Post ATB stats and wrap

Today was spent sorting out:

• breakdown insurance paperwork
• getting rego paperwork together to transfer from WA to NSW
• doing the finances of the ride.

So, how far did I travel?

• Sydney to Balladonia via the big ticket attractions was 16187kms. This was on the black 2007 Suzuki M50.
• Tow truck rides (courtesy of Steve), 470kms
• Esperance to Sydney on the 2012 Suzuki M109R, 4265kms
• Total on bikes 20452kms
• Roger did just over 20,000kms as he didn't have to do the Esperance to Balladonia rerun.

How much did the ride cost? (ex bike replacement)

• I paid for nearly everything on plastic so it was easy to track (only had one roadhouse knock back tap&go on the mobile phone!)
• We did run a kitty that looked after common expenses like accommodation.
• The costings are rounded to nearest $10
• Petrol $2,160
• Food $1,890
• Accom $810
• Other $150
• Tyres and Service $800
• Total $5,750
• $100 per day

We ate well each night and enjoyed the local pubs around the block. It was never going to be a paupers trip and we came in on my initial costings. So I'm happy on that cost front.

You could do this trip easily for half this amount if you free camped and cooked.

The right equipment?

• I would choose a bike with a bigger fuel tank next time, however the bike was comfortable for the trip (except for the Qld roads)
• Never used the table or the chair.
• Used the Sat phone once.
• My normal mobile provider is Optus. I bought a Telstra sim for the spare phone I carried and that was a smart move. If you want to keep in contact on a daily basis with loved ones, Telstra  is your only option.
• CB was not used, however as with the Sat phone, it's for emergencies. So OK.
• Rog used the puncture repair kit in Kakadu and I used mine the evening prior to departure! (Have 10 CO2 canisters, normal repair will take 5, you need extra)
• The Sena intercom made hazard warnings and town riding sooooo much easier. We didn't spend the day prattling; conversation was as needed.
• I took too many clothes! And forgot thermals and beanie.

Overall feeling

• Loved it!
• Met some great people!
• It's an amazing country that everyone should get out and see some of on a motorcycle while they can.
• Do it with a friend (preferably on a separate bike).
• I will do it again, as a cager with my wife and catch many of the things we rode by on this trip.
• As you're reading this blog I hope that it was entertaining and gave you ideas of places to visit and the urge to Just Do It!
• If you do it, please share it on the various Facebook groups that I've shared (especially Motorcycle Camping Australia).
• Thanks all who followed and commented along the way. It was great to be able to share it with you.

No photos today, so I thought I'd share a few I liked from the last 57 days.

So until the next ride.......

Ride Hard, Live Long \\ //

PS. Yes, I had to go for a run to the shops today, just can't go cold turkey.

Day 57 - Kirrawee, home

An easy start from Gerroa this morning in blue skies and that damn cross wind.
Uneventful suburban ride that saw me in the front yard and the welcoming arm of Robyn by 11:00am.
The remainder of the day was spent unpacking the panniers and putting clothes away (and finish mowing the front lawn). Somethings never change.

I caught a cough somewhere over the Victorian border but couldn't get into see a quack in under a week in any town. So I rolled up to the local Quackery early this arvo, not problem, take a seat! The quack seemed very concerned about my crackerly chest and rugged good looks. He gave me a prescription for a couple of drugs and told be come back and see him next Thursday. Not sure if I should take a bottle of wine on the first date, or dress formally?

I'll post some stats etc on the trip tomorrow.

Day 56 - Gerroa

The weather's coming, the weather's coming! Time to flee the scene and head north east. After Les took the bike for a spin and approved it fit for riding (and confirming that a cruiser could be on the horizon for him), I headed off via 'gatha, Mirboo North to Morwell.

As soon as I hit "The Valley" I could smell the smoke and associated pollutants. So sad. Then it was east to Sale for a morning coffee with a fine tail wind.

Deadset 95% of all of Victoria's Road funding must be being spent between Morwell and the Vic/ NSW border it was unreal, a constant 80, 60, 40kmph, repeat, in what would normally be 110. 

Stopped in Cann River for lunch. Yes, a cold stretch of road as always. I arrived at Eden around 2:30pm which was too early to call it a day.

So I figured I'd aim for Gerroa where we have a little onsite caravan.

Refuelled and stood the bike upright at Nowra. The 40kmph cross wind put a bit of wear onto the left hand side of the tyre. And was damn hard keeping a line anywhere, let alone the left hand side of the road.

Road kill was interesting today with koala around Mirboo North, followed by deer, then wallaby, wombat, roo, fox and finally possum. Without doubt the most varied to date. It was a bit disconcerting as a couple of the wallaby were very fresh (but not moving). 

So tonight I'm sleeping in my own bed, just not at home. 

Day 55 - Wonthaggi lay day

Caught up with a couple of more mates today, Murph and Chas. Visited my mum and had dinner with her and my brother Greg.

A quiet day finished off with a port and brandy chatting with Les and Sal.

The cold front is coming through as I type. I can hear the wind and rain outside. It'll be a cold, wet and windy day tomorrow as I make my way along the coast into NSW and up to Eden for the night.

First day of the trip without a photo being taken.
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Day 54 - Wonthaggi

A great night with Jack, Linda and family. It was a lazy start to the day as I only had to ride to Wonthaggi.

I stopped off at the Grantville cemetery to have a chat with dad before riding onto Wonthaggi via Kilcunda.

Staying with life long (primary school) friends Les and Sal. We had lunch with mates Rog, Masha and Choco. All mates since school.

Out to dinner tonight with their partners and other school mates. A great get together where some of the world's biggest problems were solved. 

Day 53 - Noble Park

An enjoyable evening catching up with good friends with a good red in hand.

Nothing like the sound of rain on a tin roof while tucked into a warm bed.

This morning brought drizzle that partnered me to Ballarat where I stopped for lunch. The road from Horsham to Ararat was crap considering it's the main route from Melbourne to Adelaide.

The Melbourne skyline looked amazing as I came over the hills near Bacchus Marsh. The dark silhouette of the buildings against the matt grey clouded sky was picture perfect. I wish I could have stopped to capture the shot. Over the Westgate bridge, through the tunnel and off down the South Eastern freeway to Jack and Linda's place in Noble Park.

Time again to catch up on too many years apart.

My only photo of the day was of the monument in Ballarat commemorating the finding of gold at Poverty Point on 21 August 1851. The rest is history.

Day 52 - Ullswater

A dry start to the and 13c with a tail wind to boot. Started with breakfast at the Silo Cafe while admiring the silos across the road. The artwork on the local sports field fence was also excellent.

Through Keith and onto Bordertown (birth place of Bob Hawke). Then turn right and head down the windy and bumpy road to Frances and into Victoria. Left down the Patyah-Bringalbert road into Edenhope!

I caught up with long time friends Neil and Theresa Pahl before riding out to the to Ullswater (in the rain) to Ronnie and Rhonda Winters for the night. The cold front which had followed me all day finally rolled through around 7:30pm with some impressive lightning.

A most enjoyable day catching up with old friends.