Its always about a week out that it kicks in...THAT BUZZ! The knowing that this time next week we will be there, standing at the base of the lighthouse watching the sunrise. The idea of riding across Australia is a huge undertaking and one that should never be taken lightly. The risk and sacrifice that a rider must take to complete this task is one that only a few truly understand. 2011 was the start of a new life you me and the challenge that I set was one that I still think about daily. Since the beginning of the ride there have been moments that have been permanently etched in to my mind. Ones of triumph and some of despair. It is impossible to deny the adventurous spirit.....in many ways it can be a curse and for some on the outside they find it difficult to understand what drives you. The Adventurous spirit needs to search to survive, it yearns to grow and discover. Freedom is the key and it can unlock the soul to be its true self. Each year, just before the ride I read over certain things from the past as I find it helps aspire to create a better ride for the next. Happy travels. The Great Australian Ride - Ever wondered how it started? And why....well heres the story that was written by Stuart Ball and featured in ADV MOTO Mag (USA) and Transmoto (AUS) after the original and dangerous solo Great Australian Ride back in October 2011 on a KTM 990 Adventure. For years I have often thought to myself, “I wonder whats really out there”! Then that day came, you know the one! The one when you can take no more, where you question your own value and purpose in the world. When the pain of change is less than the pain of staying the same. For me it was like a light switch and I could resist no more, consumed with stories of distant Outback Adventures my inquisitive nature needed to be relinquished, set free and escape this suburban chaos. The KTM 990 was a solid choice for the job and so I set about planning and setting up the bike for the trip of a lifetime. During which I was probably 90% positive that I could actually do it! When the time came to tell family and friends there was a certain amount of concern for my well being, this was to be a solo and unassisted charity ride from east to west and back. I approached The Royal Childrens Foundation in Brisbane, Australia (now known as Childrens Health Foundation). Who were able to help me set up a detailed donation website that meant anyone in the world could donate to the cause via the Internet. Next the date was set, 1st October to watch the sun rise at Cape Byron, most eastern point of Australia and ride west through the Simpson and Gibson desert. Finally to watch the sun set at Steep Point, most western point of Australia. The lead up to the start was intense! Finally the bike was set up correctly and I was confident to set off into The Outback, my planned route through was carefully scripted to optimize fuel stops, roadhouse, camping and phone coverage areas. I was now on my own and eager to get of the tarmac and onto the red dust. Make no mistake the outback is harsh! The vast remote areas between towns and cattle stations are awe inspiring. Nothing could of prepared me for what was about I was about to ride through. Town such as Windorah, Birdsville, Alice Springs and Laverton are true Oasis after riding hundreds of kilometers in the desert. What amazed me the most was the abundance of wildlife close to any water sources. Thousands of wedge tailed eagles, pelicans, red kangaroos, emus, 80kg hogs, cattle, deadly snakes and huge monitor lizards. It was a hard enough job to keep the bike upright through the thick bull dust as well as dodge what ever decided the run across my path. Intense concentration is required 100% on the tracks, a moment lapse would end up with bike going its own way and a sure stack. Of which was my worse nightmare! A broken limb or damaged bike out here could be deadly. My only life line out here is my Satellite phone that I carried in my backpack, of which I would need to be conscious to use of course. The Outback forces you to think survival, there is no other way. October is the end of the dry season, temperature reach 35 degrees and there is very little shade to shelter in. In the wet season between November to March these areas are closed, dried out creek beds become raging rivers impassable to 4x4 vehicles. If a medical emergence is needed in a remote community the Flying Doctors are called and they fly in and assist if possible. Animal Carcases litter the tracks, its really does make you think about your own life and what is and isnt important. Water, fuel and food is a big issue out here and it vital to carry as much as you possibly can. Low Octane Opal fuel is sold in the remote outstation, and it is wise to filter the fuel in case of any sediment. Crossing vast remote areas is a mind game, the heat is relentless and at time its can be difficult to motivate yourself. You have to push doubt and fear from your mind, fix your sight on a distant point and proceed. Riding the Simpson is an extremely rewarding experience. I crossed area devastated by bush fires, in the distance huge smoke plumes filled the skies. Coming to the Qld/NT boarder the track is littered with shredded tyres and dead animals, taking extreme care it was slow progress to ensure a safe passage through to Alice Springs. Riding past Uluru (Ayres Rock) is the half way marker and a motivating sight, now reaching the Tjukaruru track and heading west past the Petermann Ranges onto Docker River, spurred on and feeling an abundance of confidence. I found I was consumed by it all, a real remote feeling takes over and the senses kick in, everything become super alert and the adrenaline flows. Some 1200km passing through the Central Aboriginal Reserve, heading south/west to Warburton. Awesome desert ranges, colours are amazing. Beautiful white ghost gum trees, orange desert floor and brilliant blue open skies. I will never forget!! After 2 days of riding and a sigh of pure relief I pulled into the mining town of Laverton, the stars out here are breathtaking, like pin holes in the curtain of night. Totally exhausted I slept that night in the tent still wearing my leathers and jacket on the hard floor, the thought of blowing the air bed up was just too much, I was passed caring! Now day 13 and I made an early start out towards Mt Magnet. Now I thought I had managed near misses with every known animal in Australia! When out of the bushes a huge Emu came on a mission of shock and awe, now I am not afraid to say this, but I almost laid an egg! and if it wasnt for the bike ABS and lighting reflexes Id be dead. I must of missed this thing within an inch of its feathered life! I stopped, remembered to breath, and reflected on what had just happen. Why would an Emu run at me when hes got a zillion square miles to play in, surely must have a few palings loose in the top paddock. My focus now was purely on the last push to Steep Point, but fate had other plans for me! I think thats the beauty of Adventure riding, anything can and probably will happen.. Solo adventures really is about pushing your own abilities, to feed from your own inner strength. When faced with a bad situation, to say to yourself that is it is ok, when it is clearly not! To remain calm and optimistic, and allow the opportunities to present themselves, in order to decide on the right step or direction to take. These times are rich with experiences to learn and grow, to push the boundaries and to believe in yourself. Thats why I live for adventure. Pulled into Geraldton at Midnight, tired and looking for somewhere to pitch my tent, todays 1040 km had taken their toll and I saw a sign north of the city for Coronation Beach and camped up listening to the waves of the Indian Ocean. Next morning no time was wasted and I set off eager, Steep point was so close I could taste it! Then it happened, just 12 clicks north of the Billabong Roadhouse, that sickening gut wrenching feeling you get when there is something seriously wrong with the bike. So there I was coasting to a halt, hottest part of the day in the most fly infested part of Australia. Luck had it that this was also a busy main road between Geraldton and Canarvan, after much consideration, tinkering and swearing I turned her south and started pushing 220kg in the hot sun. Within 5 km down the road a big white removal truck pulled up in front of me and offered to give me a lift as they were empty and heading back down to Perth. I couldnt believe my luck and thanked them, and the heavens too. So there I was sweating like a bush pig, sitting pretty in the front of a removal truck, KTM strapped up in the back and heading the same way I came up! Life can just be extraordinary sometimes and I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasnt still dreaming on Coronation Beach. We fueled up in Geraldton, which by now I was getting to know quite well! My driver was yawning with blood shoot eyes so I offered to drive the remainder to Perth as I had a HR licence, and he gladly excepted. So off we went, me at the wheel heading south 400km down to Perth. Thats the beauty of Australian people, there trust and help is truly unmeasurable and I owe a lot to those guy. My time in Perth was short as KTM Australia and KTM Wanneroo responded quickly to the problem and fixed under warranty. Thinking about it all now, I figured it was a definite highlight of the adventure as I meet some great people because of it. I met a guy some time ago and he said, Its not what happens to you, its how you react to it. It was a statement that blew me away and I found that afterwards I could deal with lifes little dramas more easierly. Now just to put this into prospective, this slight detour was the entire length of the United Kingdom! Feeling relieved and refreshed I rode north with vengeance, I was determined to finish this adventure, for those who had donated and believed in me I felt a huge obligation to complete my task and I did not want to fail them. The last stretch to Steep Point was undoubtedly the most difficult of the whole journey, remote sand dunes cover the peninsular. If there was a time for real doubt to complete this journey it was there! I asked myself a lot of question on that stretch, riding fully loaded with wore knobies was pushing the limits. But with perseverance and careful map reading the 990 Adventure finally pushed me over the last dune to see the end of Australia. I stopped on the brow and switched the over heated engine off and just took the sight in, the satisfaction at that moment was truly incredible and undoubtedly unmeasurable to anything else I have ever experienced. Impossible to put into words and I can only encourage other who are thinking about such an Adventure, to just do it! If you do survive, it will change your life forever I guarantee it. The most outstanding part of this whole experience has been the people of Australia, the true salt of the earth characters that I had the pleasure of meeting along this journey, everyones response has been positive and helpful. For years I felt that the city was draining my soul, that I was becoming a automated mortgage slave, that others around me were losing sight of what this country is really about. Thankfully my doubts has been squashed, I am proud to say that the true blue Aussie spirit is strong and very much alive! I believe that our freedom is priceless and I invite other riders to come and join in on the next run, or a section of it, from East to West. We are a non profit cause and all donation raised will go to our charity of choice. For more info outlining requirements, dates and maps please visit our website, thegreataustralianride/ I look forward to the next GREAT AUSTRALIAN RIDE in August 2012, 2013, 2014..... You can contact Stuart on [email protected] We also have a great Facebook Page, The Great Australian Ride Special thanks to...... Winaroo KTM Perth KTM Australia Foundation Dental Promotion Products & Randall Smith Rodgers Removal services Race Motorcycles, Alice Springs AVR Automotive, Brisbane Jeff Barnes-Safety and Communication officer Sean & Alison Keogh Family and friends who have supported me in turning this dream into reality, thank you. Happy travels Stuart Ball
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 23:43:01 +0000
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