BMW GS Safari Enduro 24-30 Oct 2021. Longreach to Toowoomba via Birdsville

[Digger]

https://www.bmw-motorrad.com.au/en/expe ... uro21.html

See you on the other side!

Watch this space.

[KoosWA]

Steve, are you still coming over? Let me know what your dates are if you want to catch up for a ride in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

[Digger]

Steve, are you still coming over? Let me know what your dates are if you want to catch up for a ride in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Hi Koos,
I'll be flying in late on Tuesday 19th to collect my bike and slabbing it to Longreach, the start point. I dont think I'll have too much time to be tourist. Thanks for the invitation.

[Digger]

Hello Slackers,
SPOT Link.
https://maps.findmespot.com/Track?ishr= ... ory/assets

Registration is Sunday and Event starts off Monday.
Watch this space.

[Digger]

Update - End of Day Three.
We had 31 Riders start…two never made the start line. One crashed badly while inbound and I’m not sure what happened to the other.
Conditions have been tough. High temperatures (very high) and one Rider suffered heat stress today (Wednesday) and decided to have his bike loaded on the support trailer.
Wise choice.
See captions below.



Did I mention it’s hot here in Longreach (Registration day).



I had a new front tyre that needed fitting prior to the Event. I would’ve normally fitted the tyre myself but didn’t anticipate 45 degree days. The Safari staff agreed to remove/replace the tyre for me.



I had some spare time so had a look at the QANTAS founders museum. Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services originated in Outback Qld.

More to follow…

[Digger]

Day three update cont…


Took a guided tour of the various aircraft on display and got up close and personal with a 747.



The cockpit of the 747. This would have been one of the last things Mohamed el-Amir Awad el-Sayed Atta would have seen on Sep 11, 2001.



The interior of a privately owned 707 (No 1) which was often chartered by the Jackson 5 when touring the US.

More to follow…

[Digger]

Day three update cont…


Mother and Joey looking for respite at the Longreach Tourist Park.



The Stockman Hall of Fame. An impressive display of what our Pioneers achieved and the legacy they left behind.



Inside the SHOF. A world class display helped by an audio self guided tour to help join the dots.

More to follow…

[Digger]

Day three update cont…



Event registration. Only 33 Riders for this event due to COVID border restrictions. They would normally cap it to 90 Riders.



The welcome dinner celebrations. In this case, Pre dinner aperitifs in the Outback.



Formal briefing while enjoying dinner in an old shearing shed.

More to follow…

[Digger]

Day three update cont…


31 Starters (plus a few staff). Two didn’t make the start. One Rider crashed inbound to the event and was badly injured. Not sure about the other.



Start your engines!


SPOT Link is here…
https://maps.findmespot.com/Track?ishr= ... ory/assets

See you on the other side!

[Digger]

End of Day 5 update…

GS Safari Update - End of Day 5. Charleville to Roma.
Rain overnight and this morning. That can’t be a good thing.
They delayed the start in the hope the rain might pass. It did; and it didn’t. Damp tracks kept the dust down but made some conditions a little tricky. After Mitchell, the Route was abandoned and we slabbed it to Roma. The Lead Riders were getting stuck in the ‘black soil’ that is notorious around this area.
See captions below.



End of Day One post mortem and Day Two briefing.



Early morning tyre pressure check.



Deon’s Lookout (who the f*** is Deon?) near Betoota.

To be cont…..

[Digger]

Day 5 update cont….


388 km between Roadhouses so a fuel dump was organised to top up the tanks.



Betoota Hotel. Was closed for many years (23) but reopened a couple of years ago…just in time for COVID restriction to hit the hardest. Bad timing.



The iconic Birdsville Hotel. It’s pretty quiet this far West at the moment. Most sensible people are heading for the Coast.


To be cont…

[Digger]

Day 5 update cont…


Riders were given the opportunity to test their skills and climb ‘Big Red’. The highest sand dune on the Simpson Desert crossing.



Smile Mother F*****s.



Me…returning to Birdsville at sunset after visiting ‘Big Red’.

To be cont…

[Digger]

Day 5 update cont…


Breakfast at the Birdsville Hotel at start of Day Three



Not much respite out here.



I suffered a rear tyre puncture in 40 degree heat. No fun!



Plugged and ready to roll with a 30 minute turnaround.

To be cont…

[Digger]

Day 5 update cont…



The camping facilities are limited at best in Windorah.



I managed to find some shade behind the horse float.



New tyre fitted to help finish the Event and get me back to WA via Great Central Road.

To be cont…

[Digger]

Day 5 update cont…


It’s like travelling with a band of Gypsies.



No roadhouses out here. Refuelling at Trinidad Station



Sounds like a great holiday destination

To be cont…