Brindies Circ: Day 2

Day 2: 135km / ?vm

Mt Bimberi didn't want to get out of bed in the morning

After a mild night the day dawned with a low cover of cloud, and after breakfasting and packing up we were off along Lone Pine FT by 7am. 

Lone Pine FT

The condition of this trail wasn't the best, and I think we were all fearing a similar slog to yesterday, so it was heads down while we ticked off the next 10 or so kms.

Lone Pine FT

Topping out on Lone Pine we could see our future far, far below us - the Yaouk Valley. A huge, broad, flat valley, which would take us to familiar ground and the road home. The descent was steep and fast, and that was with both brakes fully on.

The end of the descent down Lone Pine FT in to the valley

Flat roads! Kennedys Rd

Arriving down in the valley we were blessed with a light tail wind to help us tick over the kms just that little bit faster. It was amazing riding through here with the Scabby Range on our left, Yaouk Peak on our right, and flat grassy plains and the odd squiggly river stretched out around us.

Turning on to Yaouk Rd

Yaouk Valley

Soon enough we'd made it to Shannons Flat, turned left and ridden back in to the ACT. We left the Bogan Hwy on to the quieter Old Boboyan Rd and had lunch at a ruin. The remainder of the ride was pretty cruisy: we got rained/hailed on briefly before making it to Yankee Hat car park, and ticked off the kms on the tar back to Namadgi Visitors Centre in a swirling wind. Monty and Steve were getting a lift from Tharwa so I jumped back on the road and tapped it out back home to Lyneham.

The end of Old Boboyan Rd at Yankee Hat carpark

Brindies Circ: Day 1

Day 1: 123km / 3390vm

I was lucky to find participants for this ride as most were either on the 3Fidi ride or otherwise previously engaged, however Monty and Steve were keen. The plan was for the Brindabella Circuit Beth suggested (and Martin recently soloed in a day), however in reverse and overnighting at Oldfields Hut.

7am Saturday I left home riding with Po, and then Pat out toward Piccadilly Circus. Monty and Steve were getting dropped off there at 9, however as luck would have it I was running late, and they were running early, so they caught me at Uriarra Homestead and treated me with a lift the rest of the way. All together now, we started the ride with the descent down in to the Brindabella Valley.

The descent from Piccadilly Circus in to Brindabella Valley

After crossing the Goodradigbee River it was only 11kms further along Brindabella Road until we turned off on to Boundary Road and left the good roads behind. The climbs along Boundary, Powerline and Bramina Roads were steep and rocky, and so were the descents, so it was pretty slow going.

Powerline Road

Turning on to Broken Cart Fire Trail things began to improve with slightly smoother roads, beautiful little valleys and our first pack of Brumbies.

Refilling at a creek on Broken Cart FT

Brumbies on Broken Cart FT

Gradually though, the valleys became broader, and it wasn't long before we rode down Long Plain Rd on to the vast Cooleman Plains. A few quick km's later and we were pulled in to the Blue Waterholes campground for a breather.

Long Plain Rd

The trail between Blue Waterholes and Pockets Hut was pretty overgrown and grassy, but easy to follow and surprisingly comfortable after all the rocky stuff we'd dealt with earlier in the day.

Monty crossing a creek near Blue Waterholes

The best sites for overnighting along this ride are concentrated within about a 10km stretch. Starting with 2 great options at Blue Waterholes, there's Pockets Hut and then finally Oldfields Hut. We pressed on to the latter so it meant one last hill to climb.

Brumbies on Blue Waterholes FT

Luckily, we had Oldfields all to ourselves. With its fireplace, watertank, pit toilet, lush grass and magic view, it was an awesome spot to stay.

Oldfields Hut

Totals for the day:
Jarrad 123km / 3390vm (141km if I hadn't taken the lift)
Monty & Steve 85km(?)

Sunset over Mt Bimberi