Desert Raid 2017

[old betsy]

G'Day Slackers,
I'm still out to lunch on whether I am going on the 650 or 1200.
Decisions, decisions.

Do you want to borrow the TW200

[Digger]

Do you want to borrow the TW200

Probably would be a good choice...I'm thinkin' David Carnegie Road on the way in or the way out. I think the DR650 will be the weapon of choice for this Ride. Thanks for the offer but I'll pass.

[reklaw]

David Carnegie Rd. is on my radar. I have a 6 day pass which should do it, don't want too much time away from work, I might get used to it.
WR250R will be weapon of choice if this road is involved.

[Reduke]

Has anyone any knowledge of what the road is like east of Mungilli? Thinking of coming in up the Heather Hwy then along the gunbarrel. Is it a reasonable track or a tight overgrown twin track?

[_Wilks]

Has anyone any knowledge of what the road is like east of Mungilli? Thinking of coming in up the Heather Hwy then along the gunbarrel. Is it a reasonable track or a tight overgrown twin track?

"Reasonable"... will probably depend on your experience, skill and the bike you're riding and how much gear on it.

Expect lots of corrugations, sand, rocks and some tight overgrown stuff.

This video might give you an idea of what to expect. Hope it helps. There'll be other vids on youtube.
https://youtu.be/4fOzIwG9lmg

[Digger]

Has anyone any knowledge of what the road is like east of Mungilli? Thinking of coming in up the Heather Hwy then along the gunbarrel. Is it a reasonable track or a tight overgrown twin track?

I was there in May 2015 on a heavily loaded DR650...the video is a good representation of the good and the bad. As you head from East to West the Heather Highway is good until it forks at the Community half way along. Then it deteriorates quickly but is ok. The first part of the GB is ok...rocky at times with a number of washouts which can be ridden around if it is dry. There is good water (hand pumps) at a couple of places along the route., The water at Geraldton Bore is good quality. The majority of heavy sand is between Everard Junction and Geraldton Bore. Long stretches (200 - 800 metres) in about two or three places. Best done at speed if that is your style. If not, easily doable by paddling thru although obviously tiring.

Worth doing....allow yourself extra time depending on your experience. Road greatly improves after Geraldton Bore heading West.

See you there

[Reduke]

Thanks for the link and information.
Two of us going to give it a crack if we feel ok after the Connie Sue. Going to the border run then up to Forrest and along the Trans line,back down to Cocklebiddy for fuel, then up through ,Neil Junction to Warburton.
Plan on leaving Warburton Friday morning so we have 2 days to get to Mungilli.
Been planning this for 12 months so getting a bit excited.
Got a week to get there so we won't be too rushed & can take our time.
Will be my first Desert Raid.
See you all there hopefully.

[Digger]

Thanks for the link and information.
Two of us going to give it a crack if we feel ok after the Connie Sue. Going to the border run then up to Forrest and along the Trans line,back down to Cocklebiddy for fuel, then up through ,Neil Junction to Warburton.

Mate, if you can do the Connie Sue to Warburton then the Gunbarrel will be a walk in the park (from a sand point of view). Have a look at this video for riding conditions on Connie Sue...FF to around 7 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLzmeppwN58&t=419s

[Digger]

Going to the border run then up to Forrest

Incidently, thats why the date (12th Aug) was chosen...to allow Riders to do the Border Run and then Desert Raid. You might as well make it worthwhile.

[Kots]

I can only go to Desert Raid & maybe on after.

Is there will be anyone who'll just do the ride Desert Raid ride to Mungilli?

Kots

[Digger]

Is there will be anyone who'll just do the ride Desert Raid ride to Mungilli?

I'll be going there and coming back...just don't know which roads or tracks yet. I'll be on a DR650. It wont be an extended ride for me...maybe 6-7 days return (although that could change depending on other riders plans....I am easily led astray).

[Kots]

Very good. I've booked out Thursday 10/8 and Friday 11/8. The rest can be figured out.

Kots

[Digger]

Righto Slackers; Time to commit (or be commited).

I'm thinkin' depart Thursday 10 August, head up towards Beacon and Maroubra Road using back roads and farm roads. From there towards Paynes Find, Sandstone, Wiluna and onto Carnegie and the Gunbarrel Highway. Arrive at destination on the Saturday. Fuel for the forward journey can be Paynes Find, Sandstone, Wiluna and Carnegie Station.

My return journey will be David Carnegie Road to Tjukarilya Roadhouse on Great Central Road, Laverton and then either Kalgoorlie via Sunrise Dam or maybe via Lake Ballard if there is any interest there. Take minimum of three days to get back and possibly longer. You could always 'slab it back' if you had to once at Laverton.

I'll be on the DR650....the David Carnegie Road could be done in a day (234km).

Post up the route you're taking...I might tag along if the tracks are more intesting then the ones Ive chosen.

[reklaw]

That's pretty much the route I had plotted.
I'm in.










....except if it's going to piss down for a week.

[Digger]

That's pretty much the route I had plotted.
I'm in.

You lead; I'll follow.