Machka 

Wonderful!!

We're also near the ocean, and a few weekends ago, I did a day trip where cycled to a ferry that took me to one of the local islands and I cycled there for the day.

We're talking about exploring a different island by bicycle one weekend soon.

noglider 

I'm thinking of easing back into bike touring with my wife. She doesn't have a lot of stamina on a bike. The most I've ever seen her ride is 30-odd miles in a day. I'm thinking in the next month or so, we'll ride to a B&B 8 miles from our house. Maybe by the end of the summer she'll feel good about doing bigger distances. Being in a B&B in nice scenery and away from our daily concerns might feel like a pleasant break, and getting there by bike will be fun.

B. Carfree

That sounds like a wonderful plan, even if it doesn't lead to more and longer rides for the two of you.

Lucky me, my spouse loves to ride. Maybe a tandem is in your future.

noglider 

We have a tandem but I haven't finished making it fit us. On our quickie test ride, she found it very uncomfortable. Fit was probably one problem, but the whippiness was very unnerving to her.

Machka 

Machka 

Machka 

I really didn't know what to expect.

The websites about Maria Island don't provide much in the way of photographs and even the online cycling map isn't very detailed ( https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=7592 ).

However, I did know a few things:
So I didn't expect:
There are two times available to go across to Maria Island on the ferry, 9 am (and I knew we weren't going to make that) and 3:30 pm (so I booked that one ... 2 adults, 2 bicycles). Passengers are, of course, walk-on only because there are no motor vehicles allowed. However, we are allowed to bring bicycles or rent bicycles. They have a fleet of black step-through bicycles available for rent ($25/day), but we opted to bring our Bike Fridays complete with new knobby tires which Rowan installed last week.
Bike Maria | Maria Island Ferry

We loaded up and made the crossing with about 15 other people on a bright, sunny and warm day. The crossing is about 30 minutes ... a little wavy (ginger is a good thing), but also scenic, as there is a good view of the island on the way over. When we arrived, we reattached our panniers etc., while some of the hikers made use of large wagons lined up at the dock to transport their things approx. half a km to the penitentiary or campground. Visitors to the island need to be reasonably fit since they do not have access to motor vehicles.

After checking in at the Visitor's Information centre located in one of the few remaining historic buildings on the island, we cycled to the campground and set up. Then we cycled up and over the hill to the Painted Cliffs. They are beautiful! As I mentioned before, Google Maria Island Painted Cliffs and you'll see. Next time we go, I would like to explore them more.

The Painted Cliffs aren't very far but the ride took us a lot longer than we thought, so we began reconsidering the idea of cycling to the far south of the island. However, the knobby tires Rowan installed onto our Bike Fridays were quite appropriate for the conditions. I just need to become a bit more confident with mountain biking skills.

When we got back, as mentioned above, our tent was surrounded by wildlife! Yes, of course I took photos!!

That night we went to sleep to the roar and crash of the waves at the nearby beach. Besides the sounds of the ocean and rustles of the wild life, it was very quiet. No traffic noise. No hum of appliances. It was also very dark in the campground because the camp kitchen and amenities block do not have lights, nor are there lights throughout the campground ... no electricity. Without the usual light pollution, the stars looked bright and huge.

We had a lazy morning, and then decided to do a hiking/cycling loop around the north end of the island instead of the southern trek. I am glad we made that decision ... I loved it up there. Mountain views, huge waves, and a certain remoteness and barrenness, I felt very comfortable and at home with.

We had a bit of time to spare before the return ferry, and the weather had set in (windy chilly drizzle), so we had lunch and then explored some of the other buildings ... the museum, and a few of the others.

And then we were homeward-bound on the ferry again.


We'd like to go back and spend longer there. I went over wondering what on earth people would do over there with more than one day, and came back realising that the number of hikes and rides a person could do might take a week. Plus it was nice to get away ... no phone, no computer, no traffic, very few people ... just nature.

B. Carfree

That just may be my new favorite sign.

Now how do we get that into the US Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices?

Machka 

I do think there should be more named cycling routes like that.

Machka 

Photos from our Maria Island weekend away ...


Getting ready to go ...






Maria Island ... not as flat as expected!!

B. Carfree

I'm so old-fashioned. I just can't seem to get used to the droopy-drawer look of panniers on a Bike Friday. I'm finally used to 'bents, but I guess it will be a while until the small wheel bikes grow on me.

Machka 

I was sceptical about folding bikes at first, but discovered that the handling, comfort, and speed are comparable to full-sized bicycles ... but folding bikes can be so much more convenient.

This was the first time we had ridden ours with panniers. We have done a lot of other riding with handlebar bag and Carradice, but not with the panniers. I wasn't sure how they'd be with the extra weight, but they were really good. It just took a moment or two to get used to the slightly different handling, and then we were off!

Funny thing ... after having done a couple rides with them on the island on the gravel roads and up and over the paddocks, we were sitting having lunch when a group of 4 day riders came into the camp kitchen and spotted our bicycles. First thing out of their mouths was, "The potholes around here would swallow those wheels whole! Those wheels are too small to ride around here!"
Well ... um ... we just did ... and the wheels were fine. They are, of course, BMX size and BMX courses aren't known for their flat smoothness.

Anyway, I think they look kinda cute with the panniers on.

TuckertonRR

Wow, I love those pics! Especially the ones near the beach! It's almost like the New Jersey shore that I'm used to. I've never drove/rode on left - hand lanes (UK, Aus, etc) do you ride your bike to the extreme left, or closer to the median? And are general "bike rules" similar to those in the States, ?? I'm considering a trip to Ireland in the next year or so, and never actually rode in a left-drive country (though I've been to the UK twice before - just walked & used the transport systems).

Machka 

This is a photo of Rowan riding ahead of me on the overnight tour we did at the end of November ... that's where we ride ... near the white line on the edge of the road.

And yes, the rules of the road in Australia and the UK are quite similar to those in Canada and the US. The usual stuff ... signal, stop at stop signs, etc.

It's quite easy to ride (or drive) on the left side of the road EXCEPT when it comes to turning at intersections. That's when you've got to really pay attention and turn into the correct lane. It's actually easier when riding a bicycle than driving because if you get it wrong, you can just pull over and correct the situation when it is safe to do so.

Oh, one other thing ... there are lots and lots and lots of roundabouts in Australia and the UK. And they go in the opposite direction to any you might have encountered in the US.

Machka 

Walter S

Pretty pictures

Machka 

I finished posting the Maria Island photos here ...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka...54742114/page4

and ...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka...54742114/page5


There's an amazing feel about the place ... almost like you've got this whole island to yourself. There are other people there, of course, but not many and we're all scattered around just taking it all in.

Machka 

Just got back from a 10-day trip to Queensland.

We flew there and back.
We made use of 4 taxis.
A friend drove us back to our cabin after the 300 km randonnee we completed.
We took the bus.
We cruised on a couple catamarans.
We swam in the ocean or the caravan park pool on several days.
We kayaked 3.6 km.
We walked 23.4 km.
We walked 23.4 km.
We cycled 443.93 km.


Because we stayed in one place the whole time, it was a hub-and-spoke style tour with a bit of randonneuring thrown in for good measure.

We were fortunate to be staying in a place which was within walking distance of all the amenities we needed. There was a shopping centre less than 1 km away in one direction where we were able to get supplies and find dinner. And there was a small mall about 1.3 km in the other direction with a really good Thai restaurant.

On one day, we took a trip into Brisbane ... walked to the bus, bused into the city and out again later, and spent several hours walking around the city, plus a trip on the CityCat. The CityCat is a great method of public transportation up and down the Brisbane River. With space for bicycles! We, and other tourists, just rode it to see a bit of the city from a different perspective, but lots of others use it for transportational purposes.
I'd like to see Hobart adopt something like that.
CityCat and ferry services | Brisbane City Council

On another day we took a trip out to Morton Island. That involved taxis, a shuttle bus, and catamarans. And then we spent several hours walking around the island, going sea kayaking and swimming. Imagine palm trees, white sand, clear blue water ...

The big event of the weekend was, of course, the reason we went to Queensland ... the 300K randonnee. A fast "tour" of the area north of Brisbane.
https://www.bikeforums.net/long-dista...l#post18639634


And then the rest of the time was spent cycling here and there exploring the area. The quantity and quality of cycling amenities in that part of the world were amazing! The Morton Bay Cycleway is about 150 km of beautiful wide paved cycling trails, bicycle lanes, etc. It was so nice to be able to head out the door and just ride wherever we wanted with minimal effort.
https://briscycle.com/moreton-bay-cycleway/


I've started posting photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka...57665424280966 ... starting with 24Mar16_Queensland ...

Machka 

Machka 

Did anyone else go on holiday without your cars over Easter?

Rob_E

I was without a car, I think, but I didn't go anywhere. Love those photos, though. Makes me yearn for a trip outside of my normal stomping grounds. I sometimes forget that there's parts of the world that have no resemblance to the eastern United States.

I do have plans. Four day music festival coming up, and getting there is half the fun. Well, maybe not half.

It's only 40 or 50 miles or so away, but I've found that the earlier I get there, the better my camping spot, so I've gotten into the habit of taking the bus as close as I can (about halfway) so that I can get camp set up. This year I might just bike the first half the night before and get one more day of camping in. Then a long weekend of music. Then a leisurely ride back home (or half of a leisurely ride home plus a bus ride, depending on the weather).

-------------------------

Then a few weeks later I get to finally put my S & S coupler bike to the test by flying with it in to central Ohio, biking the north east half of the Ohio-to-Erie trail up to Cleveland, take the train to Pittsburgh, ride the Great Allegheny Passage + the C & O Towpath Trail to Washington DC, and take the train home. Almost two weeks. Almost no cars. And about 50% self-propelled. Here's hoping.

Machka 

Nice!

You'll have to post photos when you return from those. Your part of the world is pretty scenic too.

Machka 

I've put more of the photos of our car-free Easter getaway here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka...57667066681612

Machka 

Another short car-light tour ... lots of cycling ...

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...l#post18719220

tandempower

Nothing like wall-free dining to complement the car-free experience