the perfect ride

Autumn Leaves - Maleny

What makes a perfect ride? For everyone it is different. I think most people riding on two wheels would agree curves are a prerequisite, but there are so many other factors involved because riding a motorcycle stimulates so many senses.
Last year I spent 5 days winding around every mountain I could find between Melbourne back to Brisbane and although I enjoyed the challenge I was extremely happy to find some pretty back roads that allowed me to kick back and enjoy the scenery. Those back roads are my favourite,  but its nice to cover some distance quickly with short bursts along the freeways with smooth bitumen and wide lanes.
One of my other joys is the aroma that varies between the salt laden coastal runs and the distinct earthy  hues from the country. Even the mulch on the gardens mingle with blossoming flowers to give a vibrant and fresh experience.

Looking south toward Coolum

The final sensation is the visual.  From the thrill of winding around a sparking blue ocean to the panoramic vista on top of a mountain range. Equally breathtaking is the green countryside and valleys on inland trips with contented cows and livestock littering the gentle rolling hills.

During spring the flowers blossom as a ride through Grafton in October will attest with Jacaranda's flouting its beautiful purple buds. Higher in the ranges a different story is told. Armidale, more like an English town is famous for its maple trees splendid in spring and subdued in autumn as the broad leaves turn yellow and brown before dropping, littering the surrounding grounds.
All this is great but where do you find all of that in a day ride?
I am so lucky to live in the beautiful town of Noosa, the northern end of the Sunshine Coast,  so on a sunny morning Cooper, my son and I headed south along the David Low Way which follows the beautiful Sunshine Coast  through Coolum down to Mudjimba - 30 odd Kilometers of pristine coastline with waves rolling in over blue ocean before throwing its white foam onto the golden sand.

Vineyards looking over Glass House Mountains

Passing the Sunshine Coast Airport there is a short stretch of brand new, clean black bitumen with stark white lines marking the dual carrageway and framing the path leading out to Palmwoods before leading into a narrow, twisting path up the Blackall Range exiting at Montville, a pretty little tourist town with plenty of craft shops selling mostly timber products.
We carry on though, riding across the top of the range looking over the flat strip of built up coastal real estate to Coopers favourite town Maleny. To be specific, the Collin James Cafe sell a home made ice cream rendered from the local jersey cows that rivals any that I have tasted, and whilst I sipped a cappuccino Cooper eagerly indulged in the tasty treat. This town is packed most weekends with bikers interspersed with people enjoying the variety of interesting clothes shops and organic stalls lining the main street. Several years ago there was much controversy when Woolworth's built a supermarket over the Obi Obi creek, the home to local platypus, a blip in the landscape of this hippy town, priding itself on its alternative lifestyle.
Outside, I take some time to reflect on the large maple trees on the high end of the street. The cooler mountain air has begun to turn the broad leaves a golden brown, still too early to have dropped they hung on the trees like ornaments, shading the streets in the hot summer days now past.
Leaving Maleny, we headed out along the western ridge now looking over the rolling hills and green county side we enter into with relish.

Colin James - A must stop in Maleny

The next 50km to Kenilworth runs through little country towns such as Connondale and winds gently through the stunning green country across small wooden bridges and ambling brooks and creeks. With leathered speedsters whizzing past we take our time, savouring the beauty of the landscape matched only by the pleasure of passing through on the rumbling of our Harley Davidson Road King.
The final leg back to Noosa leads past parks and bed and breakfast cottages to the left  contrasted by cross country heaven evidenced by the number of trail bike trailers parked at the base of the range leading back up to Mapleton on top. We cruise back, following the Mary river along the valley through Eumundi, quiet today without the markets open.
As we pull up into the driveway I am thrilled by the completeness of the ride and the senses fulfilled in the four odd hours we have been travelling. Surely if ever there was a perfect ride we just rode it!!