BMWMCCWA

Thinking that the Round The World hot air balloon would come to earth somewhere near Cunderdin, I took off to see it land.

Cloud obscured the balloon until I got to Northam where it was obvious where it was with lots of groups of people pointing skywards.

Over the next three hours I followed the balloon through Meckering, Bencubbin and then on to gravel roads to Wialki/Bonnie Rock.

Photo 1: the Balloon starting to descend at Bonnie Rock



The Balloon came down quite quickly and dragged a long way through scrub. It only stopped when the trailing ropes were tied to a ute...then it started dragging the ute


Fedor emerged with and hugged his son then became overwhelmed



The landing was quite heavy and Fedor had large swelling on the side of his face


The inside of the balloon was massive


An inspiring, amazing journey undertaken by a 65 year old priest who put all of his faith in St Nicholas.

Bozo

Ute being dragged across the paddock


Fedor emerging from the Balloon

Excellent work Bozo

Bozo was telling us at the Quindanning hotel on the Sunday ride lunch break that he rode about a thousand kms the day before, chasing the balloon thru rain and extreme cold. He said he didn't get to bed until 2.30am this morning because he was suffering hypothermia with extreme shivering and trying to get warm again.
He managed to souvenir some pieces of the ballon that were cut out to help deflate it.
Well done Chris your legendary ride exploits are quite amazing and then you still have enough enthusiasm left to take us mere mortals along as ride leader for another 500 km Sunday ride.
Motorcycling definitely is addictive

Bilby, I totally agree with all of what you have written about Bozo's now Legendry status in the club.

Today was not the first time he has lobbed at Cat's on a Sunday morning fresh as a daisy after just completing some incredible distances to some obscure places around the state prepared to lead a group of us mere mortals on another epic ride.

Today was no exception and I firmly believe he richly deserves some type of award for the amount of effort he has contributed to the progression of the club with more members now taking part in Sunday rides then ever before and some great friendships between members being developed over the last few years.
At times it can be an onerous task leading a ride, working out a fresh destination week after week in order to maintain rider interest and of course the responsibility one feels for the safety and security of the group.

This Bozo does week in and week out without complaint with a ready smile and a joke usually at my expense but it's always done in good humour with a descriptive ride report written up on the forum, sometimes before some of us reach our homes.

Well done Chris, I am only one of the many that truly appreciate the efforts you put in to making this such a terrific club to belong to, The cammaraderie you provide and promote and the joy of life on two wheels. Thank You

Swampy

Ride master Bozo checking the route for possible camp cook-off site at Dryandra Forrest

Chris
Great photos of the mad monk
Bugger

Excellent bike & balloon pics, a great effort chasing it, & of course as mentioned your amazing weekly contributions toward the club there Boze.

Bill

I only travelled 850 km and it was fine weather while I was Balloon Chasing.

The rain started just after Merredin and it was my own stupidity not to have warm gear on. The temperature dropped to 5.5 degrees around Clackline making for a chilly ride in wet trousers home.

I really enjoy getting out on the bike and challenging myself.

Instead of sitting on the couch watching TV I was on TV (Russian TV and Channel 7) and being part of a similar aged man challenging himself in a far greater way.

There are people in the BMW club that have been exceptionally generous with their time, knowledge and gear and I have recently been the beneficiary of help to keep me on the road.

Some more images:

Balloon at 6000 metres travelling at 100 kph (hard to keep up with) just after Fedor broke the record


Getting back on track after heading to Wialki rather than Bonnie Rock


The first attempt at landing


Bozo

More pictures

Fedor being welcomed to the Shire of Mukinbudin by the Shire President


Ute holding balloon


Inside the gondola was very basic


A view from the top of the balloon looking back to the gondola


Bozo

Video of the balloon landing.
I think I spotted Bozo

https://vimeo.com/176007136

Bill

Hard to spot me in this video.

My motorcycle arrives at 4:00 minutes into the video and the distant shot shows me walking to the balloon. My legs appear when the balloon is being collapsed.

Brilliant video...thanks for posting.

Bozo

My Video is at https://youtu.be/BkthPmmgFOA

Bozo

Thanks Bozo
Of interest mate. As u know I married into the Wombat Flat Balloon Fanciers Club.
Madame "Spandau" and her Brothers (only 3 of em) were at the Launch.

SB

I was thinking of Clemo and Gren as I passed the Northam Airstrip.

Bozo