After a Nullarboring crossing from Albany, we enjoyed the beginning
of the Wirrulla-Kingoonya track, which looked
like polished clay for the first 20 km's.
After a Nullarboring crossing from Albany, we enjoyed the beginning
of the Wirrulla-Kingoonya track, which looked
like polished clay for the first 20 km's.
Soon it changed to nice orange dirt, with enough loose stuff on top
to keep a pair of sandgropers happy.
We paused by one of the salt lakes (which we named Lake Cosi's after
our local cafe) to have a billy of tea, muesli
bars and some
biscuits.
We the pushed on North on the Deadly Boring Bitumen (DBB) until we
approached Coober Pedy at sunset and went past the spot where the Tenere
died
on
the
last
OCR
ride
Andy taking off on a scenic diversion from the Oodnadatta track,
North of Lake Eyre
While the old man takes in the scenery in the area.
Water crossing at speed on the Oodnadatta Track, which was flat, dry
and firm apart from the odd splash like this.
Either youthful exuberance or a faulty tuberance led to a puncture
repair in the Flinders Ranges, complete with another billy of tea.
We camped with Suzuki DR650-riding John at Arkaroola, where the
daytime temperature was
17, but the nighttime was -1, testing the sleeping kit.
Frozen bike seat in the morning - early starts were not a good idea,
and would have been tough on the sitting kit.
On the road south from the Flinders, Sturt's Desert Peas made some
lovely red splashes.
Enjoying the barren beauty of the Flinders crinkly crust and the
nice twisty dirt bits heading towards Wilpenna Pound.
Back on the DBB, next to somewhat greener hills, cruising towards
the Barossa Valley.
Broken Hill Road is now renamed Broken Suzuki Sidetrack, in honour
of Chris (left) tumbling off his DR650 on an excursion from the main
road. Jesse tried to help put it back into shape, but the windscreen,
GPS, mirror and speedo were smashed and the pannier racks bent. Andy
fell off his Yamaha Tenere in sympathy, but damage was very slight -
just a few more scars added to the story of the fairing.
Draining Alanna's new BMW G650GS at White Cliffs - it somehow got
filled up with diesel because of confusion with the name "distillate".
Mudhole negotiation on the Wanaaring Road. The trick was to go through the middle, which was firm under the water, not the edges which were churned mud, which Andy's back wheel is still spinning in. It's always best to walk these first, on the principle it's easier to cope with wet feet than a drowned motor.
Some motorcyclists standing on the flood levee at Wanaaring opposite
the pub, watching more bikes arrive. Estimates of how many bikes were
there ran into two hundred plus.
Preparing to set up camp next to Dave and Nick, beside the
still-rising Paroo River. Some damper campers had to move inland next
morning.
Claude's classic Matchless 350 parked among the many different
bikes. Yamaha Tenere evolution was also on display from earliest to
latest.
Harry and Jane's BMW K100-based rally sidecar is an impressive beast
and has made a number of desert crossings. Note the winch in front.
Heading back home through White Cliffs, I can see the similarities
in the beaks of the ships of the desert of different eras.
Quick sleep style being prototyped for tired riders on the Nullabor
- by saving undressing and redressing it allows maximum kilometres per
day.
Buddies at the parting of the ways at Norseman after 17 days on the
road together and 8,000 km covered. Just under 700 km home for me.
The bike that did it all very well: the GS home again after a service and new tyres with an (almost) straight front rim feels ready for the next ride.
