On day 4, we had just one road to ride: the Birdsville Track. Forged from moving cattle down from Queensland to markets in South Australia in the 1860s, the track is 517 km and has only one fuel option at 204 km, making the second half close to most bikes’ fuel range.
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In the cities, we quibble about potholes, but out here, the roads shift and constantly change as vehicles push through the weather-molded dirt surface. The heavy rains before the event also created bog holes throughout the Track that we would need to overcome.
It would already be a push to make Birdsville before sunset, but two separate presses of the SOS button would make this one of the longest days many of us had ever experienced on an adventure bike.
00:00 – In this episode
00:48 – Trip so far
01:16 – Birdsville Track
02:21 – Before Sunrise
03:34 – Setting off
06:10 – Crash 1
08:35 – Continuing
13:16 – Mungaranie
13:59 – Fuel numbers I need to hit
15:39 – Bogged
17:06 – Propper Mud Hole
24:56 – Scuba Craig
27:54 – SOS #2
30:49 – Night Riding Birdsville
32:57 – In Town
33:38 – Update on the crashed riders
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I've watched this a couple of times Vern, man what a full on experience.That would rattle the most solid adventure riders, you guys did an amazing job.
I'd love to know more about your Garmin Inreach SOS experience.
I have to say, I'm speechless at how this day went.
RFDS do a fantastic job for outback communities and emergency services. I regularly donate to the RFDS. I encourage other ADV riders to do the same.
Great video Vern. Very professionally done.
Great video Vern! Tragic to see people go down during a long-planned event ride. And how good are the RFDS! We hear, "Say no to slow" bandied around, but it's some pretty terrible advice for ADV riders that want to enjoy their passion for many years to come. Cheers mate 🍻
Loving the series
Did this solo mid July this year.
Was great to see it again thru your eyes.
Glad the guys are ok.
Did a recent trip with a mate who has the GSA version of yours with a 24ltr tank, he gets good mileage my cfmoto was sitting on 6600rpm at 110k lol but I was getting 4.5ltr 100k, she likes to rev but does well 👍🏻
Holy crap what a day. I would have been a more than "a little spooked" after those events and then getting to your destination at that time. Insane day.
Great video, full respect for stopping the video at the accident site and letting James and Jason tell their story. It’s a reminder to always be prepared because it can all go pear shaped quickly!
Very nicely done Vern! Respectful in your story telling… also thanks for sharing and the reality of how the Garmin / PLB works!
An awesome and very raw episode. Thank you for sharing the truth of these adventures. To the injured partied I hope you recover quickly and get back to the sport you both love 😎🙏🏻
Great blog glad to see the boys are ok, great support you all gave them. Things can change so quickly.
Thats one hell of an injury list!
Incredible content once again Vern. Respectful, engaging and entertaining. You are a very talented man!
👌
Always drive to the conditions
Outstanding effort guys. Well done by all.
Mate, you've done well with this series. Unfortunate about the two fellas! I wish them a speedy recovery! I was heading up there last week, solo. Had an off on Mt Hopeless Rd… Couple of cracked ribs later, had to make my way back home to Melbourne. I felt every single corrugation on the Strzelecki Track… Anyway, back at home now, watching your third episode. Stay upright 🙂
Vern, again a fantastic series showcasing this amazing country we live in. It’s got me itching to join a future ride to this inspiring part of Aus. Keep up the great work mate.
Nice video and welcome to china to have this motor trip haha
Well done Vern. Great video. And well done all for staying back to ensure the safety of the guys who came off. The scuba diver had me in stitches. Glad he is ok. Again fantastic video showing how good the adv community is and what it is like to get out there.