Abrupt end to my “Ride around Australia” for now?

Sunday 18^th Sept. 2011 @ 7:45am, my ride around Australia came to an abrupt end.

Where: 50km north of Tennant Creek, NT

What happened: This was to be a short 270km ride day going from Tennant Creek to Elliot, NT. I had a 4 trailer Road Train ahead of me doing around 90-100kph, he signalled for me to overtake. I looked and the road was clear and straight. After passing the first 2 trailers, which were closed, the next 2 were open trailers. My front started to wobble, I tried to accelerate to get control - nothing; tried to decelerate - nothing. The wobble was getting pretty violent, and I was only about 1 meter from the truck tyres. Survival mode kicked in and I layed it down to my right and hoped for the best. My speed at the time was around 110km. One of the Ambulance guys, who is also a biker, said I was very lucky and the probable cause was bad air coming from the open trailers causing the front to wobble. He called it the death wobble; I didn’t like the sound of that and thankful it didn’t happen to me.

Injuries: fracture to the left elbow, 4 fractures to right ankle and multiple abrasions. All-in-all, a good outcome.

Special thanks: All those that assisted me at the scene, a UK traveller, who was also a nurse (sorry did not get her name), the Ambulance guys, the Police, Dr  Amin at Tennant Creek Hospital. I do want to give a special mention to a nurse at Tennant Creek Hospital, his name is Jason Woodward. Jason was tremendous in looking after me in hospital, but also after I elected to leave hospital and wait for my wife to pick me up and fly me back home. He went way over the normal duty of care; by bringing me dinners, taking me to get medication and just being a friend when I needed it most. Thanks Jason.

My wife (Pat) also a big thanks for keeping a cool head and coming to my rescue. Pat quickly flew to Alice Springs, then drove an additional 530km to Tennant Creek. The next day she drove me back to Alice Springs, and we stayed at a nice resort (Lasseter’s Resort Casino) and no I didn’t play Texas Holdem there. We flew home on Thursday and now recovering. Next week I see an Orthopaedic specialist to see if I need any surgery on my foot; I hope not.

I hope to one day continue my ride around Australia. My wife and I will just need to agree on the mode of transport I use.

Also very big thanks to those that donated/sponsored to MS Australia. It really is great cause and I thank you on behalf of MS Australia.

Also QANTAS were very helpful in getting me back home. In Alice they used a special forklift to get me on the plane as the only other way was walking up the stairs. See pictures below.

 A view of the Tennant Creek district

 My wife in front of Devils Marbles (near Tennant Creek, NT) they are known as Karlu Karlu in all four local Aboriginal languages. This remarkable site is a sacred place to Aboriginal traditional owners

 Having a rest at Tennant Creek Hospital

 My Kevlar lined jeans, worth every penny I paid.

My Dryrider boots, yep they took a beating, but saved my foot.

 
Me getting onto the forklift to board the plane