Long Dirt Tracks

Melbourne to Uluru & Back! Long Dirt Tracks first Adventure Ride.

Departure in 3 Days
December 23, 2008

Finally after all the talk, planning and spending of our hard earned money. The Uluru Ride from Melbourne is about to get underway.

Packing my stuff.

3 days and we’re off to central Australia. Reviewing gear is on hold while we fit it and pack.

Gidde Up
December 23, 2008

After months of bike and accessory research and prep, our first trip in finally here. Just a quick dash to the red rock in Central Australia (did I mention 43 °C) and back in time for a massage before work starts in the new year.

Only knobbies left to be fitted to bike, then an oil change, etc and general service to tighten everything up. BOOM!

Ok so what to pack. Just the basic essentials…. We shouldn’t need much, as its only 2 weeks.

- limited clothing;

- sleeping, camping and hygiene kit;

- food, water;

- more water;

- fuel, oil;

- tools;

- camera, music

LETS GO!

Stay tuned for a full kit review and photo/video late January.

Day 1 – First Ride Out
December 26, 2008

Uluru and back via long dirt tracks. Started our first adventure ride today.

Mostly back roads and as much dirt as possible. Not a bad way to test the bikes and gear, should be about 6000km round trip.

Short day just some 300km as we left after lunch. Nice twisty roads up the back of cobaw.

Here’s the bikes and brad on the phone in the background.

Day 2 – Refuel Mildura
December 27, 2008

It’s hot about 34 and will only get hotter.

Quick refuel in Mildura then off to find a campsite on the Murray River.

Day 2 – Campsite Mildura
December 27, 2008

After beers and dinner it was time to kick back and relax. Then get some sleep, big day tomorrow offroad.

Day 3 – Departure Murray River
December 28, 2008

Plenty of dirt tracks today as we head north east to Yunta via Loch Lily and Oakbank.

Bikes are packed waiting for riders… im waiting for Brad, you’ve never seen a guy take so long to get ready… Enough biarrchn, time to ride.

Day 3 – Refuel
December 28, 2008

Refuel for us and the bikes. 34 deg C and blue skies… perfect!

Day 4 – Broken Hill to Lake Frome
December 29, 2008

After breakfast at Silverton, we raced a freight train to Olary.

(Freight Train – 0 vs BMW F800GS – 2.)

Lunch at Olary where no one understands Brad because apparantly he talks to fast for the local publican.

On to Yunta then a right turn, back on dirt to Lake Frome, where we rode into the bush for first ADV camp site.

Very clear night under the stars. Didnt see a soul that arvo on the dirt track.

Day 4 – Mad Max
December 29, 2008

Woke up early to detour out to Silverton on some nice long dirt tracks to see the pub from the film Mad Max and even one of the original mad max intercepters used in the film!

Had breakfast on the amazingly flat planes just past the lookout.

Back to Broken Hill.

Day 5 – Lake Frome to Copley
December 30, 2008

There was beautiful scenery as we rode through the Gammon Ranges National Park, before stopping for breakfast.

More long dirt tracks upon exiting the ranges.

Just before Copley I (Brad), foolishly parked too closed to Matt’s bike. Anyhow upon riding away our panniers clipped each other, before my bike ate some more dirt. Ahhh I’m such an idiot!

Day 5 – Copley to Curdimurka

December 31, 2008

Cruised from Copley to Maree.

Hadn’t seen a car or people for almost 2 days, but here’s a local.

Arrived in Maree for a refuel.

Enjoying some shade (Maree)

In Maree we met a group of girls and guys in two 4×4s.

Decided we would camp with them at the old Curdimurka Railway Station.

While they collected firewood at Maree we cruised the 110kms stopping for photos. We passed each other a few times.

Past Lake Eyre close to sunset. Took an access road that was rough down by the lake, where one of us got a little bogged.

Arrived at Curdimurka on sunset for some beautiful landscape photography as you can see below.

Brads stunning sunset shot above.

Day 6 – Curdimurka to Williams Creek
December 31, 2008

It was a crisp morning. Its always good to get moving before the heat sets in.

Brad’s ready before Matt…a rare moment. Its always good to get moving before the heat sets in.

We said goodbye to our new friends that we spent the night with.

Off again along the second half of the Oodnadatta Track for more dirt and heat. Fun riding though at speed over the undulating roads.

Pulled in at Coward Springs as we had seen few hot spring signs.

A nice little hot spring that was a surprising relief, very cool and refreshing as the day was already 38 plus.

Skinny dip of course as it’s so remote, why dig out bathers. Oops, busted by the people we spent the night before with as they pulled in to check out the same spring. Reluctantly we put some jocks on

Another goodbye and we were off to William Creek for a beer and burger for lunch.

William Creek and iconic stop thats for sure. Just a pub and petrol station, but this pub has a real soul.

Here is the pub at William Creek. Had real character so we decided to stay the night here for New Years.

Decided to stay and have a flight over the ‘Painted Desert’ with local and pilot Trevor Wright in a little bucket of a plane, but great value for the hr at the end of the day. Here’s some photos.

The stunning Painted Desert Landscape.

Back from our flight and in time for a pub meal.

Day 7 – Oodnadatta to Mt Dare
January 1, 2009

Back on the bikes and heading towards the Pink Road House for Lunch.

This one didn’t go the distance.

Pink Road House in Oodnadatta looked closed as we slowly rolled through town. It’s a small Aboriginal town, but was almost a ghost town today.

A wave to one guy as we pasted the pub, then looped back through town to check out the pink road house.

Another aboriginal guy was walking down the street now. He didn’t wave, just signaled… wheelie! Brad just waved, but I thought why not. Managed to do a great one with my full load, brad saw me in his mirrors with a roar over the intercomm of ‘booootsieeee’

Later he said it was that high he thought I may loop out…flip it that is.

Pink Road House was closed but the sign said, call on UHF channel 7 ‘traveller calling pink road house’

Sure enough an older woman came out to open shop. Leslie had been here 30 years, a warm slow speach that was friendly, her face textured and weathered from living in the harsh climent.

Petrol and sandwich supplies bought, Leslie shut shop and pointed to a fence saying “You can use my pool for a swim”…..BOOM!

After lunch we had a quick dip before gearing up and heading towards Mt Dare, though we didn’t think we’d make it before dark.

Coulple of Kms out of Oodnadatta we turned right towards Mt Dare. Road was still cut up from the rains, and we knew the run would be slower.

Some great river crossings here and the rises over about 3 cattle grids had the font wheel up in 5th gear. We were having a blast.

It had been a long day and we were around Hamilton I guess at about 8pm.
Pushing it a bit I think, sections of deep sand and the strangest rounded shiney rocks were tough work.

I (matt) hit deep sand and my front washed out, I tried to power out and corrected but the bikes weight was too much and the gas I gave the f800gs plowed me into the sand embankment. The Touratech Zega panniers have been great, no damage.

Then Brad was down just ten minutes later, need minor repairs….. “ohhh its so damn hot!”

Another delay, but it will be dark soon, so we decided to camp off the road on an open plane, that was sandy.

More water, just another obstacle.

Tents up and sun setting as Brad cooked dinner.

Day 8 – Hamilton to Erldunda
January 2, 2009

Brad here! After camping over night, I woke up very sore and worn out. I guess this trip is taking it’s toll. I pulled myself out of my tent (….no innuendo intended) and whilst being half asleep started to bend back my pannier racking mounts from yesterdays riding.

Noticed a group of kangaroo legs and some skulls close to the campsite, very odd…. also allot of camel tracks.

I’m having mixed thoughts about my luggage system. More details to follow in ‘Motorctycle Kit’ reviews post trip.

We are about 2 days behind schedule so Matt and I decided to skip Finke and Mt Dare.

We packed up camp and rode back to the Oodnadatta track before following it to Marla. We can now boast that we have ridin the entire Oodnsdatta track.

A sit down lunch and refuel at Marla before a 360km bitumen race up to Erldunda.

Boom! We crossed the border into the Northern Territory.

Over 600kms today…. half dirt, half the black carpet.

All the hot weather has given Matt’s bike a distorted radiator hose which is a concern it may blow. Mine is ok though. With that said, trying to break the sound barrier, with 70 kg’s of less than desired aerodynamic luggage in 39 deg C heat probably doesn’t help.

Matt – Well with all these open roads, I just had to wind her up a little.

Anyhow we got to Erldunda just in time for a counter meal at the pub. Stayed in the best caravan park so far with great facilities, however more crickets, bugs and grasshoppers than I’ve seen in my life…. And that’s just in the shower!

Brad – Fell in love with this gorgeous kitten with a broken leg. Was very clingy and acted like someones pet…. I hope! Was tough to leave.

Day 9 – Erldunda to Kings Canyon
January 3, 2009

Woke up this morning to a local nosing around our tents.

Today started with motorcycle safety inspection, then a quick dash to the 100 km dirt route to Kings Canyon.

Easy dirt roads to start the day.

In this heat it always pays to stop in the shade.

Any shade as it can be rare.

Panniers are lookin good with a coat of red central dust.

This photo just doesn’t do the landscape justice… man the soil was rich and red.

Brad – this dirt section was 60% soft red dust and sand, making for a very challenging ride, particularly when it got deep. Getting used to the additional weight the F800GS has over my Yamaha dirtbike (06 WR250) was where most of my fear developed.

Those of you who ride dirt bikes will know that to avoid washing out the bike’s front end, you must ride above 60km/h depending on the courseness, depth of the sand and the weight of the bikes front end. Speed and acceleration are your friend, and keeping your weight back helps to lighten the front end and allows the bike to literally ski over the terrain.

It takes a lot of getting used to persuade yourself to trust this theory as it goes against everything that comes natural. The faster you go, the more stable the ride. Needless to say both the front and rear tyre were literally being tossed a foot either side whilst skimming over deep corrugations and ruts left by previous vehicles. It was like a never ending bought with Mike Tyson whilst playing Russian roulette.

Although I’m too scared to check my pants, I stand proud because it was sand that haunted me the whole trip (and this sand was the worst I’ve ever seen) and I nailed it.

Think this is the first time we actually wanted to see the blackened road.

A blast down the black tape to arrive at Kings Canyon.

Day 9 – Kings Canyon to Uluru
January 3, 2009

With little time to make Ayers Rock by sunset and the 39 deg C heat, Brad was relieved we opted to pass the 1.5 hr walk in and out of the Kings Canyon.

We did stop at Kings Creek Station to jump in a chopper for a flight over the canyon with a rookie pilot called, Max Power! Best way to see the canyon from a tiny helicopter. Brads first ever heli flight also.

A quick 28 min loop as we haggled on price and the flight time.

Back on the bikes and heading around to the rock. Nothing is just around the corner, Uluru is over 300km away.

Blitzing along over a 100km/h we rounded a corner to see this crazy guy on a mountain bike. Tatsushi from Shizuoka, Japan.

Fellow Adventure Rider – Tatsushi

Tatsushi was riding from Alice Springs – Kings Canyon – Uluru and all in 38+ degrees celsius heat. The canyon and rock are over 300km apart, just as a guide.

A real determined and strong individual to be doing it. We exchanged details and took photos. What a legend.

Tatsushi seemed low on water and it was still 35 degrees at 5pm, so I filled up his big water bottle with my water as we had plenty, not to mention engines to move us. Tatsushi is a fellow Adventure Rider most definitely.

Saying goodbye to Tatsushi, we departed. I pulled a wheelie in honour of Tatsushis big ride.

Blasting on we made Curtin Springs for a refuel and got a hot tip on the rock sunset viewing point down the road 50 clicks on top of a dune. 7pm and the sun would set in about 40 minutes.

This local strolled past the pumps while we were filling

Out of Curtin Springs at about 120 and on the anchors… cows on the road all over the shop.

Needless to say we just missed the sunset, but we could make out the rock. Brad was stoked to finally see the our goal on the horizon.

It was long dark when we arrived at Uluru, so we decided to treat ourselves to a room with a toilet and shower at the Outback Pioneer Hotel.

Day 10 – Uluru
January 5, 2009

We made it all the way from Melbourne Victoria to Uluru in the Northern Territory.

About 3400 km travelled and as many long dirt tracks that we could take along the way.

Photos at the Rock – Uluru

Wheelie at the rock… had to be done.

Brad stop riding and taking photos…two hands for beginners.

Ok thats enough of the Rock.

Day 11 – Uluru to Coober Pedy
January 5, 2009

We scooted back to the rock and then ‘the Oglas’ for  sunrise ….

Matt – the Olgas are amazing, my favourite landscape from the trip.

So long Olgas and Ayers, until next time….

Well, we have day jobs and need to head home, but that doesn’t mean it’s all over.

Met a couple of fellow Adv Riders today.

Ray Shaw had a great 1984 BMW R80 Dakar and a classic helmet.

Photo of Ray and his ride.

Ray Shaw rode in shorts and shirt, one crazy Adventure Rider. Bloody legend.

Clocked up about 6000km but this spud’s still smiling.

Day 12 – Coober Pedy to Adelaide
January 6, 2009

Back on the road heading to Adelaide.

On our rocket run home we stopped at a small salt lake before we got to Adelaide. All that riding and I almost broke my ankle with a little wobble in some sand on the two track on the way out to the salt lake.

Parked the bikes and walked out onto the super white salt lake.

It was 40 degrees plus out on the lake. We still managed to goof while taking some photos.

Do something… doesn’t standing count its friggin hot.

Ok how about my in store this summer catalog pose!

Running man maybe…. yep heats getting to us now.

Got it first shot

Arrived in Adelaide and the manager of the hotel let us park our bikes in the lockup staff garage.

Time for the bikes to catch some Z’s

Day 13 – Adelaide to Melbourne (Home)
January 7, 2009

Some friends met us on arrival home with some cold beers waiting for us.

Well thats it for this trip, except we might sink a few more beers.

Keep an eye out for tip and product reviews on our site.

Stay tuned for our next adventure.