Day 10 on track to Birdsville

Left Canarvon gorge today and headed back on track to birdsville, the roads were littered with roo carcasses. Met up with big Matty at charleville at a Riverside bushcamp, Matt and Samantha have changed plans and will also be heading to the races. 

Day 9 Canarvon gorge

Rode 320km and walked 20 in this spectacular part of Queensland reminiscent of lawn hill. Over 600km out of our way but worth it. Could have spent more time here but we will be pushing on tomorrow. May meet up with Matt (Tanjil ) who has traveled around Australia in the last few months and is in the area. 

Day 8 back to the bush

Left gympie this morning crossing flooded rivers and farewelled Gary. Back to blue skies and 27°. Staying in Mitchell tonight and will head to canarvon gorge tomorrow after being informed of the area by our tour manager (thanks Elaine h.b) met a couple here who had hit a roo and are waiting for repairs to complete. We have decided to slow our speed accordingly.… Congrats to JC for passing his 1st Dan grading, JC missed out on this trip due to the clash with his grading … next time JC.

Note: for those who are checking the Google map of the trip the map is broken into pages, to see past cobar (the first page) you must scroll the left pane and use the page selection. 

Day 7 music festival

Another day at the festival, some good blues and comedy. Caught up with cousin Craig Clydesdale pictured here. Been pissing down here gonna be fun getting out tommrow the grounds are a torrent.

Day 6 Gympie: Another day on another planet.

Parts arrived at the P.O complements of Touratech. Peter's pannier fixed and ready for the next leg of the trip.

Day 5 gympie

Uneventful day today. Highway ride into gympie, met up with Gary (Chris's brother) set up camp and having a few beers at the muster. For the record its not Peter or Gary's cup of tea... picture is from this mornings camp were we shared a fire with a couple from rosebud.

Day 4 1st casualty

Chris and peter both dodged the first emu but when the second darted between the 2 bikes doing highway speeds Peter managed to swerve right only to have the bird change direction 180° into the path of his BMW, the steering damper kicked into action saving the slightly anxious rider from loosing control of the machine as it continued over the bird. 
On a lighter note this morning Peter noticed a retaining bolt had vibrated off of one of his panniers, Touratech being the champions they are will forward the part onto gympie. Meanwhile the pannier is strapped into place; luckily the roads to gympie are all bitchy.

Day 3 lightning ridge

More dirt roads today, Chris lost his tent on a side track and front guard vibrated off. Looking forward to a piece of cow at the pub...

Day 2 back of bourke

Slow going today on dirt roads churned up by recent floods. Dodging cattle, sheep,goats,emu,goanna,pigs,kangaroo. Nursed the bike into a servo with 1km of fuel left.

Day 1

Day 1 camped by the lockland river booligal.
Good first day 650 km.
Nearly lost a wallet, lost our way twice, nursing the bike after being 20km short of next fuel stop (Ivanhoe).

Heading off

Heading off from shepparton Chris & Pete

The packed bike

To gympie and beyond

Chris and pete prepare to leave on the gympie test ride

Additional mods for the Gympie test Ride

1) Fuel Bladder, an 8 litre fuel bladder that I strap across the pillion area.
2) Rear rack plate to help mount the bag/tent as this is further back to make room for the fuel bladder
3) Stand plate, this allows the stand to be used on sand and soft soil without it sinking in and making the bike fall over
4) locks for the panniers
5) A new helmet, I give up on the Shoei Hornet, (presure point on fore head after 3 hours at highway speeds)I tried everything from thinner pads removal of peak, no luck so I have bitten the bullet and bought a Shark touring road helmet ;{
6) I'm looking at getting brighter globes for our headlights
7) A power outlet direct from the battery so we can charge phone/etc without ignition turned on