Red Rag to a Gascoyne Bull (With Photos of the Gascoyne Run)

[Bozo]

Had a brilliant ride to the Gascoyne Races and back. Arrived in Perth this morning.

Probably had the least wet riding of those traveling from Perth to the Gascoyne with only 30 minutes of light drizzle on the way up on Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Got to the Races just as Cookie's group arrived and managed a run out to the Kennedy Ranges. I think I bumped into most of those who went at either the races or at the Gascoyne Tavern.

Spotted were Cookie, Jono, Fast Rhino, Tom, Brian 5, Phil D, Colin + Janice, Ross C, Ian W, Gerard, Bill, Shane, Dren, Snaga, Dinga, Guy and Nev....with me that makes 19 that went. Sleepy Paul almost made it but it was still a massive effort by club members to get out and see the real Australia.

Had an interesting stand off with a massive bull early Sunday morning. Throughout the trip there had been lots of cattle on the roads....from Carnarvon to Gascoyne Junction there were over a hundred, typically in groups of five to ten either on or just off the road. You would slow down, they would give you a curious look and trot off. I had left Gascoyne Junction at sunrise and was heading south east towards Murchison when I came across a huge bull just standing on the gravel road. I pulled up to a stop a few metres away and waited for him to move. He turned towards me and lowered his head....it was at this point I realised that I was on a red bike with a red jacket and that my GS was no matador cape easily able to be flicked to one side. I accelerated past him, hoping that I would not have to lodge my third insurance claim in a month, passing within a metre of him, thinking that it might have been smarter to have waited for Dinga and Guy and been in a more intimidating group.

Photos will follow.

Bozo

[Bozo]

Visiting relations in Carnarvon

[Bozo]

They tell me that the Eagles had a good weekend......this is a Wedgie on the Carnarvon Gascoyne Road that was not going to move far from its breakfast and let me get to within 5 metres.

[Bozo]

Cookie's Group arriving at the Gascoyne Races

[Bozo]

The Camping Spot at the Gascoyne Races

[Swampy]

Glad you had a good trip and got thru the Bull.... unscathed Bozo.

Nice pics.

Nearly as close as my run in with the three kamikazi Emus near Dwellingup a while back.............No Bull

Swampy

[Bozo]

Nev crossing the Gascoyne River on the way to the Kennedy Ranges


Nev with a drier crossing of the Lyons River


Temple Gorge in the Kennedy Ranges


Remnants of cobbled road built in the 1930's

[Bozo]

The BMW Motorcycle Club visit to the Gascoyne Races in 2014 made an impact.

The "Bookies Pencil" probably now known as the "Bookies Mouse" had a motorcycle emblazoned shirt. He looked vaguely familiar.


The area where the Gascoyne Races are held is known as the Macadam Plain due to the even distribution of small rocks across it....I wonder if McFarkle knew that?

[Bozo]

There are many ways to get to Gascoyne Junction.

Colin and Janice cut across on the Wooramel - Gascoyne Junction Road on a 1200 RT

Wooramel Road


You can cut across from the North West Highway to Murchison Settlement via Butchers Track. It is a little sandy at the western end


The Mullewa Carnarvon Road is 500 km long with 120 km sealed in two sections. It was in excellent condition when I went through but the prevalence of dips, floodways, loose ridges, rocks on the road and animals requires vigilance....but a fascinating road with changing conditions, scenery and very little traffic. I saw two cars in 300 kilometres.
The Wooramel River is quite deeply incised so the river crossing has steep approaches.


Coming from Carnarvon it is all sealed and a good fast road. Straying animals and wildlife are the biggest hazard. I saw over 100 cattle either on the road or within a few metres of the edge of the road.

[Bozo]

Wildflowers were absolutely magnificent. There were hundreds of kilometres of brilliant colour.

Nerren Nerren


Near the Overlander Roadhouse


Featherheads ( Ptilotus macrocephalus ) on the Carnarvon - Gascoyne Junction Road


Near Murchison Settlement

[Bozo]

Swampy

I stayed in the Unit you stayed in last year...they told me they have only just cleared out the last of the motorbike frogs.

Did not see any Emus this time other than those lashed to the back of Snaga's GS that once consumed seemed to stimulate the appearance of Bull.

How was your wildflower tour?

Bozo

[Swampy]

Terrific photo's of the scenery and wildflowers Bozo. Well Done

My wildflower trip was exceptional,Took my Cub Camper for it's first run since doing the Great Central Road a while back now.
Bumped into the lads when we stopped for smoko at Bindoon. Camera in the car so no shots I'm afraid.

Copped the odd shower traveling up too Perenjori for our first nights stop but mostly sunny and enjoyable.

Stayed at Mullewa the second night and took in a short trip to Pindar (East of town) to see the Wreath Flowers. You are right the countryside is magnificient this time of the year.

Copped a soaking when a heavy passing shower caught us walking the local 3km wildflower trail in Mullewa.

Very small world as waterlogged we sloshed back into town and saw three heavily laden motorcycles at the Ampol Service Station. JP, Anthony and Bowe had just refueled after coming off the dirt and were heading for home into more rain. Looked a pretty tired mob of lads. Passed a couple of pics onto Ross for the mag if he wants to use them?

Heavy showers and rain all Friday night put a real dampener on things and decided to head back home on Saturday via Mingenew, Coalseam Park (Absolutely beautiful place) and onto Coorow where we stopped for a break and a local ranger knocking off early pointed out a local scenic wildflower drive within 2 minutes of town which we decided to take in. (Stunning and well worth it)

Of course we had beautiful fine sunny weather all the way home from Morawa. Not a bloody cloud in sight but were still greatful to arrive home to a warm house after a fairly long day of sightseeingand especially after Fridays Cold wet arvo,evening and night in Mullewa.

NB: Note to self, Must get a decent camera!!

Swampy

[Bozo]

Swampy

I passed through Coalseam on Sunday.....great weather. The river crossings at Coalseam were sketchier than I remember or was it that I had been riding for over 9 hours.

.

I have yet to see a Wreath Flower.....you will have to let me know the most likely spot.

Bozo

[Bozo]

Cookie negotiating free entry to briefly catch up with the other BMW Club Members at the Gascoyne Races

[Bozo]

Jono's 2014 Video on the Gascoyne Ride has now hit 650 views.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W2YckD ... e=youtu.be