Seven very excited guys headed down to Hillarys Boat Harbour at 7:30 am on Sunday 4th September to meet and greet our friends who came to wish us farewell or maybe just make sure we actually left. All of the preparation was complete, the bikes were ready, the trucks were ready the big question was were we ready? We had about 30 people turn up on the inclement morning we had a few photos put our helmets on and headed off at exactly the same time it started to pour with rain. We had the guys from WorldLink International escort us to Paynes Find some 430 klms north west of Perth.
Wasn't long before Statts started to complain as the KTM 400EXC pounded his well fed bottom, he blamed the bitumen, we blamed the lack of maintenance and almost negligible suspension.
Shaymos GPS parted company with the Tenacious Tenere’s dashboard around 350 metres after the bitumen ended, but it wasn’t until 120kms up the road until Shaymo noticed it was missing and it was too far to go back. The USS Missouri now had to rely on navigating by the sun and the dust from the fellow riders.
Our first nights camp was Narndee Creek, awesome sunset and a good chance to see what culinary delights Statt has packed us for the next 17 days. One inch think rib fillet steaks and an icy cold beverage was the finest way to start the trip.
Statistics
Bikes: Nothing really to report, Teneree loved the tarmac, finding her feet on unfamiliar brown stuff
690’s, brand new, what can we say but awesome. Statt believes they will not age gracefully on this trip
530 and 400, not accustomed to the black stuff, but opening up to be 400 EXC country (Statts epic quote will be later in the blog, around day 3 I think?)
Cars, Great to get into some corrugations and test out these new “big dog” 3 inch adjustable shocks. We also received this question from Matt and Tony every time we pulled over for a regroup, “When can we stop and attack the beverages in the fridges?”
KTM Enduro Jackets, all badged up!
The bikes ready to go!
Shamo fueling up
Statt at the servo almost looks ready
Scotty amped up and ready to get into it
Troy fuelling the 690 Enduro
Laughing Feather Photography, thanks Hels X
Scotty, Statt, Troy, Robbo and Shaymo ready to go at Hillary's Boat Harbour
The Long Way Across Package
Nissan One with the 530 and one of the 690's
All smiles from big Tony Wormald delighted that he installed a turbo on the 4.2 litre Patrol
How Lovely
Paynes Find fueled up and ready to hit the dirt - finally!!
Robbo is chuffed to be on the dirt - were are still not sure about the Natuzzi Lounge Seat on the might 530
Setting up camp at Nandi Creek
Robbos set up, now where is dinner?
Troy's camp - the Quechua greatest 2 second tent ever. only problem is either the swag is too long or the tent is too short :-/
