Day One 26/10/2007
Left home at 09:15 after finally getting packed, had to fuel up just down the road but noticed considerable weaving from the trailer (tail wag), this was affecting the FJR from only 75 kph. This does not feel good, I had a milk crate with water, gas cannisters and a couple of odds and sods, perched at the rear of the trailer, I suspected that I needed more weight on the drawbar and less on the arse end of the trailer so after filling with fuel I moved the crate to the front. The difference was immediately apparent, I could now cruise at 95 kph before the weave set in albeit much more controllable this time. Port Wakefield (80 klms distant) was to be my first stop, a chance to check all of the fittings and fixings and make sure nothing was coming loose.
After leaving Port Wakefield I got brave and slowly increased my speed to 105 kph indicated. So far so good, a little tail wag but acceptable, it pulled back in line after a short period, I suspected that the Tow Bar was the main culprit, it had more flex than I would of liked for a heavier trailer. I decided to turn the "Gearsack Bag" around on the rack and shifted the crate to the rack on the rear of the bike, thus eliminating some weight on the trailer. This had a very favourable affect and I was able to increase my cruise rate to 110 kph indicated, any faster and fuel efficiency would start to suffer (I was effectively towing a 4 foot wide brick).
That's when the fun began, I was feeling rather confidant and had accelerated to 120 kph a few times with no ill effects, but whilst overtaking a B' Double at 135 kph, as I cleared the slipstream, the side wind sent me into an almost uncontrollable tank slapper. I say almost uncontrollable because I am here tonight typing this out, the bars where flicking 6 inches fore and aft as I grappled for control. After what seemed like an eternity the weaving slowly started to subside and I got the speed down to a more manageable 100 kph. The truck driver at the side of me was wide eyed in amazement, I'm sure he, as did I, was expecting the inevitable high side. Anyways I now know the limit, the rest of the day was uneventful apart from the heat and my confidence returned quickly but approaching a wurley wurley (mini twister that springs up in the Ozzie bush) I quickly dumped my speed as i passed through the centre.
Wildlife encountered - 1 Bearder Dragon (30 cm Lizard near Port Augusta)
End of day at Glendambo 18:04 - Distance travelled 576 klms
Costs so far
· Fuel $78.02
· Beer $3.50
· Powered camp site at Glendambo $18.50
· Look on my face after tank slap Priceless
Day Two 27/10/2007
Day two I awoke to the wind rattling my canvas and new this was not going to be a day for riding, especially towing a trailer. Packed up and under way by 07:30 the first ten minutes back in the saddle felt good, this soon turned to a feeling of "are we there yet" as I was buffetted by 80 kph winds coming from the frt right (North). This had me using only the left side of the tyres for the next hour.
Glendambo to Coober Pedy (the next available fuel, well actually the next available anything) is 260 klms and as I had been managing 300 klms easy on my first day felt this would be pretty much the same, that is until I realised the effect the wind was going to have on my fuel mileage. I did a check on my instantaneous fuel useage and the alarm bells immediately rang, If I tried to maintain my current 95 kph (any higher was too dangerous) I would fall short of my destination by a big margin. The next step was to clear the avg fuel mileage indicator to get a clearer picture of my current situation, then whilst monitoring that I was able to find a speed that would give me sufficient fuel range. This turned out to be 75 kph! This was gonna be a long one.
Yesterday I had passed the leaders in the "World Solar Challenge", an annual event run from Darwin to Adelaide in aid of testing and proving Solar Technologies. There had been all manner of strange vehicles coming towards me. By now I was travelling north and the wind gusts had increased the temperature was now climbing to 37 celcius and I now had to contend with dust and sand storms reducing visibility to 100 metres at times. It was about this time I reckon I passed the last of the solar challenge entries, a Chillean group I think.
Finally I had to have a stop, had been battling for over 2 hours and thirst was getting the better of me, I was just 86 klms away from Coober Pedy and after a quick juice and a nanna, it was back to the grind. Temperature was now topping 38 celsius and I was really feeling the heat. No problems with heat eminating from the bike although I did note that the temp indicator was now showing 50% of the segments, probably due to the headwind and trailer combination as much as ambient temps. Fuel useage was looking good so I decided to push a bit harder and run at 90 kph for the next 45 klms, then the low fuel warning started flashing so it was back down to my 75 again. Made it into Coober Pedy with about 1.5 litres to spare.
My aim was to try to make Alice Springs for nightfall but this was looking very unlikely and it would of been impossible to set up the camper in these winds. As I left Coober the temperature was at 39 and quickly rose to 42 celsius, wind had gotten stronger but was now more erratic first from the left, then the right then the frt .... Dust was becoming a real hassle, everywhere you looked was red, it was even starting to settle in the cockpit of the bike and filling my helmet. Needless to say there was not going to be any respite so I decided to keep charging on and hopefully ride through it.
My fuel range was severelly reduced and as a consequence was having to stop much more often, that in itself was not a bad thing as my arse was feeling the pinch, long k's at low speed makes for a long and uncomfortable time in the saddle. Having done over 600 klms I pulled into a rest stop for a cold beer and some cucumber to slake my thirst and wash away some of the dust, the temp had plummeted to 39 but the wind despite easing in its regularity was still just as gusty. I contemplated setting up camp for the night until the wind picked up again bringing with it another sand storm. Time to move on, next fuel stop was another 90 klms and then only 275 klms to Alice (Iron Butts Gotta Love it).
Erldunda was to be my last fuel stop and option for a powered park site before Alice, I had about 40 mins of daylight left but I had decided it was Alice or bust. About 30 klms further the wind had eased considerably and I was now cruising at 110 kph temperature was now down to 37. This increased speed meant that I was now catching up with the 53 metre long road trains heading north and if I was to maintain my speed, I had to risk passing them. Mindful of the previous days experience I was not looking forward to this event so I crept up to them and decided to overtake very cautiously. As you pull in behind the buffetting is quite severe as the wind was coming from the left frt, but as you pull right to overtake you are in a strange erie silence almost vacuum like with a strong shake and buffeting as you pass each of the three trailers. Pushing the nose of the bike past the truck, you are instantly flung hard right and the trailer wheels flick up gravel and dust from the road shoulder. No tank slapper but still unnerving, I did become more accomplished after my fourth.
Daylight had gone, and 60 klms out it was time for a rest before my final assault, I pulled into a roadside rest stop and the young lad with his girlfreind must have shit them selves as the bright beams of the Yam lit up the back of his van. My eyes were stinging from the dust and the strain of looking for wild life as I pushed on at 110 kph now. The temperature was now plummeting about 1 degree every couple of klms until it finally steadied at 30 celsius. The lights of Alice where now in view and I was ready for a much needed break.
Booking into the "G'Day Mate" (seriously that is the name) Caravan Park and setting up camp took only 15 minutes and then it was time for a cold beer from the Waeco fridge, it was Icy, so cold it gave you a brain freeze, I am glad I brought it along. I only had two beers in the fridge so I jumped on the bike to grab a slab from town, this was not to be as it is illegal to sell takeaways after 09:00pm in Alice, Bummer. I will be staying in Alice for the day to recupperate and take in the sites, hopefully find an internet Cafe where I can send this update.
Wildlife encountered - 2 large Eagles, 1 Fox, 1 Emu and a shitload of dead Roos.
End of day at Alice Springs 21:35 - Distance travelled 936 klms
Costs so far
· Fuel $98.43
· Beer Could not buy any
· Powered camp site at Alice Springs $44.00
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