18th August 2013 – Urunga to Bellingen via South Arm/North Bank roads

DUBBUG REPORT

Our ride, from Urunga to Bellingen and return, was enjoyed by twelve riders. It was great to welcome back Michele and Don from their Bali break and to meet Ian and Kaye, riders from the northern beaches.  The hilly terrain and superb vistas along South Arm Road, soon warmed us.  It was comforting to return to our regular catch-ups along the route, rather than hurtling along without a break, as we had done for the Challenge just a fortnight before.

Our coffee stop in Bellingen, was particularly entertaining in the midst, of the Jazz weekend.  Fortified by coffee and song, we hit the North Bank Road return course, with renewed enthusiasm.  The cuttings did not seem quite so demanding, although tankers on sweeping curves can be disturbing, as the rear section of the vehicle tends to cut the corner.  Happily, we all arrived unscathed at the end of North Bank Road, to catch up with some sorely missed cycling friends.

The 45-kilometre excursion produced sufficient endorphins to leave some entertaining imaginings, about February’s Grafton to Inverell Challenge. Mutterings of  “delusional” swirled, but the seed has been sown.  Who knows where the contagion of enthusiasm will lead?