Day 7: Mt Isa, Qld. End of Week 1
Well today saw me riding from Longreach to Mt Isa. The distance was around 660km and took around 8:30hrs in all.
The road was OK for the most part, with some under construction and hard packed gravel. The bike felt OK on it. The weather also for the most part was good, except in stretches I had NE heavy winds and I was travelling NW. It felt like I had to lean constantly to the right to maintain myself in the middle of the road
Road Trains, I think I am getting the hang of how to cope with them. In Queensland, they can only do 80km, so if I do around 85 - 90km when passing them all is good. Any faster and it feels like I hit a wall.
I was talking to another rider today (Bob), he is near the end of his trip and did it clockwise (going south from Gosford, NSW). He told me to be very careful near the top part of NT. The most dangerous animals are wild Donkeys & Camels. He said they are so dumb, that they could be 200 meters away and hears a vehicle, then run to it to inspect it. Apparently there are a large number on the road being hit by Road Trains. On Camels, well Bob said they will run through wire fence to see what is coming. Interesting times ahead. He did say that as long as you alert, it should not be a problem. So it won’t be, because I am always alert.
Some trivia on Road trains:
They are not exclusive to Australia. The USA, Canada, Argentina & Mexico also have them but are called by other names. Australia does have the longest legal Road Trains in the world. They can be from 3 trailers to the largest one built is for 12 trailers and that from Winton. That the town that I went through today and also the original home of QANTAS.
The ones I have been passing are “Quads” and are around 53 metres long.
Day 6: Longreach sightseeing
Today was a relaxing day. I went to Longreach QANTAS Founders Museum and a walk through the Stockman Hall of Fame. For those that don’t know, a stockman is like a US Cowboy, only better. Or so they say. The weather was dry and around 30 Celsius.
I have been in many planes, but never had a chance to investigate all the nook and crannies of one. Went into the cargo hold, stood on an engine, sat in the pilot seat, looked at their rest areas, etc.. plus now I have a good understanding of all the failsafe systems that are built into a large plane.
I explored Longreach for about 15 minutes and that about covered everything.
Yesterday I said I wanted to ease off on the number of Ks I do in a day. Well I am breaking that again tomorrow and heading straight to Mt Isa. That’s about 660km. I will have another rest day there and go look at some mines and big trucks. Yes Mt Isa is one of our largest mining towns. From Mt Isa I will head off to Tennant Creek (670km), which is in Northern Territory (NT). From there it’s slow and easy north to Darwin with a couple of stops in between.
I have booked my 1st service of the bike in Darwin and it will mark 1/3rd of my trip, about 5,000km. I am having new brake pads put in and usual service.
Day 5:
Distance covered 690km, averaging 24.2km per ltr. Elapse time on road 9:30 hrs.
Today I left Rocky and my plan was to stop in Alpha. Once there, I saw a Caravan Park, and a Truckers Road station. New plan, it was only an extra 250km to Longreach, so I continued. I must admit that long rides do take their toll on me. I have to remind myself that I’m doing a ride around Australia, not a race around Australia. This was the 4th consecutive ride over 550km per day. To date I have travel over 2300km, with 1 rest day in between.
The ride was uneventful for the most part. I say that because there was one occasion that took my heart rate up. I make it a habit of stoping every 90 min. On this occasion I saw a rest stop and pulled in, without looking too closely at the surface before going in. Yep, very loose gravel. My bike was dancing all over the place, with me trying to control it. I could not touch the brakes as I would have come unstuck. I wasn’t worried about being physically hurt as I was only doing about 5km, but my pride would have taken a nock. Memo to self; pay attention.
Tomorrow is sightseeing day. I plan to go to the Qantas Founders Museum and the Stockman Hall of Fame. Yeah, plus do some laundry.
QANTAS was actually started in Winton (e few hundred km away), but relocated to Longreach about 1 year later.
On the way to Longreach. Stop at Alpha QLD.
Day 4:
Distance covered 530km, averaging 23.1km per ltr. Elapse time on road 7:30 hrs.
Left Noosa Heads and headed up north to Rockhampton (Rocky as the locals call it), the weather was great for riding as were the roads. This was a very uneventful ride, great countryside. Along the way I stopped in a town called Miriam Vale for lunch. I had a homemade spinach pie, it was great. The place was called The Big Crab, go figure (picture below).
I arrived in Rocky, and found a great Motel (Golden Fountain Motel). The owners, John & Elmy were great and gave me a terrific rate for the room after finding out what I was doing, thank you.
I was chatting with one of the guest and talking about what he was doing (going to visit some mates in Mackay), when after he found out my name, laughed and said, you’re the famous Rocky Graziano. He said get it… Your in Rocky and you name is Graziano.. I also laugh, but only because it was so lame.
Tomorrow I had head west to Alpha.
Day 3: Distance covered: 11 km, fuel used: 2 Gatorades. Walking time 2 hrs.
Today I spent a few hours walking and enjoying the sites of Noosa National Park. I did the costal track. This is 5.5 km one way. I didn’t pay too much attention that it would be the same distance going back; Dah.. I did spend some time around Dolphin Point, yes I did see them. I was so amused at how they were playing, that by the time they were done, I thought about taking a picture, it was fun to watch.
I then did the tourist bit and walked around Hasting St (Noosa Head), that’s the tourist strip. Yep, I could live here.
Those that know me know that I am a major Rugby League lover. My team the Manly Sea Eagles played the Townsville Cowboys, yes my team won 42 – 8.
Tomorrow I am heading off to Rockhampton.
Top photo is from Hells Gate, second is looking at Noosa Head. You will notice, no high rise build, this is by regulation.
Day 2: Distance covered 540km, still averaging 22.3km per ltr. Elapse time on road 8 hrs.
It had been raining all night in Coffs Harbour, but had mostly cleared by the time I left at 7:30am. Only a few light showers until I hit Tweed Heads. It got so bad that I had to pull in under a bridge. Waited for 15 min, it had eased up a little, and then continued. Bad moved… Torrential rain, followed by steady rain, and strong winds, then has I approached Sunshine Coast, it got better. Enough about the weather!
I am staying in Noosaville (a suburb of Noosa), in a fairly nice Motel. I caught up with a friend and ex CA Technologies colleague of mine Bob Pyette, who recently retired and decided that Noosa Heads was the placed to be. I can’t blame him. We had a great dinner (Italian of course) and chat .
Tomorrow is a rest day, and I might do a 4km walk in the National Park here. It trails along the coast and the views are supposed to be brilliant. After spending all day on a bike, a walk is mandatory.
Along the way and before the bad weather I stopped at Ballina. They have the Big Prawn. This is being worked on as you can see, it does need some TLC. I also stopped at Macadamia Castle in Byron Bay. They are supposed to have the best pancakes in Australia. I put that to the test and YES, they are the best I ever tasted. I had to laugh when I got my plate and a kid came over and said he would be willing to swap his pancakes and shake for mine. His mother heard him and quickly apologised, I laughed. I liked his attitude, but I still kept my mixed berries pancakes.
Day 1
My plan was to leave at 6:30am from home and head off to Coffs Harbour. As all good plans, I did not leave until 7:30am and 15 minutes into my ride I got a call from my wife to say I had left my wallet at home... took a big breath and thought oh well it's all part of the experience. My wife was kind enough to bring it to me, thanks honey.
Distance travelled on Day 1: 570km, and averaging 22.3km per ltr. Not bad for how loaded the bike is and the city traffic I had to get through. I arrived at Coffs Harbour (Sapphire Beach actually) at 4:30pm 8 hrs elapsed time of travel.
The ride was uneventful (just the way I like it). I had my wet weather gear for most of the way because I had light showers most of the way. In Taree, the weather turned brilliant, and I removed it. 30km before Coffs Harbour and the skies opened up. Yep Murphy was at it again.
Now I am relaxing at Sapphire Beach Camping ground (in a cabin) and enjoying a good Cigar. More later...
Yep took a picture of the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour.
