Numinbah Vs Tweed Valley

Time for another thread title explanation: This comes from Martin's apparent fascination with rap duo Poof Daddy vs Big Cock John.

This was a day of grim determination and extreme heat, and one that almost didn't even get underway. First there was the save from yesterday, then there was the fact that I left home at first without any money -- not a smart move. I had to go home and get it, we got underway 40 minutes late. This ride took in Hinze Dam, before the beautiful ride through Numinbah Valley.







After this, as the name suggests, the descent from Numinbah Gap into the Tweed Valley was to follow. Martin and I had a minor misunderstanding on the descent, but it passed without incident (thankfully), before we pressed on through the hilly sections toward Tyalgum -- now it was starting to get hot. -- but still very scenic, with the clouds resting on the surrounding mountains.





From Tyalgum it was a stunning ride across toward Murwillumbah, turning south for lunch at Uki -- the best cafe in Northern NSW.



Now it was really hot, the ride was still beautiful, but sometimes this can be overlooked in conditions such as these. The return to Murwillumbah was via Stokers Siding (again, I offered a detour to Richard's Deviation -- again this was rejected). Now I was struggling a little on the climbs in the heat, climbing the Condong Range toward Clothiers Creek, riding along the scenic ridge across Farrant's Hill, descending to Tumbulgum for more fluids, then the feared climb of Hogan's Road.

Actually, this wasn't so bad. The gradient is steep enough that height is gained quickly, but not steep enough to cause huge problems -- the rainforest here is cool and inspiring.



The final climb of Bilambil (after a screaming descent) is always a problem in these conditions because it offers no shade. It was eventually overcome, before we ruthlessly poured through the remaining suburbia. Right now I'm feeling a little tired due to the heat (which hasn't let up, even though the sun has gone down -- or is that just my apartment?). Right now I'm not feeling like I ever want to sit on a bike again after that. However, I know it's a matter of time (probably just a matter of hours) before I change my mind, and start planning another epic adventure.