I'll be off the grid for a while...

[_Wilks]

Howdy hyper . While you've got all that 'think time' in the saddle, have a think about a location for Desert Raid 2017... perhaps that 'junction' you mentioned previously. Maybe we can check it out in the months following Rawlinna.

[Digger]

Howdy hyper . While you've got all that 'think time' in the saddle, have a think about a location for Desert Raid 2017... perhaps that 'junction' you mentioned previously. Maybe we can check it out in the months following Rawlinna.

Let me check my diary.... Yeah; I'm available. I was heading north after Rawlinna (with Bowe???). There may be some scope to do a recon then. Otherwise, I'm still planning on doin the TAR during the year. Somehow we'll squeeze it in.

[profoundly_disturbed]

Otherwise, I'm still planning on doin the TAR during the year. Somehow we'll squeeze it in.

If you got a hustle on you could leave Rawlinna on the TAR and get to Bourke for the Enduro start on 10th May 2015. Three birds with one stone! How good is that?

Maybe even head back through the Flinders and make it an epic.

[Digger]

Otherwise, I'm still planning on doin the TAR during the year. Somehow we'll squeeze it in.

If you got a hustle on you could leave Rawlinna on the TAR and get to Bourke for the Enduro start on 10th May 2015. Three birds with one stone! How good is that?

Maybe even head back through the Flinders and make it an epic.

Gotta leave something to see and do next year, and the year after, and the year... You get the idea. The Enduro will have to take a back seat this year but I should be there for the safari. I still don't know if my FD is sorted. I still need to do some big miles on that before I'm confident in riding it over East. Besides, I'm not sure the 1200 is the ideal bike to do the TAR???

[bill9117]

Re: I'll be off the grid for a while...

Unread postby Digger » Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:00 am
Its a bit of a late start this morning Steve if you are still reading the club forum at 9am

[Digger]

Re: I'll be off the grid for a while...

Unread postby Digger » Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:00 am
Its a bit of a late start this morning Steve if you are still reading the club forum at 9am

Actually, it was only 8am here and today I was doing some local sight seeing. Climbed Sam Mt and then checked out the 'Floating Forest'. Have a look at the SPOT and you'll see I had to do some backtracking. Sam Mt was entertaining. I have a 27 speed mountain bike and I was in first gear for most of it. Remind me why I do this again...oh yeah; that's right...cause it's fun. Will be on the move again tomorrow and will end up at Long Xuyen.
Get back to work Slackers...

[jls]

Come on Steve you know work,s over rated
Enjoying the regular updates

[Digger]

Currently been on my weight reduction program for 6 weeks today...it seems to be working.

Currently at Can Tho in the Mekong Delta....will be a tourist here for 48 hours or so before heading up to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) (formerly Saigon).

From there i may head for Vung Tau which was the Point of Entry for all the Aussie troops who served during the Vietnam conflict. The last of the Aussies were pulled out of VN in 1972...I never joined until Dec 1975 and therefore never served here. There are a number of 'Battlefield Tours' currently conducted by Ex Pats who now live in Vung Tau. I have a natural curiosity and will probably check a couple out. One would be the Battle of Long Tahn (Tan)...we lost 14 that day.
Cycled about 1,800km to date. Still enjoying the spontanaity of making it up as i go along.
Get back to work!!!

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[profoundly_disturbed]

Currently been on my weight reduction program for 6 weeks today...it seems to be working.

Still enjoying the spontanaity of making it up as i go along.
Get back to work!!!

My weight reduction program is also working, I'm getting into shape - round is a shape isn't it?

Spontaneity is a meticulously prepared art” ― Oscar Wilde

Keep them cranks spinning, you're over half-way now, the rest must be all downhill.

Public Holiday here this weekend.

[Digger]

Currently been on my weight reduction program for 6 weeks today...it seems to be working.

Public Holiday here this weekend.

If its a public holiday, why arent you 'out there' ???
I am currently 135 km south west of HCMC and in true Adventure Rider fashion, have been avoiding all the major arterial roads where possible. With a population of 90 Million people, any arterial road is busy and congested and instead of relaxing and enjoying the scenery, it becomes a case of focussing on survival.
Would have clicked over the 2k mark today with both body and bike still in good shape (the heads a little messed up though...but that is another story between my 'shrink' and I).
The traffic and congestion will become maddening as i get closer to HCMC and i am sure that within 24 hours of arriving there, i will be chaffing at the bit to get out.
As far as work is concerned, i tried it for 40 years and found that i just wasn't suited to it.
Get back to work!!!
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Digger]

Had a really interesting journey yesterday (Friday)....was heading for HCMC to catch the fast ferry from there to Vung Tau. Decided to go straight to the nearest 'Port' from where i was in the off chance i might be able to short cut the system. There was a slow boat travelling across the 'Peninsular' so i caught that instead (refer SPOT). I will be a tourist again here for a day or two before i decide my next move. I am rethinking the idea of returning this week....i might head up the coast for a day or two, or three. Distance cycled so far - 2,200km.
Get back to work!!!
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Cookie]

Hello Steve

sounds like you are having a great adventure, look forward to your return and the stories that will follow:)

[Digger]

Well i think I'm on a downhill run. I am a days ride East of Saigon and will arrive there by train tomorrow (Thursday) evening. I find it less stressful to do the last day into a new city by bus or train. Saves the misery and heartache of navigating congested streets that your not familiar with. I'll probably spend a few days being a tourist again before returning to Oz late next week.

I wanted to continue heading northward along the coast for another day or two but the headwind beat me down...it was so strong it would make a windsock stand horizontal...too much for me so i changed direction.

This trip has gone pretty smoothly...so smoothly i am already looking at the map for this time next year.

Distance cycled to date is 2,400km.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Digger]

Well the planned train trip into the city turned pear shaped. Bought my ticket the day before, got to the station well ahead of time and was then told that 'no train, go away'. Was gunna cut my losses and ride the last 80 km into the city but by chance a bus was leaving so within minutes I had boarded and under way.
I leave for Australia Tuesday morning and land in Perth just before midnight.
All up, 2,530 km cycled, one puncture (not bad for tyres that have traveled about 4,000km with still some life left in em) but other that no real problems encountered.
Better get some rest...gotta get ready for Desert Raid.
Get back to work.

[Robbo]

Sounds like you've had a great trip Steve, can't wait to see the videos.
Welcome home mate.
Robbo.