A Ride for Many Appetites...

[Digger]

Arrived at Port Augusta ok after a 2 day ride...about 1,300km. Swapped out the rear Tyre as the organisers expected all participants to start with new rubber. They could swap the tyres out for us but that comes at a cost. Besides, I prefer to swap out tyres myself cause I need the practice in the field.



The local bike shop (Northern Motorcycles) provided the venue and workshop for registration, bike inspections and Tyre swap. Although a small operation, everything went seamlessly.


Welcome dinner and initial briefing for participants. A mixed bag of ages, experience and bike types. Some were a little anxious (first timers). It ain’t a race or rally....just ride within your limits and you’ll be fine. My guess is that not all will finish.


Could be off the grid for a couple of days...

Heading for the Flinders on day one.

SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Raider]

Digger,

Enjoy the ride. And the photography.

Cheers,

Raider

[Digger]

First day out of Port Augusta...route cards and electronic maps issued but at worst case, follow the arrows.



The organisers were able to access private property within a few km from PA so we were in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges early after leaving.

[Digger]

Wifi at Arkaroola is to dodgy...will update further later on.

SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[_Wilks]

20 riders sounds much better / more enjoyable than the BMW annual stampede.

How come I can't view your FB posts? Does it mean, god forbid, that we have to be Friends?

Ogio waiting for you when you get back.

[Digger]

20 riders sounds much better / more enjoyable than the BMW annual stampede.

How come I can't view your FB posts? Does it mean, god forbid, that we have to be Friends?

Ogio waiting for you when you get back.

Not sure why FB won’t work...I might have to copy/paste and do other stuff manually from my Ned Kelly personal page. Can’t update BMWMCCWA Forum cause wifi at Arkaroola is dodgy...here until Thursday morning then on to William Creek.

Different Rally but same shit...first day a bloke hit (and killed) a cow. Wrote his bike off and busted ribs, collarbone and some serious lacerations.

Glad you’ve decided to sell your flight vest...now all we have to do is agree on a price.

[_Wilks]

No worries. See you sometime after early Oct.

[Digger]

Day one cont...


Regardless of the rally, or the location in Oz, you will always find guys who struggle on the big bikes. There are all brands and models on this ride...even a Ducati Multistrada.



I love being an Aussie....which other country do you know slaughters and eats the animals on their Coat of Arms (camels excluded). I had the Roo Schnitzel. We stayed at the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna west of the Flinders Ranges.

[Digger]

The original (and current) railway line still pass by Parachilna...



A bunch of blokes doing blokey things...and one woman, also doing blokey things. Rest stop on day two in transit to Arkaroola.

[Digger]

Day two travelling on Brachina Gorge Road...



Blinman lunch stop...highest town in SA.

We stay at Arkaroola for a second night (tonight, Wednesday) and complete a 3-4 hour loop today. From here we head for William Creek followed by Mt Dare the following day.

Back to work Slackers!

[KoosWA]

Thank you for the lunch interlude...

[Digger]

Did the loop ride today...took longer then expected cause some of the track conditions were a bit trickier then expected (for some). I had been on part of the circuit before (BMW Enduro 2016) but in reverse and the tracks take on a different slant in reverse. None the less, a shitty day on a motorbike has gotta be better then a good day at the office.
Old copper smelter tucked away in the bush.



Only 12 riders took the opportunity to do the loop....the rest remained behind and touched up their make up and rested. We pulled over often to regroup.

[Digger]

Parched landscape in the Northern Flinders Ranges...



One of the trickier hill climbs...although you wouldn’t think it to look at it. The bike owner made an attempt to climb out of the valley but failed so ol’ mate offered to ride it out for him. I am on a 650 so it was not as difficult but still tricky none the less.

[Digger]

Called in to Grindells Hut...this is not it. This place is used by tour groups and hikers for short term accn. Grindells Hut is just behind this building. Grindell was a Landowner who murdered his son in law and was sentenced to death commuted to life with hard labour.



This is Grindells Hut...he was released aged 75 and died two years later...he would’ve been better off in jail.

From here (Arkaroola) we head to William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track.

So much to do...

SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[Bozo]

Digger

Just a tad drier than last time I was at Arkaroola. Brachina was brilliant. Stayed at Parachillna for two days...good memories. Enjoying your blog.

Bozo