Desert Raid 2023 - Sat 12 August 2023 - Jupiter Well, Gary Junction Road

[Digger]

Hello Slackers,
A small group of us are going for a ride... with an open invite for any like-minded adventure riders to meet up there.
As per previous Desert Raid gatherings, you need to be self sufficient as nothing is provided. Do your own research on track conditions and make your own decision if you have the skills/preparation to undertake the ride.

At this stage, we're going to camp at Jupiter Well on the Gary Junction Road. Those up for a riding challenge can get there utilising the CSR from the north or south or the Sandy Blight Junction Track. Easier access is achieved from the East or West transiting along the Gary Junction Road departing from Alice or Marble Bar/Nullagine.

The nearest fuel is available at Kiwirrkurra (24/7 using debit card) or Kunawarritji (Well 33 on CSR).

The Border Run is on Sat 5 Aug 2023.

[Kots]

We’ve begun preparation for the event but already it has not gone without incident.

Will get something out in the near future. It will be interesting for all of us to make sure we take note.

Kots

[Digger]

We’ve begun preparation for the event but already it has not gone without incident.

Will get something out in the near future. It will be interesting for all of us to make sure we take note.

Kots

So....what about an updaqte. Even I dont keep viewers hangin' on for this long!

[Kots]

I am sorry it has taken longe than expected. I have footage and photos - shamelessly so, but I am not familiar with the putting together videos where the footage is highlight clipped.

The update is - our man has left hospital and on the mend.

I will do what I can to get it out asap - hopefully over the weekend.

Kots

[Digger]

The update is - our man has left hospital and on the mend.

Kots

Forget about footage and photos…what happened to whom and where???

[Kots]

Hello All

See YouTube for some entertainment.

Our man is well.

I guess, "All's well that ends well" .

https://youtu.be/ggRMt1Mr7CU

Jupiter Well - well, that would be outta this world!

Kots

[Digger]

Bump...
Getting close now!

Interesting development...
I just rang Punmu to enquire about Store opening times and fuel. The bloke i spoke to said that if you have cash, he will refuel you as long as its daylight hours...been doing it for years apparently. No opening fee, no questions asked, doesn't want to leave anyone stranded.
Might be worthwhile having some $$$ in your wallet when you leave home.
Happy to help, thank me later.

Also, just spoke to Jo at Kunawaritji (Well 33). Fuel is 24/7 using debit card. Current price for Opal fuel is $2.80 per litre.

[GSDisciple]

Thanks for taking the time to share this information with everyone Steve. Much appreciated.
JP

[Digger]

G'day Slackers,

A small group of us are departing on Friday 4th to head for Desert Raid 2023 at Jupiter Well on Gary Junction Road in the Gibson Desert. We will be heading there via Uluru and Alice Springs. The trip is about 7,000km and probably a 14 day turnaround.
My Satellite Tracker (a Garmin InReach) will be activated from Friday morning once we depart. The link is here;

https://share.garmin.com/YZW3R

You can monitor our progress by clicking on the Link and having a play around with its functionality.


When the Link opens, click on the 'View All' to have a look at our journey and likely direction of travel.

We will be in Alice for 48-72 hours getting tyres swapped out before heading further Outback.

See you on the other side!

[Digger]

Hello Slackers,

Desert Raid Update - End of Day 5

My trip (our trip) is over!

We are both stranded at Uluru.

We both hit a washout camouflaged in shadows at speed yesterday about 200 km West of Uluru on Great Central Road.

My bike suffered a catastrophic failure (broken Paralever Torque Arm) and Chris’ bike has cracked the fuel tank. He has to wait one week for a replacement and my bike will be recovered to Adelaide for repairs. Roadside Assist will provide me with a hire car for 7 days to get my sorry arse back to Perth.

See you on the other side!

See captions below.

Bush camp on the old alignment of Great Central Road


Crossing the Border into the Northern Territory. Little did we know that within minutes our whole journey was in jeopardy.


The broken Paralever Torque Arm. The rear wheel is now 40mm closer to the engine then previously.


Chris’ bike with tank removed.


The split under the tank. Fuel was leaking straight onto his exhaust. Not ideal.

[Digger]

Desert Raid Update - End of Day 8

Things have progressed but it has been at a snails pace and difficult to get guys to commit to freighting the bike back without charging exorbitant rates. Some quotes received were $8,000-14,000 to ship the bike to Adelaide or Perth. I feared the bike was gunna be written off (bike market value is about $16k). Chris’ tank has not arrived yet so he is here for the weekend at least. My bike will be shipped to Alice, and then freighted back to Perth via Great Central Road in the next few weeks. Outback Trucker Steve Graham has been awarded the job. Watch this space.
I fly out Sunday and return to Perth that evening.
See you on the other side.
See captions below.


Three riders on big GS’ were heading West on Great Central Road headed for Margaret River on an extended trip. They only got 100 km down the road before one binned it.



Emergency services got there within an hour and a half…a long time if you’re in a lot of pain.


He was flown out later that evening to Alice. A fractured C4 and heavy concussion. Probably bound for Adelaide.



The busted bike at the local Workshop waiting for transportation back to Alice for assessment. My guess…a write off.


The tools needed to perform surgery on my broken Paralever Torque Arm.




The finished product. Surgery successful.


The bike is back on the road if required if Insurers didn’t come good.

[Kots]

Well Steve, that is not what is meant to happen.

I was wondering what you were doing sitting round in a camp for as long as it seemed. I know you are not the sitting in the caravan park sort of fella.I have been sitting in hospital with my Dad who has been critically ill with various things over the last 10 days or so. He is old school though and tough as nails. He has had too many complications to list here, but I have been watching the progress, or in more recent times, the lack of it, whilst he has been asleep.

I have been pleased to understand its a series of motor bike issues with you and Chris, but no personal harm from what I read. Hopefully the other fella who got a ride with the Flying Doctor is ok.

We can have nothing but praise for the deeds of the Flying Doctor. They drag our mates and complete strangers around this big land of our to provide and to get them the critical medical help required. I have been seeing a few come in from the bush to visit hospitals I have been frequenting over the last week whilst with Dad.

Desert Raid won't be the same without you and Chris, but I am so pleased you are both ok.

Kots

[Digger]

Hi Kots,

Hope you and your Dad are ok…

I fly out today (Sunday) and return to Perth via Sydney. Chris expects his tank will arrive on Tuesday. I understand about 30 Riders showed up at Jupiter Well and a couple are inbound to Uluṟu so Chris will probably return to Perth in a small group along GCR.

My bike will be shipped to Alice and then freighted back to Perth by Steve Graham (Outback Truckers fame) on a Road Train via GCR in a week or three.

See you on the other side!

[Swampy]

I wonder who might be the joint recipients of the "Street Cred" Trophy next year??

Swampy

[Digger]

G'Day Slackers,

Desert Raid is a Bi Annual Motorcycle Rally aimed at getting Adv Riders off the couch and explore some places they may not have been before. The locations are always remote, void of infrastructure and must include at least 250 km of unsealed road to get there. In 2023, the location chosen was Jupiter Well on Gary Junction Road in the Gibson Desert region of Western Australia.

About 30 Riders made the epic journey…but a lot more failed in their attempt, myself included.

I guess that’s why they call it Adventure Riding!

Grab ya gear; Lets go!



See you on the other side!