Peter Gordon email: petergo@netspace.net.au

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