Its all in the planning

Things aren’t happening as fast as I would like. I’m still at work and haven’t touched the bike in over a week. I’m starting to worry a bit that I’m running out of time and will get myself into a mad panic to make the departure date.



I watched the Charley Boorman film “Race to Dakar” again for a bit of inspiration…..but I’m not racing the Dakar and my ride couldn’t be any further away from this. Good to watch though…..you see bits that you don’t pick up initially, like the gear on the bikes or reading between the lines when things are said or done. “I have to agree though…..it would be the toughest race in the world”

A mate of mine will be travelling with me…he has just recently bought a “97” model Suzuki Katana. So we have been chewing the fat on the odd occasion as to what we should take for the trip across, fuel stops, camping gear, do we buy food all the way across or take stuff to eat, types of luggage to carry our gear etc…etc… the list goes on.

Actually my list looks like this at the moment:


Things to take:
1. Tent (use existing one)
2. Pillow.
3. Mattress - self inflating.
4. Small Tarp.
5. Seat Bag and maybe panniers (soft).
6. Pacsafe…..
7. Wire Rope Locking device for jacket and helmet.
8. Disc lock…..
9. Sheepskin (free) or Airhawk ($170) seat.
10. Camera, Video Camera and Helmet cam.
11. Toiletries and Toilet Paper.
12. Clothes
13. Tools. - Cable ties and Gaffa Tape, Chain Lube - Bel Ray….titanium sticky stuff.
14. Torch (small) and Headlamp.
15. First Aid Kit.
16. 5 Lt Jerry for fuel. (Put jerry in shoulder bag….like work one, so the rozzers don’t pull you over).
17. Something to stop key falling out - springy lanyard thing.

Note: If anyone reads the list and has any suggestions please feel free to make comment.


I’m sure this is an ever evolving list that is bound to change several times before the departure date.

At this stage it looks as if we are going to have to do some mega “k’s” on the first 2 days, try 1000 Kilometres. My mate Rob, who has done this trip once before reckons “3 days should be enough that’s how long we took the last time”….”yes Rob and how much younger were you then”?.......try 10 years younger.

Id like to factor in 4 days so we have some leeway…….because I know for a fact my arse is going to be hurting by the time we get to Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. And there is going to be some big…long…straight…boring stretches of road to test our stamina and mental fortitude. Thank god for Ipods…..never thought I hear myself say that.

The initial part of the trip centres around arriving in Wagga Wagga on the 23 rd of February 2010, to meet the rest of the GPz900 gang and then over the next 2 days travel down from there, through Victoria to Phillip Island and then camp out on the island for the 3 days of fun, drinking, watching the races, drinking, watching????.....you get the drift.


Basically just having a good time meeting people and making some new friends with a common interest….motorbikes.

The schedule for my part of the trip will look something like this and again this may change at a later date:

Day 1 (Fri 19th Feb 2010) - say goodbye to the “cheese and kisses” (my wife and kids) depart home and ride to Robs place in Narrogin and stay overnight. Short and sweet.

Day 2 (Sat 20th Feb 2010) - the trip starts here, the first “biggy”, depart Robs place and ride…..ride….ride….all the way to Cocklebiddy and camp there the night. A distance of some 1130 Kms, my bum is numb and I need help standing up. Rob will have to roll out my sleeping arrangements and hold the bike while I fall from the bike onto my bed.

Day 3 (Sun 21st Feb 2010) - I can feel my toes now and we head off to Cowell in South Australia a distance of 1160 Kms.

Day 4 (Mon 22nd Feb 2010) - Up early drive legend of a bike onto the Cowell Ferry, relax in the luxurious comforts of the ferry that will take us across the Spencer Gulf and roll us off at Wallaroo on the other side. Ride to Wagga Wagga and “Big Dave’s” place another 1000 “k” trip. Jobs done. My arse is hurting again. I hope he has a nice comfy chair to sit in …..Oh and beer.

The next 2 days after our arrival will be meet and greet and then we are off to the island.

Any way that’s the plan, you can only plan so much, all there is to do now is prepare the best I can and go. See what the trip brings.

Oh there's the ride back as well to think about.......one thing at a time hey.......