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September Sneak Off

Hi achternaam,

Sometimes we all need to pull the plug and escape for a bit. This month it was my turn. 

Mrs. Strapz and I blagged my mate's 'Troopy' and buggered off into the bush for a couple of weeks to get away from the cold, motorcycles and the stresses of the real world. I reckon needed a dual-battery system like the '4bee' so it can recharge while I go about my normal week. 

It didn't take me long to realise that although I'd spent a bit of time in the 4x4 world, I'd never been in charge of a vehicle for a trip.

Having never packed and set up a rig for a trip either, I couldn't believe the amount of gear we piled into it. It made me think about the minimalist way we travel on a bike. We are unencumbered by camp ovens, recovery gear, toasters, colanders, wine glasses, bread knives, crockery sets and spare wheels.

What I did like was the fridge and the way the old Troopy coped with deep, sandy tracks! Some of the SA-NSW Border Track, Danggali Conservation Park and Little Desert were hard work behind the steering wheel. It would have been bloody awful even on Dr Z.

We took a 3,200km loop through Victoria, NSW and South Oz taking in Hattah-Kulkine on the Murray River, Lake Mungo, Mutawintji NP, Danggali, Murray-Sunset, Big and Little Deserts as well as a quick glimpse of the Grampians.

Unfortunately we went in a waxing moon phase from First Quarter so the big outback skies weren't as spectacular as we'd hoped for. Apart from high flying airliners and tinnitus, the silence was rejuvenating.

A bit further on in the newsletter I'll lay out a suggestions and don't miss list. The rest of this month's missive will be mostly pictorial.

Coffee Rules, OK.

I've long held to my rule that unless a Bakery is reliably known to make good coffee, it won't!

I ain't no coffee toff. I just like a reasonable cuppa.

Every time I break that rule on the road I end up with stale, over-extracted, mud. It often happens at the local Cafe but there is less chance. 

Rules are made to follow, my Mum used to say!

 

Workshop

Black

Holes

Just how is it possible to drop an object in the confined space of a workshop and have it completely disappear? 

You know the scenario, a small part is dropped and is clearly heard to fall through the bike. When we look for it, it has been sucked up into some parallel universe or whisked into a black hole beneath what looks to be a solid concrete floor.

The chances of finding that part is inversely proportional to the availability of a replacement multiplied by the time-frame to get it.

___________________________________

Moto GP Shop

There will not be a GP Pop Up Shop for us this year.

Grrr... I'm reeeaaally dirty.

The real estate agent who I deal with on Phillip Island has gone and gazumped me.

Although I have always had first refusal on properties this time of year, it would have been nice to have been offered a property to refuse prior to it being let to a competitor!

The Glass-Half-Full part of me is trying to convince the seethingly cranky one that at least I don't have two weeks of huge days and back-breaking work!

I guessed it would happen someday, the security of a venue for this sort of thing was always gonna be a tenuous thing but, the way it happened sticks in my craw. 

I'll be disappointed not to catch up with all the great people who drop by to say g'day and engage in a bit of banter.

There'll be so many people 'who need to be told'... who just won't get my usual sound advice regarding 'Sex and Travel.

Sorry folks. 

The shop at HQ will be fully stocked and ready to go. We have quite a few things we wanted to offer on special so drop in for a g'day, coffee or a look around if you're passing. We aren't that far off the main drag.

___________________________________

Passing It On

Here's a few things I picked up, I'll certainly be pursuing these spots on the bike in the future.

Hattah-Kulkyne 

Entry from the south of the park accesses great camping on the Murray River. There's some interesting but easy Adventure riding, two-wheel tracks. There's even a little up and down playground, a few metres from the Murray that's worth heading back for.

Lake Mungo

It would be like riding on ice if the roads were wet here.

The Shearer's Quarters are great value and well set up. Book in advance.

Avoid busy times, think Bourke St, post-Christmas sales.

The one-way loop ride is an easy ride for most Adventure bikes and tourers.

Nick up Vigars Well Rd and climb the sand hills for magnificent other-worldly views.

Mutawintji

Wow, the real outback experience. It's an unassuming blob on the horizon, halfway between Broken Hill and White Cliffs. From the distance it's just a few low hills in the middle of nowhere. Set up camp, slip on your walking shoes and the place opens up into gorges, Aboriginal rock art, stone tool chipping, Bourke and Wills references and geology that takes us back to the dawn of time. It makes Kings Canyon look a bit ho-hum.

       Fifty metres above a river bed, river worn rocks embedded in a lava flow, get yer head around that!

          Aboriginal Art with overlayed graffiti (blue triangle) by William Wright, the back up guy for Bourke

Camping is basic but there are toilets and rudimentary showers. Be ready to do some walking to get the best out of this place.

Danggali Conservation Area

You are unlikely to see too many other punters in this area adjacent to the SA border, south of Broken Hill. It's as remote as many a place you'll head for due to this: The roads are clay based with a sprinkling (sometimes liberally) of sand but the hard surface is always not far away. Give it a miss in the wet. Punch up from Renmark if approaching from the south.

A few old station properties have been bought up by the government, left to return to the earth and make for an interesting couple of day ride loops.

Bush camping only, no dunnies within cooee!

Murray Sunset NP

Back in Victoria, this is a big park intersected by tough riding tracks and dirt roads. Lot's of camping, we stayed at the Pink Lakes which is well appointed.

Big and Little Desert NP

We took on the north-south border track and thought it was very doable for my level of skill and daring. Turn East off that and... Hooey! Deep, deep sand tracks that would have my goollies in my throat and drenched in a cold sweat in a couple of K's. 

In general

Most of the camps don't allow the gathering of firewood, taking it in was relatively easy in the 4bee, not so on the bike. Cooking then becomes a dilemma.

We saw lots of Roos and Emus although they seemed reasonably well educated and generally scarpered back into the bush... I'd be very cautious out there.

Our trip just prior to Spring School holidays missed the best of the wildflowers but we had great weather and no crowds.

 
 
 

Gotta Go

There are still a few lines we want to move on.

Here's a list.

Schuberth C4 - a few hats at my cost, ready for new heads.

Forma ADV Tourer - great boots but not popular for some reason, even better prices until cleared.

Forma Voyage Tourer - price rise soon so I'm offering at the old price. 

Tatonka Double Stuff - get organised then do what I do, forget which side the socks or jocks are in!

 

Quick, Strap Me In

Our wholesaler tempted me with an offer I couldn't refuse. "Take the lot off-a-me-hands" type offer.

At $5 each they are a good back up or main strap system. 

Snap some up now - click 'ere

 

Relax, I haven't gone over to the dark side yet. 

That's about all I have to write at yer for now.

Copyalater

Andy

 
 
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