BMWMCCWA

Hello Slackers,

I’m heading across the Continent to attend a couple of different gatherings. I depart this Thursday, 4 Apr 2024.

The first is the BMW National Rally held in the Barossa Valley in South Australia from 10/11 April.

Link is here;

https://sites.google.com/view/bmwownersclubofsa

The next one is the Tiddlers Rally at Grabben Gullen on 19-21 April. The Link for that one is here;
https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/its- ... n.1683537/


From there I will make my way to Canberra, attend the Dawn Service and then join a large group-supported ride (about 160 Riders) from Canberra to Coffs Harbour from 28 April to 3 May.

Link for that Event is here;
https://www.mototrekkin.com.au/motorcyc ... ider-2024/

Once complete I will return to Perth via Innaminka, Strezleki Track, Oodnadatta Track and Great Central Road.

I’ll be on my BMW R1200GSA.

I’ll be mixing it up getting there (Hyden to Norseman Road, Old Eyre Highway Etc).

The Link for my InReach is here;

https://share.garmin.com/YZW3R

You might want to consider reducing the Date Range to the last 7 days.


See you on the other side.


 

Good on yah Digger. I plus an audience of thousands cannot wait for the ride reports. Stay upright and don’t get bogged.

The Desert Riding Season Has Arrived…
Update - end of Day 4.
So far, so good. We (David and I) have taken our time and are currently at Ceduna. We still have two days before we need to arrive at our destination for the end of this leg of the journey (BMW National Rally at the Barossa Valley). We have experienced a real mix of conditions raging from snotty twin track to long, flat stretches of boring black top. From here we will head for Streaky Bay to do some sight seeing before continuing heading East toward Port Augusta and beyond.
See caption below.



Bush camp - The Breakaways on the Hyden to Norseman Road.




I HATE SAND! I had a ‘whoopsie’ while on the Old Telegraph Track from Norseman to Balladonia.




A different angle.



The obligatory photo at the beginning of the 90 Mile Straight east of Balladonia.



The old Travellers Rest Stop at Koonalda Homestead on the Old Eyre Highway…abandoned since 1988.



Part of the old car graveyard of poor souls who never made the crossing successfully back in the day.



No caption required.


While we were doing the old crossing, three Truckers died on the Eyre Highway after two Road Trains collided. RIP.

The Desert Riding Season Has Arrived…
Update - end of Day 8.
After 6 days of riding we both arrived safely at the National Rally at Nurioopta in the Barossa Valley. The gathering has about 130 participants from around Oz including 7 from the West. Not a bad turnout.
We have a Dinner tonight at the local Tavern which will include Awards and presentations. Tomorrow, I depart and head for another gathering (Tiddlers Rally) just north of Canberra. David and I will split up from here (Nuriootpa) and he will make his way toward the Flinders Ranges before returning to Perth via Great Central Road (if it’s open by then).
See captions below.


Cape Bauer, near Streaky Bay. I don’t get to see the ocean often on my journeys so this was a welcome relief and change from the norm.



Kimba, the half way point if travelling across the Continent (in a straight line from Perth to Sydney). There ain’t much here but there is a very abstract sculpture of Edward John Eyre and his Aboriginal Aide, Wylie . These guys walked across the Continent from the Flinders to Albany (3,200km) mapping the Land as they went. Gutsy early pioneering forefathers!



Snowtown…everyone in Australia would (or should) be familiar with that name. This was the Bank Building where the ‘bodies in the barrels’ were found. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Do a Google search….chilling stuff!




Gruesome.



The BMW National Rally Registration check in desk…sign in, collect your complimentary bottle of Red, settle in and get an early night ready for tomorrow.
Gruesome…



As an ice breaker, we did a 110km group ride to help Riders orientate themselves. Menglers Hill Lookout looking north west.



Hallelujah and Amen to that!



The 110km loop which also took in some points of interest along the way.



Some of the gathering prior to the Welcoming.



Bailey, the SA Club President addresses the crowd. The BMW OCOSA were hosting the event this year.



Hard to sleep with a local Possum scratching around all night!



The 100km dirt ride loop on Day two.

InReach link is here;
https://share.garmin.com/YZW3R
Maybe reduce the date range to the last seven days…

The Desert Riding Season Has Arrived…
Update - end of Day 10
I’ve left the Barossa and are now heading East toward Canberra. I’m in no rush and am therefore having late starts, early finishes and taking some roads less travelled. I will stay in Canberra for a night or two (maybe) before heading toward Grabben Gullen for the Tiddler Rally.
Link for InReach is here;

https://share.garmin.com/YZW3R

Maybe consider limiting the Date Range to last 7 days.
See captions below.



The crowd at the dinner, awards presentation with guest speakers.



Big Bend on the Murray River just south of Swan Reach



Car Ferry crossing the Murray at Swan Reach




My go to staple for bush camping warming up by the side of the fire. Delicious!



I set the Compass to due East to take the most direct route. That included some roads and tracks that are less travelled. I guess that’s why they call it adventure riding.

The Desert Riding Season Has Arrived…
Update - end of Day 13

Been struck down with Covid.

Poor me!
Been holed up in Tumat near Canberra and had time on my hands so did some Editing using the IPad. Who said you can’t teach an Old Dog new tricks (a Mongrel Dog)

https://youtu.be/I40yegPVLB4?si=gOoVZ9-4g9H6HJWQ

The Desert Riding Season Has Arrived…
Update - end of Day 17

Well, that was a wake up call! I left the Barossa on a Friday and had planned a leisurely journey to the next Rally. On Sunday night I found myself at Tumut in the Snowy’s Valley and checked into a Caravan Park. That night, was the worst night I have had since June 1991 (ask me one day how I remember this ). I woke the next morning and did a Covid self test. The result; Positive. That would explain it.
I spent the next few days in isolation as best I could alongside the Tumut River and just bunkered down for some rest and recuperation . Looking back, I was in a room with 130 others at the BMW National Rally the Thursday before and that may have sealed my destiny. Having said that, I could have picked it up from any door handle or fuel bowser. I guess we’ll never know.
Once Negative, I started making my way to Grabben Gullen for the Tiddlers Rally using backroads and dirt roads where possible. The Rally has only about two dozen participants but the atmosphere is friendly enough and the venue is welcoming (Albion Hotel). From here I will head back toward Canberra to attend the Dawn Service on ANZAC Day.

See captions below.


Damn, a Positive result. My first time with Covid. Time to bunker down and ‘ride’ it out (if you’ll pardon the pun).


Me in isolation…camped up on the side of the Tumut River, Tumut.



Another positive test…bummer.




I took some back roads heading to Canberra. The signage was basic but I knew I was on the right track.




Some interesting roads and tracks as I cross the Great Dividing Range.




Crossing into the ACT at a less often used Border Crossing…no fanfare here.




The view from one of the back tracks (Marked Tree Road) after leaving Canberra and heading North toward the Tiddlers Rally. That is Lake George, a Wind Farm and the Federal Highway which feeds into Canberra from the North.




“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, he walks into mine”. Jamie, haven’t seen him in a hundred years. Great opportunity to catch up over lost time.




I was planning on taking Great Central Road to return to Perth thru central Australia…I might have to rejig that idea.




‘Tiddler’…a small fish. Anything less than 250cc. Thankfully they have an open mind and let big bikes participate as well.



The Publican, Ray, has a large collection of restored bikes which he keeps inside the Hotel…as you do!




Gypsy Camp at the rear of the Pub.

Day Zero Video - Mototrekkin Ridge Rider IV - Canberra to Coffs Harbour

https://youtu.be/aGLrTGxaVoQ?si=Fsge5Fei6cQa4k1i

Day One Video - Canberra to Wallerawang

https://youtu.be/LJorcy6DyQ8?si=7ARYjVmnTzTLMJ5J

See you on the other side

End of Day Two Video - Mototrekkin Ridge Rider IV - Wallerawang to Mudgee.

https://youtu.be/RcOiMfxRay0?si=c3RZWibqCnbHj8Xx

See you on the other side.

Nice work.......

GSDisciple wrote: ↑Wed 01 May, 2024 11:17 am Nice work.......

Thank you…not the same with all the bells and whistles but not bad considering all I’ve got is the iPad.

Watch this space.

Mototrekkin Ridge Rider IV. Mudgee to Tamworth. Day Three.

It rained most of the night…we knew that would affect the conditions. We left in the rain but it cleared up during the day. Too late to turn back now. Some of the more experienced Riders opted to take the more challenging Black Breakout route. Some were still out there after dark. Even the Sweep Vehicle struggled in the conditions.
Grab ya gear; Let’s go!

https://youtu.be/0pnjUk6dDrA?si=2oprYgC6ZTLWx-2O

Mototrekkin Ridge Rider IV. Tamworth to Port Macquarie. Day Four.

Tough day today. 400km of a real mix of conditions, track types and weather. Two Riders down with some serious injuries after both bikes collided and a lot more minor ‘Offs’ in what were slippery conditions due to persistent drizzle. I even had a couple of ‘oh shit’ moments myself. Last day tomorrow…hopefully we’ll all get there in one piece.
See you on the other side.

https://youtu.be/btUI853oH6k?si=E6TiVOzIdRbl1Xlt

Mototrekkin Ridge Rider IV. Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour. Day Five (Finalè day).

We broke another leg today. We also had a Rider overcook a corner and he managed to miss the bridge completely and landed in the creek. The bike was completely submerged under water but thankfully his injuries were only minor. The sweep vehicle managed to recover the bike successfully (although it will probably be a write off).
The day finished with the Farewell Dinner and lots of high fivin’ and back slappin’.
See you on the other side.

https://youtu.be/3WTDX4_C-qI?si=5oPHH1JDtmJlNVX6

Thanks Steve for giving us the opportunity to ride along with you.
JP