Post by: tj189 on October 04, 2013, 11:28:10 AM
The stop at Barkly Homestead was good, problems with the Premium pump due to the heat so the need to use 91 again. I treated myself to one of their Barra Burgers before putting my head down for a sleep. Up early and off down to Cloncurry for the turn up to Normanton. Just out of the “Curry” I needed to change out of some gear and found a rest stop. The pleasant surprise here was meeting up with another rider who had earlier arrived from Cooktown and was waiting to meet up with a mate so they could head off to the ghost town of Mary Kathleen. It was a great conversation and straight away I was in awe of this gentleman and his escapades on bikes (he had three bikes). When I arrived he had his billy on (trangia), with the rollie hanging out the corner of his mouth. His softly spoken and calm voice fitted in so well with his dry weary face. He reminded me of conversations that have been had with some old drovers and their ability to draw you into their world and incredible adventures. I must apologise as I have forgotten his name. I left that stop with a sense of proudness that I had met, chatted with and shared a moment of time with a real down to earth adventurer, it was a part of this ride that will stay with me. His parting piece of advice, as he limped slightly in my direction, was to visit the croc in the main street of Normanton, I did.
Having lost my glasses a couple of days ago and attempting to purchase some reading glasses over the last couple of days, I thought I would give this town a go as well, fantastic found some. This now made it a lot easier to write up my logs and check my spreadsheet. Oh, I also visited the croc before refuelling and heading back out to meet up with the National Highway 1 once again. It would have been around a 932 kilometres to travel across from Borroloola in the NT to Normanton (as I said before dirt roads and river crossing on my bike are just not me).
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/TeeJay_019/around%20the%20big%20paddock/DSCF0010_zpsac3dbbce.jpg) (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/TeeJay_019/media/around%20the%20big%20paddock/DSCF0010_zpsac3dbbce.jpg.html)
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/TeeJay_019/around%20the%20big%20paddock/DSCF9992_zps914c048d.jpg) (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/TeeJay_019/media/around%20the%20big%20paddock/DSCF9992_zps914c048d.jpg.html)
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/TeeJay_019/around%20the%20big%20paddock/DSCF0004_zps87679b2f.jpg) (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/TeeJay_019/media/around%20the%20big%20paddock/DSCF0004_zps87679b2f.jpg.html)
How good and beautiful is that run across the top of the tablelands near Atherton, wow! Just fantastic. Then the run down the mountain into Cairns, I worked my butt off coming down there, unfortunately it was dark but I am sure the ride in the daytime would be an exciting one as well, might have to go back and do that one day. I stopped at a new servo/maccas on the south side purely for a rest and a quick bite to eat, grilled chicken and chilly wraps, love ‘em. This was only night that I had not planned an overnight stop in a motel/hotel. I did this to ensure I had flexibility for the last part of the run down the final part of the paddock boundary.
The Bruce Highway does not have a very good name here in Australia for safety and of course, there is a fair amount of repair work being done. I think, that by keeping this in mind, it then allows the rider to accept that there will be time issues and that you just have to work around that, again not much else you can do. My run down this last leg was, well, really uneventful. I do remember saying to myself, it’s not over yet, concentrate……. I pulled into one of the stops at Caboolture for a corner docket and continued on with the last piece of this puzzle back to my starting point.
Normally, for us as LDRiders, at the end of our journey, there is no fanfare, just get in and get the last docket and head home. For me however there was a fanfare, bands playing, fireworks all wrapped up in Crappy (Michael), here was a man that had ridden and hour and a half to say well done… what a great bunch of people we have in this LDRiding community in OZ, thanks mate!
My spreadsheet had shown an arrival time of 21:57 and the final docket recorded a time of 21:40, I am happy with that.
(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/TeeJay_019/around%20the%20big%20paddock/endofAroundthePaddock_zpsc7667c68.jpg) (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/TeeJay_019/media/around%20the%20big%20paddock/endofAroundthePaddock_zpsc7667c68.jpg.html)
Epilogue
The tyres were brand new, Pirelli Angel GT, and there is still a good amount of treat left, of course I am in need of a good service for the bike but it performed flawlessly and is a great touring bike, 2008 Honda ST1300. I need to rethink the water bladder in the tank bag and have a cover made for the external fuel tank. Replacement spot beam driving lights are also now needed, thanks to that “demon bird”. The GPS using Igo Primo was exceptional as was the excel spreadsheet.
I have left out the use of the FLIR camera as I expect it may be a little controversial and would hate to think that its discussion may detract from the ride itself. I will put up a thread on one of the threads at Distance Riders Australia to discuss the equipment and how it was used. May I say though, I firmly believe that any piece of equipment that makes you as a rider, feel safer and comfortable like fluro vests, roo whistles, daytime running lights, extra rear lights, tall screens, wet weather gear, heated clothing etc., all go towards assisting in your fatigue management. To me the FLIR camera was part of that. So keep an eye out on the DRA site for its discussion.
As a member of OzSTOC, the Australian ST Owners Club, I also participate in their Rider Assistance Network, on this trip I notified our two wonderful club members, Jean (Pocket Stoker) and Chris (ST2UP) that co-ordinate this for us, of my trip and gave them the link to follow my journey should they so wish. This is not part of what they do but had I needed the services of the RAN then it was there, same as my membership of RACQ, again all of this adds to fatigue management as it is something else that is not playing on your mind. Thanks for the phone calls guys.
This journey ends, the boundary ride around the big paddock completed…now need to look for the next journey on this never ending road…….
Post by: Marcus on October 04, 2013, 11:38:27 AM
(sorry for the language, but...WOW!)
(http://vse.stopp.se/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Com_Hem_Sommar_2010_Omg_Cat_stoppweb_16x9.jpg)
Post by: Streak on October 04, 2013, 12:20:08 PM
Post by: Diesel on October 04, 2013, 01:40:44 PM
Another epic adventure. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. :thumbs
Cheers, Diesel
Post by: Marcus on October 04, 2013, 01:52:31 PM
9 days must be close
Post by: ST2UP on October 04, 2013, 03:14:45 PM
The tracking link that we followed TJ via worked very well indeed......to check his progress half a dozen times a day and see his fatigue managment strategies and his progress all log was inspiring to witness.
well done mate :clap :clap now how do you top that ?? In search of another continent perhaps ??
:beer
Post by: Wild Rose on October 04, 2013, 05:03:38 PM
Thanks for sharing your experences with us
:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap Well done :thumb
Post by: saaz on October 04, 2013, 10:45:38 PM
Post by: Dick B "Yewie" on October 04, 2013, 11:46:34 PM
Congratulations on your achievement and your ride report. Your've shamed me into putting a report up on our own trip. Better start writing :-[
Dick and Ros
:rd13
(http://i40.tinypic.com/29qef6u.jpg)
Post by: Pocket STocker on October 05, 2013, 05:15:02 PM
Pockey :Blow
Post by: tj189 on October 05, 2013, 11:12:08 PM
Post by: saaz on October 05, 2013, 11:36:59 PM
Post by: tj189 on October 06, 2013, 07:37:33 AM
Post by: Marcus on October 06, 2013, 09:40:55 AM
Post by: Carsten on October 06, 2013, 09:34:37 PM
Post by: tj189 on October 07, 2013, 05:24:56 AM
Post by: Shiney on October 07, 2013, 11:54:40 AM
It sounds like you had a great time riding it and didn't let anything take away from the enjoyment (even an attack from a demon bird :eek), you my friend are a LEGEND :-++ :-++ :-++
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the adventure and look forward to reading the next one, thanks for sharing the journey with us :thumbsup
Cheers
Shiney
Post by: Marcus on October 07, 2013, 12:11:05 PM
The best I could find was some random anecdote about 2 cars finding a clause in the fine print of their hire car contract about unlimited miles and did the lap in 6 days.
Post by: STRay (Roo Killer) on October 12, 2013, 08:24:02 PM
My brain is now working overtime to see when I can do a similar ride I have had planned for a while :think1 , the right wrist is getting very itchy!!
Post by: Biggles on October 12, 2013, 10:40:59 PM
I did some research on the Google machine the other night...looking for the fasted lap time.
The best I could find was some random anecdote about 2 cars finding a clause in the fine print of their hire car contract about unlimited miles and did the lap in 6 days.
That's a good find for comparison's sake. TJ made it hard for himself regarding the route. It would be interesting to compare routes. I also suspect they lived in the cars and had multiple drivers driving in relays. Not sure why they needed two cars, unless it was for redundancy or moral support. Or was that a typo, and it was two guys who found the clause?
Post by: tj189 on October 13, 2013, 12:31:18 AM
Post by: Marcus on October 13, 2013, 08:51:22 AM
Post by: StinkyPete on October 13, 2013, 10:09:14 PM
(Note to self - Must undertake a FarRide or two and make my love of distance riding official)
Post by: gaz on October 13, 2013, 10:15:05 PM
Mate, that was an amazing ride report :clap
It sounds like you had a great time riding it and didn't let anything take away from the enjoyment (even an attack from a demon bird :eek), you my friend are a LEGEND :-++ :-++ :-++
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the adventure and look forward to reading the next one, thanks for sharing the journey with us :thumbsup
Cheers
Shiney
i'm struggling with planing a ride around QLD :crazy
Post by: tj189 on October 14, 2013, 05:09:19 AM
Gaz, I actually find the planning part enjoyable, especially when you then go an ride your plan and it works :thumb
Post by: StinkyPete on October 14, 2013, 06:56:38 AM
I actually find the planning part enjoyable, especially when you then go an ride your plan and it works :thumb
I totally agree. Planning holidays and rides is a significant part of the holiday experience, as it feeds the anticipation. I have a Aussie atlas sitting beside my bed, and regularly browse that instead of reading other books.
Post by: MICK on January 18, 2018, 11:01:03 AM
Post by: Biggles on January 18, 2018, 04:21:59 PM
Loved it thanks for sharing couldnt see any photos tho is this posted anywhere else where photos are still up? Going to do this myself, after talking to Diesel thinking of doing it thru IBA any advice?😎 do you think you would get the same mileadge out of pr4 gt's cheers mick
If you're serious you'd better get into traqining by doing a few SS1600Ks back-to-back.
You can also read it here:
http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/around-australia-9-days.20/ (http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/around-australia-9-days.20/)
Another legendary rider's report is here:
http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/ox-34-lap-of-australia-on-highway-1.1301/ (http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/ox-34-lap-of-australia-on-highway-1.1301/)
And if he found it tough... >:()
Post by: MICK on January 18, 2018, 09:38:03 PM
Cheers Biggles, very serious about the lap wasnt thinking of doing it in 9 days was just going to do my best run for myself but after reading TJ's blog im thinking about a IBA run...Loved it thanks for sharing couldnt see any photos tho is this posted anywhere else where photos are still up? Going to do this myself, after talking to Diesel thinking of doing it thru IBA any advice?do you think you would get the same mileadge out of pr4 gt's cheers mick
If you're serious you'd better get into traqining by doing a few SS1600Ks back-to-back.
You can also read it here:
[url]http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/around-australia-9-days.20/[/url] ([url]http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/around-australia-9-days.20/[/url])
Another legendary rider's report is here:
[url]http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/ox-34-lap-of-australia-on-highway-1.1301/[/url] ([url]http://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?threads/ox-34-lap-of-australia-on-highway-1.1301/[/url])
And if he found it tough... >:()
crazy i know my bigest ride in one day has been 1000ks and bigest over all ride was the east coast over 2weeks
but hay im falling in love with this st1300 and need to get this lap of OZ off the bucket list. Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
Post by: Biggles on January 18, 2018, 10:05:54 PM
A possible compromise would be say an SS1600 west from Ceduna and another north from Perth. Maybe a third from Darwin. Then spend a bit more time on the rest. A mate of mine is currently doing a 42 day lap on a Wing towing a trailer (camping). If anyone sees Steve on a platinum sort of coloured Wing with a boxy trailer, have a yarn. He's definitely up for it.
He's in Cape Conran tonight. Then, night by night: Wilsons Prom, Cape Otway, Port Campbell, Kingston, Clare, Tumby Bay, Ceduna and Eucla (that's enough for now).