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I guess this should be passed around as a warning more than anything for those in the Toowoomba area who ride through Murphy's Creek (the circuit from Mt Kynock / Ballard Hill / Murphy's Creek / back the Toowoomba Range.<br>
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I was talking to someone on the weekend who lives near the area (not in the township itself) and there is a LOT of discontent in the area with cyclists - particularly the packs who ride 2- and 3-abreast on the narrow, single-lane road. For the sake of clarity, this person is an ex-cyclist and has ridden motorbikes for near 40 years, so they are well versed in the life on two wheels.<br>
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(Remember - I'm not advocating anything here - just passing on a message to the cycling community from someone I spoke to who lives near there and is expecting to wake up one morning to the sounds of many sirens).<br>
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Now... the funny thing about Murphy's Creek is that it is somewhat like the joke about Tasmania - a bit of inbreeding - a lot of boozing - it's known for people who indulge in the wacky weed - the occasional bit of after-dark "lurve" with Bessy (before tipping her later in the night) - and even a family or two who may share the teeth around so that they can take turns chewing during mealtimes.<br>
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My own experience has shown that there are people down that way who will NOT give any credence to the right of a cyclist being on the road and often think nothing of pulling out of a blind driveway onto a road with highway speed at zero knots (I've experienced the 4-wheel lockup more than once thanks to people who think like this). Someone in lycra automatically becomes a target for sport from a lump of wood or an empty stubby. You are not dealing with city types who will semi-respect your rights on the road!<br>
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The whole point of this is that if anyone knows of people in the Toowoomba area who ride through here - PLEASE tell them to ride single file through this area (as dictated by the road rules) and be sure to allow vehicles to pass whenever possible because there are people down that way in their 4WD's or old Falcon/Holden who will think nothing about running a pack off the road into the scrub for sport - especially if they are "hogging the road".<br>
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Remember too - don't blame the messenger - I just want to help prevent someone losing bark or getting their bike trashed.<br>
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