Sunday. One of those gloriously perfect days that make you feel glad to be alive. The weather wasn’t bad either. I can’t have been the only person feeling like this, because when I arrived at Nudgee Beach reserve there was already a good smattering of skaters milling about and there was still half an hour until the one o’clock start time. As the clock ticked towards our departure time, a steady stream of people trickled into the car park. With ten minutes to go, there was getting on for thirty eager skaters kitted up and ready to enjoy one of the best skating paths on the tour calendar.

With so many people assembled, it was not exactly clear who would be leading proceedings. Right on cue, with a good three minutes to spare, Bruce pulled into the car park, jumped out of his car and exuberantly proclaimed that he wasn’t technically late. Another five minutes later and we were all gathered for the briefing and introductions. Bruce was to be assisted by Vaughan, Paulie, Justine and in a non official “I’m just here so I may as well help out” kind of way, Dave. A quick run down of the route, an explanation of the extended path though Boondall Wetlands and Bruce proclaimed we were ready to set off, until a muffled voice from the back called out “what about the introductions”. A rather hesitant look crossed Bruce’s face as he said “sure”, through gritted teeth. We formed a circle and Bruce stepped into the ring. His first faltering attempt to remember a name worked and as a look of obvious relief swept over him, he moved onto the next person. His brow furrowed and a determined grimace formed on his face until he finally blurted out “s**t”. The person corrected him as he moved on to the next. This time there was even less pretence of recall. “s**t, s**t, Andy, s**t, Pepsi, s**t, s**t, Nick” and so it went on. By the time the circle had been completed half the people had taken on the new moniker of “s**t”. Noticeably relived the ordeal was over, Bruce led us out of the car park, along the road and on to the start of the Nudgee to Toombul bike track.

I’ve written about the Nudgee to Toombul bike track before. In my option, it’s still one of the best skating paths around. Wide, long, smooth, debris free and most importantly, almost totally devoid of other people. Bruce and Dave set a reasonably fast pace, but it was Vaughan (in his new five wheelers) that stepped up to the plate and really got things moving. With such a large mixed group, the line of skaters soon began to stretch out, breaking into little groups all finding their own pace. A couple of stops along the 8.5km track allowed everyone to regroup and take a short rest.

Last time we did this skate on 11th April, the last hundred meters of the track was being dug up and resurfaced. Fully expecting this to be finished, it was quite a surprise to come round the corner and find the fenced off section in exactly the same state as it had been three months earlier. The works are obviously not high on Toombul council’s agenda. It will be interesting to see how much progress has been made next time we pass this way.

After a spot of gravel skating and a demonstration of handstands in skates by Dave and Bruce, we arrived at the Toombul Centro Shopping Centre and lunch. At this point the group split in two. The majority opted for the debonair sophistication of Maccers, while I joined the less discerning group and headed over to the Sushi Station (Toombul Terminal) for rice and seaweed. It initially looked like we were going to be disappointed as the sign in the window proclaimed it had just shut. We were about to leave when a young ladies head appeared round the door and invited us in. The sight of six hungry skaters was obviously too much good business to turn away. In the event, it would turn out to be a wise decision by the young lady.

As the Sushi train rolled round the counter (seven sets of tables, plate prices ranging from $2.20 to $5.50 and at an elevation of nine meters above sea level), the chefs began to take on a concerned look as Vaughan proceeded to unload large quantities of its cargo. They were clearly having trouble replenishing it as fast as it was being depleted. Half an hour later, we polished off the last of our meals and took our plates to the till.

Outside, we pulled our skates back on and made our way over to the meeting point in the car park. Crossing the gravel patch we got back onto the track and had a fast skate back to the other end. This time, Darrell joined in the run at the front and with a draining head wind we took it in turns to lead. It wasn’t long before we got back to the road and the start of the extended track out through the Boondall Wetlands (the largest wetlands in Brisbane). After a group photo, we once more split into two. About two thirds of the group headed back to the car park and home with the rest of us doing the extended 8.4km (return) trip through the wetlands. This track is smooth like the Toombul path, but much twistier. It’s a great place to practice stepping turns as you race through the tree lined wetlands skittering round the tight left, right bends, hoping there are no bikes coming the other way. We reached the end of the path and stopped for drinks and a short rest. Bruce proceeded to stretch his back by rolling around in the dirt, swapping a large sweat patch on the ground for a nice crusty coating of mud, leaves and twigs on his back. Pity the poor person who washes his clothes (which from his comments appears to be his mother).

The skate back was equally quick and with the sun starting to dip below the horizon, the surroundings began to take on a pleasant orange glow. We arrived back at the Nudgee Beach reserve car park to meet a few stragglers from the other group. Pulling our skates off, we said goodbye, after a hard and fast but enjoyable afternoons sk8ing.