[Geepers]

I know I said I was cooling it for a bit but I just had to share this...

In about 8hrs time, forum member OX-34 heads off from his home town, Newcastle on the east coast of Australia, to ride to Perth, my home town here on the west coast.

That's a ride roughly comparable to crossing the United States.

Then, after 4 hours sleep here in Perth, he will turn around and ride all the way back again.

On a single-cylinder 650.

8,000km in 4 days.

That's pretty amazing I reckon.

If you think so too, here's the link to follow his progress:

https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=1e4a35cf51777a20cb&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes


Go well Peter.

 

[Poncho]

As pretty as the A-1 might be, at least the ocean view section , I would imagine it gets boring after about the 12th run at it . at 4k/48hrs = 100km/hr. just enough time to pissout n fuel up. but I suppose there are worse ways to (fill in the blank).
I read that the triple trailer trucks aka trains approaching from the other direction pretty much drive straight down the center of a two lane hiway.? that it is wise to pull far off the road and stop when you see one coming. the air turbulence around these truck/trains will throw a smaller vehicle into the ditch


https://www.google.com/maps/dir/New...4f0b535df55d0!2m2!1d115.8604572!2d-31.9505269

 

[bscrive]

Not my idea of fun, but if it makes him happy, all the power to him and have fun.

 

[Geepers]

After 13 hours on the go he's just now crossing the border from New South Wales into South Australia. The tracker shows he stops briefly every 3 hours for rest/fuel. Now to ride through the night with kangaroos, wombats and road trains for company.

 

[Poncho]

well it looks like he made it to Ceduna. so at least the view should improve for a while along the southern ocean

 

[Geepers]

About to cross into the vast state of Western Australia (the size of Texas and Alaska combined). Unfortunately he's also heading into rain, wind and possible hail. Just what you need after a marathon journey.

 

[Poncho]

About to cross into the vast state of Western Australia (the size of Texas and Alaska combined). Unfortunately he's also heading into rain, wind and possible hail. Just what you need after a marathon journey.

isn't this suppose to be the dry season? but then of course, it has been raining here like nobodys business for the last 6 months. all this climate change is really messing with ride time even though everything is green and growing and lakes are full, rivers are running. soon this wont be a desert anymore. dam them climate changers! but Ox he is slugging it out.

 

[Geepers]

isn't this suppose to be the dry season?..

Only in the north of Australia. It's the wet season in the south. Two completely different climates.

 

[Geepers]

As we speak there's also a couple doing a circumnavigation of Australia - 15,000km in 9 days - and Ox has timed his run to hopefully cross paths with them in the tiny town of Ravensthorpe in Western Australia:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/R...0f6382479fc80!8m2!3d-33.5817611!4d120.0470203

Will have to be pretty good planning - and probably some good luck - for it to happen.

We'll see. If it does it'll be about 8 hrs from now.

 

[Poncho]

so how is it that the trip viewer has ox riding his mo'sikle backwards? is that an aussie thing? or is it just like riding on the wrong side of the road? upside down? its a wonder you guys just don't fall off the planet, it being all flat and such

 

[Geepers]

so how is it that the trip viewer has ox riding his mo'sikle backwards?

He wanted to add a degree of difficulty.

 

[Geepers]

Looks like Ox decided the hookup with the other Far Riders wasn't going to happen. He's turned north at Norseman instead of south and is now in the final push west to Perth. Due to get here about 6 hours from now which will be 2am our time. Into the hotel room, sleep for 4 hours then turn around and do it all again.

 

[Poncho]

He wanted to add a degree of difficulty.

4km 48hrs, upside down, backward on the wrong side of the road at the bottom of a flat earth all the while dodging big rabid roos and wild truck trains.. I'm impressed! aussies are off the chart . it must be all that heat has cooked some cereberal stew. toss in some single malt and stir.

 

[Poncho]

I just have to ask this question; having ridden from coast to coast and logged all those kms stop by stop, it would seem to me that the proper start and finish would include and mandate a picture of you standing in the water of both oceans.. otherwise it is just gas stations and pee stops. your great grandkids are going to think and say, g'pop lived his whole life at gas stations, too bad he never got out to see the world.

 

[Geepers]

The weather is filthy here this morning - blowing hard and showery. Can't see Ox standing in the ocean to be honest. But I do know he collects sand and water samples. Going to see him off shortly...

 

[Geepers]

Just spent an hour with Ox at the service station before he headed off on his return journey to Newcastle. Thanks Ox, that was an education. Safe travels.

 

[Poncho]

glad to see you got him sorted. it looks like he got seated on the bike the right way. if only he could just ride on the right correct side of the road. but them Roos are all set to ambush him from the left.. it messes with their heads. when you hit them at 100km/hr.

 

[Geepers]

When he left Perth, the westerly wind was that strong Ox probably did the first 100k in neutral to conserve fuel . About now he should be leaving the miserable weather and getting into some clear skies again.

Here's the tracker of the other couple (rider and pillion) he was hoping to cross paths with but couldn't. They're trying to circumnavigate Australia - 15,000km in 9 days - and are right on track at present:

https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=1de6f5cdc81b28a928&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes&fillFactor=100

Meticulous planning and great riding = great result (so far)

 

[Geepers]

Was just looking at the Iron Butt Australia forum where Ox is also a member and which is also tracking his trip.

"Can't understand why he took so long in Perth" someone says.

Oops! Sorry Ox. Stay safe mate.

 

[Geepers]

Ox had to abandon the ride a little over halfway through the return journey. 'Roos and some bike issues. He's a very experienced long distance rider so knows when enough is enough. Takes guts to quit when you've already put so much in. I guess that's why he's still around though: good decision making. Well done Ox.