I’ve had an interesting few days…
Monday 22nd – Myself and Wilks left late to miss the rain and tried to make Bimbijy by nightfall. There is no access to Bimbijy from the west anymore and I did not have the fuel range to approach from the south and exit via the south so Bimbijy will have to wait another day. We camped near the vermin proof fence on the Maroubra Road south of Paynes Find. So far, so good.
Tuesday 23rd – Camped at Errabiddy Bluff west of Murchison. Could not refuel completely at Murchison because their ULP below ground tank ruptured some time ago and is yet to be replaced. Refueling was done by drummed fuel at the Shire Depot. You had to pre pay for fuel so it was a wild guess as to how much you needed. Had to cover 400km the following day to Mt Augustus. So far, so good.
Wednesday 24th – Had to ride into a strong headwind and that, combined with not leaving Murchison with a full tank, meant that I was going to run dangerously low on fuel and probably would not make Mt Augustus. Tried to access fuel from Burringurrah Community (fuel avail according to map) but no joy there. Went to Cop Shop over the road and he contacted Maint Contractor who was prepared to sell me 5 litres of fuel which was enough to get me to destination. So far, so good.
Thursday 25th – Shane headed back to Perth while I climbed Mt Augustus (12 km return / 5 hours). So far, so good.
Friday 26th – I left Mt Augustus for Kennedy Ranges and Gascoyne Junction. Got as far as Cattle Pool before the clutch started to slip. Limped back to Mt Augustus and considered my options. Contacted Roadside Assist and handed the problem over to them. Repair / Recovery would be the following day at noon.
Saturday 27th – Bike could not be repaired in situ so bike and I recovered back to Cue (400km). Arrive at Cue at 6.30pm.
Sunday 28th – Contact Roadside Assist and decided to recover bike back to Perth by same contractor leaving the following day. Spend the day in Cue. Have you been to Cue?
36 hours in Cue is like 7 days in Birdsville (been there, done that!!!!).
Monday 29th – Leave Cue at noon to arrive back in Perth that evening (650km / 8 hours).
The bike was recovered by the local Cue mechanic, his old Troopy, box trailer and two dogs. The only thing missing was the dueling banjos (again). It has been an interesting journey.
Get out there!!!!
I plan to return to Perth on the Sunday. The following day, Monday (22 Sep), I plan to go bush for a few days and probably return to Perth on Sunday (28 Sep) before the Monday Public Holiday. My proposed route will go something like this;
