This Saturday was the Kookynie FarRide and after looking at the distance to get there (782km straight there) Wombat suggested we do this one as an IBA SS1600.
I had tried a SS1600 last August on the border run but bailed out as it was too cold and too much wildlife on the road so I was pretty keen to give this one go.
After a few phone calls and emails we settled on meeting at Caltex Midvale just before 02:00 for a departure at 02:00.
Of course in looking to leave at that time, I watched every hour tick past from 21:00 through until alarm due to go off at 00:45
Anyway, basically no sleep later, I got fuel at the local servo at 01:39 and headed off to meet Bill at Midvale.
We left there at 02:03 by my bike clock and headed out into the rain.
Had scattered rain and our first stop was going to be Tammin. We ended up being stopped by a freight train crossing just outside of Tammin so we called that our first stop and carried on to Southern Cross for breakfast and fuel.
About 35km out from Southern Cross I noticed that one of my Spotlights was starting to point up to the stars so we pulled over and saw that the rough road had broken the weld on the mount bracket. Luckily Bill had his gaffa tape so a short stop to fix that and it was back on the road again.
Arrived Southern Cross at 05:30. The cook had just finished making some toasted bacon and egg sandwiches so that sounded like a good deal to me.
By 6:30 we were back on the road and deciding on whether we would go to Kambalda on the way to lunch or after. Wombat had suggested if we made Coolgardie before 08:00 then we would have time to go first making the longest run before lunch. Sounded great to me. We hit Coolgardie around 07:40 so we pushed down to Kambalda for our corner docket.
From Kambalda, we went through to Menzies where we caught up to Craig on his Triumph Sprint 1050. Had a chat and a stretch then back on the road for the final run into Kookynie.
Arrived Kookynie around 11:20 and waited with start docket in hand for check in to open.
Distance so far was 890km by my Odometer.
We had planned to leave by 13:00 but Bill's food was a little delayed in getting out to us so it was closer to 14:00 by the time we actually left.
Heading back was very windy and it seemed to show on our fuel usage. Bill called me up on the UHF about 90km out of Kalgoorlie to let me know his fuel light had made a brief appearance. This was not looking good.
We backed off the speed and managed to make it to 80km out before his light came on solid. At this point my light was still not on so Bill slowed to 85 / 90 while I carried on to get fuel and loop back if required. On instructions from a "helpful" local, I overshot Kalgoorlie and was heading to Kambalda again before I realised that he may not have given me the right instructions. Pulled over and asked Google for "Fuel Near Me".
Loop around the block and about 10km back up the road I turned into Kalgoorlie and found a Caltex Woolworths. As I was turning into Kalgoorlie, Bill radioed me to let me know he had made the top of the main street and run dry. I fueled up and went to find him sitting on the side of the road near a pub. I noticed a servo just around the corner so after a little pushing he was ready to go again.
Stopped again in Coolgardie to change gloves and use the facilities then back to it.
At 18:40 we fueled up and had dinner once again at Southern Cross. This time for me was a Ham and Salad Roll. Then changed into all the wet weather gear as we ran into some rain just before we got there.
From here we set our sights on our final rest stop at Tammin.
Not a lot to report between these two stops. I really love riding at night though in the country. I feel more alert than during the day.
Got to Tammin at 21:10 and had walk around the bikes, a bit of a chat and I finally remembered to take a photo.
From here it was homeward bound. I waved goodbye to Bill at Great Eastern and Roe Hwy intersection and got my finishing docket at 23:17 back where I got my starting one.
10 minutes later I was home.
Slept very well for 8 hours solid and woke up feeling fine.
Total distance by Odometer was 1701km. By Google maps (not taking into account backtracking) was 1657km. All done in 21hrs 45 mins.Now to get all the paperwork sent off. I am looking at using the new online method so will see how that goes.
Anyway, Thanks for reading.
Pezzz
