Yarihappini Mountain in a Giant Circle

Deb takes up the steep hill challenge!

Deb takes up the steep hill challenge!

DUBBUG Ride Report
11 May 2014
Colleen Henry

Today’s ride took us around Yarihappini Mountain in a giant circle – from Macksville south along Upper Warrell Creek Road to the Pacific Highway, then to Stuarts Point Road, Grassy Head Road and back along Scotts Head Road.

Seven riders showed up – not a big group, but it was Mothers Day so people may have had other commitments, and it is one of our most southern routes so we often don’t get many “northerners”.

The first part of the ride was quick – only two hours from start to coffee time at Scotts Head. Perfect riding conditions might have been the reason – no breeze, cloud cover and lovely cool temperatures.

The last time the DUBBUG did this ride we had temperatures in the 40s!

The ride is known for its undulating hills, beginning on Upper Warrell Creek Road, and continuing along Stuarts Point Road. On Grassy Head Road, the hills are not actually undulating – the three hills are steep! We felt we had earned our coffee by the time we got to Scotts Head, at the fantastic Taverna 6, with great coffee and great service.

Herb, our perennial tail-end-Charlie, had been worried he would be left far behind the rest of the group, but he was actually hard to keep up with a few times as he powered up the hills and down the other side.

Dave is still experiencing the joys of his new bike and led most of the way, having enough energy to stop in the middle of a steep hill and take photos of the rest of us slogging our way up.

Herb is cautious crossing the old wooden bridge

Herb is cautious crossing the old wooden bridge

Deb and Tim, whom we haven’t had the pleasure of riding with lately, added our 60km ride to their Saturday cycle to make it a full weekend of cycling.

Colleen, Mike and Phil, who all started at Scotts Head, said goodbye after coffee, leaving the rest of the group to head back to Macksville, unfortunately into a strong westerly wind that had kicked up. But at least it wasn’t 42 degrees.

Next week’s ride will be Coffs Cycleways. Join Ride Leader Ian Scott for a medium difficulty ride of 60km with a start from the Urunga BP at 8am, up the new highway, tour around Coffs cycleways and then back along the highway. Call Ian for more information, on 0409 766 698.