Desert Raid 2015 - Rawlinna - Tuesday 5 May 2015

[_Wilks]

Easy enough plan there Steve... assuming you're not pedalling this ride.

Mine will probably be...

Depart Sun. Camp just north of Lake Johnson (Victoria Rocks Rd)
Mon - Widgie, Kambalda, Transcon track just east of Curtin (via Mt Monger).
Get to Rawlinna Mon night.

Wed - Connie Sue, Plumridge Lakes, Lake Rason. Camp.
Thurs - Laverton. Camp Menzies-Diemels Rd
Fri - home.

As always, the route will no doubt change at some point.

[Paddy7]

Steve you will have to help me out here.

What type of terrain do you expect on your inward leg? Which motorcycle are you taking I suppose is the question?

Cheers

Patrick

[Digger]

What type of terrain do you expect on your inward leg? Which motorcycle are you taking I suppose is the question?

Terrain??? You know the conditions on the Hyden to Norseman Road. The Telegraph Track from Norseman to Balladonia is manageable on a big bike depending on your level of experience (if that is what you want to know). Myself, Jamie, Robbo and Chris R. did this stretch on big bikes on the way to the Border Run in 2012.
From Balladonia to Rawlinna...not sure. I / We rode big bikes from Cocklebiddy to Rawlinna (140km) on some narrow limestoney, featureless tracks which did have some sharp bits of rock in it but we took it easy and had no issues. I would expect the road from Balladonia to Rawlinna would be similar although it would have more vegetation along it for part of the way. I expect the track to be slightly better than the other one we took but not having been on it before i cant say for certain on the condition.

I'll be on the DR650 only because i'm heading North after Rawlinna and will encounter sand and dunes along the way.

http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=168862&cmd=sp

This link talks about it being;

"For cyclists and those towing caravans, boats or heavy loads the Balladonia Rawlinna Road is a flat road with the steepest gradient/incline along its length being only about 3%".

Maybe i'll leave the caravan at home for this one though.

[Paddy7]

Thanks Steve, this helps a lot.
Can't wait.
Just hope I don't have to get back to work
Cheers

Patrick

[2volts]

Easy enough plan there Steve... assuming you're not pedalling this ride.

Mine will probably be...

Depart Sun. Camp just north of Lake Johnson (Victoria Rocks Rd)
Mon - Widgie, Kambalda, Transcon track just east of Curtin (via Mt Monger).
Get to Rawlinna Mon night.

Wed - Connie Sue, Plumridge Lakes, Lake Rason. Camp.
Thurs - Laverton. Camp Menzies-Diemels Rd
Fri - home.

As always, the route will no doubt change at some point.

Wilks- How are you getting from Kambalda to Curtin via Mt Monger?
The Carnilya Hill Road through to Mt Monger has a locked gate.
Pete

[Robbo]

Soooo;
I'm thinkin...

Depart Sat 2 May and head for the Breakaways for night one.
Get to Norseman and head south to the Telegraph Track and depending on the going, maybe reach Balladonia for night two.
From Balladonia, start heading north on the Balladonia to Zanthus Road but pick up the Rawlinna Road along the way. If the going gets tough, pull up along that road (although it cant be worse than the Cocklebiddy to Rawlinna road??).
If the going is easy than it could mean two nights in Rawlinna (4th and 5th). Depart Rawlinna on the morning of the 6th.

Return journey will be via Neale Junction on the Connie Sue and onto Warburton. From there its a bit fuzzy. I'm in no rush.

Get back to work!!!

Hey Steve,
I like your thinking, count me in. 5 weeks and counting.
I'm looking forward to the challenge, and I think there will be plenty of them. Lol.

Robbo.

[bully1]

just under 4 weeks, time to get your bike ready.....

sidecar is now off the road, major service to be done...oils, filters, electrical connections to be checked, wheel bearings, tyres, fuel system to be checked then load it up and use it for a commuter for awhile to run it.

Suppose I should unload it from the Northcliffe sidecar run first.

[KoosWA]

I will be doing a three dayer heading in the direction of Rawllina if anyone is interested in joining. Saturday to Monday.

Leave Saturday and head for Lake Johnson / McDermid Rock campsite.
Sunday to Widgymooltha for fuel. This will be either via Norseman or the woodlines South of Cave hill [recommendations welcome]. Camp at Cave hill.
Monday back to Perth via Holland Track North to South. This will be a long day, so may pass Cave Hill and start the Holland track on Sunday arvo.

Distances / fuel to be confirmed. My guess is max fuel required will be in the 500+ km range from Widgy via Cave Hill and Holland track back to Hyden.

For experienced off road types, especially the last two days.

Cheers

[bully1]

is it time yet ??

[KoosWA]

I will be doing a three dayer heading in the direction of Rawllina if anyone is interested in joining. Saturday to Monday.

Leave Saturday and head for Lake Johnson / McDermid Rock campsite.
Sunday to Widgymooltha for fuel. This will be either via Norseman or the woodlines South of Cave hill [recommendations welcome]. Camp at Cave hill.
Monday back to Perth via Holland Track North to South. This will be a long day, so may pass Cave Hill and start the Holland track on Sunday arvo.

Distances / fuel to be confirmed. My guess is max fuel required will be in the 500+ km range from Widgy via Cave Hill and Holland track back to Hyden.

For experienced off road types, especially the last two days.

Cheers

This is now a four dayer....stuff work. coming back on Tuesday. Loitering in the Cave Hill / Holland Track area a day longer.

[wightman]

Hallo Koos, think I'll join you on this "woosie" run because I also need to be back on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I will probably ride the R75/5 with hard panniers. I need advice on a GPS. I used to use an old steam driven Garmin 3+. I'm looking at getting a handlebar mount job so I can see where I'm going all the time. Does anyone have an old/beginner model they can offload on me or should I just rush out to the shops and buy biggest and best?

John

[theape]

JB lowfi have specials on at the moment John.
Alex

[KoosWA]

Hallo Koos, think I'll join you on this "woosie" run because I also need to be back on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I will probably ride the R75/5 with hard panniers. I need advice on a GPS. I used to use an old steam driven Garmin 3+. I'm looking at getting a handlebar mount job so I can see where I'm going all the time. Does anyone have an old/beginner model they can offload on me or should I just rush out to the shops and buy biggest and best?

John

Just follow me, then you'll know where you're going all the time. I just get the GPS out when I'm lost to know how far I am lost

[Digger]

http://www.anfwdc.asn.au/kidson_track.php

G'Day Slackers,
I'm heading north after Rawlinna and going to Warburton and then continuing onto the Gunbarrel Highway....there will be a small group of us (you know who you are). I am in no hurray to return to Perth and was looking at my options. I'm thinking of heading up the Gary Highway and then taking the Kidson Track to Gt Northern Highway.
I'm looking for expressions of interest, information on track conditions or warnings not to use this track if it too hostile.
There is a permit system in place ($50)....see link.
Your thoughts????

[Digger]

https://vimeo.com/6792558

Video of track conditions...Kidson Track.