1000miles..24hrs..KLR.. that is the plan

[Ian Robinson]

I had intended to do a 14 day, 4600km run out to Tibooburra, down to Sturts Depot Glen & on to Mungo National Park & home via White Cliffs. But due to family health issues I can only spare a 24hr time frame.

The new plan is to ride my old faithful KLR650 from Bris to Augathella & return on the same road. ( Warrego H'way) This should bring up 1630km + ( 1000mls) I will leave early Saturday morning to take advantage of a full moon.

I chose this route to revisit part of a trip I'd done in May '98. I had ridden a full suspenion mountain bike to Longreach. from Brisbane, 11days 1330km. That was my first long distance push bike ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My biggest concern is the odd Roo.( and fatigue) I will cover about 750km in the dark, but this area hopfully will have less appeal to the roo than further out west. ( I do realize that it only takes one)

I am only doing this trip to satisfy my own desires. I do not have any fancy GPS / trackers to record finer details. I will get Servo dockets with times on for my own records.

My top priority is to arrive home safely late Saturday night so I can see the MotoGP at Estoral Sunday night.

Short of some major issue I will be off in less than 32hrs.... Hope the rain stays away.

[Oldfatbeerman]

Good luck and keep the peepers peeled for hoppity hooper .

[Dave Ward]

Good luck with this. I used to to a lot of long distance day riding & well know the pitfalls.

You've probably already worked this out but I'd be leaving Brisbane at around midnight or 1:00am. Spend your night riding hours at the eastern end, less roos and quicker through the high traffic areas.

[Thanantos]

O man, very glad I found this thread.

I've been considering doing an ironbutt on my KLR. I'll be lurking

[griffo1962]

Ian, just make sure you keep and eye on your oil. It will use a bit during this ride I'm sure. Have you got good lights?? I am still searching for the "ultimate" light....

g

[boy60]

Good Luck. Ride safe

[RubyRedGirl]

Is your middle name Superman?!
What a great challenge, i really admire what you are doing.
Looking forward to hearing all the details when you are safe at home relaxing in front of the TV.
Stay safe!

[gateman]

Looking forward to reading more Ian.

[APC Rally]

Your advice about doing the night leg first is very sound.He should get to Dalby without seeing a thing. I have been riding that country a bit doing rally work. The worst thing about having a string of good seeasons is you dont see to may roos but the ones you do see .you have very little reaction time becaue the grass is a meter tall right up tp the table drain.I hit six roos last year .

[Sleepy John]

I did Brisbane Charleville Cunnamulla Brisbane in 21 hours in May a couple of years ago.

Early morning fog around Toowoomba slowed us down a bit.

I can lend you spot tracker and GPS if you like. I'm at Alderley. PM me.

Whorehouse rules.

SJ

[hunter_greyghost]

Good luck & safe riding, haven't done a night ride for many a year,
lights - luck - & plenty of guts, keep us posted.
Cheers
Baza

[Precis]

1. HID lights
2. Spot tracker
3. Borrow Fogo's new seat.....

Good luck - 1300km on a pushy: you're clearly quite insane.

[Ian Robinson]

Tks guys for all yr comments.. I have read & taken note...I've had a very busy day today. Up to the local m/c shop. Down the south coast & a flat tyre on the Suby to finish it off.

I will BORE you all now with 2 poems??? that I wrote on the Longreach ride.. My wife said I'd been in the sun too long.( I think she was right) . but they describe the events of each day. ...14 yrs ago to the month..

It had been a good season & the roos were plentiful, the road from Morven to C/ville was littered with hundreds of road kill.

Diary extract. Day 7. 23/5/98 (91km today)

THE CHARLEVILLE ROAD.
Black & White is all that's in sight
Charleville here I come
At ease with the cool breeze the pedals flash
Over & over again.
Three hours, three cars, carass and crow.
The stench, the smell,and all is well with me at least.
Steady pace turns to race, roo & regal eagle.
Kevlar slicks, silence and sorness together again so soon.
No post, no piss, but history exists.
Be thankfull for what you've got.


Roos were obviously on my mind.


Day 9. 25/5/98. PB achieved today..217km. Augathella to Blackall.

THE ROO SHOOTER
At dusk in dust he arrives
A splash on the flash & he's gone
Darkness & death beyond.
At dawn he's in form with a smile
Bloody skins for a mile.
It been a good season & that enough reason to do it all again
Poor bloody roo hasn't a glue what awaits him
National Parks profit I'm sure , at five seventy a thou or more
But what would I know, I'm just passing through
Poor old Roo.
* Flash, Spotlight.

Written at the BP servo A'thella. 4.30am while waiting for the sun to come up.

Funny thing is I saw no Roos north of Augathella but plenty of Emu.
I
Better go ,, bit more prep. to do.

[Bernie68]

Good luck Ian

Will keep an ear out for you in the morning

No fog this morning but has been some rain thisarv

[Medic]

Ian, why don't you come and pick up my spot tracker tonight before you leave, it would give Glenda peace of mind being able to see where you are and follow your progress.

PM sent.

Chris.