Kilcoy Loop
Scenic Long Ride Series
Type: Road Riding
Difficulty: Medium – Advance
Distance: 239km
Elevation Gained: 4,379m
Estimated Moving Time: 10 – 12 hours
Summary
Started as an idea from our mate to do a massive loop which includes 2 big climbs – Mount Glorious via Mt.Nebo and also back of Mt.Mee. Resulting to this big ride of 239km with almost half everesting elevation.
The starting point is from Brisbane city, then heading towards Mt. Glorious via waterworks road.
The first climb starts at the 35km mark (Mt.Nebo) its a 30km rolling climb with 1258m elevation gained. Mt.Nebo to Mt.Glorious climb by itself isn’t a hard climb if you’re pacing yourself. It’s more rolling than a continues climb, so you’ll have recovery in between climbs.
The profile of Mt.Nebo climb is vary between 4% – 11%. Then it gets slightly harder between Nebo to Glorious – where you’ll see double digits gradient from 10-14%.
We stopped at the Mt. Glorious cafe for a quick refuel, before continuing our ride to the next stop which is somerset. If you are local you know the back of Glorious descend. If you are new, take it as slow as possible (so many blind side and really slippery when its wet, its a high risk descend).
The next bit of the route was the highlight of the ride. The road started to flattened and open, it was not as busy as we thought it would be (on the weekend). slightly undulating, nothing major or hard, full of great fun.
We recommend to stop at somerset for toilet before continuing to Kilcoy. Not much different than the previous profile, other than 1 short climb with pinches up to 12%.
Once you arrived at Kilcoy – def try their bakery for a big stop refuel – their meat pies are great. We enjoyed the stop and the food there. The other reason why you want to stop at Kilcoy – the other option was at Woodford meaning it’ll be about 50km+ from somerset.
We took Glenfern, Neurum way to Woodford as it’s a much safer road compare to the D’Aguilar Highway. Another quick stop at Woodford before the second big climb.
Second big climb is the back of Mt.Mee. a 7km climb with a slope in the middle. The first bit of the climb was amazing, low gradient and great view. Second bit of the climb was much tougher, lots of double digits between 8-14% constant climb until the top. Take your time as the road condition is great.
“Beautifully Challenging Ride”
By then you will reach 169km with 3000m elevation gained. It doesn’t stop there, from the top of Mt.Mee to the next stop at Dayboro is still bit undulating before the long descend (nothing hard, just take it easy and enjoy the ride).
60km left to the city once you’ve reached Dayboro, the option are to choose between stopping at Dayboro or Samford. Both are great option, if you feeling strong keep going to Samford, otherwise have a quick stop at Dayboro. Reason being the road from Dayboro to Samford will still be undulating again.
We have reached Samford and decided to go back to the city via Dayboro road – less busy and faster compare to waterworks road.
Overall, we could recommend this route and definitely needs to be part of your bucket list. Not an easy ride but it was all worth it. Especially the road from back of Glorious to Kilcoy.
Tips:
-. plan your time and logistic properly.
-. make sure you charge your bike lights before the ride, turn it off when its daylight so you will have light after the sunset.
-. pace yourself for a long distance ride like this,
