Sheffield Rail Trail & Derby

Thursday, 21 April 2016

On our way to Ralphs Falls we stopped to do the Scottsdale Rail Trail which I’d been wanting to do since it opened a few years ago. It stretches 28 k from Scottsdale to Branxholm along the route of the old passenger line (which used to carry up to 20000 people a year which is an amazing thought!). A few years ago the Lions club decided to restore it to a cycling track to attract visitors to the area and I think it’s been modestly successful however it’s really been usurped by the mountain bike trails being built in a few towns along in Derby since. It does fill a gap for people not keen or skilled enough to tackle the trails at Derby, or just wanting a break from technical riding. While we were there we passed a couple of families with young children out for an adventure.

The Rail Trail starts from Scottsdale, but we chose a starting point about 6k outside of the town, so we could take in the best part of it . It was really lovely - fantastic easy riding up a very slight gradient, through ferny rock cuttings and and over steep gullies.  We rode 9k out (in about an hour with stops to read the signs), and then came back in about half an hour as it was down hill - rather like the pipeline track on Mt Wellington.  We really enjoyed it, and I’d like to do the full trip one-way next time we come. 

 

We arrived in Derby with time to find a campsite by the river in the free-camping park . Compared with our other campsites this felt really busy. Every man and his 3 bikes were there camping - and there we lots of kids. We found a spot by the river and it was ok, but not our favourite spot of the trip. 


There was still time to go for a(another!) ride before dinner - so we went to the trail head and checked out the choices - there was a perfect looking easy 5k loop we could do so we gave ourselves an hour and headed off. It was fantastic - challenging for Jett but he managed most of it and had a great time - some of the climbs got a bit much for him on his heavy little bike but he did really well and coped wiht the bumpy rocky parts and the twisty turns and river crossings - it was a perfect not-too-easy easy loop ! Every time I ride in Derby I wish I had another day or two to explore the rest of it - we only rode a fraction of what’s available.


  

Back in town we made dinner, listed to some podcasts, walked to the pub (just for the walk, not for the beer), then were in bed again by 8 - pretty tired!
2016summary
Christmassy Photos Friday, 30 December 2016
Noosa - Day 5 Thursday, 15 December 2016
Noosa - Day 4 Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Noosa - Day 3 Monday, 12 December 2016
Noosa - Day 2 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Noosa - Day 1 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Being Bothered Pays Off. Sunday, 11 December 2016
Swimming tour of Brisbane part 2 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Paver Project Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Swimming tour of Brisbane Wednesday, 23 November 2016
The end of an era Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Snowvember Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Tramp-a-bag Monday, 31 October 2016
Mt Wellington Monday, 31 October 2016
Online Only Challenge Monday, 31 October 2016
3 Capes Monday, 10 October 2016
Packing Regrets Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Fantasy Amazing Race Tuesday, 4 October 2016
Before and After then After that #37 Monday, 3 October 2016
Before and After #36 Zali's Room Take 2 Monday, 3 October 2016
That's DR McComb to you.. Friday, 26 August 2016
'Mrs', 'Miss', or 'Dammed feminist'? Sunday, 14 August 2016
Who is really paying for the bake sale? Friday, 12 August 2016
Running Sunday, 31 July 2016
The Kettering Incident and Why I am the Smartest in the Room Friday, 29 July 2016
Before and After Sneak Peak Tuesday, 26 July 2016
Vacuum Cleaner Update Tuesday, 26 July 2016
How not to go to the movies Tuesday, 12 July 2016
How Not to Sell Vacuum Cleaners Monday, 11 July 2016
Melbourne Mini Break Monday, 27 June 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #35 Thursday, 23 June 2016
Treasure Chest Cake Thursday, 23 June 2016
Shark House! Saturday, 11 June 2016
Before and After #35 - CD Tower to Mirror Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Maths - it could happen to you. Thursday, 19 May 2016
Power Tools Tuesday, 17 May 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #35 Friday, 22 April 2016
Sheffield Rail Trail & Derby Thursday, 21 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #34 Wednesday, 20 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #31 & #32 & #33 Wednesday, 20 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #29 & #30 Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Creatures of Habit Thursday, 7 April 2016
Let me count the ways.. Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Canberra 2016 Friday, 25 March 2016
Un armed.. Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Full day of activities Sunday, 13 March 2016
Dumped Saturday, 12 March 2016
Double Tromble Friday, 11 March 2016
Million Dollar Lane Wednesday, 9 March 2016
2nd International MFSC Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Tip Run Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Blackberry Season Thursday, 3 March 2016
Packed Lunches Wednesday, 2 March 2016
so yeah.. Sunday, 28 February 2016
Cradle Mountain Run Curse Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Last Pictures Tuesday, 9 February 2016
All the kids Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Overland Track - Day 7 Monday, 25 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 6 Monday, 25 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 5 Sunday, 24 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 4 Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 3 Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 2 Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 1 Monday, 18 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 0 Sunday, 17 January 2016
Slow Progress Thursday, 14 January 2016
Pakning på, opp og stå, ut og gå Monday, 11 January 2016