Port Headland to Carnarvon 870 km

This was the big day that we were gearing up for, so an early start was needed. It was fortunate that we were staying in accommodation that was designed for the early starters, the kitchen (mess) opens from 4am each day. I was there at 4:30, having had breakfast was ready to get underway at 5:15. It was going to be dark for another hour or more, so I followed the support vehicle. Better that they have the first encounter with kangaroo’s or cattle than  a motorbike.

We followed cautiously until 6:30 am when there was enough light to see a good distance ahead, I the took the opportunity to lead. This still required a great deal of caution as there were many kangaroos returning to wherever they came from and the Cattle starting to wander for the day. Large flocks of Crows and hawks were gathering on every carcass along the way. I feel I almost wore out the horn of my bike on this leg, as it was required constantly in an attempt to warn the animals of our imminent arrival.

 Having the sun rise over our left shoulder, presented an ever changing vista in front. The colour was gradually added to the countryside ahead, long shadows formed, creating a eerie companion on the road. The fine grass on the side of the tarmac glistened as if frost bitten, eventually to be warmed in the glow of the rising sun to reveal its true gnarly nature.

The scenes ahead were truly amazing, some of the most breathtaking countryside I have seen. This could only be appreciated by seeing it gradually revealed by the morning sun. The first sign of civilisation was Roebourne, a picturesque site indeed. (Unfortunately my bike mounted camera had failed and I lost all the images from it up until this point) We stopped to refuel and talked about the beauty of a day beginning that we had all just shared.

Although there were many more mindless kilometres ahead, we had to go to see the Red Dog as we were passing by. There were of course the roadtrains still to contend with.

After that it was full steam ahead to Carnarvon…challenge completed by by 3:00pm