GETTING TO THE START
BRISBANE TO ADELAIDE
BRISBANE TO ADELAIDE - 12th to 16th August 2017
While it was a relatively simple decision to decide that this ride would be from Adelaide to Darwin, the decision on how to get to the start line was a little more difficult. While we hear horror stories of bike damage and missing baggage on flights, I have to say that Finn, Pat and I have flown to Perth, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA and back without any glitches at all. This with Finn only semi-disassembled and packed into a cardboard bike box from my local bike shop.
However on this occasion we would be starting in Adelaide in “winter” weather and ending in Darwin in “summer” weather – so the need to carry a full range of clothes. Also Annie would be camping in her tent, and we would be using the campervan, and cooking our own food etc etc – it seemed a lot of stuff to try to “fly” with.
The decision was made to pick up the rental campervan in Brisbane and the three of us drive to the start in Adelaide.
We picked up the campervan on Saturday 12th August, and brought it home to pack with all our gear. Annie arrived “bright” and early on Sunday 13th August with her bike, camping equipment and gear and once it was all in the van – off we headed. It was great having 3 people to share the driving.
Our travel days went as follows:-
Sunday 13th August – Brisbane (Qld) to Coonabarabran (NSW) – 750 kms
Monday 14th August – Coonabarabran (NSW) to Tooleybuc (NSW) – 850 kms
Tuesday 15th August – Tooleybus (NSW) to Adelaide (SA) – 500 kms
We sure had to keep on keeping on, but it all went pretty well, with the worst part being the final 100 kms from Tailem Bend to Adelaide. We had made great time, and stopped at a cute café in Tailem Bend for lunch – where we went into a “Vinnie’s” shop next door and Annie obtained “Charlie” the buffalo who was to be her mascot for the ride. Little did we know at that stage (well I didn’t) – that we would meet the “real” although now deceased Charlie at the Adelaide River Hotel the night before our final day of riding into Darwin.
On we went from this stop – and suddenly – we all smelt a burning rubber smell. It seemed to be coming from the back of the van. We stopped, checked things out – all seemed OK – so we continued. Another 10 kms down the road and going uphill again – and the smell came back!! Pat was sure the hand-brake was fully released, she had checked and re-checked it at each stop – so we decided to press slowly on again. The smell didn’t come back, but the weather decided to really pack up and soon we were driving through thick fog and heavy rain, with visibility severely reduced.
I felt like we “limped into Adelaide Caravan Park – where we met up with the others who were already set up there – Des and Liz; and Barry and Bette.
As the rental vehicle came with full roadside assist coverage, I decided just to be sure that we should call the RAA and get the van checked out. They were very prompt in attending to the van and gave everything a very thorough check out – and declared everything to be in order to continue the trip. He thought the brakes could have stick on temporarily, but could see no problems with the hand brake release mechanism, and he jacked up and checked both rear wheels to ensure there was no damage. I felt much better knowing that we had this al checked before we continued into “the outback”.
We all dined together at a local hotel that evening – and couldn’t believe it was a pub with NO lemonade, and NO sarspirillo!!!! Unbelievable!!
Wednesday we spent shopping for requirements – food, wine, bike and any other bits and pieces we had forgotten, or intended to get once here. We also took a ride into the centre of Adelaide to see where our start point would be. Who would have believed that the statue we posed in front of was actually the wrong one!!!! But we did get the right one on the Thursday morning.
The weather was very miserable – to us Queenslanders – VERY cold, and also VERY wet. The wind bit right through you, and the reports didn’t sound good for the first few days of this ride. It was going to be a tough start!!!
While it was a relatively simple decision to decide that this ride would be from Adelaide to Darwin, the decision on how to get to the start line was a little more difficult. While we hear horror stories of bike damage and missing baggage on flights, I have to say that Finn, Pat and I have flown to Perth, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA and back without any glitches at all. This with Finn only semi-disassembled and packed into a cardboard bike box from my local bike shop.
However on this occasion we would be starting in Adelaide in “winter” weather and ending in Darwin in “summer” weather – so the need to carry a full range of clothes. Also Annie would be camping in her tent, and we would be using the campervan, and cooking our own food etc etc – it seemed a lot of stuff to try to “fly” with.
The decision was made to pick up the rental campervan in Brisbane and the three of us drive to the start in Adelaide.
We picked up the campervan on Saturday 12th August, and brought it home to pack with all our gear. Annie arrived “bright” and early on Sunday 13th August with her bike, camping equipment and gear and once it was all in the van – off we headed. It was great having 3 people to share the driving.
Our travel days went as follows:-
Sunday 13th August – Brisbane (Qld) to Coonabarabran (NSW) – 750 kms
Monday 14th August – Coonabarabran (NSW) to Tooleybuc (NSW) – 850 kms
Tuesday 15th August – Tooleybus (NSW) to Adelaide (SA) – 500 kms
We sure had to keep on keeping on, but it all went pretty well, with the worst part being the final 100 kms from Tailem Bend to Adelaide. We had made great time, and stopped at a cute café in Tailem Bend for lunch – where we went into a “Vinnie’s” shop next door and Annie obtained “Charlie” the buffalo who was to be her mascot for the ride. Little did we know at that stage (well I didn’t) – that we would meet the “real” although now deceased Charlie at the Adelaide River Hotel the night before our final day of riding into Darwin.
On we went from this stop – and suddenly – we all smelt a burning rubber smell. It seemed to be coming from the back of the van. We stopped, checked things out – all seemed OK – so we continued. Another 10 kms down the road and going uphill again – and the smell came back!! Pat was sure the hand-brake was fully released, she had checked and re-checked it at each stop – so we decided to press slowly on again. The smell didn’t come back, but the weather decided to really pack up and soon we were driving through thick fog and heavy rain, with visibility severely reduced.
I felt like we “limped into Adelaide Caravan Park – where we met up with the others who were already set up there – Des and Liz; and Barry and Bette.
As the rental vehicle came with full roadside assist coverage, I decided just to be sure that we should call the RAA and get the van checked out. They were very prompt in attending to the van and gave everything a very thorough check out – and declared everything to be in order to continue the trip. He thought the brakes could have stick on temporarily, but could see no problems with the hand brake release mechanism, and he jacked up and checked both rear wheels to ensure there was no damage. I felt much better knowing that we had this al checked before we continued into “the outback”.
We all dined together at a local hotel that evening – and couldn’t believe it was a pub with NO lemonade, and NO sarspirillo!!!! Unbelievable!!
Wednesday we spent shopping for requirements – food, wine, bike and any other bits and pieces we had forgotten, or intended to get once here. We also took a ride into the centre of Adelaide to see where our start point would be. Who would have believed that the statue we posed in front of was actually the wrong one!!!! But we did get the right one on the Thursday morning.
The weather was very miserable – to us Queenslanders – VERY cold, and also VERY wet. The wind bit right through you, and the reports didn’t sound good for the first few days of this ride. It was going to be a tough start!!!