Post by: on August 03, 2019, 09:04:28 PM
Yesterday I set off from home for an eight day ride which will see me do a double border run. Day one's destination was Ceduna, where I had stayed on the way to my first border run in 2017. This time I left a lot earlier which meant that the Bungama roadhouses were closed when I got there so I veered off into Port Pirie to refuel.
From there is was off to Port Augusta. The bike's outside temperature showed a minus degree for the first time through that period. It was still dark when I got to Port Augusta so I had breakfast there and defrosted before hitting the road again. In 2017 I brunched in Kimba, but this time I stopped to take some photos and refuel only. I took a few in Iron Knob as well which is where I was at sunrise.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/03/0c518a7dd214bc06026607b80369900f.jpg)
After Kimba I took one or two photos at most of the towns along the way. The big ant at Poochera has been moved to the property next door and the roadhouse is now closed. Just as well I refuelled at Wudinna because I nearly didn't. I also bagged the big oyster at Ceduna, the big farmer at Wudinna and the big galah at Kimba. Arriving early at Ceduna I rode to Denial Bay and back before checking in to my accommodation.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/03/749f4bda32002322a653e95e58872723.jpg)
Last night I crashed into bed really early and had the best night's sleep I have had in ages. I departed Ceduna this morning at 0400, a lot earlier than I did in 2017. An hour in I stopped at Watraba to get a photo of the "out of boundaries" sign I missed in 2017. No lights around meant the stars looked awesome. In fact, most of my ride was in the dark. Dead wombats on the road gave me a couple of frights. Again the bike showed an outside temperature of minus degrees, down to minus six at Yalata. Trust me, I felt it. Brrrrr. The sun poked its nose out just as I was heading into Nullabor Roadhouse and I got a good photo of it when I had finished refuelling. I had breakfast there, again to defrost. Despite stopping at every Australian Bight lookout I arrived at Border Village quite early and my room wasn't ready. In hindsight, I should have waited until first light before departing Ceduna.
After greeting Stroppy and Johnnyyted I went to the bar and had a pint of Guinness. I met Mitch, WAG, Yorkie and Wombat at BV before being able to get into my room.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/03/ebfbb083878465e6c6ba237e02b35d09.jpg)
Once in I was quite pleased, as this room has a desk. My room in 2017 didn't. The usual setting up of transferring files underway and it was back to the roadhouse to meet with the other Ozstocers. This time I was present for the group photo. Just as well as I had the SA flag as I was the only SA member here. I then snuck in another Guinness.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/03/6702f486fcae1d6535588cc0627eadfc.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/03/c8996a9e34b09f805ab8cd868b274419.jpg)
Last time Langers and I had the border run buffet whilst Stinky Pete ordered off the normal menu. I think Pete made the wise choice. Stroppy and I opted not to go for the buffet but were told the normal menu wasn't available. If that was to entice us to the buffet it didn't work. We ate from the fridge. In 2017 there was a welcome speech for all involved but there wasn't today (unless we missed it). They also had t-shirts on sale but there was none of that today, which was disappointing. I didn't take any photos at the dinner.
Tomorrow I shall be making my way back to Ceduna. I plan to wait until first light and stop at the Head Of The Bight among other places along the way.
https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=1f6205d3eb28338055&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes (https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=1f6205d3eb28338055&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes)
Post by: Jdbiker on August 03, 2019, 10:18:31 PM
Post by: Wild Rose on August 04, 2019, 03:45:19 AM
Thanks for sharing :like
Post by: StinkyPete on August 04, 2019, 07:12:41 AM
Post by: richo on August 04, 2019, 07:17:52 AM
Post by: StinkyPete on August 04, 2019, 09:23:17 AM
Post by: Gadget on August 04, 2019, 12:13:31 PM
Safe travels.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Post by: Bodø on August 04, 2019, 12:49:39 PM
You could make it three SA borders.... West, North and East :popcorn
I thought that after I booked everything. :||||
Post by: Bodø on August 04, 2019, 05:20:42 PM
I woke up at 0400 hours Adelaide time this morning, much later than in previous days. I would depart Border Village at 0600 and head back to Eyre Peninsula. Sheer delight as the bike said the outside temperature was four degrees. It hovered at bout five until about 20km short of Nullabor Roadhouse where it dropped to two. No minuses today.
First stop of the day was at Nullabor Roadhouse to refuel. I veered off to the Head Of The Bight whale watching lookout for the first time. I saw heaps of whales and left content.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/04/769f725ef13b71175b929c9260070a0c.jpg)
Next stop was Yalata. As I had photographed the derelict roadhouse at Iron Knob and the now closed one at Poochera I figured I may as well get the Yalata one as well. One problem... it's no longer there. I saw it in 2017 but kept going. I didn't see it yesterday but figured I may have missed it because it was dark. It's been torn down. I'd heard no one wanted to touch it because it was full of asbestos.
I rode into Fowlers Bay before having a quick bite at Penong. By then the bike was showing 20 degrees and the orange clobber came off. Dare I say it, it was quite toasty. I rode into Watraba as well, which by my calculations is the real "halfway across Australia" despite Kimba's claim to that title. There's nothing in Watraba but dirt roads.
At the quarantine check point I was asked one question "did you just go to the border?" and when I confirmed that got told to carry on. He'd probably asked a lot of bikers that question by then and decided to keep it simple.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/04/054a884ea27c5305986ae06a5d1463ed.jpg)
I'm tucked up in Ceduna for tonight in the same room I was in friday night. The only part of Eyre Peninsula I haven't ridden is from Ceduna to Elliston but I shall do that tomorrow morning before doing the Birds Eye Highway to Cowell, tomorrow's pit stop.
Post by: STroppy on August 04, 2019, 06:11:54 PM
Post by: Bodø on August 04, 2019, 06:17:15 PM
We saw you ride off, we were having breakfast. Now in the Kimba Hotel for the night.
I wonder what town or village I was in when you overtook me. Might have to compare my spot with Johnny's.
Post by: STroppy on August 04, 2019, 06:25:39 PM
Or Possibly Head of Bight.
Post by: Bodø on August 04, 2019, 06:32:23 PM
Post by: Bodø on August 05, 2019, 05:27:24 AM
Post by: Jdbiker on August 05, 2019, 08:30:05 AM
Post by: Wild Rose on August 05, 2019, 10:32:26 AM
Post by: Bodø on August 05, 2019, 12:33:26 PM
Post by: on August 05, 2019, 06:23:37 PM
Probably my latest departure of the trip, although it was still dark. I first did a lap of the town centre before heading out to the Flinders Highway and making my way to Elliston. This stretch of road was a first for me so I dropped into every town that had sealed roads. One of them had a sign stating vehicles must stay on the bitumen but the road to the caravan park did turn to dirt.
There was a emergency cyclone shelter in Eba Anchorage but I don't think I've heard of a cyclone hitting South Australia. Probably someone just taking the piss.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/05/a8c2c3b17968dfcb209c005f43ba145f.jpg)
In Streaky Bay I picked up a trailer.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/05/a72106c2619a90c5ec9141562c6a195b.jpg)
I kept dropping into towns after Streaky Bay up until Elliston, where I stopped for fuel and a coffee. I didn't actually go into Elliston's town centre as I had done that in 2015. From there it down the Birdseye Highway to Rudall. The road from Rudall to Port Neill has been completely sealed since I was last in Rudall so I rode that until I hit the Lincoln Highway where I then headed for my pit stop of Cowell. The room I had booked had a faulty shower so they'd put me in another room, but knocked the price of the room down to $70. No complaints from me.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/05/4642d3c1aa954f8dfeaf48a455dc6dce.jpg)
There's no cutlery in here, but already knowing that Border Village had no spoons in the room I came equipped with a full cutlery set of spoons, knives, forks and chopsticks so it's no drama.
Today has been quite toasty from the get go. I hope it doesn't get any warmer because I am heading north tomorrow.
Post by: richo on August 05, 2019, 07:37:06 PM
Post by: Gerard & Sandra on August 06, 2019, 01:11:11 PM
Job well done.
Rgds
GB
Post by: Wild Rose on August 06, 2019, 02:23:10 PM
Thanks for sharing your RTE Double BorderRun :like
Post by: Bloodman on August 06, 2019, 02:34:39 PM
:blu13left
Justin
Post by: on August 06, 2019, 04:24:39 PM
Today was a relatively short ride. The day got off to a bad start when after loading up the bike, and locking up my room door I went to jump on the bike and thought where's my helmet. Inside. A phone call to the manager eventually got it out. I slipped him a twenty which he refused to take but after I insisted it was four o'clock in the morning he gave in.
Once on the bike it showing thirteen degrees outside came with mixed emotions. Cowell was warm, but it had dropped to four by the time I got to Whyalla. I got to Port Augusta just on dusk and had breakfast at the same location I did on the first day of this trip. Once the sun was out I set out for my first ever venture on the Stuart Highway. I only traversed it as far as Pimba. Woomera was pretty cool.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/06/da315fe18146bc3d1bb595c6ec4c7499.jpg)
The wind for the last fifty kilometres into Pimba was horrendous. The other side of Woomera was pretty bad as was the stretch between Roxby Downs and Andamooka. Not many photo spots in Roxby Downs, but I did go as far as Olympic Dam and the Olympic Dam airport.
Andamooka has way more to see. It's a great place. Two billion flies can't be wrong. I just missed the cut off time for lunch at the Tuckabox pub next door so bought some Guinness at Cellarbrations and crisps at the Friendly Grocer. I'll go there for dinner though. I had a good walk around town.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/06/adac9e0e5417da5f322a1e8f9279d0e4.jpg)
Tomorrow I trekk back to Pimba before seeing more of the Stuart Highway. My destination is Coober Pedy, the only place I'll stay for two consecutive nights on this trip. It would also appear I shan't see rain until the day I am heading home.
Today I saw some emus, horses and sheep, they were well outnumbered by the number of grids I have seen. Special Of The Day at Spud's Roadhouse in Pimba is roadkill.
Post by: richo on August 06, 2019, 07:39:52 PM
Post by: Williamson on August 06, 2019, 08:15:28 PM
Post by: aussiexs on August 06, 2019, 08:58:35 PM
Post by: on August 07, 2019, 05:43:30 PM
Introducing my travel companion. This has travelled with me for over four decades now. It no longer bounces.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/51939d02336201e748e355a3f1f4aea4.jpg)
With the bike loaded up this morning I waited patiently for first light before hitting the road.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/00462b10198f91c969a5983f45205590.jpg)
In Andamooka Station I saw these spaced at even distances and I wondered what the hell they were. From a distance I couldn't tell the bit lying on the ground was meant to go on the top of the bit already standing so when there was a chance to ride in and have a look I did. Power poles of some sort in the process of being constructed.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/0bf02aaea4fb521e71dfecce617ae7f1.jpg)
I bypassed Roxby Downs on the way back to Pimba and only stopped there to refuel before getting on the Stuart Highway and heading north. Most of the locality signs looked like this.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/53e49b2ce7c5ae5f00baf693678ab02b.jpg)
Lake Hart was pretty cool, but the sun wasn't in the best of angles to get a good photo.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/9764fb8eb62f1ab55929257bba0aa96d.jpg)
This sign was in Glendambo. Does anyone know what it means?
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/58b32dc38e8b77a98e2acc6c5f4b83d3.jpg)
Does turning around to get a photo of this sign at Coondambo constitute deviating?
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/b3a73a79eca924989d983a80905f2219.jpg)
The crosswinds after Glenambo were horrendous. I pulled into what few rest stops there were just to get a break from it. It looks calm in this picture at Ingomar but it was far from it.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/54232de4166ee637f0c21ea0d52c5795.jpg)
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/2390015e4c5e24ac4945ec85b910285b.jpg)
The wind also played havoc with my fuel consumption.
Coober Pedy was my destination for today.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/b60fe963c017208038d465588960eed1.jpg)
After refuelling I went straight to my accommodation. I'd had enough wind and dust for one day. It was advertised as undergroung accommodation but it's not underground in the sense of the word I envisaged. I envisaged having to go below ground level but it's more of a building cut into a hill. So technically it is underground but not what I expected. I can still hear the wind.
Unpacked I went for a walk into town and had lunch. I couldn't eat it all. One does not like spring onions.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/07/fda4b3362717243b0aff6708d55e53ab.jpg)
I saw a sign for the Big Winch but couldn't be bothered getting on the bike again. I'm here for two nights. Tomorrow I'll ride to Kulgera and back going to my second border for the trip. I may check out the winch on the way back, time permitting.
Post by: NTRebel on August 07, 2019, 07:07:45 PM
Post by: Bodø on August 07, 2019, 07:14:52 PM
Post by: NTRebel on August 07, 2019, 07:19:14 PM
Post by: on August 08, 2019, 07:52:54 PM
With today being essentially a day trip I travelled lightly. My initial plan was to look for the big winch when I got back if time permitted but hit the road this morning and said, sod it, let's do it now.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/3572a976c66da2e190e8208a9c6c2921.jpg)
I was at this sign when the sun poked its head out.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/4a6acde081189028aa854be94586fa0c.jpg)
I was under the impression that there were no fuel stops between Coober Pedy and Marla so was somewhat surprised to stumble across Cadney Park. I'm not sure what the logic of putting a lock on the door and putting the combination for everyone to see.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/c6ed921d11baeee54796443d8c15205c.jpg)
There wasn't much to see in De Rose Hill so here's a picture of me.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/8acf8d3ba6c7d2c01eb42c2ea0120aa9.jpg)
Someone at the border offered to take one for me so here's another one.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/5b0756c0b7dd325775b86c94dddd1456.jpg)
Double border run achieved. My first ever footsteps in the Northern Territory.
When in Rome...
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/6e62fc533be1666df79e1ab2ce98eb50.jpg)
I refuelled and had lunch at the Kulgera roadhouse. The food wasn't that great but the place was interesting.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/fcbd2481d32ed710611a6791901e44ee.jpg)
I stopped at the border again on the way back for more photos. The sun was at a better angle.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/08/2c318ee3a8cb94900fbad2502c7e2fd2.jpg)
From there on there were no real stops of significance after that. I'm back in Coober Pedy for the night.
Tomorrow I head back to Adelaide. Rain is forecast. Hopefully it will wash all the dust off my bike. Coober Pedy has really been dusty. I'd have that over Sakurajima volcano ash though.
Post by: johnnyYTED on August 08, 2019, 09:18:31 PM
Bodo wow what a journey your on, I was almost tempted to go north at Port Augusta but I received a call as I was leaving Kimba and had my 28/8 Dr appointment cancelled and bought forward to today, so I am home.
Great ride report and pics so thanks. Have a safe journey south watch out for the undead roadkill..
Post by: Bodø on August 09, 2019, 04:33:50 PM
Post by: Wild Rose on August 09, 2019, 04:55:26 PM
Glad you got home safe :like
Post by: Bodø on August 09, 2019, 05:10:01 PM
You'll have cross winds the whole way back to Glen Dambo at least and just as bad as you had today.
Actually it wasn't too bad.
Post by: on August 09, 2019, 07:04:21 PM
I woke up at about 0350 this morning, showered and packed the donkey for the final trek of this trip. The last three days had been relatively smooth riding in the morning before the wind began to pick up and be a pain. That and hail forecast for the late afternoon meant I had breakfast and set off.
I rode quite slowly and with good reason. As I said above I counted 76 live kangaroos between Coober Pedy and Glendambo with plagues of them in Bon Bon. Rain meant water on the road and I think most of them were taking the opportunity to get a good drink. I didn't see much rain after that. I snapped this
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/09/90d42d67f61e99da6d710d086a1a39f9.jpg)
And this one at the Oakden Hills locality sign.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/09/80cc9c4b736db90b45d816a47ddfe893.jpg)
I refuelled at the 'usual' in Port Augusta before stopping in Nelshaby to get a picture of the big tin man.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/09/afb5c456ceebeeed586421dd777cfa33.jpg)
I didn't really make many stops for photos today. There were things I had hoped to do but just wanted to get home before the hail. Just short of 5500km for the trip.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/09/e8a7b812e0bea95e8d0419728485ae15.jpg)
Spot didn't miss a beat. Only me who forgot to add a meal mark at Nullabor Roadhouse.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/08/09/61829e60fb6709f2da9b083f4f7fafec.jpg)
Highlights of the trip were catching up with people at Border Village, seeing whales at the Head Of The Bight, setting foot in the Northern Territory for the first time, getting seven nights of decent kip and arriving home in one piece.
Lowlights were minus temperatures on the first two days, the lack of BR merchandise at BV (I would have bought a t-shirt), locking my helmet in my room at Cowell, not having the time to do a mine tour at Olympic Dam, the dust in Coober Pedy and the wind at times.
Post by: on August 09, 2019, 07:07:00 PM
Post by: NTRebel on August 09, 2019, 08:00:02 PM
Oh yeah, forgetting to get the bike in the picture of the big boomerang at Yalata or the big xxxx can at Kulgera.
Post by: Bodø on August 09, 2019, 08:00:54 PM
Post by: alans1100 on August 09, 2019, 09:08:22 PM
Nice write up - thanks for sharing.
Post by: Bodø on August 11, 2019, 07:53:49 AM
https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/three-outback-roadhouses-tipped-to-fetch-30-million-58036/ (https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/three-outback-roadhouses-tipped-to-fetch-30-million-58036/)
Quote
The portfolio of the three outback roadhouses is being sold by the private Brisbane-based company Nullarbor Holdings, which is run by two entrepreneurs who have owned them for the last seven years. They’re now planning a complete change of scene – going into commercial fish-farming.
The reason I was intrigued was because when I asked the guy behind the pub about BR19 merchandise he said "pfft, this mob can't arrange anything" despite the fact there was plenty of stuff in 2017. I didn't come home empty handed though. I bought a BR17 number plate.
Post by: Jdbiker on August 11, 2019, 08:47:21 AM
Post by: richo on August 11, 2019, 09:08:00 AM
Post by: on August 11, 2019, 09:41:36 AM
Good auto creating with the road trains as we don not have lorries in Aust.
I did that intentionally as I had my choice of the word lorry corrected in a previous ride report. (http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
The one from Stone Hut I think.
Edit: It was the Balranald RTE ride report.
Post by: Bodø on August 11, 2019, 09:42:18 AM
Interesting. Do the founders of the ride still attend
No idea. I don't know how old they were on the inaugaral run.
Post by: Bodø on October 23, 2019, 04:14:12 AM
First time I've seen triples in SA other than the smaller ones that work out of the mine the other side of Penong.
Nice write up - thanks for sharing.
This one has four trailers, Penong.
(http://www.imghostr.net/images/2019/10/23/451b0ff9bf5db3e5668a5d3d8786528f.jpg)
Post by: Langers on October 23, 2019, 08:29:40 AM
Post by: alans1100 on October 23, 2019, 10:54:30 AM
Only said three because of the one I saw parked at Penong back in 2014.First time I've seen triples in SA other than the smaller ones that work out of the mine the other side of Penong.
Nice write up - thanks for sharing.
This one has four trailers, Penong.
Post by: Beardy on February 28, 2021, 05:18:10 PM
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