Gold Coast - Byron Bay Tour WRAP: May ‘21
Tracy, Frank, Dave and Sheena cycling at Byron Bay Lighthouse
We’ve just finished our inaugural Gold Coast to Byron & Beyond Tour and it was absolutely incredible and sure to become a Wide Open Road Classic!
9 nights, with 8 days cycling - we rode 556km and climbed 8388m (not including the added extras a few chose to do), had 5 flat tyres (4 for Roger alone!), and conquered 3 iconic mountain climbs (Springbrook, Natural Bridge and Tomewin). We dined at some of the region’s top foodie destinations, took 925 photos (with 235 posted on social media!), we swam in some of the best beaches in Australia, had overnight stops in 5 iconic locations (Coolangatta, Murwillumbah, Nimbin, Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads and Cabarita), consumed many coffees, had a few too many drinks (well, some did!), and most importantly - made some wonderful new friends!
Linne, enjoying the rolling hinterland roads just inland from Byron Bay
The group met on the Gold Coast - bike assembly was by followed welcome drinks at one of the nearby iconic Surf Clubs for the perfect start. We rolled out along the beautiful cycle path (with a few too many mechanicals for the Crew’s liking on day 1!!!) along the stunning coast with views to Surfers Paradise before turning inland and conquering our first 2 climbs of the tour - Springbrook (rewarded with views and the Fudge Shop!) followed by the Numinbah valley to Natural Bridge. Awesome descents and sugar cane fields followed to finish the day accompanied by our WOR classic afternoon tea and a great Italian meal in Murwillumbah. Day 1 was a big day - 110kms and 1700m of climbing. Well done all!
Farmland rolling in to M’bah on Day 1.
The rolling riding continued, as we cycled in the shadow of Mt Warning to Nimbin, a hippie haven and alternative lifestyle capital. Punchy climbs, macadamia plantations, wacky larger than life sculptures, the picturesque foodie Eltham Hotel and a visit to Mechanic extraordinaire Gary’s bike shop were highlights as we meandered our way to Byron Bay. (Gary became Paul’s angel!) It was great to have one of our long-term WOR Crew members, Mick, on Tour - a local to the region who was able to point out the best roads and coffee stops as we cycled his favourite routes around Nimbin and Byron.
Byron Bay for 2 nights was fantastic - with a highlight group meal (and some of the best oysters ever eaten!), making way for a half day loop ride taking us to Wategos Bay, the Lighthouse, Bangalow village (for a coffee and spot of shopping - love the new bag, Sheena!). Our long lunch was exceptional, at a favourite restaurant Harvest Newrybar, an old QLDer tucked in the hills. Happy Birthday Tim!! Everyone enjoyed the time to explore Byron in the afternoon.
The incredibly scenic cycling continued, farmland, subtropical rainforest and windy roads so quiet with twists and turns as forest made way for ocean views and the riding just got better and better! Due to recent rains we had fun playing “dodge the pot-hole!” on a few occasions! An incredible breakfast at 3 Blue Ducks at The Farm kept the Foodies on tour more than happy “A celebration of life on a spoon - right there!” as per Dave.
Food, a highlight as always on a WOR tour…
We visited some of the top regional restaurants and foodie destinations - from 3 Blue Ducks at The Farm, Harvest Newrybar, the Mullum Market (delicious Sicilian food by the Nomadic Kitchen), hatted Paper Daisy, we enjoyed local gins and beers, ate great pub-grub at The Eltham Hotel and had incredible and unusual Mexican in Brunswick Heads. Sometimes people wondered if it was a food holiday or a bike tour!
It wasn’t just about the cycling, but also being a tourist (on a bike!). We visited alternative Mullumbimby (or Mullum, as the locals call it), cycled on roads with quirky names (Possum Shoot Road!) and stayed 2 nights in the Palm-Springs inspired Sails motel in Brunswick Heads - where nearly everyone went for a swim, ate incredible gelato and relaxed on rest day (although we actually couldn’t keep most people off their bikes - with a short ride to the Mullum farmers market).
Cabarita beach
Our last couple of days felt a bit easier on the bike - or where we stronger?! A short strade bianche section and the brutal sharp climb to the exclusive Hammond Drive (QOM to Emma!!!) kept things interesting on our second last day. Tracy even taught us a few “pro-tips”, like how to sit on our top-bar (but I don’t think many of us mastered the casually deliberate look). Despite managing to ride 90kms, we got a culture fix at Tweed Regional Gallery, swam at beautiful Cabarita beach and frocked up for Paper Daisy - a hatted restaurant in a beautiful beach chic dining room.
The final day had a final challenge in store - Tomewin climb! Steep but short, with 2km at 9% and a steep section at 13% - but everyone smashed it! We rolled through Currumbin valley and returned to the Gold Coast, with salt and pepper calamari, crisp rosé, cold beers and ocean views (Tim’s requested lunch!) for a fitting finalé lunch. It was sad to pack the bikes away and farewell the group at our last dinner. I won’t forget Russell’s speech (and the fact we actually trusted him enough to closer our eyes for 1 minute…!!!) A great tour with new friends made - and even 3 days later the chat on the WhatsApp group continues! Thanks for coming - Linne, Sheena, Frank, Dave, Tim, Roger, Paul, Russel, Tracy and our outstanding Premier Crew - Mick and Emma - absolute WOR legends! As put by WOR legend Frank at our final dinner (in a Sean Connory accent none the less…) "I think we have the makings of a WOR Classic” …! Thanks all, see you next time… Clare.
