Invigoration

Last night I didn't get very much sleep, thanks largely to my new neighbours (I've since formulated plans to deal with them, which involve Manic Street Preachers CD's and a time early enough to be really inconvenient). I woke up this morning feeling lethargic, tired, all the usual symptoms. Then I got on the bike and headed for Numinbah Valley, almost sleepwalking through suburbia, over Highland Park, into the foothills of the Beechmont Range, past Hinze Dam. All of a sudden everything changed. I felt renewed as the road twisted and turned, climbed and descended spectacularly. This is the road I christened the Wild Colonial Road, largely due to scenery like this:

Then I headed for the southern end of the valley, having second thoughts about wearing red if nothing else, but it wasn't quite a road block.

Beyond this, the southern end of Numinbah Valley, as the road gradually climbs toward the Macpherson Range is one of the most spectacular rides in the country. I've taken so many photos of these mountains it isn't funny anymore.

Having been rejuvenated and inspired by the sheer beauty of this part of the world, I prepared for the screaming descent into New South Wales, and the Tweed Valley. One of these days I'll do this ride in reverse, just for a slightly different perspective.