Ipswich - Rosewood - Harrisville Metric Century
Description
This is probably the easiest metric century in South East Queensland.
Except for one climb up to Cunningham Lookout, the route is
gently undulating to flat. There are two short highway sections.
On both, there is a good shoulder and the road is reasonably safe.
However, care should be taken on the small bridges.
Getting There
Ipswich is to the west of Brisbane and is on the suburban rail
network. Bikes are carried on the trains free of charge outside
peak hours. Queens Park, which is the start of the ride is approximately
one kilometre from the train station on the road to Brisbane.
Scenery
Rolling downs used mainly for cattle grazing.
Route Details
The route is gently rolling to the Warrill View turnoff at 45.7 km. There is
then a climb up to the Cunningham Lookout at 52 km. It is constant but not
steep. After this, there is a good downhill into Warrill View. The section
from Warrill View to Harrisville is mainly flat. The topography from
Harrisville back to Ipswich is gently undulating.
As most of the land use is cattle
grazing, there are not many trees and windy conditions can increase the
difficulty of the ride. Navigation is reasonably easy, provided the cuesheet
is used in conjunction with the map. There is a boutique winery on Middle Rd.
I have not sampled it's produce.
Apart from the Ipswich area and the short highway sections, traffic is
usually light to nonexistent.
Services Enroute
Ipswich is a city with all facilities. There is a
large Woolworths shopping complex on the route, near the
Cunningham Highway underpass.
Rosewood is a town with most facilities including a takeaway
food shop, a coffee shop and a bakery.
Warrill View is a small town with a park and a general
store which sells takeaway food.
Harrisville is a town with a cafe, a small general store
and two hotels. The cafe does not open on Sundays. The general store
sells very little food which is useful to cyclists. The Royal Hotel
sells good counter meals between 12 am and 2 pm. I usually, buy food
at Rosewood and eat it in the park at Harrisville.
Peak Crossing is a small town with a small general
store and a hotel. The general store does not sell takeaway food.
There is a park with drinking water and toilets, but is about
one kilometre off the route on the main road to Ipswich.
Map and Cue Sheet
Two maps are provided. One provides details for the route through
Ipswich. The other provides general route details. They join on
the Cunningham Highway - Middle Rd intersection.
Ipswich Map
Route Map
Cue Sheet