The rise and shine was a little delayed on my exit from Byron Bay Of Beautiful Babes. I had a rare night of getting right into it with the locals and visitors like me. Its strange, or maybe I am showing my age…? I thought before I set off on this journey of adventure and discovery that I would be partying a lot harder at every other town, this hasn't been the case at all… Even with Hydro as my crazy riding padre, the nights were mostly early (A standout exception would be Port Lincoln but Hydro has made me swear to secrecy on that one!). I can only put it down to getting up with the sun, then the wear and tear of riding a dirt bike all day long except for a few fuel/food stops until just before the sun goes down! The challenge to have a counter meal and a couple of beers at the local pub and remain awake seems all to much. Before you scoff and laugh at my weak explanation, remember this isn't a weekend/overnighter with the lads. Most of the miles are large, some very remote and with me, very alone (My voices in my head do keep me company most times) and not to mention the riding is well over a month at a time. Thinking deep here, but maybe the constant state of euphoria experienced while riding all day is enough and that the inferior substitute feeling that drugs and alcohol may bring, pales in significance? Anyway, I didn't hold back in Byron... Finding one of those fine establishments with the windows that fold right back, that let you drink, eat and people watch unimpeded was found on the main drag and I settled in. Fielding questions from inquisitive crew that had made the connection of the big hairy bloke with dusty riding gear on and the big black dirt bike with the rolled up residence on its tailend that we were looking over out the front was cool. The audiences were amazed at the life less ordinary undertaken. I will admit the ooo's and ahhh's encouraged the raconteur within. Also the ego was stoked when other folk walking past out on the footpath would stop to take photos of the strange looking bike with a numberplate from a faraway land. Others would stop and check out the bike in detail, some identifying things like the GPS or spotlights, pointing them out to their mates or partner. There came a point where I had to get going to my accommodation down the road before total inebriation took place. Plus the place was starting to fill quickly with super ultra trendy sorts. Most probably to listen to the cool dreadlocked and bone wearing three piece band that had been "One, Two, One, One, Two-ing" in the far corner for the last hour. One of these super ultra trendy sorts confronted me as I was stepping down from the doorway out onto the footpath. He was having a smoke out front with a couple of his mates and seeing a lone, out of place target thought he would show off his muscular and verbal prowess… With a slight flex of his gym chest, shot out a smart arse comment "What do you think you are doing mate, the Dakarrrr..?" Now, I'm not usually one to have a quick reply (It comes about a week later), but I got to feel what it is like to have one when I immediately and faultlessly replied "Na mate, I'm doing something better, I'm doing the Australiarrrr" The speechless look on his face was gold! Both his mates got stuck into him, one with a pistol hand sign at his head coupled it with a BOOM! and the other clipping his foolish friend across the ear and saying "You cock, you just got told!" I swaggered off without missing a beat with my helmet under my arm. Luckily mister tough guy didn't see me and my confusion moments later just around the corner. I struggled for what seemed like 30 minutes (It would have probably been only 15!!!) with my new, unfamiliar KLIM jacket and its opposite zippers and fastenings. Then, after finally tucking myself into my You Beauty GORTEX costume I couldn't find my bloody key! Rarely I take my key out and usually when I do, it results in the same scenario… Since that night, (After I finally found the key in pocket 17) the key now has a dedicated place. Byron Bay Beach <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/35608327_g5fBvm#!i=2989462396&k=567BHGK&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/i-567BHGK/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Belongil Creek <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/35608327_g5fBvm#!i=2989462557&k=sMjPs6R&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/i-sMjPs6R/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Brunswick Heads <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/35608327_g5fBvm#!i=2989462494&k=z2n8CjG&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/i-z2n8CjG/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> The local holiday park had primo positioning, boat harbour, launching ramp and camping metres from the protected water. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/35608327_g5fBvm#!i=2989466188&k=v8SxvdR&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/i-v8SxvdR/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Not a bad day for it… <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/35608327_g5fBvm#!i=2989466400&k=PdGVcXW&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/i-PdGVcXW/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Crabbes Creek Beach looking back to Byron Bay <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/35608327_g5fBvm#!i=2989458967&k=Vg4Pb2G&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/i-Vg4Pb2G/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Coming from Western Australia I smile when I see strange signs like these. Pottsville Bears <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/35608327_g5fBvm#!i=2989459868&k=xhDxWLT&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Byron-Bay-To-Brisbane/i-xhDxWLT/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Soon after this last photo I crossed the border north into Queensland. This achieving a personal milestone of riding in every state and territory in Australia. It is, by no means an end to my travels. In fact the further I ride, the more I realised how much there is to see! I am regularly wondering when am I ever going to finish riding around this amazing country of mine? The dreams of riding overseas seem to be getting further and further away when I look at all the other places I haven't yet explored here in Australia, and this compared to where I have been!!!
Once across the border I dropped into a work mates place in Surfers Paradise. Oddvar our Chief Engineer on my ship and his beautiful wife Janice had me for an awesome lunch out on their decking overlooking the tranquil Mermaid Waters canals. It was great to relax with friends, making our own custom meat and salad rolls whilst sharing thoughts and experiences. I was wondering out loud to Oddvar and Janice about why there were no people enjoying a swim off their jetties in the more than agreeable weather conditions. They shocked me with the reply that years earlier all the local kids used to swim and play everyday in the waters until their son was attacked by a shark, resulting in over 120 stitches!!! Since then the water was reserved for boats and other safe water crafts. Mmm as much as I like the water I decided against the temptation to grab my board shorts and go for a quick dip! Whilst out on the road by yourself the simple things like a home cooked or eaten meal is relished. Counter/Pub meals begin to seem the same, service station sandwiches or the usual culinary fare they provide all become repetitive. Obviously the lack of refrigeration and the lack of storage has me living simply in regards to the culinary delights I can create. I usually only carry compact food that can provide a good energy boost. Musesli bars, fruit leather, beef jerky, the odd dehydrated meals to use with boiled water and of course some lollies like jelly snakes for treats and midnight swag munchies. I left Surfers Paradise without much else of a look around, the traffic lights and tall buildings had me feeling a little out of place. My destination before dark was another work mates place on the outskirts of Brisbane. Nick and his fiancé Amanda wouldn't hear of me using my swag and I received a photo message indicating that my bed was made and ready. Nick and his son Blake, the ever gracious hosts... <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/35608522_t8FdBn#!i=2992459074&k=tkB7mfs&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/i-tkB7mfs/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> The next morning I had a few 'must do' chores in the city before my intended exodus from society for some time. Afterwards I joined the throng of motorists going north, passing more of those specialised "Theme Worlds" that promised adventure and excitement of a manufactured sort. I couldn't go past this establishment though, as it brought back memories of the old "Post" magazines as a kid and the cartoon within it. (Also the scantily clad ladies!) This fella frighten the life out of me. With my posturing to get a good shot of him I set off some movement activated, vicious barking. Luckily no one saw me back peddle to some imagined safety <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/35608522_t8FdBn#!i=2989469042&k=FLpSDvR&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/i-FLpSDvR/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> The inside was as unique as the outside <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/35608522_t8FdBn#!i=2989469545&k=qgBz3Zt&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/i-qgBz3Zt/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> With a couple of nerve settling ales I joined the masses once again on the concrete and bitumen track north to Noosa and to another mates place. Kelly and his wife Charmaine would not let me use my swag either. As I pulled into their place in the late afternoon, I just caught Kellys old man Greg next to his Triumph as he was putting his helmet on. We were all soon catching up and talking bikes. Greg mentioned that a previous mechanic, that he had employed for his business "T Boat Hire" on the Noosa River was into "These adventure type bikes" Also that he hung about some other strange guys that did and filmed crazy adventure trips My suspicions aroused I enquired more about who was this mechanic that he was talking about? Kelly confirmed his dads statement and said that "Joe" was like the crazy/nutty professor of all things bikes and/or mechanical. Greg then added Joe had in fact started his own adventure bike modifying business. This had me very intrigued now, as not long previously I had heard that one of the "Motorbikin" lads had started, what I was sure Greg and Kelly were talking about Greg pulled out his phone and said "Hang on I'll call him right now and see what he was up too". A short conversation was exchanged, with Joe acknowledging he knew of me due to my chance appearance in one of the Motorbikin' DVDs (#10) when I stumbled upon Phil Hodgens (aka Philth) and Bob Condon (aka Turbo Bob) on their bikes, in my home town of Exmouth just hours before I set off on my own adventure! Joe then added to the freaky 6 degrees of separation moment by saying "Can I come over to meet Ty in person? But is it alright to bring Bob? He is right here beside me in my shed " 15 minutes later Joe and Bob rolled up with beers and chips and we were all amazed at the chain of events that had taken place! If I had been 1 minute later I would have missed Greg as he rode past to go home to his place I got to meet Joe who I had particularly remember in a Motorbikin' DVD, doing a crazy East to West crossing of Australia with Philth on 'Postie' bikes!!! His changing of his bikes piston and rings on the side of the road, somewhere near the Ayres Rock, with Phil annoying him with a video camera impressed me to no end. To meet Bob again was awesome. He in particular is the catalyst for this Ride Report being written! Just before he and Phil left my yard, suggested "Ty, you should do a Ride Report on ADVrider" What are the chance hey? Meant to be??? Kellys and my Black Beauties, Noosaville <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/35608522_t8FdBn#!i=2989469711&k=PBBkhbJ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Brisbane-To-Noosa/i-PBBkhbJ/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> Before the lads took off later that night, Bob suggested because he wasn't working tomorrow, that he would like to take me for a blast out around his backyard. With an offer like that, how could you refuse? Yeap, I reckon it was all meant to be Awesome.
Thanks crew, regie308, shippy, mudmonster, Not the Messiah and foggyred. I'm really glad your all enjoying the ride and taking the time to read it. Even if I'm mostly riding alone, its feels good to at least share the experiences some other way. Having never done anything like this before (Riding and writing) I sometimes wonder if I'm "doing it right" or not .? Your words of appreciation keeps me putting it into gear on the keyboard not just out the track! Regards, "Hoonatic Ty"
Bob was around early as promised, his immense KTM 990 Adventurer thundering through the quiet Noosa morning announcing to one and all he was coming... I had never actually seen one of these giant bikes in the flesh, only in magazines and DVDs. Their presence is commanding, the massive tank, the detonation of the V twin engine through the aftermarket Barrett Exhausts kicked my nervous anticipation into overdrive! This coupled with the well used look of Bobs bike had me wondering what had I got myself into. This was made clearly evident moments after take off. We weren't on the bitumen long and Bob had us off into the dirt back blocks, local tracks and and byways. Now I can go on about that I had panniers and a swag on the bike but the connection of the name "Turbo Bob" and going very fast was identified immediately. Most of the time I was thankful enough to catch the dust still settling on the track to make educated assumptions of where the Big Orange Beast and its rider had gone. I was constantly battling the need to ride well outside my skill level (or balls size), take in the new amazing surroundings, guess where the thundering KTM had gone and enjoying myself at the same time! While wondering about my ability to keep up and also my, as it seemed, shortened predicted life span, I realised that Turbo Bob was only the second rider after Hydro that I had ridden with on this journey. I have never been a fast rider, to tell the truth I haven't ridden much with anyone to actually compare! It was obvious to me now, because of my long time of riding alone, often in remote places I had developed a conservative approach. It probably didn't help with the poppy outy shoulder and knee constantly reminding me of the results of taking a tumble or putting a foot wrong. In any case I was getting a cool, different "buzz" than normal, the one where riding with mates pushes you to try harder, to keep up, to race, to push your abilities and discover new capabilities. I liked it. Here I was searching for a better line to take on a bend, better gear selection and timing, improving my skills and saving time (and face!) to keep up. I can only imagine the benefits of regularly riding with mates on various terrain and conditions. Not only do you get to share the experiences but it improves your riding and also having the safety in numbers. Well… I wasn't feeling too safe chasing after Bob, but I sure you know what I mean! Pulling up at a old fire lookout that had been closed due to is deteriorating condition. These orange bikes seem to be everywhere! <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989589125&k=PPKwcwf&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-PPKwcwf/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Apart from scaring me half to death with his pace, Bob was linking up different State Forests that encompassed vastly different country. One moment we would be descending down into steep tropical palm lined tracks, ducking under fallen trees then next minute, blast out into dry, swooping fast grassy farm land. Elgin Vale Sawmill <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587686&k=TFPD9DL&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-TFPD9DL/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Bikes and big shed. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989588938&k=xVCn5ct&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-xVCn5ct/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989589011&k=2zNhrf2&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-2zNhrf2/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> Steam driven sawmill machinery from days gone by <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587951&k=xqZrLqw&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-xqZrLqw/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> I reckon these old girls would have had a hard time back in the day... <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989588761&k=LHX3n3b&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-LHX3n3b/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Bob reading out the instructions for use. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989588185&k=fND4snc&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-fND4snc/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Instructions for use! <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587983&k=jPRgjwJ&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-jPRgjwJ/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989588205&k=CJbXhDV&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-CJbXhDV/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Back in the day when men were tough and the wheels were wooden! <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989588700&k=Dp3TBCc&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-Dp3TBCc/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989588376&k=RVDj3Xt&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-RVDj3Xt/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Bob and the bikes, preparing for take off. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587952&k=T3FRQSv&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-T3FRQSv/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Bob took me further into his amazing back yard and its forever changing scenes. I needed to change my underpants after over shooting a corner and somehow coming to rest on the other side of the deep and wide drainage ditch unscathed. That feeling you get when you know you are going to fast into a corner, the locking up of wheels and the slide to an uncontrolled fate as you say, oh shit, oh shit. oh shit never seems to get easier… I later found I had snapped off the base bracket to a pannier rack. It was awesome to have a guided tour through places I would have never found by myself. It makes you realise and probably not in its full capacity of how big this Australia really is. Out of nowhere a farmhouse would pop up and I would be thinking "fancy living out here…" then a town would appear on the horizon giving awareness of a whole lot more going on out here than I originally thought. With our tummys rumbling we pulled into one such town for a few cleansing ales and a feed. Burnett Hotel, Gayndah. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587471&k=vMLPT8H&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-vMLPT8H/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587358&k=SM4npJq&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-SM4npJq/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Sadly Bob and I parted ways here, he had to get back home and to his family and me to continue into the unknown. I am stoked to have literally bumped into Bob and the ride we had, if I can help it there will be more to come! I have said previously about how big the country is but its crazy moments like the one I just had can also confirm "It's a small world…" Go figure? On the road alone again. This valley shocked me, confirming what Bob had mentioned as we drank, ah, ate our lunches. The towns in this area had suffered greatly during the flooding with loss of homes and tragically lives. As I road through here on the newly laid bitumen imagining the force from the water required to push over the big trees, I then realised how far up the banks the water had reached! Where the bike is parked would have been at least 30 metres under water… <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995875950&k=P4CxnFh&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-P4CxnFh/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> More signs that I have never seen before. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587087&k=2PXGw7X&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-2PXGw7X/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> A town called Cracow, in the Banana Shire? <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989587135&k=T2GvLfg&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-T2GvLfg/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Riding into here was erie, a ghost town with and the windows boarded up. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989586753&k=MVM8SGn&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-MVM8SGn/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> If Bob hadn't mention while we looked over my tank bag map whilst washing the dust from our throats, that "There is a really cool pub in this town". I would have motored right through it and found a place to swag it up the road somewhere. Luckily I pulled in, the empty carpark ominous like the rest of the empty town. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989586715&k=n5wRwcs&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-n5wRwcs/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> To walk in and find that an Australian living legend, Fred Brophy of boxing tent fame was the owner of the establishment was amazing. He had purchased, pretty much the whole town, saving it from certain disappearance. The place is a museum of all things weird and wonderful collected by Fred during his extensive travels of Australia and abroad. Not only the decor took me by surprise but the friendly French barmaid Emily… <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/35609843_TJfwkM#!i=2989586664&k=NdCGwjx&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Noosa-To-Cracow/i-NdCGwjx/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> After a few beers I decided to go no further for the more than eventful day and book in. Once again as I walked into my room I was stunned at the decor… Very Africana! Zebra print bed spread and pillows, black african lady lamps on ancient bed side tables, old african animal prints shared the walls with actual animal skins, travel battered trunks from days before air travel or its requirements for 20kg restrictions, tribal spears and weapons that looked deadly doing nothing. As I got talking to some mining lads out on our upstairs veranda they too spoke of their strange but comfortable "themed" rooms, one was decked out like a japanese brothel with wall to wall silk hangings and interesting prints!!! The places you go and the people you meet, I guess thats why they call it an adventure...
I left Cracow in the morning light for a place that caught my eye on the map, Banana. This is another instance where, with only a general direction to head, things that either catch my eye like a name or a place recommended by others I am happy to wander in that direction and check it out. This, more often than not, results in being rewarded with seeing something different, special or thankful I made the 'deviation'. I breakfasted here with all the truckies and decided it was too early to take up Turbo Bobs suggestion to drop in on good mate of his and one of the Motorbikin' crew, Tim Larsen, the Farmer from Banana and weld up my crash damage. It's amazing what you can do with some flat straps and zip ties. I had another mate further up the road I could bother later. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995872416&k=RHs65ZC&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-RHs65ZC/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> With my curiosity quenched I road on in a Easterly direction up into the Queensland Central Highlands. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995872381&k=QjNdfBD&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-QjNdfBD/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Just out of Springsure I came across a unique natural formation called Virgin Rock. The photos don't really do it justice but when you are there, even with a critical eye, you couldn't deny the likeness of the Virgin Mary and Child within the rocky cavity. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995871435&k=LRdxwLD&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-LRdxwLD/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995871294&k=G4pqQJC&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-G4pqQJC/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> I continued North up the Gregory Highway and came across something that I had (rarely) only seen on T.V. or read about in novels, about old pastoralism practices. Evidently this still happens when farmers are walking domestic livestock from one paddock to another. Travelling stock routes are collectively known as "The Long Paddock". Grazing The Long Paddock. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995871251&k=sfnZDq6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-sfnZDq6/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> Riders of different steeds. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995870503&k=gJSn5HH&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-gJSn5HH/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> This cowgirl and I had an inquisitive, amicable stand off, both identifying similarities of a life lived in the saddle. A knowing smile and wave was shared. Another time we would of happily chatted but we had things to do. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995870468&k=XwsLf4H&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-XwsLf4H/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> I cautiously idled past to not scare the stock with the twin Barrett Exhaust bark and soon discovered another aspect of life lived or done a little further up the road. Sounding naive, coming from the mineral rich state of Western Australia it didn't occur to me that anything would compare to our giant mining industry. Massive coal train being loaded. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995870307&k=J4zn2vW&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-J4zn2vW/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> Another immense industry in the irrigated paddock of Emerald. Hundred of acres of amazing wheat. The bike is on its side stand here making the 'ears' of wheat up too and above the handgrips! <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995869891&k=tqPVLTb&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-tqPVLTb/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Going bush This place on the banks of Police Creek, was literally in the middle of nowhere, but by goodness it had beautiful cold beer! I really think that when I walked into the bar covered in gravel dust, drenched in perspiration and said "G'day lads" in my gruffest voice, only then the hardened cow wranglers, roo shooters and other tough locals decided I could drink with them It is sometimes quite plain to see in remote places like these, my presence is greeted with agreeable acceptance compared to if I had bounced out of a luxury air-conditioned 4WD in my Gucci clothing. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995868940&k=t4Vbzr4&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-t4Vbzr4/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Across the road, remnants of gold mining booms long ago. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995868803&k=CjFHhQV&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-CjFHhQV/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> I got going before too many of the lovely lagers impeded my progress and followed the dirt track north from the pub into remote station country. Dusty cows in a dry creek bed. You have to keep your wits about you riding through these areas! Cows, snakes, brutal cattle grids, hidden bull dust sections and washed out creek crossings! <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995867994&k=v5nZP5m&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-v5nZP5m/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> The rewards of being out in remote places can be immeasurable. As I pulled up here beside this billabong and made camp I felt truly alone, this was getting away from it all, just me, the bike and the most very basic of necessities. Eating a few snacks while watching the "Bush T.V.", the sun slowly gave way to a moonless night. It had the most amazing star filled ceiling, making me feel even smaller in the whole scheme of things. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995868145&k=kGsbGgf&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-kGsbGgf/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995868133&k=fL5CGjb&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-fL5CGjb/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995866958&k=kd2KMnH&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-kd2KMnH/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995866436&k=HKbTGnj&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-HKbTGnj/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/35679839_qKGKbZ#!i=2995866487&k=9ZQRPmx&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Cracow-to-Remote-Billabong/i-9ZQRPmx/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> I will always fondly remember camping by that distant, far-flung water way. To me, it epitomised what adventure riding is all about. It is really hard to describe without sounding cliche The word obscure comes to mind, ~far from public notice, worldly affairs or important activities, remote. Yeah, I felt obscure and loving every minute of it
Terrific stuff,would of felt like riding in a blast furnace up that way,ride and enjoy......nice senic ride if you take the rhs turnoff after the clarke river river bridge,good shortcut to mt garnett on dirt.
Fantastic ride ty! You have really inspired me to get a few mates together and do a ride like this, though most are to busy saving for a houses or writing themselves off on weekends. So I think I may have to do it solo.
Thanks Johnno950 and BJ4x4, Glad your enjoying coming along for the ride. Johnno, I appreciate the suggestion, It's amazing what you find, especially with both local or previous knowledge! BJ, mate, I understand what your dealing with. All I will recommend, is to get out there! So many times throughout this ride I have wondered away in my helmet, why the heck didn't I do this earlier!? The fun, the dramas, the people and everything in-between is an awesome experience. I'm sure you don't have to do the mega miles either to enjoy whats out there to find I saw a cool quote the other day, "The most dangerous risk of all - The risk of spending your life not doing what you want, on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later " Yeah BJ4x4 and anyone else considering, wishing, hoping, dreaming about doing a similar trip. Get out there! I'll guarantee it will get you grinning...
Waking with all the waterbirds announcing the start of another glorious day to go riding, it felt good to be alive. As I type this I realise I have developed some what of a cool habit each morning (Some dire circumstances excepted!) This habit or experience is as I wake. Slowly I pull back my sleeping bag, push back my canvas roof and look out to my surrounding, unfamiliar world. Some sort of what I imagine, as my cheeky grin grows on my face until it cracks with a laugh. I then ask audible questions or make obvious statements like "where the hell am I? Wow, this place looks awesome" As I then look further around and spot my bike with riding gear draped over it, dusty riding boots beside it, I smile again and I then think or say something along the lines of "Good morning or Hello there! Cool, I'm going riding today! Mmm, I wonder where I end up today…" There is certainly no need for motivation to get up, or to press some snooze button especially when adventure beckons you and it is only a start button and throttle/clutch movement away… A bike, a lonely dirt track and the long shadows of the rising morning sun. Time to go riding! <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006301816&k=QMK7MwC&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-QMK7MwC/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> You never know whats around the corner. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006301383&k=W8TDTqQ&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-W8TDTqQ/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Burdekin River <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006301203&k=T6m8mkz&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-T6m8mkz/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006300667&k=CrS3wx9&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-CrS3wx9/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Burdekin Falls Dam. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006301176&k=CZfjcDQ&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-CZfjcDQ/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006299795&k=Skgq2Nw&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-Skgq2Nw/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Fishing pelicans and shags <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006299261&k=MNKGqV3&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-MNKGqV3/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> From the other side. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006298052&k=3fZXm9L&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-3fZXm9L/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Ravenswood, days of old... <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006296802&k=xx9Tg4L&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-xx9Tg4L/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006296787&k=qtNNdd6&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-qtNNdd6/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> The Railway Hotel <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006297341&k=gFHKrRd&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-gFHKrRd/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> The Imperial Hotel, another sign of the past grandeur. The only other pub left other than the Railway Hotel. Originally 48 of them serviced the nearly 5000 folk that once came here to find their fortune in gold. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006297884&k=QMFG9Nt&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-QMFG9Nt/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> More old smelter chimneys. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006297384&k=nwBZNrS&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-nwBZNrS/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Timber windmill. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006297382&k=wbfVHMz&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-wbfVHMz/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> Top Camp, Ravenswood. A fuel bowser with a difference! <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006296786&k=qgQkFct&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-qgQkFct/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> I road on north coming to a T junction of the Flinders Highway. Here I saw a sign saying that Charters Towers was 50km further inland. This stirred a memory of mine from before I left on this adventure. I was visiting an mate of mine 'Muz' in the Exmouth hospital, with old age and a hard working life his body was slowly giving out on him. Of the many things we joked and spoke about, my trip and travel was a favourite of them. His recollections of being a young man and travelling to far away places with a mate of his in their holden ute had me as an eager audience. I will never forget though, how his dull and weather beaten features change so dramatically, it was truly amazing to witness. His blue eyes sparkled to life, their intensity burned fiercely as he recalled a story of coming into a town called Charters Towers and getting a job with his metal fabricators trade. "Ty we didn't have welders back then! We bent a riveted stuff in those days…" Unfortunately Muz passed away a little while later in the year but that vivid memory will stay with me forever. How those eyes lit up with the experiences he shared with me. Maybe one day I will tell my dirt bike travelling tale to a young fella by my hospital bedside and I too will come alive to the cool memories recalled. I turned left and headed to a town that old man once told me about… The old and the new rail bridges heading into Charters Towers. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006296312&k=qxnFCbQ&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-qxnFCbQ/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006296286&k=Ks2C7vX&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-Ks2C7vX/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a> As I lunched and wrote on post cards telling of my latest geographical location, I also decided on my next one. It would be Tully and another work colleagues place. Just before I left the town with its exquisite old style buildings, I received several nods and grunts of approval from members of a local bike enthusiasts club as I conducted my pre-launch checks. I remounted my dusty steed and rode on out. It felt cool to be cool with their admiring stares following. I rode north up the Gregory Development Road and just after crossing the Gregory River I turned onto the fast, dry and dusty Blue Range Road that cuts over to Mount Fox. I didn't see another sole on this road, that is except cows and 3 rather large snakes! One was about 9 feet long but skinny as my thumb!? We frightened the life out of each other with our very close and unexpected meeting in a dry creek bed. I have seen some snakes in my time but this one was so long and thin I thought it was a twiggy branch. When it sat up to 3/4 of its length with no apparent wind to account for its sudden movement my brain recalculated its initial comprehended sight. I will admit to reactionary squeal and lifting of my riding boots to handle bar height! Another reminder of my amazing mate Doug Swift, everyday life is a battle with his illness. He rides with me everywhere and we share my experiences during my "check in" calls when I am in phone range. He is one of those mates that always leave you grinning when you hang up the call. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006295065&k=jXbBGLC&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-jXbBGLC/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> As I came over Mount Fox, the change of environment was stunning and immediate. One moment I was riding through dry dusty cattle station country and with the blink of the eye I was riding down a green, jungle like mountain! for the last few days I had been riding through dry outback territory and now I was descending down into wet steamy tropical lushness. The steep switchbacks of Stone River Road had the Barrett Exhausts crackling with engine compression in attempts to give the brakes a rest. <a href="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/35805592_rnMD36#!i=3006294749&k=RxMcrLB&lb=1&s=A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="https://tymatek3.smugmug.com/Other/Remote-Billabong-to-Tully/i-RxMcrLB/0/L/image-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a> I didn't take too many photos down through here as I had mistaken my allowable time and distance to reach Tully and the actual reality of achieving it. The high speed outback miles enable big distances to be comfortably made. Now the twisty turning mountain road slowed up progress immensely. My speed was also hampered with the new visual surroundings of something I had never seen in 'real life' before, sugar cane. Again this is something I had only seen on the TV and now I was riding through it on my dirt bike from Western Australia. The GANGgajang song 'Sounds Of Then' (This Is Australia) started playing in my head "Out on the patio we sit and the humidity we breathe, we watch the lightning crack over cane fields, laugh and think, this is Australia" This country Australia blows me away, so big, so vast, ever changing. Its hard to comprehend it all, especially when you live and breathe it through a helmet visor hanging onto a set of handle bars… Mmm I laugh and think "this is Australia" often. I got into Tully on dark, passing the massive sugar cane processing plant belching out what I thought were thick plumes of polluting smoke. I wondered how on earth could they get away with it!!!? (I was later informed by my local hosts Peter and Jan that it was only steam from the sugar extracting process.) My balding rear tyre giving me one last bike fright for the day nearly slipping right out from under me on the slippery driveway rocks of "Three Bridges Farm". That could have been an embarrassing entry in front of my friends as I waved and casually dodged the barking dogs. I could have guessed Peters ever sharp wit as between cackles of laugher he would have asked me "and you rode from where? Western Australia? bloody goose" Lucky save that one...
Really really great ride report.spent most of yesterday reading it from start to finish.I hope there is lots more to come.
Thanks Reed Valve, I'm stoked your enjoying the ride! There is certainly more adventure to come, especially with doing Cape York solo on the cards!!! I can't wait to get a moment to share it all with you! Hoonatic Ty 😊
When do you plan on doing cape york? With the wet season un full swing up there now I would think you wouldn't be able too do it till at least April?
Hey there bj4x4, You are very right on the Cape York timing 😉 I have actually returned from the Cape York trip. Unfortunately (or fortunately!?) with the remoteness of the Cape, the internet/wifi reception points are very few and far between! I will start my Cape York Ride Report postings soon, they just take a while to do, but I promise the photos, and experiences had will be worth the slight delay! Regards, Hoonatic Ty 👍
hey ty do you take pictures and make notes whilst out on a ride then do the report when you get back? or do you do the report whilst out on the ride? the reason im asking is because me and two mates are shipping our bikes from nz to oz in march to start a ride on april the 14th doing the lap of oz, I want to do a ride report and was wondering the best way to do it? many thanks steve
G'day Steve, Awesome to hear your got an adventure planned! I am genuinely excited for youse! You never know we might bump into each other out on the trail. It's a big country, but a small world if you know what I mean... With my sea going five week on and five week off work roster I usually do my ride report at the end of my five weeks off or as soon as possible during my time at work on the ship when we are in reception range/port. I'll explain why and how. All my shots are done with my iPhone or GoPro. I would love to use an SLR camera or use better equipment but as you know, on a bike, space and weight are at a premium. I admire crew that sacrifice other "necessities" for the sake of capturing far clearer, better quality footage with extra photographic equipment. In the evenings, usually in my swag relaxing, I will sync my photos to iPad (sorry I sound like some computer geek) and go through all the shots keeping and deleting as I see fit. Many times I take multiple shots to make sure I get at least one good one. Humidity, dust, movement etc will wreck many photos and it's hard to realize at times through a small viewing screen with all your riding gear on... The iPad I find is just better to view your shots with and discriminate which are keepers. I guess I am lucky in one respect while traveling alone and not in a particular rush, it doesn't bother me to stop whenever to take photos. Early in my ride I missed several amazing photo opportunities from hesitating about whether to stop or not. I curse myself with a few once in a lifetime chances I missed! Both my iPad and iPhone are in those "Lifeproof" covers and I will happily testify they wouldn't have lasted very long without them while beating around the countryside. So once I stop my riding, clean and service my bike and gear ready for the return to work, I get stuck into to doing the Ride Report. Fortunately the apple equipment and I believe others these days have a GPS (geocaching?) feature that helps me to no end in remembering when and where I was as I took the photos. Without it I would be doing a lot of scratching my head whilst looking at my map wondering "Where the hell was....?" As I ride, the thoughts and experiences come thick and fast. These all seem to come back to me later once I sit down armed with the photos and keyboard, then the story flows... I found in many cases where I stop for the night in the outback the phone/internet reception is rare so doing the report is out of the question. Mostly though I'm that worn out after 10 hours hanging onto the bike, just sorting the photos at the end of the day is a battle in itself! It depends on how long you leave it before you start writing the report, but I am pretty sure with the awesome memories you will no doubt make, you shouldn't have too much trouble remembering them! You're going to have a ball! Regards, Ty 😉
Thanks Ty, just finished reading your RR, and have enjoyed every page, pics are great and you'r writing skills faultless. Enjoy the ride.
hey ty thanks for the quick reply, I think I will do the ride report when we get back, I will take notes every day and download the pics to my laptop at night, I will keep an eye on your blogs when we are over there so may be we can meet up ,cheers steve
Wow wow wow . What a RR. Got completely consumed in it.What a wonderful, beautiful amazing country that is Australia, From the more fertile lands of the coastal regions to the arid inteior, what a contrast, An absolutely brilliant and absorbing read, Stay lucky fella,