What a trip you guys have done, as I read each story that comes in... it always amazes me the miles you do.. this latest one must have been fantastic.. and congratulations

Dorrigo , Bellengen & Urunga. Bicycle Users Group.

below is a photo from 2005 when they visited maclean

The range of places to ride, with beautiful scenery, magnificent rainforest and great camping with good facilities in and around the east coast of Australia’s river systems is unlimited. Our group the Dorrigo Urunga Bellingen Bicycle Users Group ride some of these areas from time to time and so we did in April in the last week of the recent school holidays. The 500km ride was made easier by being fully supported by a ute with trailer driven by Betty Hudson, and what a marvellous job she did. This time 9 riders rode the Old Glen Innes Rd. This is the original road that connected the coast to the tablelands before the Gwyder Highway was constructed.

We rode from Urunga ( 25km south of Coffs Hbr. ) to Grafton the first day the longest leg of the ride at 110km. Day two we rode 10km out of Grafton and turned on to the Old Glen Innes Rd. This took us towards Dalmorton, and across the Orara River, which is the only river in Australia that flows away from the ocean. Morning tea was at 28km & then a regroup at 40km at Doboy. This was the start of the hills and the gravel road. Lunch was at Buccarumbi Bridge with a swim in the Boyd River. The days ride was 71km and we camped at a National Park Camping area on Chaelundi Rd. Toilets and BBQs were provided and we had another swim in the river. This is a great canoeing area and many take several days to do the trip.

Day three 24 km to morning tea at Newton Boyd and lunch at 46km at Four Mile Creek and onto the Mann River Reserve and another great National Parks well equipped camping area. We crossed the Henty River and rode 61km for the day. Of course another swim which was a little chilly as we were well into the mountains.

A great start to day four with a 9km hill with some sections at 10% grading, we all made it, an occasional rest was allowed. This 9km was all bitumen and was done so that logging trucks could get a grip and do the climb. Back to gravel at the top and not long after wards we connected with the Gwyder Highway and bitumen again. Morning tea near the Glen Innes Correctional Centre entrance and onto Mulligans Hut Rest Area for lunch. Great swimming here which we gave a miss due to time constraints. A few hills and then a beautiful 13km downhill before facing the long rolling hills which follow the Mann River to Jacadgery and the Caravan Park for the nights camp. This was a long day with lots of hills and about 100km. It was great to have a hot shower after the very cold ones we had been having. All these rivers eventually flow into the mighty Clarence River. At this point Lyn & Rob Cooper arrived from Urunga with a home cooked dinner for all nine of us. This included happy hour refreshments. What thoughtful people.

The ride from Jackadgery to Grafton was only 48km but there were some long rolling hills that tested us all out. We returned to Urunga with much elation at having fulfilled another dream and seen another beautiful area of Australia which was very lush due to recent rain. Of course we would do it again, what’s next.

Send mail to townbike@wheelworks.com.au with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: May 04, 2012

Rotary Club of Maclean

2012 Tour de Woodford.