Border Run
Posted: Wed 11 Jun, 2008 9:46 pm
Just a preliminary note that the annual Border Run is on 2nd August, 2008.
For those who are not familiar, the Border Run has been going for some 31 years now, as a social event including the BMW Club of SA and the BMW MCC of WA. The weekend essentially gets everyone together at the Border Village at the WA/SA border for dinner and just a few drinks.
From Perth, it is approximately 1500kms each way, so many people leave on the Friday and meet near Balledonia. Some leave Thursday and camp along the way but meet at Balledonia on the Friday night. Saturday is spent getting to Balledonia, and after the social gathering Saturday night most people either turn around and head home, or go to other events such as the Off-Centre rally.
Sometimes a group of us leave Thursday afternoon and camp along the way, then meet at Balledonia on the Friday night. This makes the first part of the trip a little less tiring. Last year for example a group of about 10 riders camped at Karallee Dam, about 100kms West of Coolgardie, a very nice spot to camp. Others camp at the Breakaways between Norseman and Hyden, only if you are keen on dirt for 300kms and only if it ain't rainin'.
Often on such long rides a group of 4 or 5 riders is the easiest to manage. See if you can join smaller groups for the ride, then join the main group across the 90 mile straight and along the scarp.
A tuning day is a week or two before the Border Run, so that is a time to make sure that your bike is well serviced for the trip. It is not only for your own benefit and your bike, but for the benefit of those who ride with you.
If you haven't done the Border Run before, talk to members who have, and join in a ride group if possible. It is normally a great weekend, about 3000kms if you just go there and back.
Personally, I might take the Hyden Road both ways this year since I got a GS now, and am doing destructive testing of the Bunnings luggage rack system. My plan is to camp Thursday night at the Breakaways about 100kms East of Wave Rock, then join others at Balledonia.
So, keep in mind : Thursday 31st July, Friday 1st August, Saturday 2nd August, and Sunday 3rd August if you plan the 2-day ride back to Perth.
Geoff Edwards
For those who are not familiar, the Border Run has been going for some 31 years now, as a social event including the BMW Club of SA and the BMW MCC of WA. The weekend essentially gets everyone together at the Border Village at the WA/SA border for dinner and just a few drinks.
From Perth, it is approximately 1500kms each way, so many people leave on the Friday and meet near Balledonia. Some leave Thursday and camp along the way but meet at Balledonia on the Friday night. Saturday is spent getting to Balledonia, and after the social gathering Saturday night most people either turn around and head home, or go to other events such as the Off-Centre rally.
Sometimes a group of us leave Thursday afternoon and camp along the way, then meet at Balledonia on the Friday night. This makes the first part of the trip a little less tiring. Last year for example a group of about 10 riders camped at Karallee Dam, about 100kms West of Coolgardie, a very nice spot to camp. Others camp at the Breakaways between Norseman and Hyden, only if you are keen on dirt for 300kms and only if it ain't rainin'.
Often on such long rides a group of 4 or 5 riders is the easiest to manage. See if you can join smaller groups for the ride, then join the main group across the 90 mile straight and along the scarp.
A tuning day is a week or two before the Border Run, so that is a time to make sure that your bike is well serviced for the trip. It is not only for your own benefit and your bike, but for the benefit of those who ride with you.
If you haven't done the Border Run before, talk to members who have, and join in a ride group if possible. It is normally a great weekend, about 3000kms if you just go there and back.
Personally, I might take the Hyden Road both ways this year since I got a GS now, and am doing destructive testing of the Bunnings luggage rack system. My plan is to camp Thursday night at the Breakaways about 100kms East of Wave Rock, then join others at Balledonia.
So, keep in mind : Thursday 31st July, Friday 1st August, Saturday 2nd August, and Sunday 3rd August if you plan the 2-day ride back to Perth.
Geoff Edwards