Brisbane winds along its river like a long, lazy snake, with the city centre in one loop and suburbs spreading over low hills on every side. It began in 1825 as a penal settlement, chosen for its position on the Brisbane River, and grew slowly into the capital of Queensland. A humid subtropical climate means jacaranda trees blaze purple in October and November, thunderstorms roll in on summer afternoons, and the winters are mild and sunny, ideal for riding. The Story Bridge, the riverside parks at South Bank and the ferries that glide up and down the water give the city a relaxed charm.
The city has its own riding scene, with weekend crowds heading to the cafes at Mount Glorious and the Gold Coast hinterland. To the north, the Blackall Range rises abruptly from the coastal plain, with a scenic road running along its crest through Montville and Maleny, past rainforest, art shops and tea houses, with views over the Glass House Mountains, a cluster of volcanic plugs that stand up from the plain like giant tooth stumps. To the south and west, the border ranges around Mount Barney and the Lions Road wind through steep forest on the line between Queensland and New South Wales, with sections that have been unsealed in the past, so check conditions before you go.
Brisbane's own traffic is heavy at peak times, and the motorways have electronic tolls, which are charged by number plate, so check how to pay for them. Speed cameras are common, and Queensland police are firm on limits and on helmets. In spring, magpies swoop on riders near nests, so keep your visor down and ride on if one dives. Fuel stations are everywhere in the city and on the main roads, but they become rare in the hills, so keep an eye on your tank.
The best months for riding are April to October, when the humidity drops and the air is clear. Summer storms can be fierce, with hail and flash flooding, so watch the sky.