OnTheRightTrack2008's Xanga

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Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:16:33 GMT

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:01:21 GMT

Thursday 17^th July 3.00pm AEST

5,800 km later ….The eagle has landed and all are safe in Broome.

They boys are currently taking pictures on Cable Beach in Broome.

Simon has a cracked toe

Gary has a sore rib

Wednesday 16^th July 2008

They finished the Tanami Track yesterday and are currently in Halls Creek.

The last 200k’s was extremely bumpy, dusty and sandy.

Below is a summary of the last few days!

Day 4 on the Tanami –Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing

Start of Canning Stock rout, last fuel stop.

The boys had a fantastic last 100k, Simon thought he was Steve McQueen coming through the track.

They awoke in this morning to find Gary's bike had been pinched, there were a few signs left form the thieves.

Gary was about to call the police…. God dam it, I’ve got no insurance, says Gary!

Then suddenly the bike was found at the back of motel covered by a dooner.

The funniest thing about the prank was that Gary wondered around with a coffee in his hand not even realising that his bike was missing. All along, Charlie insisted it was an inside job.

They found that there is another mystery snorer; the snoring is getting so bad the Tanami is shaking.

The headed off to the Bungles Bungles in the Purnululu National Park then to Fitzroy Crossing.

Tomorrow they will be in Broom and are all feeling very knackered.

Day 3 on the Tanami – Rabbit Flat to Halls Creek

They left Rabbit Flat and headed to Halls Creek ….the fun and games started.

Simon wasn't up for any of it as he was feeling the pain today.

Gary lost his bike panya and camera as it smashed off from all the bumps on the Tanami track.

Team Nissan Captain Charles broke the 4 wheel drive door hinge and got a flat tyre while trying to take the vehicle to en elevated site for a scenic shot.

Simon lost his radio.

Something strange happened with kangaroo.

Charles is going to audition for Australia Idol as the boys think he has the best voice….. with a cough in between tunes.

They stopped in an aborigiana community in Bunna and met some local children. The children jumped on the bikes and took photos. There were lots of dogs, the boys found it to be a very interesting community.

They finally get to Wolf Creek crater, the boys kicked Simon out of the camp site due to his snoring, Simon was feeling ostracised from the group.

Astrologer David Young promised they would see the space station coming across so they all trekked up to the cater with matches to lead the way, they sat there for hours but ….no space station.

Charlie got in trouble for pinching wood form the national park from the ranger, but they now are best friends.

They cooked a roast lamb on the camp oven with pumpkin and carrots. No one could taste the food as they all had too much plonk.

Day 2 on the Tanami - Yuendumu to Rabbit Flat

They road 420km from Yuendumu to Rabbit Flat, arrived just before dusk to set up camp, it was a long hard ride today.

Saturday 12^th July 2008

They set out from Alice Springs on Saturday on route to and headed to Tilmouth Well (An oasis along the Tanami Highway) where they camped for the first night.

That evening the met a group of lady volunteers and had a sing along.

Check out my Slide Show!

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:56:26 GMT

Day 8 - Wednesday 9^th July

Rest day, explore Ayres Rock

Day 9 - Thursday 10^th July

Yulara (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon

444km – 5hrs

Simon is coming good and rode from Yulara to Kings Creek Station.

The group spent the first night amongst the star and camped in the outback red bulldust.

The temperature over night was minus 3 degrees with a day temp of 21 degrees, some mean swing when you have the flu.

They woke up nice and early Thursday morning and headed for Alice Springs.

On the way while travelling down an outback direct road Gary had a spectacular fall on the red dust….Gary is suffering from a bruised rib but the tough American that he is, just said ‘god dam it!

The group are now a little apprehensive however they are getting ready for the treacherous Tanami track.

The support vehicle has been fitted with new Nobby tyres and all panniers on board the 4 wheel drive will be the order of the day to cross the Tanami.

David Young and Rob Ball are now with the group and Scott will be flying home to Melbourne tomorrow.

Will update you when we reach halls creek on Monday 14^th July.

Keep on driving

Regards Simon

Day 10 - Friday 11^th July

Resting up in Alice Springs getting ready for the treacherous, lonely and isolated route along the unsealed Tanami Track. The plan is to leave Alice around lunchtime tomorrow.

Day 11 - Saturday 12^th July

Travel Alice - Yuendumu

296km – 3hrs

Accommodation – Camping

1^stday in the desert

Fuel at Tilmouth 150km, then fuel at Yuendumu.

*Note Fuel Open

Mon-Fri 8.30am- 5pm

Camping – (permit required)

Need plenty fuel and water

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:51:51 GMT

Check out my Slide Show!

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:50:12 GMT

Day 6 & 7 Monday 7^th & Tuesday 8^th July 2008

Travel Marla – Yulara (Ayers Rock) 733km – 8hrs

On the road from Marla to Ayers Rock it’s a windy and overcast day. Charles is still on Simon’s bike and has taken to the bike like duck to water and wants to buy the bike from Simon when they return. Simon is feeing a bit better today so he drives the truck and finally rides into Ayres Rock. On route they have an encounter with an Emu. Gary takes some funny pictures at Kulgera motor station. Kulgera a small bush town surrounded by thousands of kilometers of cattle station, situated just 21 km from the South Australian - Northern Territory border.

There is a bit of tension in the group due to people not staying together within radio range.

Gary’s radio is still broken, even is his radio was working he probably wouldn't listen as he has his Ipod on. Gary is the consulate diplomat as normal….Most probably Gary doesn’t need a radio at all hahah!

They arrive at the Rock at 5pm and decide to slum it and stay at Sales In The Desert. The group take photos of the sunset, all have a very relaxing dinner.

Simon joined the boys for dinner but is not allowed any carbohydrates al all.

Today is a rest day people can’t walk on the rock as it’s to windy so they are relaxing around the rock preparing for the drive to Kings Canyon. Hopefully Les Twentyman will arrive on Friday for a fund raiser.

The boys look forward to receiving any comments form any of those people out there reading there blog

Its amazing with all the dominant personalities everyone still loves each other!

Fun times to come in the desert

Watch out more to come

Check out my Slide Show!

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:05:26 GMT

Day 5 Sunday 6^th July

Glendambo – ~~Coober Pedy~~ Marla

453km – 5hrs

The group decides Glendambo to Coober Pedy is not far enough so they all decide to head to Marla (460km form Glendambo) this is not a designated stop however they decide to experiment.

Simon is still sick, Charlie is on Simon’s bike and Gary is out in the front as normal.

Ashley’s visor breaks off, Ashley always seems to be having problems with his bike (he has nearly run out of fuel) Radios are still not operating properly.

Theyarrive in Marla at 6pm (Located 1082 km from Adelaide, 676 km north of Port Augusta and 159 km south of the Northern Territory border on the Stuart Highway) Simon went straight to bed after Ashley gave him a serapax while the other boys had dinner and played a game of cards.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:04:02 GMT

Day 4 - Saturday 5^th July

Burra – Glendambo 458km

They didn’t get away until 10.30am this morning. They picked up an extra bike rider called Ben. There always seems to be a disaster in the morning. Ashley the perfectionist is always making sure everything is in its place. Gary is cursing and sweating, Simon is so sick so he isn’t communicating and Charles the trip captain is asleep.

There was a big disagreement on whether they should go off road, the admiral Simon made the call that he was too sick to do the extra journey.

Sun descended on the camp with Gary declaring they are all pussies!

They departed form Glendambo (A roadside stop between Port Augusta and Coober Pedy Located 592 km from Adelaide and 186 km north of Port Augusta on the Stuart Highway) with the new recruit Ben showing them the new back rout.

Guess what…….! Within one hour everyone is lost except Simon who stayed with Ben. Two hours later they all met up in Port Augusta, Gary went to Peterborough! From Port Augusta the group stayed together and road to Glendambo. Charlie the group captain road the last 100km on Simon’s bike as Simon was on his death bead with the flu. Simon hasn’t been eating dinner with the group as he is to sick so he has been retiring to bed rugged up for a good nights sleep.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:00:22 GMT

Day 3 - Friday 4^th July

Mildura – Burra 460km – 5hrs

Left the Big 4 caravan park on Friday morning to meet the local press, heading for Burra. Gary and Ashley’s radios are not working. They had a brief stop in Renmark on the banks of the Murray River to cross the Waikerie ferry, (175 km from Adelaide).

Arrived in Burra at 6.30pm, Ashley hit a kangaroo, the drive was very tedious. They all laughed and joked that Ashley could cook kangaroo for dinner but in all seriousness they were all lucky that Ashley didn’t hurt himself. Finally they settled into a beautiful farm house when the bike riders took persistence over the bedrooms. Simon is feeling very sick at this stage and the flu is starting to take hold.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:56:53 GMT

DAY 2 - Castlemaine to Mildura

Les Twentyman joined the boys for breakfast at the Gilford residence with Des Bethke. After breaky they made their way to Bendigo for interviews with Win TV, local news papers and local radio stations.

THEY HAVE RAISED ANOTHER $5,000 …TO BRING THE TOTAL RAISED TO $50,000

After a quick stop in Wycheproof they are making there way to the BIG4 caravan park in Mildura for a 6.00pm well deserved cold beer.

Stay tuned.......more to follow

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:57:50 GMT

DAY 1- MSAC (Melbourne) to Castlemaine After a slightly delayed start the boys are on the road and are making there way to Castlemaine. Ashley will meet the boys later on this evening as he has to give his bike a makeover.