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Published: February 28th 2008
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Scott Foote, one of the two guys who rode our bikes back across the Nullarbor to complete, vicariously, our circumnavigation of Australia sent the story of their return from Perth to Southport and these photos just now, so you can see that the bikes completed our trip too . . . It makes a huge lump in our stomachs seeing the bikes again looking so good . . . like we should just be able to hop back on them and ride away into the sunset. My shoulder is much better now too, so I don't even have medical logic to convince me I shouldn't . . . Our ride around Australia was absolutely brilliant, but the loss of the bikes has been very painful. We'd grown rather attached to them (to say the least). But it's a good end; Scott's story makes us both feel like the bikes are with friends. We were particularly touched that they went out of their way to get back to Morgan and Wacker in Southport just so that our trip could be completed. I hope they stay safe and enjoy them.
Of the pictures, Scott says:
#1 We rode for 1 1/2
hours on this road without even the slightest hint of a bend. Started weaving from one side of the road to the other to alleviate the boredom and to get even wear on the tyres.
#2 The great Australian Bight. This is really a spectacle. They say that it is the site of the longest cliff face in the world.
#3 We set off at sunrise this day to cross the Nullarbor and to put 914 klm behind us. Such beautiful open space and lots of nothingness has left me filled with the desire to return---but slowly next time.
#4 "Ted and Helen" return to their place of birth with 21,000 klm on the clock. Was quite emotional riding into Morgan and Wacker knowing of the joint effort it had taken to 'complete the journey'. So sorry you weren't able to complete it yourselves. However we were pleased to be able to do it on your behalf.
#5 "Ted" with his new owner, Ingrid, on a ferry enroute to Stradbroke Island for a day ride. A fine looking pair.
Scott's story:
Quite late by the time we had got ourselves organised, so
headed off to get use to the bikes and to get out of Perth. Did 123 kms to Northam
Day 1
As the next couple of days we would be in a very isolated area, we had booked accommodation in advance. We rode 837 kms to Balladonia. . . . really impressed with the bikes . . . We sat on approx 120 kph on the open road and averaged 23-25 km per litre. Soon worked out how to stay comfortable in the saddle . . . one foot on the rear peg one on the front . . . then swap around . . . then both on the back pegs for a while. Stood up for lengthy periods, especially going through towns, or when we had numb bums.
Day 2
Rode to Eucla on the Western Australia-South Australia border. Stopped for lunch, then on to the Nullarbor Roadhouse for the night. Lucky we had booked ahead as very few places to stay and fully booked as it was school holidays. Got to the edge of the Bight here and saw the magnificent coastline (744 kms today)
Day 3
The biggest day, kilometre
wise, that we did. (914). We rode from Nullarbor Roadhouse early out to have a look at the head of the Bight . . . spectacular cliffs, extraordinary country, then on to Ceduna 295 kms where we stopped to refuel and have breakfast . . . on past Iron Knob and into Port Augusta. Reflected here, that you had passed through Port Augusta on the way north and in a way this point had completed one circle of half of Australia, i.e. P.A. Darwin, Perth, P.A. Continued on through spectacular scenery at Harrocks Pass near Willmington and on to Peterborough for the night. A big day. Peterborough was a large railway town and we had the night in a lovely old pub there.
Day 4.
Another early start and went through interesting countryside as it became more and more desolate again. Into Broken Hill where we gave “Ted” a new rear tyre. Through Wilcannia, a sad town with many social problems due to a large aboriginal community. All of the houses and shops in town had bars on the doors and windows for security. On to Cobar where we were going to stay the night. However as it
is a large mining area, all the accommodation was full. Had to run the gauntlet for 132 kms into Nyngan on dusk and into full darkness to get a bed. Only time we road after “roo” time. Never normally do it, but didn’t fancy sleeping under a bridge.
One other point of interest was that we have never seen so many wild goats in one area. Between Wilcannia and Cobar we literally saw thousands of them. Thankfully, if you tooted the horn, they all ran away from the road., unlike roos and emus and cattle. One can never be sure where they will go!! One lady told us that in places goats have taken over from sheep. Graziers can’t cull them fast enough and in some places have given up on sheep and now muster the goats and sell them for live export. Apparently doing better with goats than they did on sheep . . . 900 km to Nyngan.
Day 5
774 kms. Another great day in the saddle. Country changed quite quickly from Nyngan through Warren and on the Gilgandra were we had breakfast and fuelled up . . . on to Inglewood for the night.
Had an enjoyable evening at the motel. I have walked the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea a couple of times, so was very interested when an old guy and his wife, who we were sitting with having a beer, said he had fought on the track. He was interested to meet someone who had been back up there and really opened up about his experiences. Meanwhile another bloke turned up on a bike and took the room next to us. All of us chatting away over a beer when the old digger suddenly said to the newcomer; Hey I’ve seen you on TV. Turned out he was the Chief of Police from Melbourne out for a ride . . . the people you meet!
Day 6
Only 3 hours (400 kms) into Brisbane, so we diverted a little to take in some twisty roads and hinterland scenery. To Warwick . . . over Cunninghams Gap to Aratula, through Boonah, Beaudesert, Tamborine, past the Wolfdene Dam and across to the highway at Yatala. Beautiful scenic ride . . . then into Brisbane before lunch
[Note from the real “Ted”: Helen and I also rode the stretch between Warwick and Beaudesert doing our first 1000 km trials]
Later:
Was quite emotional returning the bikes to their home for a service. Could have had them done at Morgan and Wacker in Brisbane, but we decided that they had to complete the Journey for you both. Everyone there knew the story and were interested to hear about it and to see the bikes. A nice warm fuzzy feeling.
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Laurette Bloem
non-member comment
a friend from Holland
Dear reader, in my search for friends oversees I found this blog about Scott Foote. He is an old friend of mine and would like to contact him. Do you have any idea if I can find him on Facebook or do you have an email adress? Thanks in advance, Laurette