Tallebudgera Valley
Clouds lingered overhead and tickled the humidity to life. I sweated. The promise of rain didn’t deliver and my ride up the Tallebudgera Valley was a warm and sticky one. Yet it wasn’t the weather that made this bike ride memorable. It was the bird life.
The Tallebudgera Valley runs inland from West Burleigh for about 21kms. The road climbs steadily kicking up into small hills along the way. It’s a good route for training for the Great Vic.
As we pedal inland, Tallebudgera Creek criss-crosses the road. Tall white gums stand straight like telephone poles. Ferns and palms hug the roadside cuttings with damp delight. There are paddocks dotted by cows (and a couple of bulls who bellowed as we passed, making me grateful for fences and avoiding a repeat of my misadventure on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail).
But the birds left a trail on my memory.
Fleeting moments of wings and colour flashed across our paths as we pedalled the valley. We saw Crimson Rosellas, Pale-headed Rosellas, King Parrots and two Azure Kingfishers. There were Magpies and Butcherbirds, Kookaburras and Currawongs. Wrens and Yellow Robins flitted in the undergrowth. A Brown Cuckoo-Dove clambered onto a branch and fanned its tail.
I have no photos to share of the birds. Me on wheels. Them on wings. We’re all moving somewhere. Our paths cross for a moment. Yet the colours and flight echo brightly in my memory.
Here’s a short video of my ride in the Tallebudgera Valley:
a bike for all seasons 
looks like a lovely ride. I notice you have some poor road surfaces too, just like here in the UK. I know what you mean about birds. You spot them but there isnt enough time to take a photo as either you are moving or if you stop they fly off. happy cycling.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Some of the road is very jiggly Brenda as you can tell from my filming 🙂
It’s a no-through road with very few side roads to it either. So it’s used by locals living in the valley which means there’s not much traffic when riding there. No traffic lights to mingle with either and that’s a bonus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely description of your cycling adventures. You have nature all around you – the flora and fauna. How wonderful, Gail. Thanks for sharing this with us and enjoy the rest of your trip … 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Iris. Being able to enjoy the nature is what I enjoy about riding a slower style of bicycle. I can more easily take in the landscape and what it has to offer. On this ride, the offering was abundant! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed the video, but may I make a suggestion? I was looking forward to just hearing the natural sounds on your ride, like the birds you mention, and even the sounds of the bikes (I sew and I also like the sounds sewing machines make!), so how about next time not having music? Just a thought…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lizzie, thanks! I like your thought 🙂 I’d love to add some bird sounds but riding along the main sound is the wind rushing by… which, when I think about it, might be good to try out next time. Hope you’re having a great weekend sewing and cycling. Best wishes, Gail.
LikeLike
A beautiful video, Gail! I see Bob Dickson follows your blog. We are friends and worked together years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Bob – great to know you enjoyed the video! Small world hey?
LikeLike
Lovely post Gail. You on wheels and them on wings. Love it! The video took me along for the ride. Very cool, although sticky for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And sticky again out riding today Robyn. Phew! Very happy to see the thunderstorm come through mid-afternoon and break the heat. Glad you enjoyed the words and film. Thanks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the thunderstorm cleared the air but it was very fierce here. Power out further down the coast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not so fierce here… just a lot of welcome rain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen the upper reaches of the creek or valley. Looks like a great ride! Being a no through road certain has its advantages. I too, was hoping to hear the birds you wrote about but realised their song may have been just as hard to catch on video as their presence is by camera when you’re moving. Still a lovely post. Thanks for sharing, Gail 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a beautiful valley. I hadn’t ridden there for some years. Mostly I ride up the Currumbin Valley if I’m going inland but taking the Tallebudgera ride was a very pleasant surprise. There’s much less traffic than the Currumbin Valley road, which continues over to Murwillumbah so half of that ride carries ‘through’ traffic. But the birds, evasive as they are to photos and film, were even more of a treat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finding a place to enjoy lots of native birdlife is (unfortunately) quite a treat! So much nicer than the hoarse squawking of Indian Mynas, of cooing (and pooing) of rock doves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! We have some Indian Mynas in our neighbourhood too. Give me the native birds any day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed the ride and vistas, and the birds you mention, I know every one, and they are some of the most beautiful and colorful birds we have on this planet. Lovely post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy to know you enjoyed the ride Jet 🙂 and that you know these beautiful birds. They’re such a treat to share the road with. Thanks!
LikeLike
What a lovely ride Gail! And thanks for the video. Looks like the training continues to go well, and such a nice alternative to hot bitumen and car exhausts. Jen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Give me green space any time Jen 🙂
This was our last weekend of distance training for the GreatVic. Over the remaining two weeks, we have smaller rides to keep the pedals turning.
LikeLike
Very nice job editing the video. A bike, a video and good music. Perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks John. Glad you enjoyed the video. I haven’t ventured into voiceovers like your videos … not yet anyway 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Gail, The return ride downhill looked exhilarating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The downhill ride is just that Margaret. All that speed makes me feel twice the bike rider that I am. 🙂
LikeLike