Seems I'd been too long away from Herberton,
Missed a turned, ended up in Malanda, got turned around per usual there and ended up coming into Herberton from the opposite side after a rather exhilarating unintended ride with a few other riders heading the same way riding a tad faster ( the lead riders ) than I have been lately - ended up chasing those two while the rest strung out behind - there are lovely sweeps through the rain forest with some nice elevation changes - made me work in a good way tho almost overcooked a couple of times. So what started as a leisurely ride to lunch turned to a slightly spirited romp the back way adding perhaps 80 km to the route. ( took me a while to recreate it on the map ) Mix of riders from sports bikes to touring to adv and plain old dirt....no one really cooking it but the two leads pulling away with me sort of tagging on.....much fun and got the adrenalin up for the first time in a while. CB500F does okay and forgives my out of practice shifts.....brakes are lovely on it. Only concern is the chain which I talked to partner about.
Managed to forget my padded shorts so sore ass on return ..276km - the first 200 on stock seat .remainder with the AirHawk.
So after all that there was just about nothing open in Herberton however what was open was new to me and serving a sunday roast for $20.
Lots of crackling which I'm not fond of tho many are, apple sauce, squash, roast potatoes and generous roast pork with gravy.
Since my glutide is misbehaving I had no problem with the meal size tho skipped the carrots.
Good find for me. Herberton was once a thriving mining area in the late 1880s when the hotel first open but fell on hard times - tourism taking over which makes me think the places closed sunday are in error.
There were many bikes out.
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Missed a turn again getting back out so instead of heading over the mountain came part way back the way I came in...this time at a mellow pace - managed to find my way back down the Gillies at a VERY sedate pace as was stuffed and tired.
Was cooler than expected with just a spatter of rain - the route avoided any wind issues tho coming north after Gordonvale had a decent tailwind made listening to the audiobook far easier. Was surprised I was down to 1 bar tho in hindsight the spirited section was most responsible.
Got home 3.30 and satisfied with the longest ride in a while. Herberton and Ravenshoe are about as far as I can handle these days but have intermediate destinations in region as well.
Maybe try for Hasties Swamp later in the week before the birds all leave. Timed right I can catch Hasties early then lunch at the crepe place in Herberton which opens at 11 every day cept sunday.
Jacarandas were just starting to bloom so that will be a treat to look forward to.
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and made it across in front....did not hear squealing of brakes so perhaps not as close as it felt....
Better day tomorrow for spin to Skybury or Mossman. Could go to Kuranda today. Not sure about a ride...
