A Sunday Ride to Esk and Return

We got out of bed just after 5:00 am and had a strong cup of tea before filling our camelbacks with water and checking we had food and gels in our jersey pockets.  As usual, the single track from the house to the rail trail was the first challenge.  The single track gets a little easier each time we ride it, our skills are improving and the track is becoming more defined.

We have ridden to the Logan Creek or Cooracook Bridge several times so we made good progress to this deep and steep sided creek crossing. We then continued on to the old Cooracook Station just a few hundred meters past the bridge.  Maintaining a steady climb, we continued on in the shade of Mount Hallen.  Just before the Rail Trail crosses the Gatton - Esk Road, we arrived at the abandoned Mount Hallen station.  This being the high point of the sector between Honeydale and Esk it was a 10 km downhill to Esk.

While it was a net downhill it was not downhill all the way.  We had to stop several times to open and close gates which got more frequent as we approached the outskirts of Esk.  We also had some creek crossings.  While not as deep or steep as Lockyer Creek (between Coominya and Lowood) or the Cooracook Bridge we had to stop and push our unsuspended single speed bikes up the track.  These are the times when you appreciate riding a hardtail with 2 x 11 gearing.

About five kilometres from Esk we encountered a solo rider heading to Coominya and soon after we meet several groups of riders also heading towards Coominya.  It was a very busy morning on the rail trail.

We continued to make good progress and we arrived in Esk taking one hour and sixteen minutes to ride the eighteen kilometres from Honeydale.  The bakery and one café was open so we brought some coffee and pastries from the bakery to consume before commencing the return journey.

We got to Mount Hallen station in good time and we paused to have some gels before progressing on.  A few hundred meters on I felt the rear rim running on a flat tyre so we had no option but to stop and change out the tube.  It was starting to get hot but this made the tyre softer and easier to handle.  The replacement tube fitted, inflated and we were soon on our way.  Including the tube replacement, we were back at Honeydale one hour and twenty-eight minutes after leaving Esk.

Jen and Rog

Email: honeydaleqld@gmail.com

Photos by Roger and Jennifer Holt