Bike Leichhardt

Accommodation – There is a range of accommodation in and around Mendooran – camping at the Showground (plenty of undercover space and hot showers) or beside the Castlereagh River, local pubs and clubs, bed and breakfast and cottages. Suggest you book early.
In previous years, Bike Leichhardt has camped as a group at the Showgrounds.
Showground Dinner on Saturday evening with cyclists from far & wide
Not a cyclist? No worries — plenty happening off the bike too, e.g. Mendooran Heritage and Architectural Walk, Bees, Honey and Mead, Weave Your Walk, Grass Identification, Black Gate Distillery, Cemetery Walk, Soap Making. Various costs and pre-booking necessary.
Register for your choice of rides, book events and accommodation via:
https://centralwestcycletrail.com.au/latest-news/
Use the ‘Accommodation-Tours-Transport’ tab on the CWCT website for guidance, follow the link
Further information? Email: info@centralwestcycletrail.com.au
FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER Arrive ready for a weekend of fun riding.
SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER
8.15am FREE RIDE: Yarragrin Creek & LOOPS First section suitable for road bikes! A first. Yarragrin Creek 40km return (all sealed - suitable for road bikes) OR 46km loop with gravel OR 80km loop with gravel.
$20 ENJOY morning tea on the way at the Pop Up Yarragrin Creek Café. Coffee, tea and more to be found as you take in the rural surrounds (8.45 - 11am) Buy ticket online (booking essential)
OR FOR A SHORTER RIDE
8.30 – 9.35 am Mendooran (8 km), a quiet cycle through the back streets and along the river.
DINNER
6 for 6.30pm Tastes of Mendooran Dinner The fire will be alight, whilst the Mendooran Show Society provides a multi-course locally soured dinner. Vegetarian options available. Mendooran Showground, 35 Dalglish Street $35 Buy ticket (booking essential)
SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
8:15 am FREE RIDE through the Goonoo forest trails where meeting a vehicle is once in a 'blue moon' event. This is one of the most popular sections of the CWCT. Loop back to Mendooran via Deadman's Gully (51km).
$20 Enjoy morning tea on the way at the Pop Up Denmire Café. Coffee, tea and more to be found as you pedal through the forest. 8.45 - 11am onwards. Buy ticket – (Booking essential)

Over 21 September Meet at Kurilpa Park at 9 AM. We will explore the cycle way up and down the Brisbane River, about 44 kms. Plenty of places to view and coffee shops. Buy lunch or picnic along the way. There will be time to explore the city or to ride further out to Nudgee Beach. https://briscycle.com/brisbane-city/river-loop/

On 22 September we drive to Wulkuraka where we can securely park our cars at 10 AM. Alternatively, you can train there (Ipswich) from the city, about 1.2 hours but check the rules about bikes on trains. At Wulkuraka we will ride by private bus with our bikes and minimal luggage to Nanango, almost a 2 hour trip, arriving around noon. This will cost you about $100. Once at Nanango, there will be time to explore or ride 22 kms on the hilly NAN2 trail from the town. Suggest you book your own accommodation at the Antler Motel or the Fitzroy Motel, both three stars.

On 23 September we will ride the medium-hard hilly dirt trail from Nanango to Linville crossing 27 rivers and creeks and bypassing Yarramn and Blackbutt. There is no food available so you will need to take supplies to cover 66 kms. I suspect that the trip will take over 7 hours and includes spectacular views and one long down hill. I will email you the maps.

I have booked out the Rail Trail Refuge at Lineville (3 double bunk rooms at $140 per room, with breakfast). I will book in the first five registered riders plus myself. Any overflow beds can be found at The Linville Hotel. You should book ASAP.

On 24 September we will ride the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail from Lineville to Esk, about 46 km on gravel, departing leisurely at 10am. Buy a late lunch at Esk at the Brisbane Valley Roasters pictured below located on the trail. Make your own booking at the Esk Motel or the Esk Caravan Park

On 25 September we will complete the rail trail by riding from Esk to Wulkuraka, a distance of 67 km on gravel. Lunch at Fernvale. Once at Wulkuraka collect your car. If you are driving back to Sydney I suggest you stay the night at or near Ipswich. There are a number of motels, hotels and cool coffee shops such as the Short Black Coffee Company on Brisbane Street.

Notes

For the 23 September ride, with your agreement, I plan on hiring a car to take our gear to Linville and drop it off at the Rail Trail Refuge. I can’t attempt to organise this till August next year so this remains a potential support. It should cost around $20 per person. Saves a lot of extra weight on this medium-hard ride.

• You must be a member of BL.
• You must be experienced on dirt and wet roads. This is not a beginners ride!
• Pack two meals, snacks and water for the 23 Sept ride. IMPORTANT
• For 22 September onwards minimise what you are carrying on your bike to:
• repair kit, water and food
• ebike charger, as appropriate
• wet weather gear and something warm
• one set of post ride cloths
• fly repellent
• toiletries and sun block
• Must have good gravel or MTB tires.
• Be prepared for all weather conditions