Continuing on from a BNA thread, this is for discussion of rail trails, wherever they might be.
I drove 450km to a working bee on the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail back in 2021, expecting there’d be half a dozen or so people turning up to such a remote area (roughly an hour north-east of Monto). Turned out there were more than 30, and they and all the other locals were 100% behind the trail. That plus the spectacular scenery was enough to convince me to buy a 1/4 acre block right on the trail in the tiny village of Builyan for an eye-watering $27,500 After one very uncomfortable night in a tent I built a hut out of a rusty 6x4 trailer and some pallet timber, then eventually replaced that with a 3m long tiny house for a weekender.
Fast forward a few years, and the trail group BBIRT Inc are storming ahead with opening more sections of the trail and getting bridges decked and railed. This one is over Deception Creek just outside the even tinier village of Many Peaks (which is a handful of houses and a cracking pub currently owned by the patron saint of the trail Desley O’Grady).
Another glorious day on the North Coast (NSW) Rail Trail today !
Obviously the Rail Trail experience is enhanced by great weather !
Other factors enhance the experience.
Like finding a nice place to eat food and drink coffee/ beer / wine etc. In moderation i hope.
Also a nice bike enhances the experience but truth is, the Rail Trail that I can use (Murwillumbah section of the NRRT) is relatively manicured and you don’t need fancy gears, huge tyres, lightweight frames etc.
a comfortable saddle, reasonably good brakes and a comfortable hand position are essential.
A bell and a light is a good idea.
The Rail Trail can be quite a social experience. This morning I struck up a conversation with a number of people who were out on the Trail.
Sometimes you “bump into” friends, neighbours, cycling buddies etc but this morning I got talking to a number of mature age people who were visiting the region. All Queenslanders!
A couple from Cairns, a couple from the Sunshine Coast, and a bloke from Toowoomba.
Overall it’s just simply a wonderful way to get out on whatever is your favourite bike.
Except best to avoid fine weather weekends and public holidays, if possible.
Because weekends it gets a bit hectic, especially between 9am and 2pm !
After one very uncomfortable night in a tent I built a hut out of a rusty 6x4 trailer and some pallet timber, then eventually replaced that with a 3m long tiny house for a weekender.
