Crossing the bottom of Cape York, from Cairns, into the Gulf of Carpentaria to Karumba, riders on the Coast to Coast ride see a broad cross-section of scenery that reflects life in the outback.
4CA FM Coast to Coast Bike Ride
Seven days of sweat, laughs and fun, the Coast to Coast ride raises money for kids in the bush throughout the Cape and Gulf country. Our major sponsor for this ride is 4CA FM.
Beneficiaries
for 2008 are:
Cairns School of Distance Education P&C
Rural Remote State Schools along the route
and Children's Ward, Cairns Base Hospital.
Day 1 - (94 kilometres Cairns to Atherton)
The ride commences from Cairns. Those riders wishing to undertake the ride up the Kuranda Range will be formed into 1 pack and depart at 6.30am.
Riders wishing to do the Kuranda Range section undertake it at their own risk as due to traffic and road conditions we are unable to provide an escort up the range. For those not in the know, the Kuranda Range is a 15km (uphill section) ride and can be quite taxing. Those riders not wishing to ride this leg (don't be afraid - you won't be alone) will stop at the Smithfield Shopping Centre car park at the base of the range and then travel with their support crews to the top of the range where ALL riders will regroup.
From here packs of riders are formed (6 in 2005) and we proceed to Mareeba Centenary Park for lunch. This lunch is undertaken by one of the local service clubs. After lunch riders shall proceed to Atherton for the night. This may be cool and possibly damp or even wet, so come prepared, as the camping is outside with limited undercover area available. The scenic Tablelands are often much cooler than the nearby Cairns Coastal District. Quiz night anyone? Back to top.
Day 2 - (105 kms. Atherton to Mt Garnet)
The route from Atherton to Mt Garnet follows the Herberton Range to Herberton. The range is a 5km (uphill section) ride, with the town of Herberton itself also offering some vertical challenges. The incline is steeper than the Kuranda Range and once again the sections through the first 30-40 km are very challenging.
A pick up stop at the base of the range is always an option worth consideration. The weather here may be cool and damp. From Herberton the riders then commence the leg to Ravenshoe - the highest town above sea level in Queensland. (That doesn't mean it is all downhill from here!) Just out of Herberton there is a dirt road that detours away from the busy and narrow bitumen stretch. It is a very scenic ride with some climbs, not as many as the bitumen route. This will be the direction that groups 3, 4, 5 & 6 will have to take due to traffic flow difficulties. For groups 1 & 2 the dirt stretch is optional, and if choosing to ride the bitumen, the packs will be reorganized from here to Ravenshoe. We have lunch in Ravenshoe at the grounds around the railway station, opposite the service station. Following lunch, all packs reform and proceed to Mt Garnet
Camp for the night is at the Rodeo Grounds approximately 4 km the other side of the town. Many local families have built shelters here for their annual weekend at the Mt Garnet races/rodeo and have allowed us to make use of these facilities. If they are locked then they are not available. There are separate shower and toilet blocks, but some shelters have their own facilities. A local resident will have turned on all the power to heat water for showers and some firewood may be used for fires - use commonsense and take precautions not to cause any damage. You may not need to put your tent up on this night - however any damp camping gear can be dried under cover so consider your options. As a courtesy to the owners please respect their property and leave shelters clean and remove any rubbish. Back to top.
Day 3 - (113 kms. Mt Garnet to Mt Surprise)
Mt Garnet to Mt Surprise has a lunch stop at the Undara Lava Tubes turn off. The first 60 km (approx.) is steep to undulating as riders pass through the 40 Mile Scrub.
Narrow bitumen and rough edges, coupled with increasing contact with road trains and other large road vehicles keep the need for traffic awareness at a premium. Following the 40 Mile Scrub turnoff onto the Gulf Development Road the conditions level out and the road makes a gradual descent with improved road surface.
The night time stop is at the Mt Surprise rail siding grounds (in your tents) - with showers and toilet facilities available across the road at the hotel, Mt Surprise Caravan Park and for those happy to drive 1km, the Bedrock Caravan Park. If you want to rest a little more comfortably, then now is the time to book a room at the hotel or one of the units at the caravan parks. BOOK EARLY AS THIS IS PEAK TOURIST SEASON! The entertainment for the night is a talent quest with all participants, support crews and locals invited and urged to become involved. Over the past 5 years this has become a favourite stop over with plenty of enjoyment for all and great support from the locals. So plan your acts now - this may be your big chance to be discovered and win "fabulous" prizes! Back to top.
Day 4 - (94 kms. Mt Surprise to Georgetown)
Mt Surprise to Georgetown with a lunch stop at the base of the Newcastle Range. Along this road care needs to be taken with narrow bitumen, rough edges, potholes, cattle grids and traffic, plenty of chances to meet a road train face to face.
The nighttime stop is the Georgetown Rodeo Grounds, which are located on the western edge of the town. Here again you will need to put up your tents. There are shower and toilet facilities at the grounds. Laundry facilities are located at the 2 caravan parks in Georgetown, but in order to use them YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE MANAGERS.This is the night for the riders and support crew to take over and run the unofficial calcutta - you will either have heard about this - or will hear about it during the ride. All in the name of fun and raising money - and lots of laughsBack to top.
Day 5 - (146 kms. Georgetown to Croydon)
Georgetown to Croydon has a lunch stop at the Gilbert River. This is a hot, dry stop, so have a good shade hat organised. The "Grandmothers" from distance education families, with helpers, supply a feast of spaghetti, pasta, fruit, home baked cakes, biscuits, tea and coffee.
Following the sumptuous lunch the Riders Challenge will be run before heading off for Croydon -this relates to the calcutta at Georgetown and is run and organised by the riders and support crew!!!
Along this section of the ride there are some stretches of newer bitumen which is wider and in reasonable condition but only in reasonably short stretches. The afternoon ride is long and hot through dry Savannah land. Plenty of water and electrolytes required to prevent dehydration.
The nighttime stop is at the Croydon Rodeo Grounds which is on the outskirts of town. Bring your best singing voices and join the crew around the campfire tonight. Nothing too strenuous - all in good fun.Back to top.
Day 6 - (151 kms. Croydon to Normanton)
Another long day travelling from Croydon to Normanton, with a lunch stop at approximately the 90km mark.
Sun hats, sunscreen and sun shelters are essential equipment as there is negligible shade available. If you have a tarp, pop up shade or even an umbrella, bring it along for this day.
Though this is now a fully sealed road be prepared for potholes, rough edges and some uneven or broken bitumen. The after lunch leg is somewhat deceiving with a subtle and relatively negligible climb to Normanton (or maybe it's just that this is Day 6).The excitement for the day is that the two rides join together a few kilometres outside Normanton. We will be trying hard to coordinate this.
Once all joined together everyone will head for the Normanton Rodeo Grounds which are a few kilometres south of the town. Get to know everyone tonight with an informal social gathering. Maybe even wear your cowboy gear?? Back to top.
Day 7 - (78 kms. Normanton to Karumba)
This is it at last - you can almost smell the ocean (or is that the socks you have been wearing all week?) This leg of the ride is bitumen all the way, with the road travelling across the Norman River and through open downs country
Don't be deceived - this can be a very trying ride and as it is the seventh day, riders are tired. This effects concentration and highlights the possibility of an accident - not wanting to be overly dramatic, but it happens. Don't be complacent, as it is usually hot with a strong, dry, head wind once we reach the open downs.
We finish the ride at Karumba Point where the Norman River meets the Gulf waters. Lunch will be provided before everyone makes their way to their preferred accommodation. Don't miss the sunset at the Sunset Tavern, Karumba Point - they can be spectacular at this time of year and will complete the week's experience. Relax - you've made it and will have many stories to tell. Back to top.
