Russells Ride 2010, Australia

Hello, my name is Russell Nurse.

This year's ride is a follow up of my first long distance dirt and tar ride last year.

We (my son Karl and I) traveled 8300km in 16 days on a pair of DR 650s and afterward I found I really had the bug.

The Donahue and Plenty Highways, the Tanami Desert, Wolf Creek Crater , the Kimberleys, Birdsville & Innamincka were no longer just places on a map and I'm itching to get going again.

Last year was about learning (lessons like running out of fuel on the Tanami or getting water in our fuel) fortunately we had vehicular support.

This year I've got a new side kick (my eldest son Luke) and we're doing it without support. On the agenda is Menindee, Tibooburra, Camerons Corner, Lyndhurst, Oodnadatta, Mt Dare, Dalhousie, Purni Bore, Finke, The Olgas and The Rock, Jervois, Boulia, Bedourie, Cordillo Downs and more.

I'll be blogging my way, as internet access permits so subscribe to the Two Wheel Touring Newsletter (see side bar) to follow my progress.

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18 June, 2010
Yulara to Gem Tree,Have major concern about Luke's rear tyre. tried to organise tyre but Finke is on and the dealers have sold out. Decide to ride to Alice and evaluate position.
At Alice town was packed- this was not for us. Luke's tyre not visibly worse so decided we could make it acroos the Plenty Highway, This is quite remote so I was mindful that care was needed..
Got to the Plenty and realised there was no way we could make Jervois. Luke had noticed a sign for Gem Tree so I checked the map and decided that's where we would stay. 70km along the Plenty we arrived at Gemtree.
Only a campsite available by the time we got there so we pitched the tent. Meals and a bar were available so we feasted on homed cottage pie cooked in a camp oven.
The owners are decendents of a NT founding family named Chalmers. Lengthy conversation had me wondering why the government's handling of NT issues is so poor when there are such articulate, rational and caring people whose experience and expertise is ignored and instead taxpayers money is wasted on ineffectivre and worthless programs.
I highly recommend GemTree for an insight to the Territory.
Full stomachs, a head full of new ideas, off to bed.

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