BMWMCCWA

Greetings,

Off in the morning on the Suzuki DR650. She is ready for take-2. Was tempted to take the BMW R1200 GSA Rallye X. As I will be on my own for much of the journey and camping well off tracks, better I have the DR to pick up out of the dirt than the R1200 GSA! May catch up with Digger et al in York.

My plan is to head to Kalgoorlie, up to Menzies and then through Kookynie to Laverton and onto the Great Central Road. From there to Tjukayrilia Roadhouse, Warburton, Warakurna (Giles) and on to Yalara, Curtin Springs and across to Kulgera on the Stuart Highway. Then to Mount Dare.

Going to by-pass the usual run up through Diemals due to the recent heavy rains.

Returning via Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Another adventure ride about to kick-off.

Regards,
Raider

Greetings,

Anthony must have become an expert doing “broadies” on his bicycle when he was a youngster. That said I was behind him yesterday as five of us headed out from York. Couldn’t believe my eyes as he held on around a left-hand sweeper with smoke coming off the back wheel. Locked-up with broken shock jammed in place. Excellent effort. Lucky to stay upright.

First words from the man of the moment? “Did you get it on video”.

Unfortunately not.

I am in Laverton about to head off on the Great Central Road.

Steve et al are behind somewhere.

We parted company in Southern Cross. I made it just past Menzies before making camp

Cheers,
Raider

A quick update...

The OCR at Mt Dare had a great turnout. Caught up with riders I only encounter at this event. The venue was close to perfect.

I have been in Alice for a few days sorting a replacement phone etc.

Heading off this morning via the West MacDonnells, Eyres Rock and on to the Great Central Road.

Let the adventure continue.

Raider

Greetings from home,

An adventure ride for sure. Caught up with some old friends along the way. Back and in one piece which is always good.

The DR650 did a great job but for some reason another new tube let go two km out of Curtin Springs. Took a video clip of the drama on my iPhone X and managed to leave the phone on my tank bag - not to be seen again. What a drama it was to sort that out! And cost me a second iPhone X.

Towards the end of the trip the DR started leaking fuel from the carburettor whilst stopped - stuck float valve? Problem escalated by the time I got home with the bike cutting out on idle.

Covered 6,222 kilometres door to door.

I will put together a series of videos of the trip and post to YouTube. Here is a trailer to hopefully whet your appetite for more?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUgXjEJDXhg

Took the R1200 GSA Rallye X for a short ride. Very civilised... But, glad I had the DR for that 1% of the trip for which it is better than the big BMW.

Regards,

Raider

Welcome Home, you are a Lucky man to avoid the scrub fire but as you said earlier.....Let the Adventure continue!!

Swampy

Swampy,

We live in one bloody fantastic country for adventure riding. Arguably the best. Living in Perth and its surrounds provides us with easy access too.

Enjoy.

Raider

Awesome vision mate

Can't wait for the follow-ups...

Keep up the good work

Spacey1,

For your viewing pleasure I have just put together the ride from Mount Dare to Finke - 103km in 33 (video) minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4MCEoPPSmM&t=121s

Enjoy the ride!

Raider

Enjoy the Ride? I certainly did.....Thanks Raider!!

Swampy

Raider

Very entertaining trailer and full length video. Very happy that it is you very capably dealing with the bull dust. Not what I would call a good run.

Suggested backing music for the fire video … Neil Diamond's Hot August Night.

Bozo

Swampy,

Having the camera on my helmet allows me to get footage that puts the viewer right into the action. Not that long ago all that had to be conveyed with words on a piece of paper.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you,

Raider

Bozo,

Thank you for the complements. Appreciated.

Neil Diamond's "Hot August Night"? Maybe if the fire caught up with me. Instead it was bloody cold! Winter in the desert.

I made camp between Warburton and Tjukyrilia Roadhouse. Always an eventful area to camp. Ask His Griceness!

It was a really good camp spot. Well off the road. Concealed in scrub. I actually made camp well before last light. Very pleasant. Had some food. Pitched the tent. Made some tea.

Watched the sunset...

Then the disbelief at what was happening. I had to scramble to break camp and get the bike loaded.

Once on the bike I actually had thoughts to push on to Tjukyrilia. Would have got there around mid-night. Luckily, for once, I actually decided on the sensible option and found another good camp site maybe 50km down the track.

Ended up having a good sleep after all.

Regards,

Raider

Hi Raider.

Just enjoyed the silence of part 2.... not really, I missed your tour guide commentary. Looking forward to getting back to the talkies in part 3.

Questions:
1. What helmet camera brand & model are you using?
2. What's the gadget attached to the LHS mirror arm?

Good morning Wilks,

The camera is a SONY FDR-X3000R, 4K action camera with Wi-Fi, GPS and Live-View Remote.

The gadget on the mirror is the Live-View remote - the "R" in X3000R...

A remote after-market mike plugs into the back of the camera. Have to be careful as I put the helmet on so as not to dislodge the plug. No way to tell until you play the file and find that exactly that happened after fueling up at the BP in Laverton!

It was a bugger to loose the commentary. As you might have expected there was plenty. Bugger!

Day 3 is Tjukayirla Roadhouse to Curtin Springs. A big day riding... Will he or won't he have sound to go with the vision?

What about that frog? Maybe we need a ride that takes in the frog and Swanson Hill en-route to Wiluna and back? Been wanting to do that ride for a while.

Soon? Take in the wild flowers - carpets of paper daisy's for sure. Were already appearing as I headed home.

Cheers,

Raider

Vandals Hill sounds like a plan. I'm not back in Perth till October. It might be best to wait till summer is over.

Wildflowers being done with the bride next month (caravanning).