Ride
magazine Noosa Review continued...
Cafe Le Monde is the original
cyclists' haunt. We have been
coming here for what seems like
decades and you can't omit the
fact that this place screams
'location, location, location!'
It is situated on Noosa's world-famous
and much loved Hastings Street.
In a very laid back atmosphere,
Cafe Le Monde has become a family
restaurant that caters for the
Noosa nightlife with live music
playing most nights of the week
and a back bar that prides itself
on its luscious summer cocktails.
But by day the paths are cluttered
with bikes and Noosa's local
lycra-clad dignitaries. The
muffins here are a must and
there ain't much better than
sliding it down with their great
coffee!
The Sunday ride is the pinnacle
of our week. It is the longest
session and normally the hardest.
And the bunch is usually bigger
on what some call The Day of
Rest. An executive decision
on what route will be taken
is made by the hierarchy of
the peloton. The direction is
generally dependent on which
way the wind is blowing. But
a habit on Sunday is to head
west to Cooroy. From there the
plan is to come back into Noosa
with the wind at our backs.
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Once you're away from the coast,
the riding is great and the
options are endless. You can
head to the hills of Montville
and Maleny, or through the humble
countryside and rolling climbs
of west Cooroy and Pomana.
Another favourite destination
is Kin Kin, with a 50km ride
that goes through Pomona northwest
towards Gympie. Bli Bli takes
you in the other direction for
when the wind blows from the
south and will bring you home
along the beach through Coolum
and Perigian along the David
Low Way.
All definitive decisions are
taken by none other than our
Flying Dutchman, Will van Zetten,
who leads the pack most Sundays.
He has European blood and is
a natural on the bike. Although
officially retired from racing
Will is still keen to punch
out the kilometres, his sole
objective being to attain optimal
fitness and minimal weight to
enjoy the ski slopes of America.
Willy is certainly one to enjoy
the splendours of Noosa's cafe
lifestyle and the ride ritually
ends again at Le Monde for a
muffin and a great brew! Of
course, the scenery isn't bad
either... if you know what I
mean.
AS I WRITE THIS STORY 20,OOOKM
AWAY FROM HOME I Can tell you
that Noosa is an easy place
to miss. I can see snow falling
outside the window of my European
base in Lyon, France. I'm trying
to either gain the courage to
brave the cold again or endure
yet another mind-numbing ergo
session. And what makes either
one of these even less inviting
is that I won't be able to enjoy
a post effort brew with the
boys by the beach.
The French are yet to embrace
our uniquely Australian cycling
cafe culture. The coffee here
is usually dreadful, and I'm
at least 600km from a beach.
Just like I said we're spoilt
on the Sunshine Coast. I grew
up in Noosa. It's a spectacular
place and cycling there is not
just a chance to turn the pedals,
it's a social event. It means
enjoying a laugh and making
new friends, with a bit of puff
and panter along he way. So
if you do happen to make it
our way, bring your bike and
be sure to carry some spare
change.
Remember, every ride in Noosa
is a coffee ride!
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email: info@bikeon.com.au 
