Kath and Rob with 4 days off - minimalist touring - TW200 and Kwaka Super Sherpa.

[Turborob]

If you've followed any of our previous adventures, you may have recalled that we have a wee little money box in which we throw our coins into whenever it mounts in our purses (oi Kath, mine's a wallet! Gimme that keyboard!).


*Biff *punch *wrestle *thrash!


We had accumulated just over $400 since Christmas, thus it was time to get on and get off (insert sexual innuendo here).


We were headed to the southern Flinders Ranges on our TW200 (Rob) and Kawa Super Sherpa (Kath). The speed would be more Coldplay than ACDC, but with the countryside being so green – very happy to take in the greenery. We had 4 days to crawl around.


Fat and skinny.





Happy to be getting on the road!








Escaped the city – worst of it out of the way.





Disapeared to Kapunda on the tarmac to get a few clicks under-the-belt before getting on the dirt.





Lots of canola about.





Ate some great bakery food we had stored from Tanunda.








Quick break and bike + human refuel.





Told ya it was green!





Off we went towards Peterborough to camp the night.








Kath was loving it.





We had done our quota for the day – besides a headwind the entire way, we had enjoyed a wonderful day. Lots of snakes on the roads though – mostly dead but one live brown snake had a shuffle towards me when I got a bit close to him.


Setup camp at the caravan park for the evening. Had met the owner previously who's a fellow rider.





Nice view from camp.





Then we had dinner.





And, dessert. Spaceman ice cream!





Bed time!


MORE TO COME!

[on2wheels52]

Jim

[Ks-Rydr]

Sounds like my kind of trip..... I'm in....

[TomN]

Good stuff!

[booger1]

subscribed, only cause you've got ice cream.

[Turborob]

We had spoken to the park owner who was happy to go for a ride with us the next day – after we saw the local motorcycle museum. It's a privately owned collection which operates purely for the love of bikes (only a $5 entry fee). The owner and his wife are happy to chat with you whilst you're there. They have 'odd' machinery – not your everyday bikes and many small European machines.


I never knew there was a '78 automatic CB750 – two speed auto.








Guzzi – I'm yet to own one of these but one is certainly planned.














50cc and does 130km/h!





Only off-roader in there.





We then returned to the caravan park so the owner (Doc) could show us his countryside. He took the Postie and we wondered West along nice dirt roads. Appreciated him showing us along and he had to return to a BBQ. Didn't catch a snap though.





On we headed towards Quorn.


Bikes were running well and it seemed we finally packed well. Panniers with all our gear and waterproof bag on the bag with all clothes and camping gear (light stuff).








Then headed to 'Alligator Gorge' which, honestly wasn't all that flash.





The view to and fro, I found more pleasing than the rock.








Weather was warming up, so when we found some shade we had a quick rest.





Roads were absolutely lovely.





A road that dropped off a peak into Quorn was magnificent. Took a couple of shots of Kath riding down it.








Beats work'n!





Soon we setup camp in town.





Another wonderful day. Motorcycle museum, riding through wonderful scenery with good company then camping and beers in the evening. If only that was a job description......


TO BE CONTINUED.

[TerryK]

Been looking forward to your Flinders report, good so far. Waiting for the next instalment

[pops]

I am In

[rizzlesticks]

Definitely in for this one, I gotta get more inspiration for TW journeys!

[JerseyBiker]

Looks great! Wish I was with ya!

Keep it coming - can't wait to see where we go next!

[Steve_C]

Great stuff.

[Silky]

I'm in looks great so far. I can't believe how green it is out there at the moment.

[Turborob]

Today was my favourite day of the trip. We were heading north west out of Quorn to see a few more of the Southern Flinders sights.





The above was a gorge whose name escapes me. There was a loose, rocky hill there which I took the TW up on the return. With that rear hoop and the bike in its low first gear; it's just too easy. Point up the hill, constant throttle and hey-presto you're at the top. On the Sherpa it wouldn't have been so easy.





Was a warm day and we found the Warren Gorge. There was only a small sign that pointed to it, which later surprised me. Today we had come across traffic on the dirt roads, first time on the trip so far. We took the turn (to dodge 4x4 dust) and we were glad we did.





We rode through slowly at first, admiring the jagged rock formations, then turned around to do it again and snap some shots. On the return I heard Kath yell, but didn't take immediate notice. I pulled over up ahead and she was on about a wallaby or some other. I then saw what all the commotion was about – the rare Yellow-footed rock-Wallaby.





It scaled the rocks with remarkable ease, not to be seen again. I was surprised how long their tails were.





The rocks were in a line but then with a gap for an unknown (to me) geological reason. It was as if you stacked up cereal boxes laying on their side, but with a decent gap between them. I'm unable to think of a better simile to describe them – but you get that when it's late.





Kath showing off her supreme strength.








Many people had camped there the evening, but we had to push on.





Not a bad spot – was hot in the sun but had to grab a picture....





The beast.





The skinny 'fast' one.





It's late, I'm tired – I'll pause for a break here.

[Turborob]

Day 3 continuing on....


Met a minor water crossing.





Funnily enough, I never realised it, but I was on this road just a few weeks earlier on a Postie run.








I took quite a run off and sped through like a jerk – as I did the TW instantly turned off and I glided to a stop. Electric starter wouldn't start her either. Kick start worked soon, but I still don't know what caused the instantaneous turn-off; carb hoses tucked up high and I can't see and electrics near the front of the bike.








We soon left the dirt and flew (85-90kp/h) back to town to juice up and sadly start heading back south so we didn't have a painful final day.


Rolled through some relaxing roads, with a tiring headwind keeping the TW honest.





We found a sign for a 4x4 road, which would have been great, but it wasn't heading in our desired location. We'll have to return.








Found a little track between properties which was worth a shot. It was only short, but the riding was brilliant and it was a little exciting being off a recognised road.





It eventually led to our desired location – after opening (and closing) a few gates. Was a top little run.


We were in Telowie Gorge Conservation Park – which was a great road! Kath conquered a water crossing which was a little tricky. She was as proud as punch!





There were probably around 15 minor water crossings. If you were in there just after more frequent rain, it would unreal. Much of the water over the road was just small puddles, but the potential is there.





Once out, we had a couple of clicks of bitumen to do. We found a bakery which stocked cider – they even had an Apple Cider, Dark Beer. It was 12% and not too bad – certainly different.


We had brought $400 with us for the 4 days. When we arrived at Gladstone to stay the night, we thought it would be cheaper to get a van ($40) and use the cooking facilities than it would be to camp ($20). Plus, it was getting dark and we didn't want to lose an hour packing up the morn. We got a van, were told that the local shop is open – rode down 2-up and it was shut......eating at the pub anyway! No service stations or anything were open. Pub at Gladstone is the worst pub I've ever been to; and I would estimate I've been to three-digits worth of pubs. Lets leave it there.


Not bad for 40 smackers.





We watched TV and drank dark beer after dinner then resided to bed. Fantastic day.

[Turborob]

Thanks for all the positive comments - makes it worth the while!