Day 34 275 km

Batemans bay to Sydney

The final run into Sydney, a beautiful clear warm winters day enticed us up the princess highway. Not having been in traffic for a while, the stops and starts through the various suburbs along the road was a little challenging and disorientating.

Coming through a suburb just before Wollongong I came upon some very large roadworks. This section was possibly 10km long and had a limit of 40kms per hour.

There was large machinery everywhere, and not a soul to be seen working on it, except for the highway patrol, enforcing the limit, this was around 10am on a Monday morning.

Carefully I made my way though Wollongong, experiencing motorist and trucks oblivious to my presence. Happily they were changing lanes or cutting in front of me, I was clearly back in the city.

Eventually I made it to the rendezvous point, the BP service station on General Holmes drive just past the airport tunnel. I had a coffee and cleaned my bike while I waited for the rest of the group.

At 12:40 we commenced the parade to the children’s hospital. Trying to keep together, we had some assistance form the 2010 riders  who were marking corners and holding traffic for us during turns. We held a position at the top of Alison road in Randwick so that we could ride in on mass to the final stop.

We were greeted by many friends and family as well as a large confetti drop, there was a BBQ  and speeches and a lot of back slapping.

This was it, the end of a long journey. Something that seemed so far away 34 days ago and yet it was all over so quickly.

Many of the others were saying they would like to continue and go around again, for now I am satisfied to have completed the challenge and been able to assist the valuable work of the researchers.

Here is a clip of the presentation of our cheque at the Gold Telethon.

Some of my ride statistics

14880 Km travelled, only a few Kms of dirt (roadworks)

consumed 908 litres of fuel – mostly premium

2 litres of fuel enhancer (the BMW does not run well on standard fuel)

2 rear tyre changes

1 front tyre change

1 Service in Perth

1 Breakdown in the goup (terminal – the bike had to be replaced)

1 Drop (Slight damage to rider and bike – pride far more damaged)

1 ran out of fuel – before we got out of Sydney

Otherwise no major issues for 26 Bikes and nearly a collective 400,000 kms of travel.

Glad to be home

The End

Lakes Entrance to Batemans Bay 445km

This will be the last stop – tomorrow we will be back in Sydney and the end of the journey.

It was a special day, the last open road travel on this journey. I left early in the crisp 10 degree air. There were a few light showers in the beginning, but eventually the dry roads opened up to a combination of long sweeping curves, short straights, weaving their way though a beautiful forest.  I had a great day on this road, a much needed change from the previous unpleasant days though Victoria.

I decided to push on to Eden before I was to take a break a distance of 240km with only 220km available on the trip computer, had I filled up that would not be a problem, as this bike can exceed 500 kms on a tank full.  I thought I could try to economise as much as possible by reducing overtaking speed, smoothing out acceleration and restricting my speed.

Things were looking good, at the 130k mark I passed Cann River fuel stop with 98kms available for the balance of the 100k to Eden, so I just needed to keep my fuel consumption the same, and all would be good. As I progressed the wind picked up and the road became a little more twisting and a few long hills presented themselves, which affected my economy.

I was keeping a very close eye on my trip computer and the distance to my destination. At the 30km marker from Eden the computer hit the magic number, zero kms available in the tank, I had to rely on the fact that there must be something in reserve, the computer couldn’t be that accurate, surely Mr BMW would have designed some reserve.? I was on tender hooks, I didn’t want to be found on the side of the road by the support team suffering from poor fuel management syndrome and subsequent ongoing humiliation that would occur (the support team don’t let these kinds of things to be forgotten) .

As I came over a hill, a small store came into sight (blink and you would miss it) and yes it had a petrol pump and premium fuel…double bonus. The bike took 26.75 lites out of a possible 28, it was close.

This was the kind of store you would find in a remote area, it was the Post office, general store, takeaway food and liquor store all rolled into one. It had the best range of spirits I had seen in a long time, very comprehensive, with many varieties of Bourbon (apparently very popular in this area) and they even carried absinthe.

I had a coffee and a chat to the proprietor, turns out he is passionate about bikes, had four works in progress out the back and his nephew was over in Germany working for the BMW racing team, who would have thought?

Onto the accommodation at Batemans Bay without delay or fuel concerns. now that I know the limits of the fuel tank, I will have no need to do that again.

Tonight we had the final dinner with some of the people from the 2010 ride. There was a sense of sadness, that this great adventure was coming to an end, joy at the thought of returning home and a little more money was extracted form us all by the way of an Auction.

Lorne to Lakes Entrance 445km

Dismal Dismal Day

Alan, our fearless Leader

Wet Wet Wet

Travelled by the freeway through Melbourne, the only way to go on a day like this.

Keen for some food so we can move on

The food here was fabulous….very generous portions

We stopped for Lunch at Traralgon sponsored by a rider from the previous around Australia ride in 2010, then onto Lakes Entrance without delay.

Mt Gambier to Lorne 400km

A journey along the Great Ocean Road started off in dismal weather. The full wet weather contingency had to be instigated.

Being on a BMW 1600Gt has some great advantages in this kind of inclement weather. The primary protection is given by the adjustable shield and fairing combination. Donning my Atlantis leather suit, gave me ultimate protection from any water or cold weather, supplemented by rubber over gloves, gave me a weather proof cocoon.

Rather than stop at the many photo opportunities along the way , I took the helicopter tour, timed perfectly between the showers, at the 12 Apostles and continued on my way. This road was not the most pleasant for the big BM or me in the wet. I think I am getting tired, today was a difficult one for me.

A small example of the road

Lyndoch Hill to Mount Gambier 470km

Another threatening start to the day, wet weather gear was donned, however not much rain was experienced.

The diversity of scenery and agriculture continues to amaze me. A fuel stop at Kingston revealed more fine dining opportunities and another novel “theme”.

We were moving into an area which is dedicated to forestry. These forest are expansive and intensive.

The types of vehicles on the road also change, ever decreasing numbers of grey nomads and road trains, replaced by fuel and timber trucks.

The temperature was continuing to drop and the possibility of rain meant we moved to our destination without hesitation.

I have attached a video of a portion of the run for your pleasure.

Lyndoch Hill and Birdwood

Rest day in Lyndoch Hill

After the last 8 days on the road, some of which had been very tedious, it was a great relief to take a day out.

It consisted of sleeping in until 8:30, some equipment management and a short 30km run to a most pleasant town by the name of Birdwood.

This is where the National Motor Museum is housed and a motoring theme appears all about the village. The museum is quite comprehensive and addresses all types of vehicles.

I went into a shop called Bills bits and bikes, which if ever your are looking for any part for a vintage or veteran motorcycle, then Bob is your Uncle.

Port Lincoln to Lyndoch Hill 340km by road and 2 Hrs on a Ferry.

The run up from Port Lincoln to the ferry at Lucky Bay was, to say the least, picturesque. Rolling green fields, smooth slightly winding roads and blue seas and a clear cool day made it something special.

This was the heart of the wheat region, huge storage silos were dotted all over the countryside. They erupted in the distance like a strange obelisk.This is the first day we have left the road and caught a ferry. The  port of Lucky Bay sat in a sapphire blue bay,part of the Spencer Gulf, not much else there just the shop where you bought your ticket and the wharf we were going across to Wallaroo and then continue by road to our final destination of Lyndoch Hill. I arrived 2 hours early ( a slight misunderstanding from the briefing the night before), at least there was internet so I could occupy my time.

We took about 30 minutes to get all the bikes in place and strapped down, the boat was not leaving until the loadmaster was satisfied that the bikes were not going to move anywhere, we too needed to be satisfied. The voyage across was smooth and relaxing, travelling at about 30 km per hour, it was a 2 hour crossing but saved about 400 km if we were to go around via the road.

I have put this link  to a video of a section of this road, if travelled at 1000 km per hour.

Ceduna to Port Lincoln 410kms

The route was to take us through more wheat areas, these too, were seriously big. There was also some pretty dramatic moonscapes, some divided by unusual rock walls, left to the sheep to look after in between vast  seeded paddocks waiting for the warmer weather to make them explode.

I travelled the entire distance without a fuel stop with an 80km range left in the tank. Today I just wanted to get to the destination. I expected at least one of those days on this trip.

Port Lincoln is a large shipping hub for wheat, a town of reasonable wealth and facilities, and has many businesses open 7 days a week, unusual for a “country” town. It is also the Seafood capital of Australia apparently.

Another claim to fame of this town is a statue of Makybe Diva, whos owner is a Tuna Farmer in Port Lincoln.

Eucla to Ceduna 500km

The day started with a photo shoot of all the bikes and riders, this was set for 8am with the morning sun providing little relief from the chilly morning air. After which everyone took off with haste to get out of Eucla.

It was a further 300km of fairly straight travel before we got out of the desert proper and started to see some more coastal scrub.

We have been so fortunate in relation to the weather, somehow we have managed to sit in between the fronts that have been assaulting Australia since we had left Sydney. Every time we pause on a rest day the clouds come in and as soon as we get moving, they clear away.

The first scheduled stop was at the top of the Bight (The Great Australian Bight), a small deviation off the highway presented some more stunning southern ocean scenery. We were hoping for Whales, but none obliged, none the less it was an experience not to be missed.

From here it was power-on to Ceduna, fairly straight clear roads, which offer more opportunity for me to become familiar with the nuances of this motorcycle.

The subtleties that only time together can transfer. The understanding of the logic behind the computers menus, I am now able to jump through to precisely the areas I want, where previously I would be scrolling through items, the effect that the tiniest movement can make on balance and the absolute accuracy of the cruise control and how to manipulate it in very subtle ways.

So far on this trip, I have spent  150 Hrs in the saddle, we are getting to know each other very well.

Esperance to Eucla with an overnight stop at Balladonia 935km

Heading North out of the beautiful Esperance, we were yet again presented with rich wheat-lands that eventually gave way to more scrubby arid savannah like expanses.

The roads became very straight and are subject to floods. More recently a large shower of rain washed out the railway tracks much to the surprise of this oncoming train. Carriages were littered for about half a kilometre along the track and a huge train was waiting patiently to proceed. This however may be days before the track is cleared again.

A quick fuel stop at Norseman revealed another cleaver working dog, waiting for the diesel pump to be free.

Overnight at Balladonia, brought some bad news, water was scarce so we were encouraged to do without a shower. This quaint motel had a museum that concentrated on the bush telegraph and featured a section on “Skylab”, a section of which had crashed in the vicinity.

We were heading into the Nullabor, a treeless plain that can has the longest straight sections of roads in Australia, that largest being over 148km without a turn, and without much of a change in features.

The ever enduring straights allowed “white line fever” to set in repeatedly. To counteract this I had to find ways to refocus my concentration. Take large drinks of water from the camelback, this would also bring a rush of fresh air into the helmet and give a few minutes of focus. I would look left and right for any potential hazards to my trajectory, the only sighting was a feral cat. Music is the other thing that helps, I have over 1000 songs onboard although after over 3 weeks the selection is getting a little repetitive, but my knowledge of these tunes is becoming quite intimate.

Eventually the end of the longest straight was in site, Caiguna roadhouse was a welcome deprive to the boredom. To my surprise there was an ATS truck parked there, I sought out the driver, to find that he was taking equipment to Perth for Jesus Christ Superstar, a show that TDC was doing in Perth in a few days time.

From here another 180km of near straight was eventually to bring us to Eucla for the Night. About 5 km out of our destination was a road block, the police, immigration, forestry and any number of other agencies were there to give a thorough check out. I had a license, alcohol and drug check, all carried out very efficiently and was on my way in a few minutes.

Later that night we found the police that we met this afternoon were staying at the same Motel, we had caused them to have to move out of their accommodation into the ‘budget” rooms…they were not impressed.

Arriving at Eucla was an anticlimax, it will be good to get out and back on the road tomorrow.

Some Nullabor poetry found along the way