Sawtell to Bellingen loop

We rode out of our accommodation at Sawtell caravan park on a still and cloudless morning, following Lyons Rd over the new Motorway and onto the old highway Pine creek way. There are multiple alternative backroad routes to Bellingen from Sawtell. We chose to go up Gleniffer Rd. After we passed the semi-rural housing blocks and businesses most of this was a pleasant shady ride through the forest. Soon we were riding past the colony of grey-headed flying fox on the island and across the Bellinger river into Bellingen for obligatory coffee and cake stop. from Bellingen we took Bowraville road, a moderately steep climb but quite rideable and very quiet, traffic wise. After dropping down towards the Kalang river, we then turned onto South Arm Rd, a tiny narrow rd that has some pretence at being sealed. All of a sudden there was a large roar and a giant logging truck was headed towards us as we climbed a steep section. Fortunately this was on a wider, straighter section of the road so we got passed without heading for the ditch.I don't think we saw any other traffic until we got back down to the Kalang river flat. We could have headed straight back up the old highway, but I thought it would be nice to head down into the edge of Urunga and up a loop of the Bellinger river. This was extremely pleasant. From Raleigh, we then took the old highway back to the start.