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20 June, 2010
7:47 AM | 
Posted by
Touring Steve |
Gem Tree to Boulia.
The original paln was to stay at Tobermoy which is on the Plenty Highway just near the NT/QLD border but after a late start and a reasonable run we were told at Jervois that Tobermoy was closed. This meant a 496km run on top of what we had already done to get to Boulia and it was already 12.30 pm so there was some prospect of riding in the dark which after last years wildlife experience I had decided I would not do again. Word from the locals was that the road was in good condition (better than last year).
We decided to make a run for it as staying at Jervois would put us back a day.
This decision was probably not a wise one because as we were soon to find out the road may have looked good but it's underlying condition was not.
The problem was much of the road had been graded and rolled. This was push the bulldust from the gutters and roll it into the exiting surface.
The surface looks hard but a skinny bike tyre goes straight through it down to the underlying ruts and holes which of course also means you now cant see them to dodge them.
Other spots were rough and over the border is narrow and rough for a few kilometres (as if to dicourage its use to leave QLD!!!).
Several stops to check equipment and refuel from our spare tanks and we were behind time and looking at arriving after dusk.
About 75km from Boulia the road started improving but the last of the sun and arrival roadside of the kangaroos meant we could not pick up the pace.
I had a close encounter with a roo which required maximum braking which thankfully was on a short section of tar.
Not so lucky the second time while on dirt. Luke reckons the entire side of the bike was lit up by his headlight as executed a huge brakeslide to miss a fairly big roo by centimetres. Off the back brake and the bike snapped straight. I swore at myself - why did I get into this situation.
Eventually made Boulia. No rooms or cabins available (big golf weekend in town) so we had to pitch the tent in the dark and cook in the dark. Fell into bed exhausted.
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