Ride Advice

[TimF]

Well I've got 7 weeks of rec leave up the sleeve so I was thinking of taking a few and heading bush.

First stop will be Rolleston. Then I'm hoping to head Mt Isa then to Alice Springs and Uluru aka Ayers Rock.

Information on fuel stops etc seems to be quite limited so any info would be much appreciated.

[GCBusa]

Have fun and travel safe Tim.

[Heidi1]

You'll be right, I've done that trip twice. I found the Motorcylist's Atlas absolutely invaluable, their fuel stops were correct. The key out there is stop and get fuel every time you see it. There is just one leg coming back down towards Adelaide where it is considerably further than the map says, I'll have to go back and find out what the station is called. When you are riding fuel stop to fuel stop, keep and eye on your speed and the headwind. Both will seriously compromise your fuel economy. Of course, you can always carry fuel, a 5 litre jerry can will get you out of any trouble on those roads.

[big kev]

tim how bout you get a TOMTOM bike navigator, i have 1 on the busa bro and when i was doing away trips it was really good it comes with the helemt ear peice and it bluetooths your mobile fone

at the time they were just under $400 and yeah i near died when i saw the price

there a great little gadget mate

[Heidi1]

If you are coming down the Stuart Highway towards Adelaide, be careful of the leg between Coober Pedy and Glendambo. Google maps says it is 255kms, but I suggest that you might be doing SLIGHTLY more than the speed limit (there is NOTHING out there except for wildlife, which is damn scary but another story) which will suck up your fuel. I rolled into Glendambo on fumes and luck last time I was out there, so be a bit careful. I'd miscalculated my speed and the cross wind and could have been in a bit of trouble.

CARRY WATER!
(and Southern Comfort)

[TimF]

Thanks.

Heidi - where did you guys fuel up after you left Camooweal? There seems to be a 650klm stretch between Camooweal and Tennant Creek without fuel.

[Heidi1]

DUDE!!! You'll be visiting the world famous Barkley Homestead! You can get a ham and cheese toasted sandwich and a beer all before lunch. Your fuel after Barkley is Three Ways, but it is worth going the extra 28kms into Tennant Creek as Three Ways is famous for having the most expensive fuel in the Territory. Stop at Three Ways though, it is a bit of an icon. I had one of the funniest nights of my life there.

Go out tomorrow and get yourself the motorcylist atlas, I can't stress enough how good it is. I'm looking at it now to tell you where your fuel is. Around that part of the world you are ok without a jerry can as long as you plan your fuel stops, it is only when you get up the top that you start to get into strife.

[TimF]

Thanks for the Atlas tip, I'll go looking for a copy today

This is how it's shaping up so far:

[TimF]

Thanks a bunch Heidi this atlas is bloody unreal. The icons showing fuel are particularly helpful. I've even called a few of the places to make sure they are still there and thriving haha. Goes to show that Google maps isn't very informative outside of the city.

The ride reviews have shown me some great places that I would have otherwise missed, even though they're only minor detours.

ps. I'll be taking a 5litre plastic fuel container, just for a little insurance.

[Raging]

Man I haven't been that way in a while, always riding around Emerald/Rolleston area though. Just be careful though, I have noticed a few servo's have closed down here and there that used to be little life-savers. Other than that, enjoy it

[Heidi1]

I TOLD YOU!!! I didn't realise until I did my first adventure out there! Ruffy set me on to it, I think it ROCKS! I know some people think the GPS is the way to go, but you have to know where you are going. Give me a map every day.

A 5 litre jerry can isn't that hard to carry, and it means you can go as fast as you want and not have to worry so much about the extra fuel consuption. If you don't mind, I'll go back to my old map that took a similar route and make some suggestions. You HAVE to take a ridiculous back road that has jumps every 800m. It will scare the hell out of you the first time both wheels leave the road, but you get the hang of it. Now I look at your route, you aare on it, it is the road that goes past Jericho, Anakie and Longreach. Stop at the Blue Heeler pub and write your name on the wall. Also, if you get the chance, go to the Devil's Marbles. It is only about 4kms off the main road, but it is the most beautiful place.

Oh f*** it, when are you going? Want a co-pilot?

And Winton is beautiful, the pub has no keys for the doors of the rooms. When I asked why the publican told me with a perfectly straight face, no crime in Winton.

[TimF]

Haha cheers, have noted all suggestions - they sound great!

Leaving Saturday the 30th of May (leave has been approved - bonus) and co-pilots are more than welcome! And happy to discuss adjusting dates if it would work in better.

Ride #98 in the Atlas (4th Edition) looks brilliant - "Mereenie Loop Road". Leaves from Alice Springs and goes to Kings Canyon (pictured). About 500~600klm for the loop.

[Ward P]

If you are coming down the Stuart Highway towards Adelaide, be careful of the leg between Coober Pedy and Glendambo. Google maps says it is 255kms, but I suggest that you might be doing SLIGHTLY more than the speed limit (there is NOTHING out there except for wildlife, which is damn scary but another story) which will suck up your fuel. I rolled into Glendambo on fumes and luck last time I was out there, so be a bit careful. I'd miscalculated my speed and the cross wind and could have been in a bit of trouble.

CARRY WATER!
(and Southern Comfort)

I carried 5 litres of fuel on this stretch also - and needed it.
Now that the Territory is 130kmph is it patrolled??
That would greatly improve fuel economy, and kill the pocket economy.

Whilst living in Alice it wasn't uncommon for a Motorcyclist to die due to dehidration, it can creep up so be carefull if riding in full leathers in summer.

Merinie loop road was heaps of sand when I last did it - Woulodn't have got the busa through - that was over 10 years ago now, but doubt it's changed.

Ya lucky bugger!! 7 weeks

[TimF]

Cheers Ward.

According to this atlas I've got it says:

"They're sealing the Mereenie Loop Road. By the time you read this (assuming you buy a copy very quickly) they'll probably be more than half done. That may not cause you to raise your eyebrows, but it's a major surprise to me. I can remember when it was very difficult to get through this stretch of county at all, and now it will be just a matter of setting the cruise control and remembering to stop when you get to the end."

I might give the tourism joint a call and see how it's coming along.

[TimF]

Spoke to the tourism board and apparently the tarring of the Mereenie Loop Road has been postponed and it's still very much a 4WD track.

Bugger.