilet paper.
Bike items in the luggage would include:
- A spare tyre, 2 more tubes, patches and glue, some spare spokes and spoke spanner.
- Some electrical tape, plastic zip ties, bubble wrap for the bike if it goes on the trailer.
- A pocket knife and additional tools to fit your bike.
Luggage items usually provided by well-prepared explorers :
A tent, blow up mattress or sleeping mat, and a sleeping bag. (all good quality)
Good quality clothing for on and off road. Remember, nights can be cold, days can be hot, rain is possible. (In 2004 the tour experienced cold and rain).
A plastic plate, mug and bowl, cutlery, tea towel. (A small drawstring bag, marked with your name, is also essential to keep this together and to put in support cars for lunch, as required.)
A good torch with new batteries and a spare globe.
A small camping stool (the small scissor type with canvas on top won't take up much room)
Toiletries, toilet paper, towels, sunscreen, lip cream, something to protect your neck, sunglasses, personal medical kit.
Swimmers and towel.
Binoculars? Note-book? Diary? Camera?
Spending-money on tour (see food and drink item below)
Other issues regarding luggage :
Do not bring bulky items like swags or very big roll up mattresses. They take up huge areas of space on trailers and also can't be taken on the train.
Pack light: Lighter bags are easier to load and unload. Always ask when packing : "Would I be able to take this on the train given their luggage criteria" (outlined above).
Luggage and dust: Luggage will be going in a covered-in large trailer. This will keep out water if it rains but it is unlikely to keep out fine dust. Therefore, it is advisable to wrap essential items in a plastic bag.
Luggage Drop off and pick up : Luggage may be dropped at the Environment Centre prior to the start of the event. Contact the Centre on 40 321746 on Wednesdays or Thursdays or ring myself, Jon Metcalfe, on 40 521019 to arrange a mutually suitable time. Luggage will be available for pick up from 4.00pm Sat 24th at the Environment Centre, Greenslopes st.
Ambulance membership and medical issues : Interstate riders need to know that from 1st July 2003 ambulance services are provided "free" to all people. This is funded from a levy on Queensland electricity subscribers. If a rider is non-seriously injured, but still requires attention, organisers will transport the rider to the nearest clinic. The clinic may, or may not, have bulk-billing facilities. If not, a fix up may be quite expensive. Organisers may also ask for a contribution to the petrol cost involved in transportation.
Bikes and scratching : Bikes will be forwarded to Cardwell by trailer, and so arises the possibility of scratching. Riders should bring along their own tape and bubble-wrap to avoid this. All care will be taken by organisers, but riders who are very worried about their bikes should make arrangements to make their own way to start the tour in Cardwell.
Climate : September is the Far North's driest month so there is a good chance that it won't rain. Days will be mild but getting quite hot in the afternoons depending on how far away from the coast we are. Nights however, could still be quite cool. For most of the trip the altitude would be from 500 to 900 metres.
Fitness level: One can’t just hop on a bike and do this ride without preparation. You will need some aerobic capacity. The biggest problem for those who don't do much cycling is that your body (especially backside) needs to be bike hardened – that is it needs to have the ability to stay in the saddle for up to six hours. Unfortunately, you only get bike hardened by riding bikes.
The organisers of this tour want to cater for a range of fitness levels and riding ability. For the fit there are ranges and hills that will take you to your limit if you want to attack them and ride them all. For those who want more moderate exercise we can ferry you up the harder sections. People can jump in support vehicles any time, but remember – this is not a bus trip!
Do some preparation. Your training should include rides of varying distances which should build up to the longest ride closer to the event. Try to ride two to three times per week. Shorter rides through the working week, with a longer one over the weekend where you push yourself a bit. Definitely include some hill work. Unfortunately, Day One of our tour is all hills.
Roads: On planning this route every effort has been made to avoid being on main roads. We only have to negotiate about 30km of main highway on the entire trip.
Riding on main highways: We must ride in packs or groups on main highways and in single file. An escort vehicle with a flashing light and signs will accompany each group of riders. This arrangement is a condition of our police permit.
Riding on back roads: We can relax a little on roads where traffic is very low. But as cyclists on a friendly tour we should be prepared to stay back and give encouragement, advice and support to less experienced riders. On dirt roads don't ride too close. Give your fellow riders ample space to judge their route and to take evasive action if needed.
Cyclists and camp crew vehicles: Camp crew vehicles will be pulling a number of heavy trailers. They endeavour to take different routes to get ahead of the cyclists where possible. However, on a number of days this is not possible. It is inevitable that on some days camp vehicles will have to overtake every rider. On narrow dirt roads this is stressful for drivers, and dusty and unpleasant for riders. Your rear vision mirror is essential on these occasions to identify the slow, and usually quiet, approach of friendly camp vehicles. Allow them to pass by waiving them through at the first opportunity. Riders should be in single file and to the left as far as possible and may dismount on occasions before it is safe for camp vehicles to pass. A procedure on passing will be discussed at the pre-tour briefing.
Camp routine : Tour organisers and a volunteer roster of riders will prepare and clean up after breakfast and evening meals. Once roster requirements are fulfilled you no longer have to feel you should be helping.
Sustenance : Food will be healthy, hearty & heaps of it! As much as possible, meals will include fresh veggies & fruit (including organic items bought along the way). Dried fruit & nuts will be dispensed into individual bags each morning so riders have some fuel en route. Water containers will be placed at stop points. There will also be a range of fruit and snacks laid out after each day's riding. Coffee will be the real stuff in plungers. Let us know of any dietary needs (vegetarian, milk intolerant etc).
Drinks will be available at reasonable prices from the Bikers Bar every evening (beer, wine, cider and soft drinks). By popular demand, this year we'll also provide for sale, "reward for effort" items like chocolate, and "fuel" items like snakes and lollies. If you need power drinks please bring your own powder to mix with our water.
Riding and reviving : We aim to stop every 20 km or so for a 10-12 minute rider reviver break.
Recycling: Our tour will recycle as much as possible, so be prepared to separate food scraps, tins, glass and general waste.
Call or E mail us anytime:
This document could be 100 pages long and still not cover every eventuality. So contact us with your questions. It will probably be about something we haven't thought of, in which case the info will be much appreciated. All the contacts are above.
Maps of the route can be forwarded by mail on request.