Tinderry Range

If the Cotter circuit is the favourite ride of the road warriors then the Tinderry Range ride would be one of the favourites of the local adventure/dirt bike crowd.  The Tinderry Nature Reserve is located 60km south of Canberra. 
 

Tinderry Range from east of Michelago

The village of Michelago is at the foot of the Tinderry Range and was the destination for lunch on this ride.  The General Store provides the usual range of take-away. 

Michelago General Store

If you have a bit of time it is worth a quick look around the village.  The train station is still in reasonable repair and the main station building is used for functions.  The remaining rail infrastructure suggests that Michelago was once a reasonably important station.

Michelago Train Station

Just to the east of Michelago you get a fine view of the Tinderry Range.

East of Michelago

A couple of kilometres to the east of Michelago is the turnoff to Captains Flat/Tinderry Road and the dirt road starts here. 

Start of the dirt section  

Initially the dirt road is in good condition and should not present any challenges.  

Rolling through the foothills of the Tinderry Ranges

Road conditions change once you start ascending.  The surface is hard and the suspension takes a bit of a beating.  Standing on the footpegs makes life easier for the rider and fortunately these conditions abate once the highpoint of the ride is reached.

The surface on the ascent is harsh on the bike 

but nothing to be concerned about

Typical conditions, once the highpoint is reached

Eventually Tinderry Road intersects with Captains Flat Road.  A turn to the right will take you to Bredbo and to the left, Captains Flat.  A regular ride is the Captain Flat-Bredbo run and return to Canberra via the Cooma Road.

On this occasion I turned for Captains Flat and then Canberra.  The turn-around was four and a half hours.  So a nice afternoon out. 

Captain's Flat

After foray's to the north, south and west it was time for a ride to the east of Canberra.    A regular ride destination is Captain's Flat, especially for adventure and dirt riders.  The Tallaganda State forest is to the east of Captain's Flat and its host of fire trails is popular with dirt riders and the one horsepower variety (ie horse riders!).  Also dirt roads venture in all directions.

Depart Queanbeyan heading east on Kings Highway.  The first major intersection is the junction with Captains Flat Road, so turn right here.  The Molonglo River and the old railway line parallel your line of travel to Captains Flat.  The railway line being an artefact from Captains Flat mining days.

One of the rail bridges over the Molonglo River 

A very fine structure from days gone by is the church of Saint Thomas The Apostle at Carwoola.  It is faring better than the rail line and is still in operation, although you wonder how long it can hold on in this post-Christian age.  

  Saint Thomas The Apostle, Carwoola

  As I continued towards Captains Flat a willy willy took off - right of picture.

Willy Willy - aka Dust Devil

The road meanders south flanked by dry yellow fields and finally gives way to bushland typical of the area.  As the road starts to climb and become twisty this indicates you are nearing the outskirts of Captains Flat.   By this time the rail line will be on your right.  Keep an eye out for Miners Road which will be on the right and almost central in a 45 kmh left hand bend, so it can be awkward.  

A kilometer or so you will see the tailings of the old mine on the right.   A short walk up the stairs will reward you with a view of the mine entrance and a view over the town.

The mine entrance

The oranges and yellows are in start contrast to the usual bush palette.

  
Follow Miners Road down into the town, perhaps have a refreshment at the local.  A friendly place where the children are happy to wave to a passing biker as time slowly passes on a hot summer day.

  

Cheapo Adventure Camera

I purchased a cheapo Chinese Adventure Camera.  Mounted it on top of my right pannier, set it to camera mode, 30 sec repeat.  Below is a couple of the images from the ride.  Bit contrasty but okay for the price.

South on Cooma Road; Ryrie Street, Michelago; Burra Road; Old Cooma Road; Queanbeyan.