10th August 2014
Ian Scott
A slightly smaller group of eight riders gathered at the BP servo North Urunga for a medium ride around the cycleways of Coffs Harbour. The weather was typical of a late winter’s day, a bit chilly early in the morning but warming up to about 20 deg by late morning.
Travelling up the new highway (via Perrys Hill), we re-group at Lyons Road, then continue along the cycleway to Stadium Drive. Two of the group decide to continue along the highway, believing it is safer having B Doubles whizzing past 1/2 metre away than on a separate cycle path!
We try out the newly completed cycle path from Stadium Drive to Cunningham’s Bananas. Everyone came to the same conclusion, why did the council place the barriers at the end so close together it is impossible to negotiate without dismounting? And the council wonders why cyclists don’t use cycle paths!
At the hospital we go back onto the highway as the cycleway past the new Bunnings is still being re-built. After the slow climb up the hill past the Windmill motel, we head west via Combine street, Azalea Ave and West High Street, then the side streets behind Narranga school, across the creek, then to Donn Patterson Drive via Adelines Way.
Next is Mackays Road then Bray Street heading towards coffee at Homebase. On Bray street the group experiences the almost obligatory flat tyre, this time being yours truly, the ride leader.
After coffee at Homebase, we head towards Ocean Parade, Orlando Street, around the Jetty then the cycleway around Beacon Hill, Howard Street then the Hogbin Drive cycleway to Toormina. A quick tour through the back streets past Toormina High, Lady Belmore Drive then Lyndon Avenue, then Lyons Road back onto the highway for the final leg back to Urunga.
Next Sunday’s ride is our old favourite, Bello via South Arm/North Bank. Contact BettyAnne on 04 3251 0589 for more information.
For more information on Dorrigo Urunga Bellingen Bicycle Users Group, be sure to go to www.dubbug.org.au