Get on Your Bike

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND COUNTRY offers a range of cycling experiences, from gentle runs along quiet country roads in the heart of wine country and peaceful rides along rail trails flanked by bush to the thrill of purpose-built mountain bike trails suitable for beginners through to expert riders. riders only! ridetherange.org.au

TOOWOOMBA More than 70km of cycle pathways make exploring Toowoomba a breeze for recreational cyclists, while mountain bikers can challenge themselves on escarpment or cross-country mountain bike trails.

Mountain Bike Trails Federation Park, Vale View offers a 1km multi-use trail shared between walkers and mountain bike riders. Glen Lomond Park, Middle Ridge offers more than 5km of multi-use trails shared between walkers, horse riders and mountain bike riders. Recommended: Bridle Trail, Hell Hole Track and Falls Walk Trail. Mount Peel Bushland Park, Drayton offers two easy green circle single track mountain bike trails of more than 7km. Picnic Point Parklands, Rangeville offers riders the 1.5km multi-use Picnic Point Bridle Trail shared with walkers and horse riders. Redwood Park, Prince trails along the Bridle Trail, Grasstree Trail or Eagles Nest Trail – all shared with walkers and horse riders. Stenner Street Skills Park, Middle Ridge caters to riders from beginner to expert level and offers 5 dirt jump tracks which include tabletops, gap doubles, rollers and berms.

Toowoomba cycling information: tr.qld. gov.au/facilities-recreation Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club: tmbc.org.au Ride The Range: held annually in March, South East Queensland’s toughest and longest charity ride open to serious endurance Henry Heights offers riders 5.5km of

SOUTHERN DOWNS & GRANITE BELT Explore the peaceful towns of the Southern Downs or the Granite Belt wine country at a leisurely pace, coasting along quiet country roads or hit the challenging granite mountain bike trails of Mt Marlay, just north-east of Stanthorpe.

Southern Downs road rides take in quiet backroads and rural landscapes between Warwick, Allora, Leyburn, Killarney, Swanfels and Yangan. Suggested routes: ridethegreatdivide.com.au

The Granite Belt Bike Trail stretches along 34km of quiet country roads from Stanthorpe south to Ballandean. It’s perfect for cycle touring, taking riders past vineyards, apple and stonefruit orchards, granite boulders and many cellar doors and local food providores. Take your own bike, MOUNTAIN BIKING TIP I highly recommend the Defibrillator Loop trail in Toowoomba’s Jubilee Park. This green beginners’ trail leaves from the Bridge Street quarry and winds down 1.8kms through the park then back up 2.3kms to the entrance. I love this trail early in the morning – the light through the trees and the chance encounters with echidnas and koalas make it the highlight of my day. It’s great for riders of all levels, as you’re able to go at the speeds you feel comfortable with, and there are tabletops, jumps and ‘B’ lines for beginners. Juliet Redding, President, Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club

or contact Granite Belt Bicycle Tours to hire one, or to book a guided tour, complete with support vehicle to carry your gourmet purchases: granitebeltbicycles.com.au See all Stanthorpe road rides: ridethegreatdivide.com.au

Mt Marlay MBT Trails offer five granite trails — two beginner runs — the 500 metre Rusty Trail and the 1.6km Green Granite Loop; the moderate grade .9km Grape Escape track and two difficult grade trails, the 1.4km Hammerhead and the .8km Tank Slapper to test the most experienced riders! Find out more on Southern Downs Mountain Biking Club’s Facebook page.

SOUTH BURNETT Explore the countryside, farmlands and towns of the South Burnett at a leisurely pace along the 161km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail which follows the disused Brisbane Valley railway line from Blackbutt to just west of Ipswich; or ride the 89km Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail taking in galleries, museums, wineries, cafés and country pubs along the way.