For many years club riders have congregated near the start of the 90 Mile Straight, approximately 30km east of Balladonia on the Friday evening. This leaves an easy run to the Border on Saturday - arriving mid-afternoon. The move to this location occurred some years ago from a location a bit closer to Balladonia.
This location can be achieved an hour or two before sunset for those travelling from Midland to Coolgardie and south to Norseman and then eastward. Provided you depart Midland 5am ish and don’t stop too many times…
I will be in the vicinity of Balladonia late Friday morning on the DR650. If there are any takers I will find a spot with some wood for a fire and have it going by late afternoon. It can be a great evening sitting around the fire, shooting-the-breeze and drinking a couple of cold ones - purchased at Balladonia when you get fuel...
Oh yes, if you leave Border Village pre-dawn Sunday and just ride steady - but ride you must, you can be back in Perth by 9pm ish.
The route I take both outbound and inbound is via Hyden and the 300km of dirt to Norseman. Provided the road hasn’t been inundated with rain it is a relatively easy and very pleasant ride. Note that the road is closed if sufficient rain has fallen.
On this occasion I plan to head off Wednesday and spend that night at the Breakaways along the Hyden-Norseman Road. Will then go on a bit of a boondoggle to be in Balladonia late morning Friday.
From Border Village I will be heading across to Mt Dare for the Off-Centre the following Saturday - western end of the Simpson Desert and near the NT border.
After that will probably head to Alice for a new rear tyre and the back home through the Centre.
Please post your intentions regarding going to the Border and camping at the start of the 90 Mile Straight Friday.
Thanks,
Raider
Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
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old betsy
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
And provided you dont stop for a " Chicko Roll "Raider wrote:
Oh yes, if you leave Border Village pre-dawn Sunday and just ride steady - but ride you must, you can be back in Perth by 9pm ish.
The route I take both outbound and inbound is via Hyden and the 300km of dirt to Norseman. Provided the road hasn’t been inundated with rain it is a relatively easy and very pleasant ride. Note that the road is closed if sufficient rain has fallen.
Raider
Most problems can be solved with a suitable application of throttle!
Bitumen is a tool, to get you to the dirt.
NJ 2011
CSR 2012
DQB 2013
Bitumen is a tool, to get you to the dirt.
NJ 2011
CSR 2012
DQB 2013
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
old betsy,
That damn Chicko Roll in Hyden. Burnt-to a crisp and like an old boot, covered in salt, sold to me minutes before closing. Cost me BIG time.
And I will never be allowed to forget it!
Thanks very much,
Raider
That damn Chicko Roll in Hyden. Burnt-to a crisp and like an old boot, covered in salt, sold to me minutes before closing. Cost me BIG time.
And I will never be allowed to forget it!
Thanks very much,
Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Status of the Hyden - Norseman Road as at 14:15 Friday 27 July. Shire contact information set out below.
Currently the Hyden-Norseman Road is OPEN within the Kondinin Shire Boundary
Road Status
Kondinin to Hyden Road OPEN
Hyden to Forrestania Cross Road OPEN
Forrestania Cross Road to Lake Johnston OPEN
Lake Johnson to Norseman PLEASE CONTACT DUNDAS SHIRE
Section of Carstairs Road from the State Barrier Fence to the Marvel Loch-Forrestania Road
Carstairs Road OPEN
Section of Marvel Loch Road within the Shire of Kondinin (Approximately 22kms from the Marvel Loch-Forrestania Road/Hyden-Forrestania Road Intersection)
Marvel Loch Road OPEN
We advise that drivers should always drive to the conditions of the road, when it is open.
Should you require further information you can contact:
Kondinin Shire Council - (08) 9889 1006 (during office hours)
Manager of Works, Kondinin Shire - 0427 981 812
Dundas Shire Council - (08) 9039 1205 or 0427 391 359
Yilgarn Shire Council - (08) 9487 8777 or 0409 791 135 or 9049 1134
Currently the Hyden-Norseman Road is OPEN within the Kondinin Shire Boundary
Road Status
Kondinin to Hyden Road OPEN
Hyden to Forrestania Cross Road OPEN
Forrestania Cross Road to Lake Johnston OPEN
Lake Johnson to Norseman PLEASE CONTACT DUNDAS SHIRE
Section of Carstairs Road from the State Barrier Fence to the Marvel Loch-Forrestania Road
Carstairs Road OPEN
Section of Marvel Loch Road within the Shire of Kondinin (Approximately 22kms from the Marvel Loch-Forrestania Road/Hyden-Forrestania Road Intersection)
Marvel Loch Road OPEN
We advise that drivers should always drive to the conditions of the road, when it is open.
Should you require further information you can contact:
Kondinin Shire Council - (08) 9889 1006 (during office hours)
Manager of Works, Kondinin Shire - 0427 981 812
Dundas Shire Council - (08) 9039 1205 or 0427 391 359
Yilgarn Shire Council - (08) 9487 8777 or 0409 791 135 or 9049 1134
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Are there no club riders headed to the Border for a beer this Saturday evening? Raider
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Cookie
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Hello Raider
The only other person whom has committed that I know, of is Rhonda, may be a quiet one this year.
The only other person whom has committed that I know, of is Rhonda, may be a quiet one this year.
Regards
Cookie
R1200RT
R75/6
Cookie
R1200RT
R75/6
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Thanks Coolie. Too bad. It is a terrific ride. Seems to be more and more Far Riders heading to the Border each year. We shall see... Raider
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Coolie? Coldy?
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Greetings,
The Hyden - Norseman Road now getting rain from the front that passed through the metro area earlier today. Will need to check road status in the morning. The rain band is very widespread.
Heading off this morning, as planned, would have been unreasonable punishment as the ride would have kept me inside the frontal area of rain all day!
Discussed the dirt section with Rhonda early this morning. She is now taking her Spyder on the bitumen to Coolgardie and Norseman.
I will now head off to Hyden and Norseman etc in the morning.
No other Club riders headed to the Border?
Raider
The Hyden - Norseman Road now getting rain from the front that passed through the metro area earlier today. Will need to check road status in the morning. The rain band is very widespread.
Heading off this morning, as planned, would have been unreasonable punishment as the ride would have kept me inside the frontal area of rain all day!
Discussed the dirt section with Rhonda early this morning. She is now taking her Spyder on the bitumen to Coolgardie and Norseman.
I will now head off to Hyden and Norseman etc in the morning.
No other Club riders headed to the Border?
Raider
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GSDisciple
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Wise decision mate ... it would have been a miserable ride.
No border run for me - travel safe!
JP
No border run for me - travel safe!
JP
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
My run to the border bit the dust 80km east of Balladonia. The valve stem separated from the brand new super heavy duty Michelin tube. Can't fix that with patches! The tyre was running normal road pressures and has rim locks. Just what caused the valve stem to separate is a mystery.
And this... For the very first time travelling distance on a bike with tube tyres I didn't take a spare. Every kilometre I have travelled on the DR it has been with a new front and rear tube in the kit. Except this trip. Have never needed one so I won't bother this time? Save weight and room in the kit. Big mistake!
How I salvaged the situation amounts to good luck to balance the bad for what happened and for not taking a spare tube.
The salvage operation involved my iPhone (intermittent one bar of service), a chance encounter with a fellow Desert Raid / Off-centre rider at the BP Norseman who was talking to a chap on a blue trike, a South African (Honda Africa Twin), a German (DR650) and an Aussie (BMW R1200 GS). It also involved a chap on an old burgundy Gold Wing also encountered at the BP Norseman.
And two front tubes (other than mine) - one a dud.
For my luck to improve the poor chap on the Honda (with whom I tic-tacked to Balladonia) had to have a catastrophic engine failure just east of Balladonia. The Gold Wing put a rod through the crank case. The three riders encountered the chap on the now deceased GoldWing and towed him back to Balladonia. The Honda Africa Twin had to do the towing because you just couldn't have the Honda being towed by a BMW, or worse, the DR!
This chance event put the three riders with said two tubes behind my buggered-tube position - 10 km along the Eyre Highway and 2 km south. A good camp they had too...
The one intermittent bar of reception put me in touch with the Desert Raid rider and he miraculously made contact with three riders and worked out that our respective positions were close. I then made contact and rode the 12 km to their camp on a dead flat front tyre.
No need to mention the story about the tubes. Suffice to say that one tube worked-out very well indeed. Fitted in the dark.
Oh yes, the story also involved a German sausage cooked to perfection, on a piece of toast lavished in butter and spread with a serious helping of mustard. Bloody delicious!
Copious thanks to all who got me mobile again!
There was another player in this story. Riding behind me was the chap on his blue Volkswagon trike. He stopped to assist. He came up with the idea of converting my front rim into a tubeless variety. We cut a small hole in a patch and screwed the valve stem into position with the patch as a seal. Using just the rim tape to seal the spoke holes let the plan down. Was definitely worth a try...
There is one more incredible part to this story. Old Betsy!
I called Old Betsy within minutes of pulling over for the flat and told him of my woes. He immediately said he would gather up a couple of tubes and head off to effect the rescue. Note that Old Betsy was probably still at work before headed home to Toodyay. By the time I had ridden to the camp on the flat front Old Betsy had whipped together the rescue requirements and was headed for my position in his Landcruiser!
They don't come better than Old Betsy. Thanks old mate! I owe you - again.
Instead of continuing on to the Border I contemplated the situation and decided that if the front super heavy duty tube failed then its partner inside the back tyre may imminently suffer the same fate. Rather than push-on I decided to head to Kalgoorlie, get sorted there and then head across the centre to the Off-Centre Rally.
In the end I sat on that DR650 seat for 13 hours straight through some terrible weather and returned home. It has been a long time since I have experienced blue finger tips. No heated grips.
If I can get the bike sorted again tomorrow, new tyres and tubes, I will likely head off again for the Off-Centre Rally. This time through the centre.
I will keep you posted.
Regards,
Raider
And this... For the very first time travelling distance on a bike with tube tyres I didn't take a spare. Every kilometre I have travelled on the DR it has been with a new front and rear tube in the kit. Except this trip. Have never needed one so I won't bother this time? Save weight and room in the kit. Big mistake!
How I salvaged the situation amounts to good luck to balance the bad for what happened and for not taking a spare tube.
The salvage operation involved my iPhone (intermittent one bar of service), a chance encounter with a fellow Desert Raid / Off-centre rider at the BP Norseman who was talking to a chap on a blue trike, a South African (Honda Africa Twin), a German (DR650) and an Aussie (BMW R1200 GS). It also involved a chap on an old burgundy Gold Wing also encountered at the BP Norseman.
And two front tubes (other than mine) - one a dud.
For my luck to improve the poor chap on the Honda (with whom I tic-tacked to Balladonia) had to have a catastrophic engine failure just east of Balladonia. The Gold Wing put a rod through the crank case. The three riders encountered the chap on the now deceased GoldWing and towed him back to Balladonia. The Honda Africa Twin had to do the towing because you just couldn't have the Honda being towed by a BMW, or worse, the DR!
This chance event put the three riders with said two tubes behind my buggered-tube position - 10 km along the Eyre Highway and 2 km south. A good camp they had too...
The one intermittent bar of reception put me in touch with the Desert Raid rider and he miraculously made contact with three riders and worked out that our respective positions were close. I then made contact and rode the 12 km to their camp on a dead flat front tyre.
No need to mention the story about the tubes. Suffice to say that one tube worked-out very well indeed. Fitted in the dark.
Oh yes, the story also involved a German sausage cooked to perfection, on a piece of toast lavished in butter and spread with a serious helping of mustard. Bloody delicious!
Copious thanks to all who got me mobile again!
There was another player in this story. Riding behind me was the chap on his blue Volkswagon trike. He stopped to assist. He came up with the idea of converting my front rim into a tubeless variety. We cut a small hole in a patch and screwed the valve stem into position with the patch as a seal. Using just the rim tape to seal the spoke holes let the plan down. Was definitely worth a try...
There is one more incredible part to this story. Old Betsy!
I called Old Betsy within minutes of pulling over for the flat and told him of my woes. He immediately said he would gather up a couple of tubes and head off to effect the rescue. Note that Old Betsy was probably still at work before headed home to Toodyay. By the time I had ridden to the camp on the flat front Old Betsy had whipped together the rescue requirements and was headed for my position in his Landcruiser!
They don't come better than Old Betsy. Thanks old mate! I owe you - again.
Instead of continuing on to the Border I contemplated the situation and decided that if the front super heavy duty tube failed then its partner inside the back tyre may imminently suffer the same fate. Rather than push-on I decided to head to Kalgoorlie, get sorted there and then head across the centre to the Off-Centre Rally.
In the end I sat on that DR650 seat for 13 hours straight through some terrible weather and returned home. It has been a long time since I have experienced blue finger tips. No heated grips.
If I can get the bike sorted again tomorrow, new tyres and tubes, I will likely head off again for the Off-Centre Rally. This time through the centre.
I will keep you posted.
Regards,
Raider
Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Gee that's a tough gig Robin.
Haven't seen to many valves tear out of new tubes.
Glad you could work out something with the assistance of other club members.
Loader her up for round two and the OCR
Haven't seen to many valves tear out of new tubes.
Glad you could work out something with the assistance of other club members.
Loader her up for round two and the OCR
Desert Raid 09, 11,15, 19 Tasmania 2010, CSR 2012, 2015
Argentina/Bolivia/Chile 2014
Vietnam 2014
Argentina/Bolivia/Chile 2014
Vietnam 2014
Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
We are leaving from York tomorrow (Tuesday) and doing GCR and APY Lands...welcome to join us.
You don't have to have a long neck...to be a goose
My YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/budgetmovies (Mongrel Dog Productions)
My YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/budgetmovies (Mongrel Dog Productions)
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Raider
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Re: Border Run - Saturday 4th August 2018
Digger,
I am waiting on another set of D606 tyres and tubes to arrive. It seems the 17 inch rear is not readily available! Was hoping to head off by mid-day today but as with all good plans... May end up heading off in the morning and through York. There is a chance we will connect in York. I will be headed through to Yalara and on with the permit available. See you out there...
Thanks for the kind offer.
Raider
I am waiting on another set of D606 tyres and tubes to arrive. It seems the 17 inch rear is not readily available! Was hoping to head off by mid-day today but as with all good plans... May end up heading off in the morning and through York. There is a chance we will connect in York. I will be headed through to Yalara and on with the permit available. See you out there...
Thanks for the kind offer.
Raider