Springbrook

So what is so good about this climb?

It’s just one of those climbs that has something for everyone. This Springbrook ride page is based around the Fudge Shop turnaround, but Springbrook has so much more to offer…
Springbrook has 4 significant turnaround points that will determine the length and difficulty of your ride.

1. The ‘Bus stop’ or the ‘Cafe’; The cafe is 500mtrs beyond the bus stop at the top of a one way loop system. The one way section is about 7 -10%  gradient and a very attractive finish to your climb. There is a great ‘lookout’ to rest and refuel just opposite the cafe. The descent back down the one way system is more like 17% …TIP! make sure you have something warm to wear before you descend, as you will be descending for approximately 20mins
2. The Fudge Shop which is another 3 km’s beyond the cafe which is best described as heavy undulations that will challenge your tiring legs, there is also a very good park and toilet facilities  about 1.5 km’s  into this section (on your right)
3. ‘Best of Lookout’ this is the most challenging and is for the committed climber – see map below
4. Waterfalls and Picnic Area which are at the very end of this road. The section between the Fudge Shop and the Waterfalls is flattish/undulating and not difficult and a great tourist ride.

If you are new to cycling and have a reasonable level of fitness this is a great climb, if you want a scenic amble this is the climb. If you want a hard workout, then this is the climb! Gradients are 5 to 7 percent most of the way. A popular turning point is after the fork in the road at the first lookout opposite the cafe.

Remember this is the Gold Coast and the climate here allows you a very good cycling experience all year round. Springbrook is popular everyday of the week with Gold Coast and visiting cyclists…chances are you may see s cycling star or two this climb.

Some Reference reading on this climb

Brisbane Cyclist (Experience Description)

Bicycles Network Forum (Conversation)

Strava View

Nominated starting point is Main Beach
Very central on the Gold Coast

Cycling at approx average of 30km’s/hr (18.8/mls/hr) Main Beach is…

• 50 mins North of Currumbin
• 30 mins North of Burliegh
• 15 mins north of Broadbeach
• 5 mins North of Central Surfers
• 25 mins South of Runaway Bay

Ride details 

• 89km’s  (55 miles)
• Best start time  5:00-6:00am  
• Start from Hard Coffee, Tedder Ave, Main Beach
• Finish at Hard Coffee, Tedder Ave, Main Beach 
• Time allocation 4 hrs (Based on approx average pace 30km’s/hr (18.8/mls/hr)
• Flat riding for the first hour to Mudgeeraba then undulating for 30 mins before beginning the climb
• Hazard: Traffic Build up on return to coastline
• Hazard: Coastline on return: Tourists/pedestrians often cross anywhere without looking.  
• Hazard: Hedges Avenue has a 2 way bike lane and a one way vehicle lane. Runners, skateboarders, pedestrians, prams often with headphones, illegally use this lane…be very careful especially with large groups of cyclists moving in both directions.
• Hazard: Car doors opening on to Cycle lanes
• Remember this is a tourist region where people can become overly relaxed and lax on road rules. Typically everything flows very well with minimal cycling incidents
• Take 2 large bottles and plenty of food
• Drinking Water is available via drinking fountains along the beach front parks at regular intervals plus a tap at the Fudge shop (top of the climb)
• Toilets similar intervals along beach front parks. Toilets at the base of main climb (on the left of road)
• Note: This route involves a short section of cycling on the footpath (sidewalk) on the return trip, where the road returns to the Gold Coast highway via Kelly Ave (just north of Burleigh). This is legal in Queensland. Observe signs etc.
• Note: If you see a group when out cycling and want to join it, always join from the rear and left hand side of the road, let them know you are there, most groups expect visitors to tag along and are very helpful.
• Note: Do you know your cycling hand signals?
• Note: Ride in straight lines and be predictable to other road users cyclist and vehicles