A Geriatric Pub Crawl Though The Mary Valley - Day 1

I got up at my usual early time and then walked Louis. It was still early so Helen and I watched a TV program which we had recorded the night before.  Then I changed into my cycling gear and was on my way by 9.00am.

I loaded my little bike with much more stuff than I needed for a five day bike tour staying in Pubs.

Helen took my photo before I set off and told me to be careful and ride safely - more later

  

My route is sown above and I will refer to it later.

At 1.5KM I start my first climb which is part of my normal rides around Tewantin.

After a  10Km ride I turned right and was soon climbing up a nasty little hill so got of and walked for a about a 100m.

Then it was easy riding to Eumundi at about 19Km

Here I stopped for morning refreshments.  In this case a big jam and cream doughnut and a large strawberry milk shake.

Here I had a chat with a young chap on a ride with an upmarket cyclocross  bike also fitted with a similar hub gear to mine.

Then it was on to road to Kenilworth.  This supposed to be an adventure and about here I had a major one. As I approached the Kenilworth Road I had a brain fade and rode in front of a car coming from my right.  I had no option except to brake hard.  The car driver reacted beautifully and swerved to the right just clipping my front wheel and dumping me on the ground.  I was OK with just a little scratch to my elbow.  The driver stopped and backed up to see how I was. She was a young woman in here late teens and driving on P plates  I immediately told her that it was entirely my fault.  She was in shock and kept telling me that she was sorry that she had hit me when all the apologies should be from me and I thanked her for her skilful driving.  I got her to sit down and have a drink of water.  Then she got up and tried to straighten my handlebars.  After a while she went off to work and as we both had no damage to our vehicles or bodies decided not to report it.  I managed to straighten my handlebars and went on my way.

I don't know why but I had the slowest and hardest 29Km of my riding career.  I think that the accident had left me in shock as well.  I began to suffer from what I think was an AF attack.  I had no energy and had to walk even the slightest hill.  What I expected to take two hours actually took four.  I stopped every couple of kilometres for drink and at one stage just sat on the ground for 15 minutes and ate an apple slice which I had bought at Eumundi.  Once I stopped a a bus stop to lie down but moved on when I saw the big spiders.

I did however take photos.  This is Eewarh Vale where I was still riding well.

At about 25km on the map above it shows a steady climb which I walked and saw the sign abve which I thought, "Down hill from now!"  but it wasn't.

I crossed the Belli Creek about four time and had a little climb/walk between each crossing.

The Belli Community Hall obviously still in use.

 

and the Belli Emergency  Fire Service.

This is the final crossing of the Belli Creek and less than 15K to go!

The Gheerula Community hal and less than 10Km to go.

Just after Gheerula i saw there scare crows let over from a scare crow festival in the Mary Valley.

 A little later I made my final stop at another bus stop for a drink and a fruit nutrition bar.

Then I was at the Mary River and it bridge.

I finally rode into Kenilworth at 3.45pm.  I expected to be there before 2.00pm.

I checked into the Kenilworth pub and took on of there basic rooms where my panniers exploded.

Next it was the shower.

and the other little room.

The rooms are set a round a first floor verandah with arm chairs and facilities for a continental breakfast

My room is No.1 right next to the facilities.

Before dinner I had a little walk without the bike which is locked in a shed out the back .  This is the community cheese factory.

The Kenilworth Hotel

and finally dinner in the restaurant.

Now it is of to bed.