When it was announced that Perth was the destination for the 2016 national meet is created a small issue for myself. In 2014 it was announced that in May 2016 Perth would host the World Control Line Championships. These championships have only ever been held outside Europe on 3 occasions and never in the southern hemisphere. I have built flown and competed with control line models at local, state and national level for about 15 years. Myself and several of my modelling pals decided early 2014 that we were heading to Perth for the event, hence my dilemma. One of the group (Rob) also rides a 2014 FJR 1300 and he suggested we ride over, took all of 10 seconds to agree and here is my ride report.
Thurs, 5 May,2016.
I left Violet Town at 4.30 am to meet up with Rob at Echuca at 6.00 am. Our aim was to end the day at Port Augusta travelling via Mildura, Renmark and Peterborough. We arrived at Port August at around 5.30 pm. We had pulled up and were sorting out where we were going to stay when another rider on a BMW 1100 pulled up and introduced himself (Rob) and asked us where we were staying. We ended up staying at the Augusta hotel where our host was Billy and he made us feel very welcome. Billy provided a lock up shed for us to park the bikes in. The three of us sat and talked until late into the night sharing motorcycling stories.
Fri, 6 May,2016
Up before the sun and we were away the moment we could distinguish the horizon. Our aim was to make it to Eucla by the end of the day. The run was going well and we were making good time. We made Border Village at about 3.00 pm and decided to head for Madura Pass about a further 180 kms. As we went through the Eucla Pass where we could see for miles in front of us all we could see was a great bank of dark cloud and heavy rain. We made Madura pass at around 5.30 pm wet and cold. Accommodation was found at $35.00 ea for a twin share room. Not worth unpacking the tents and paying $20 for a site.
Sat, 7 May, 2016.
Once again up before the sun and our destination was into Perth. Travelling before the sun meant that we were on high alert due to the wildlife out after the rain overnight. The run was going well and we were making good time. It was about 10.00 am and we were travelling on the ninety mile straight with about 10 miles to go when out of the scrub came a half grown kangaroo absolutely determined to make the other side of the road. The only issue was that between the roo and the other side of the road was Rob on his FJR. The roo hit Robs' front wheel on the actual left fork leg. The roo was killed instantly. The backside of the roo than came around and went under the bike between the front and back wheels. The back wheel ran over the roo lifting the back of the bike off the ground. Rob somehow managed to stay upright. There was a close inspection of the bike and the only damage was the lower half of the fairing had been cracked and later found out that the forks had twisted in the triple clamps. When we pulled up to check the bike over Rob was swearing his head off about the roo. I tried to explain that all in all it was a good outcome to get away with no injuries. Repair bill later was about $1100. All day we were travelling between bursts of heavy rain but actually staying dry. While fueling up at Southern Cross a fellow in a 4x4 ute asked if we were heading to Perth as he had just come through one of the heaviest down pours he had ever been through. Great that's something to look forward to. The rain final caught us at Merriden at about 5.00 pm. We made it to a little place called Tammin and we decided to call it a day as we were wet, cold and it only left a run of about 200 kms into Perth the next day.
Sun, 8 May, 2016.
Left Tammin at around 8.00 am and made for the rental house in Perth. The weather was fantastic and we arrived at around 10.00 am. We went straight to the site where the championships were being held. The Chinese stunt team came along while we we standing at our bikes. There was great excitement among them as they gathered around Rob and I looking at our bikes. There were lots of questions being asked of us through their interpreters, which we were happy to answer. The level of excitement rose greatly when they asked us how far we had ridden and how long it took for us to get there. The team then posed with us for photos and selfies of us all with the bikes.
The bikes were parked up for the next 6 days while we attended the championships.
Sat, 14 May, 2016.
Time to head off home. We left Perth and headed for Augusta which is the most southwestern point of Australia. We rode through Busselton, Dunborough and then down through the Margaret River area. This is a great area to visit, however the speed limit through here is only 90 km/h. I found myself watching the speedo more than the road which really put a dampener on the ride. Camped the night at the Augusta caravan park.
Sun, 15 May, 2016.
The weather had come up very windy in the morning and it took the two of us to help one another to pack up each tent. We set off for Pemberton onto Albany and finally finishing in Esperance for the night. We rode from about 7.30 am until 5.30 pm on this day.
Mon, 16 May, 2016.
Departed Esperance at 6.30 am and made our way to Norseman where we had breakfast, filled the bikes with fuel and headed east. Stopped at Caiguna for fuel and then finished the day at Eucla arriving at 5.30 pm.
Tue, 17 May, 2016.
Away from Eucla at 6.00 am. the day started out overcast and quite cool. Stops were made along the Bight to take photos. Nullabor Road house for fuel and a very quick lunch. Ceduna and Kimba for fuel and then onto Port Augusta. We arrived at Port Augusta after dark and a close encounter with two rather large emus out for an evening stroll between Kimba and Iron Knob. This close encounter slowed our progress to around 80-90 km/h to be safe. Once again we stayed with Billy at the Augusta Hotel.
Wed, 18 May, 2016.
Away the next morning at 6.00 am and we decided to head to Crystal brook and then turn across country for Renmark. Stopped at Spalding for breakfast in a little store there and it was the nicest bacon and eggs we had on the entire trip. Highly recommend them. We missed a turn here and wasted about a 1/2 hour getting back on track. Made our way across to Burra, Morgan and onto Renmark. The section of road between Morgan and Renmark would have to be the roughest road l have ridden on and l come from Victoria. We refuelled at Renmark and then in Swan Hill. Swan hill to Echuca where Rob and l parted ways and l headed home arriving at 7.00 pm.
Summary
Total kms travelled for the 9 days - 7861 kms.
Total fuel - 388 ltrs.
Total fuel cost - $510.
Average fuel use - 19.58 kms per ltr.
Tread loss - Front - .67 mm PR4 @ 42 psi.
- Rear - 1.55 mm PR4 @ 42 psi.
Dearest fuel - $1.70 ltr.
Cheapest fuel - $1.05 ltr.
I absolutely loved travelling across the Nullabor and l will do it again only then it will be at a slower pace. A range of around 400 kms was achieved on each tank of fuel and the most fuel that l put in was 20.89 ltrs. Rob hit reserve on his FJR a couple of times but still had about 5 ltrs left when he filled. Both bikes were usually within 1/2 ltr of each other at a fill.
GORDO
