44,347km all the way round (and a bit more)

[Sly-Fox]

Just arrived back in Perth (sadly), after my journey around Australia. Eventual total distance was 44,347km or 27,556 miles. Reached all the extremities too, most northerly, easterley, southerly, westerly and the geographical centre as well. The whole collectors set.

You can do all the usual (pictures, videos, blog etc.) over at Arse About Face - A motorcycle misadventure around Australia, or Arse About Face will take you directly to the latest blog update.

If you really fancy a laugh you can even have a look at some videos over at YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.


Cheers to all those who assisted from HUBB!

[loxsmith]

Just had a look at some of your travels on "Arse about Face", all I can say is you lucky bastard. I recently drove the Oodnadatta and Strzelecki Tracks in a 4wd and loved it. They are much better than doing the Stuart Highway up the Centre. How can you stop now after covering so much ground???? Or do you have plans to continue elsewhere??



Glen

[Sly-Fox]

I don't think I'm handling being in one place very well actually, I sense some sort of psychosis looming on the horizon.

Financial pressures (as in I've got bugger all money) and an expiring visa, means I'm heading back to the UK, at least for a while. Had to sell the beloved machine to fund my journey back. Waaa!

Still, the container-ship trip from Shanghai to Europe should be a bit of a laugh, even if I can't ride a bike around the deck. Plenty of plans for future misadventures, quite looking forward to getting back and getting my sticky mitts on another bike that I can deck out to my liking. Maybe I'll write my memoirs on the voyage back.

The Oodnadatta was great fun, plenty of sights along the way too surprisingly, must've been nice in the 4x4 too!

[alexpezzi]

Hello Christian,
excellent videos! I like the trousers you were wearing, are they moto-trousers?
cheers Alex.

[mattmbishop]

Wicked trip mate, cool website, lotsa places in them videos that I remember from when I was in Aussie, back in 2006. Good on ya mate.

Only cure for the "back to reality blues" is to start planning the next trip. South America maybe?

Don't go overlooking the riding in Europe either, I spent a couple of weeks in the Alps in August and some of that riding was as good as any in Aussie. Sure, mountains rather than deserts, TDM850 rather than XR650, twisty tarmac roads rather than dirt and bulldust, but still just as much fun...

Cheers,
Matt

[Hornet]

Hi Christian

Great site. I hope to do a similar trip next year. Have just bought a new Suziki DR650 to do the trip. The bike has a small tank - the max range is only 220km - is this a problem? Are there any stretches where there is no fuel for more than 200km?

Peter

[Sly-Fox]

Originally Posted by alexpezzi

Hello Christian,
excellent videos! I like the trousers you were wearing, are they moto-trousers?
cheers Alex.

Cheers! They're from a German company called Hein Gericke Hein Gericke (UK) Ltd., good stuff and pretty affordable too. Apart from a couple of busted zips (probably caused by crashes rather than workmanship), they stood the whole journey pretty well. "Tuareg Tracker" gear I think they were called, same with the jacket.

Are there any stretches where there is no fuel for more than 200km?

A range of 200km will certainly limit which routes you take, some of the outback tracks (rather than the highway) would need a longer range. Also there is always the possiblity that the fuel stations (especially up north) could be out of fuel; I actually rocked up to one, only to find out it had burned down! Ended up going 390km without fuel for that stretch. I reckon a larger tank would give you more freedom (and room for error), although an extra 5litre can strapped on the back somewhere would probably give you enough for most of the regions I think. As long as you don't plan on doing 120km/hr all over the place of course.

Only cure for the "back to reality blues" is to start planning the next trip. South America maybe?

Good call on the Europe thing, I'm actually hoping to have a bit of a tour round the UK (see the place I supposidly call home), then definately get over to Europe. Seems silly not to, what with it being so close!

Still, have to survive the sea journey back to Europe first! Seasickness pills on standby...

[Keith1954]

Hi Christian - That's a great website etc. you got there; well done mate.

If you do indeed get the opportunity to ride around Blighty, then no doubt you'll be getting down to my neck of the woods: of Newquay, on the north Cornwall coast - aka the surfing capital of Britain.

You got a place to stay when you get here bro - so please don't hesitate to get in touch (PM or e-mail) closer to the time.

Cheers

KEITH

[Nomadic1]

[life of brian voice over]

YOU LUCKY LUCKY BAR STEWARD!!

[/life of brian voice over]

[Sly-Fox]

Originally Posted by Keith1954

You got a place to stay when you get here bro - so please don't hesitate to get in touch (PM or e-mail) closer to the time.

Cheers

KEITH

Cheers for the offer, will certainly be down there for a visit once I get my self sorted out, consider your home invaded. Nice blog about your US trip by the way, was just having a nose about. Looks like you had a blast!

[haggis]

Loved the video on u-tube

Well put together.

I have a friend who is doing the round oz trip next June, leaving from Malaga WA for 4 months. He would be very interested in your blog site.
Where abouts in Perth are you located?

Regards
Steven
Ellenbrook WA

[Sly-Fox]

Originally Posted by stevenkirk

Loved the video on u-tube

Well put together.

I have a friend who is doing the round oz trip next June, leaving from Malaga WA for 4 months. He would be very interested in your blog site.
Where abouts in Perth are you located?

Regards
Steven
Ellenbrook WA

Can I go with him? I was over in Armadale, just south of Perth; although I'm now sitting in a freezing cold Shanghai, waiting for my transport to arrive back to Europe.

No doubt he'll have a blast!

[Andrew2]

Great Video.We certainly are blessed with great riding over here and can't wait for my big trip around in 2010.

Cheers
A2

[krashdragon]

Originally Posted by Sly-Fox

although I'm now sitting in a freezing cold Shanghai, waiting for my transport to arrive back to Europe.
!

I hope you got back, or at least on your way. I just spend a couple hours reading about your trip and throughly enjoying the read, the pics and the humor.
You take care and ride, fly and drive safe...

It was a good way to spend New Year's day...
Thanks from cold Dallas, Tx! Whichever in C or F, the water outside is still freezing! <G>
Happy New Year!

Mary aka Krashdragon

[TravellingStrom]

Originally Posted by Hornet

Hi Christian

Are there any stretches where there is no fuel for more than 200km?

Peter

Hi m8

I can guarantee it. Cape Crawford to Barkleys Homestead in the NT - 389km. My DL650 just scraped it in with a 22L tank, had an extra 10l strap on anyway Sometimes the servos on the Stuart Highway don't have fuel, fill up at every opportunity. Unless you can do at least 300km on main tank, seriously plan your trip out that way and stick to the plan.

Enjoy it
TravellingStrom