The next route option moves riders away from the train line and riding north out of the town of Kilcoy:
This is possibly the most direct route heading towards Jimna, other than the main road between the two towns. There is lots of resupply options in Kilcoy, so this route could be popular in either direction. However, this option relies on riders making a safe and timely transit to Kilcoy, which may present some other challenges.
Soon after leaving town (probably having visited one of several bakeries) you’ll be rolling along a single lane bitumen road (Mount Kilcoy Rd), surrounded by farmland. The valley road does is quite flat as it heads north with the Conondale Range looming in the distance. The bitumen comes to an end, about 20km out of Kilcoy, and this is where the fun really begins. At just under 4km and 12% average gradient, Mount Kilcoy climb is quite challenging. The surface is a little rough and contains some loose rock. Due to the gradient and trail surface, this particular route is probably not the best on a gravel bike. Towards the top, pause and check out the views over your shoulder. Near the summit of this climb, you’ll pass some bee hives and then merge with the Jimna-Bellthorpe Road described in the previous route posts. These roads form a small triangular intersection here, so be sure to check your bearings before proceeding. After about 7km from this junction on the Jimna-Bellthorpe Rd, the first of a few alternate track options presents itself. Riders could choose to explore some lesser-used tracks all the way to Jimna and keep off the main Kilcoy-Murgon bitumen drag. Others may opt to for simple navigation and ride this dirt road all the way to meet the bitumen, just 6km south of Jimna. Whatever your final route, once you're up the range, you can expect an undulating ride through tall timbers the rest of the way.
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