TRAIL MAIL: TRAGIC RICHARD’S BIRDSVILLE/INNAMINCKA ADVENTURE RIDEHi Clubby & Tania: I thought I would flick you guys an update for the Ténéré Tragics blog page. Myself (2010 XT660Z Tenere) and a mate (XT660R) have just returned from a two week adventure ride. We travelled over 4,200km from Melbourne via the Flinders Ranges to Marree, completed the Birdsville Track with the detour including the ferry ride over the Cooper.
We spent a couple of days in Birdsville whilst dipping a toe into the Simpson Desert. The hot season is starting up there with 44 degrees reached upon arrival in Birdsville (which was just a little too hot!!). We then headed down to Innamincka via Cordillo Downs and spent a couple of days there. We swam in the Cooper Creek, visited the Dig Tree, Burke’s place of death etc etc.
We were told by several bikers and 4WDers at Innamincka to avoid the Cameron Corner route to Tibooburra so we took mining roads via Epsilon, Santos and then onwards to Tibooburra. They turned out to be great roads and the less explored route was a real bonus.
The Simpson, Cordillo Downs track and Innamincka were the highlight of the trip and I would go again in a heartbeat, just not so close to the hot season. Camping in such heat is not nice.
Apart from the heat, this has been the best adventure ride so far. The scenery and wildlife are just so beautiful. The later half became a competition between emus and us. Who would hit whom? The emus tried their best to collide with us, but we learnt very quickly, if an emu is standing still – power up, if they are running, slow right down. They’re amazingly large but stupid birds and boy do we have some great stories about them.
My Ténéré did not miss a beat and was surprisingly good in the short time we spent in the Simpson. The only bike problem we had was some chain issues less than 150km from home.
I’m looking forward to the 2012 Ténéré Tragics ride - see you then!
No comments:
Post a Comment