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loxsmith 16 Jul 2008 02:58

Posties to The Cape '08
 
Stop laughing, this is going to be some serious fun. This is not part of the organised "Postie Bike Challenge". Just 3 mates who like a challenge!

The plan is to ride from Cairns to Cape York and back to Cairns in 3 weeks starting August 23rd on CT110X Honda's
No backup just 3 crazy riders to sort out any problems that may arise.

What I am looking for any special places to see/visit that are not in the guide books or commonly known about. Or suggestions on changing the route we have planned. Everything is flexible as it has to be on a ride like this. There is no set dates to be in any designated place.
Flights have been booked to get to Cairns as the 3 of us are spread around the country. I will not book a return flight until the day we arrive back in Cairns as too much can and will change.

I have done the Cape run before but in a 4WD so I know what to expect and how deep the creek crossings are likely to be.

Here is where we think we will go


Option 1
Kuranda
Mareeba fuel available
Dimbulah fuel available
Mt Mulligan
Palmer River Roadhouse fuel available

Option 2 I would rather this option.
Trinity Beach
Mossman fuel available
Daintree fuel available
Cape Tribulation fuel available PK’s Jungle Village, IGA Supermarket and camping.
Bloomfield fuel available
Wujal Wujal
Ayton
Cedar Bay NP
Helenvale fuel available Lions Den Hotel Index of /


Lakeland
fuel available

Laura
fuel available Just south of Laura you can turn off to Split Rock and the Quinkan Aboriginal Rock Art Galleries, which feature some fabulous Aboriginal rock paintings.

Hann River Crossing
fuel available good camping on the Kennedy River

Musgrave Roadhouse
fuel available ph4060 3229

Coen
Fuel available Exchange Hotel, known as the Sexchange Hotel, you'll see why when you get there.

Archer River Roadhouse
fuel available ph4060 3266 There is a memorial to Toots Holzheimer, legendary female truckie of Cape York who died in a loading accident in 1992.

Weipa fuel available.
Fishing off the jetty, squid jig and hand reel with wire trace. Visitors can use the public swimming pool and there are medical centres, vehicle repairers and all facilities you could ever need. The fishing around Hey, Embley and Mission Rivers are reputed to be very good. Back East on shortcut to “Batavia Downs”.

Moreton Telegraph Station
ph40603360 over the Wenlock River fuel available? Less than 100 metres after crossing the Wenlock there’s a small track branching off into the bush. Turn left here and follow for about 1km to arrive at the ruins of Batavia goldfields.

Bramwell Junction OTL fuel available ph40603230 camping

Dulhunty River nice campsite 7km west of crossing

Bertie Creek 1km downstream is good camp site??

Gunshot Creek camping

Cockatoo Creek camping

Sailor Creek camping

Fruitbat Falls
“We will see this again on the way down” Day use only

Eliot/Twin/Indian Head Falls
Camping Ranger ph4060 3241 Be careful at Indian Head - the flow of Eliot Creek and the drop in the creek bed combine to form what's known as a sieve at the top of the falls. Being swallowed up by this can, and has been fatal.
Canal Creek just north of Eliot/Twin Falls, which would have to be one of the best bush camps

Nolans Brook camping

Jardine Ferry ph4069 1369 camping

Injinoo fuel available ex Sat/Sun

Umagico fuel available

Bamaga fuel available

Seisha fuel available

· Day trip to TI and Horn Island
· Chopper flight maybe
· Sea Swift passenger and vehicle ferry 2 night trip to Cairns. Departs every Monday 1800 424422

Loyalty Beach
A delightful new campground, Loyalty Beach, has been established by the people of New Mapoon and is situated 3km east of Seisia. The camping area is somewhat quieter than Seisia and is managed by the Lennox family, again a very pretty spot.

Punsand Bay
Safari and Fishing Lodge offers a little more than the other camping areas. Here you will find a small swimming pool, permanent tent accommodation and a bar and restaurant. Visitors are welcome at any time and scenic helicopter flights can be taken right off of the beach. Punsand Bay is a private reserve with long, white beaches, a licensed restaurant, camping areas, cabins and amenities. Like Seisia, it's a very pretty place and lies 11km from Lockerbie along a sandy, often bumpy track. Unfortunately, you can't swim here because of the crocs and sharks, but the beach is great for a stroll at sunset and there's an interesting wreck to poke around at the southern end. Fishing tours and pre-arranged transport to Thursday Island are also available from Punsand Bay.

Pajinka “The Tip”

Somerset

Approx distances using opt 2
Cairns to Daintree 110km
Daintree to Helenvale “Lions Den” 70km
Helenvale to Laura 120km Fuel
Laura to Musgrave 140km
Musgrave to Coen 110km
Coen to Archer River 65km Fuel
Archer River to Weipa 150km
Weipa to Bramwell 175km Fuel
Bramwell to Jardine 130km
Jardine to Bamaga 45km Fuel
Bamaga to Pajinka 35km
Total 1 way Cairns to Pajinka 1150km approx.

Fuel stops are a guess at a range of about 350km???


The Trip Down

Now if we have made it this far and the bikes still start we are in for some real fun. Theme for this run is go hard or go home. Bodies should be used to the pounding by now.

Somerset via beach to

Nanthau Beach (East Coast)

Bamaga
11km south east to Jackey Jackey Airfield WW2 wrecks scattered to the west and north of the strip. One of the better ones was hard to find so here are the GPS coordinates if you want to check it out (S 10°56.184’ E 142°27.327’)

Mutee Head
which was an army radio base during the war because of the deep water for landing. Jardine River Mouth (West Coast)

Jardine via Northern bypass Rd

Fruit Bat Falls

Captain Billy’s Landing
via the Southern Bypass Rd. The caves to the right are flooded at high tide but when the water is low you can walk right into them, watch your heads and hold your nose as they are filled with bats. It is almost always windy here, so there is a lovely campsite back up the road and behind the bushes above the cliffs.

Bertie Creek

Dulhunty River

Bramwell Junction fuel available

Chilli Beach
in Iron Range NP (East Coast)
The beach is beautiful however its unfortunate that the currents wash up the rubbish of the shipping trade. The campsites are excellent and there are many to choose from amongst rainforest.

Lockhart River
fuel available. Further East is Portland Roads and ex US Troop base during WW2

Archer River fuel available

Coen
fuel available. Exchange Hotel, known as the Sexchange Hotel, you'll see why when you get there.

Port Stewart (East Coast)

Kalpower Crossing
on the Normanby River is good camping

New Laura
“Caulders Lake” worth a look

Old Laura

Battle Camp

Hope Vale
fuel available. Continue on to Elim where it is possible to ride on the beach 15km to Cape Flattery. Fresh water streams run across the beach.

Cooktown fuel available

Helenvale
fuel available Lions Den Hotel Index of /

Rossville

Ayton fuel available

Bloomfield fuel available
Bloomfield Falls has a resident Crock

Wujal Wujal
Creb Track following the line marked out for laying the power poles for the Cairns Regional Electricity Board “I’m excited now”

Noah Beach
Campground is situated 8km south of Cape Tribulation and has 17 campsites. Noah Creek is a short 1km walk to the south along the beach from the campground. Crocodiles may be present, so stay away from the water’s edge at all times.

Daintree fuel available

Mossman fuel available

Mt Molloy fuel available

Mareeba fuel available

Atherton fuel available

Yungaburra

Gillies Highway from the Tableland to Goldsborough Valley near Gordonvale, famous for its 200+ corners in 20km of road “and we are going down, let the race home begin. Loser shouts the first round at the Gordonvale Pub”

Gordonvale fuel available

Cairns


Any suggestions would be much appreciated
Glen

Nigel Marx 16 Jul 2008 04:31

Jaysus Glen, it must have damn near taken you as much time as you plan to do the ride, to type all that lot out! Good luck with the trip. the CT will always have a soft spot in me heart 'cause it was the bike I started out with on the farm all those years ago when I was 7. Steppies are great at that age for a little tacker; stand in the step-thru part and leap upwards at the same time as you tweak the throttle and if you time it right, the seat appears under your bum as you descend earth-wards.

Good luck mate, not that you will need a lot of it with a CT under your arse.

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ

Dingo 16 Jul 2008 04:35

One minor problem.
 
Glen,

Change the Gordonvale pub for the Little Mulgrave at the bottom of the Gillies and your on a winner mate.

If you do come back through Dimbular, you can turn off and come ut at Irvinbank (old tin mining town and down to herberton Atherton etc or Irvinbank across mt Misery to Silver valley and Innot Springs then Atherton etc. You will get fuel and of course beer at all these places mate.

Would love to join you but am planning to be in Africa at that time.

Cheers
Ivan

PocketHead 16 Jul 2008 05:15

I've been wanting to go on a CT adventure for ages :O but I'm from Victoria :(

TravellingStrom 16 Jul 2008 11:07

Good luck you guys, if you see an overloaded blue 650 Vstrom up that way that is me, doing a lap of Oz, cape is the first goal, or as far as I can go on a heavy bike solo.

Cheers
TravellingStrom:thumbup1:

KennyE 16 Jul 2008 19:31

Oi Glen! You going on my dream trip without me!!?? Didn't you remember that I'm half way around the world at the moment?

Have fun mate. Looks like you will just have to do it all again next year- with me this time.


Kenny

loxsmith 16 Jul 2008 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennyE (Post 198820)
Oi Glen! You going on my dream trip without me!!?? Didn't you remember that I'm half way around the world at the moment?

Have fun mate. Looks like you will just have to do it all again next year- with me this time.


Kenny

I could say the same about the ride you are doing at the moment Ken. If i survive this one then anything is possible! Seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm not scared :thumbup1:

Next one is Tassie in Dec/Jan for 5 weeks, then we will look going across the pond to Nu Zuland for '09



Glen

loxsmith 16 Jul 2008 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketHead (Post 198731)
I've been wanting to go on a CT adventure for ages :O but I'm from Victoria :(

Never too late PocketHead, if you put your hand up, you will be the second Victorian heading North. All welcome to come along, we will have a good laugh that's for sure :clap:

Glen

loxsmith 20 Jul 2008 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingo (Post 198728)
Glen,

Change the Gordonvale pub for the Little Mulgrave at the bottom of the Gillies and your on a winner mate.

If you do come back through Dimbular, you can turn off and come ut at Irvinbank (old tin mining town and down to herberton Atherton etc or Irvinbank across mt Misery to Silver valley and Innot Springs then Atherton etc. You will get fuel and of course beer at all these places mate.

Would love to join you but am planning to be in Africa at that time.

Cheers
Ivan

Thanks Ivan, I have marked that one on the map. Enjoy your time in Africa you lucky bugger.

Glen

Waipuna 22 Jul 2008 07:19

Did the trip last year on an old KLR650.
Over the ford @ Kalpower is the Vietnam vets camp.Good place to swop jokes & lies. Cheers Al.

loxsmith 23 Jul 2008 04:13

Thanks for the tip Al, do we need to be Vets to visit these guys??

I knew Pandanus Park was up that way but was unsure of it's exact location until your reply

Glen

PocketHead 23 Jul 2008 06:44

hey if you guys are flying in whereabouts are you getting the bikes? also are you putting bigger tanks on them? my old ct used to get about 120km in the city pre-reserve (and thats being modest :S). There is a spare fuel tank i've seen on some posties though.. it hangs off the rear tray.

loxsmith 23 Jul 2008 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketHead (Post 199644)
hey if you guys are flying in whereabouts are you getting the bikes? also are you putting bigger tanks on them? my old ct used to get about 120km in the city pre-reserve (and thats being modest :S). There is a spare fuel tank i've seen on some posties though.. it hangs off the rear tray.

Bike 1 was road freighted from Melb to Bris several months ago and then ridden to Cairns via Fraser Island. It waits in storage in Cairns
Bike 2 (mine) will be road freighted from Brisbane to Cairns in a couple of weeks
Bike 3 will be road freighted from Hobart to Cairns on a couple of weeks

All are now wearing XR250 tanks plumbed in, I have a spare 18 litre IMS tank for the next Postie bike I buy

They all have various types of luggage from orange Postie pannier bags to Ventura type bags. I have also mounted a Givi 52 litre top box to mine. All have several PVC pipe storage containers mounted wherever spare space could be found :thumbup1:

Knobby fronts and claw 6 ply rear rubber

Might load a pic soon

Glen

PocketHead 23 Jul 2008 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by loxsmith (Post 199646)
Bike 1 was road freighted from Melb to Bris several months ago and then ridden to Cairns via Fraser Island. It waits in storage in Cairns
Bike 2 (mine) will be road freighted from Brisbane to Cairns in a couple of weeks
Bike 3 will be road freighted from Hobart to Cairns on a couple of weeks

All are now wearing XR250 tanks plumbed in, I have a spare 18 litre IMS tank for the next Postie bike I buy

They all have various types of luggage from orange Postie pannier bags to Ventura type bags. I have also mounted a Givi 52 litre top box to mine. All have several PVC pipe storage containers mounted wherever spare space could be found :thumbup1:

Knobby fronts and claw 6 ply rear rubber

Might load a pic soon

Glen


Hmm how did you go about plugging in the XR250 tank? is it an extension of the old one? how many litres is that? :confused1:

loxsmith 23 Jul 2008 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketHead (Post 199647)
Hmm how did you go about plugging in the XR250 tank? is it an extension of the old one? how many litres is that? :confused1:

Removed and plugged the main line (i think) from the original tank to the carb inlet. Then ran a line straight from the XR tank to the spare carb inlet. Tank mounts are a work of art using existing bolt holes. Both fuel taps are run in the reserve position. I think the XR tank holds approx. 10 litres

PocketHead 23 Jul 2008 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by loxsmith (Post 199649)
Removed and plugged the main line (i think) from the original tank to the carb inlet. Then ran a line straight from the XR tank to the spare carb inlet. Tank mounts are a work of art using existing bolt holes. Both fuel taps are run in the reserve position. I think the XR tank holds approx. 10 litres


awesome, how much do you think this trip is costing you? I am tempted to come but saving really hard for my trip in the americas... though it sounds like alot of fun!

loxsmith 23 Jul 2008 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketHead (Post 199650)
awesome, how much do you think this trip is costing you? I am tempted to come but saving really hard for my trip in the americas... though it sounds like alot of fun!

$2000.00 tops inc bike, rego, setup costs and fuel. Good cheap fun, they are the wildest things to ride. You just can't get the smile off you face!

3 weeks of riding, drinking and lots of laughs, can't beat that can you?

Our regular rides are a ZX12R (Aunty Jack for obvious reasons) , and 2 x DL1000 Vstroms, so it is a major step down in HP.

There is always part 3 mid next year, as yet it is a little up in the air where it will go to but it will start in Cairns if these bikes are still useable :scooter:

STG06 24 Jul 2008 05:20

Going Back a lot o years...
 
5 Attachment(s)
Loxie...your post brought back lots o memories. I taught school at Bamaga from August to December 1974...almost 35 years ago...I was a newly graduated teacher from Alberta Canada and thought I'd take on an adventure....and what a welcome to Oz it was...

While there are probably lots of people who have pics from the era, I don't recall seeing many on the HUBB....so excuse, please my nostalgia...

While you spend time at the 'top' and if the school is 'in' see if you can get some songs from the students...ask for the 'The Melbidir Sails' ... I can't recall more stunning harmoniesfrom students who took the boat from the islands into Bamaga for school. Ask also for 'Kite Kite epod has his kite and he all time play his kite" Some memories have grown a little dim, but some shine on so brightly as to illuminate every day-even here in the great white and long day north!!

I so envy your plans...so many place names of significance....make sure you read Percy Trezize book ' The Quinkans' before you go, so you are prepared....and maybe throw in a few of Chatwin's 'Songlines'...O what a Lucky Country indeed!!

Posties Bikes and adventure rule...Best of Luck to ya...and say hi to everyone in the Deep North!!

I look forward to seeing your ride report. And, if you do stop in Gordonvale, stop at at 31 Church street and give Kevin Murgatroyd a 'G'Day' !!!

(I had my Kombi Van burn up on the road down from Little Mulgrave Pub in 1975 as I was dropping kids off after soccer practice....neat place)

Here's a few really old time pics...

A successful arrival at the Cape (on foot) a hike from Bamaga...December 1974


Mau Tom - Grade 11 (I think)


Girls Being Girls in Bamaga in 1974!!


Playing Frisbee in the Rain at Red Island Point - December 1974 (The white guy is me!!!)


The Magic Honda MT 250 (Elsinore) - 2 stroke - Bassani/Bassini exhaust--a real runner, for 1974-75!!! Pic taken in Gordonvale N.Qld- early 1975)


Stephen Golub
Red Deer Alberta

loxsmith 24 Jul 2008 05:54

Hey Stephen, so classic pics you've got there. You gotta love those old helmets! Sounds like you enjoyed your stay here experiencing it all, Kombi included, a true classic vehicle. I lived in Cairns as a kid from '70 to '74, my first question to my father was "Why are the gutters so deep here dad??". I soon got to find out when it pissed down rain for over 4 months straight and filled them to overflowing and small crocs were swept up the drains.


Looks like we have both spent time in each others backyard. I spent some time in Canada & USA in '06 when I shipped my CBR1100XX over the pond for a little ride around. Like you, I have some fantastic memories of your country and the warm hearted people we met. :thumbup1:

Which part of Canada are you from???

Glen

STG06 24 Jul 2008 06:30

Classic Times in OZ!
 
Glen...I live in Red Deer Alberta. Been here since 1982 after four years in Oz(Holloways Beach - teaching school in Gordonvale (75-79) and Bamaga 1974 and - loved loved loved OZ - still gots lots o friends in Gordonvale/Brisbane) and 1 year in Nelson NZ. Am now waiting for Trevor and Rachel Skipsey from Carins to show up here ...they apparently are Gold Winging around the west here...I've looked at the Posties tour in southern OZ and think that would be a blast...what you have planned is way more 'Bush Tucker Manly' ....the rewards are gonna be unbelievable.....had an opportunity to go to Horn Island when I was there - a somewhat sacred site if I recall - shell beaches--also took kids to TI for swimming competitions - and lots of camping on the beach at Jardine etc. ( I remember the salt water crocs who came up on the beach while we were sleeping to sniff our toes) - also ate turtle, barramundi, etc. Stayed at the Bamaga Hotel - Mrs. Bosun and Mrs. Phineasa- I hear things are a little different there now as behaviors have moved toward more extreme.....we used to have open air movies in the park just north of the hotel.....also used to show lots of National Film Board of Canada shorts....Neighbors, Paus Des Duex, ZOOM, Paddle to the Sea etc.... Was a wonderful time....red soil, Quinkans, Torres Strait, Gum Trees, Jardine River...Also lived in Gordonvale and Holloways Beach - Sundays riding up the Coast to Palm Cove pub were fun...not to mention Kuranda, Gillies, Pete's Falls, Babinda, Nerada Tea Plantation etc.....I really should get back
Anyway....you've got a great trip planned - would love to see the pics in some future post.....where were you in the GWN?

Stephen

PocketHead 24 Jul 2008 07:22

those pics are absolute classics.... you should do a very late ride report

loxsmith 25 Jul 2008 00:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by STG06 (Post 199784)
Am now waiting for Trevor and Rachel Skipsey from Carins to show up here ...they apparently are Gold Winging around the west here...

I really should get back

Anyway....you've got a great trip planned - would love to see the pics in some future post.....where were you in the GWN?

Stephen

So that's why I can't contact Rachel in Cairns eh! Have some other friends riding around Canada and USA at the moment on a Wing, Bob & Sandra, just about at the end of a 3 or 4 month trip now. Latest update is they are in Halifax.


You really should get back hear, and soon, time is passing us by, too much to fit in and so little time. Give me a yell when you decide to come back so we can catch up and tell tales of the Cape.

Our trip of Canada & US of A started in Vancouver, then an anti clockwise loop of the Rockies, Calgary, Saskatoon (very forgiving police you have there, clocked me at 150kph no fine, that would never happen in OZ), a sprint across the top of the Great Lakes, Toronto, down to Niagara (what a let down), Milwaukee, Crazy Horse (mind blowing, gotta get back there one day to see the progress) West through all the Northern States taking in Snake River, Yellowstone, then back up to BC, North to Bella Coola and then the most spectacular Ferry ride down the Coast to Vancouver Island.

Good times that's for sure


Glen

AussieNat 25 Jul 2008 01:38

Cheap runner alright
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by loxsmith (Post 199652)
$2000.00 tops inc bike, rego, setup costs and fuel. Good cheap fun, they are the wildest things to ride. You just can't get the smile off you face!
3 weeks of riding, drinking and lots of laughs, can't beat that can you?
There is always part 3 mid next year, as yet it is a little up in the air where it will go to but it will start in Cairns if these bikes are still useable :scooter:

Hey there
I can attest that posties are indeed the cheapest form of travel, the costs are almost halved again if you ride 2-up like us.
We set out from Perth some 3.5months ago on our standard postie. It has an extra 7L tank from a chinese MotoXer so we have about 12L in total. On our one month journey from Perth to Darwin it cost us a total of Au$240 in petrol... Au$120 each!!!! We were constantly shocked at what other peoples costs were along the way.
Petrol was a lot more expensive in East Timor the 3weeks we were there, we spent a bit on petrol but considering the miles we did and the condition of the roads(read goat tracks) we came out in front of the huge slow trucks everyone piles into over there.
Now we are in Indonesia, been over a month island hopping. Because the postie is small like all the bikes here it can be loaded on small boats (and canoes) for often no extre charge. On land we have worked out that we are travelling a LOT cheaper than a local could by Bemo/Bus. A little cheaper than a local could on a motorbike because we are 2-up.

The bike is running fine but we are packing VERY light.
We are splurging a little here on accom cos we camped all the way through Australia. Its still cheap though, each we are paying about Au$5 a night. We save again by buying veggies at markets and cooking dinner in our room, we like to eat local food for lunch though.
We are about to head into Java then Sumatra... Our visa is running out and have to soon cross to Malaysia.

It can be done and the bike will still be there begging you to take it out on a long journey again. Be careful of the clutch though, nice crisp gear changes and oil changes every 1000kms will make it last longer.
We got a new one fitted in Broome.

Good luck.
Nathan and Akiko.

loxsmith 25 Jul 2008 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieNat (Post 199878)
Hey there
I can attest that posties are indeed the cheapest form of travel, the costs are almost halved again if you ride 2-up like us.
We set out from Perth some 3.5months ago on our standard postie. It has an extra 7L tank from a chinese MotoXer so we have about 12L in total. On our one month journey from Perth to Darwin it cost us a total of Au$240 in petrol... Au$120 each!!!! We were constantly shocked at what other peoples costs were along the way.
Petrol was a lot more expensive in East Timor the 3weeks we were there, we spent a bit on petrol but considering the miles we did and the condition of the roads(read goat tracks) we came out in front of the huge slow trucks everyone piles into over there.
Now we are in Indonesia, been over a month island hopping. Because the postie is small like all the bikes here it can be loaded on small boats (and canoes) for often no extre charge. On land we have worked out that we are travelling a LOT cheaper than a local could by Bemo/Bus. A little cheaper than a local could on a motorbike because we are 2-up.

The bike is running fine but we are packing VERY light.
We are splurging a little here on accom cos we camped all the way through Australia. Its still cheap though, each we are paying about Au$5 a night. We save again by buying veggies at markets and cooking dinner in our room, we like to eat local food for lunch though.
We are about to head into Java then Sumatra... Our visa is running out and have to soon cross to Malaysia.

It can be done and the bike will still be there begging you to take it out on a long journey again. Be careful of the clutch though, nice crisp gear changes and oil changes every 1000kms will make it last longer.
We got a new one fitted in Broome.

Good luck.
Nathan and Akiko.

Two up on a Postie, you are a very brave man. They certainly are tough little bikes though. I can't begin to picture where you are putting your luggage, there is so little room even solo. You make me look like an amateur!
Enjoy the ride, keep us Posted

Glen

STG06 27 Jul 2008 04:41

Couple more old timers....
 
4 Attachment(s)
A couple more pics from the classic days ('74)...sometime that you might be able to reproduce in your upcoming trip....there's actually a book here where a photographer tried to set up in the exact spot that many old time photos were taken to show the then and now....

Glen...if Rachel contacts us here, I'll pass on your plans and comments...

Cheers
Stephen

The Street of Bamaga---Mrs. Phineasa and Mrs. Bosun - they ran the hotel..


The Bamaga Hotel - luxury on the Cape....


End of another School Day - North OZ 1974 Style


Just north of the Hotel....park on left is the then movie theatre....open air!!

AussieNat 27 Jul 2008 16:09

Loaded postie
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by loxsmith (Post 199880)
I can't begin to picture where you are putting your luggage, there is so little room even solo.
Enjoy the ride, keep us Posted
Glen

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nder-small.jpg
Heres our beloved postie at the Overlander Roadhouse near SharkBay.
Our setup has evolved a little since this pic was taken. We no longer have our tent and sleeping mats with us so the front rack just holds our cooking gear. Ive actually found it handled better with the extra weight on the front, especially on the rough stuff, tougher on the arms though. The tank panniers hold our food. The rear panniers hold our 2changes of clothes, my GFs girly stuff, spares and tools, chargers, mosquito net and 2 boxes of japanese organic mosquito coils(very good). Also 4litres of water in 2 bottles are strapped to the back with elastic. My pillion also wears a small day pack with our maps/snacks/toilet paper(very important here!!!)
We just arrived in Java today. Found this great hotel in Probolinggo. Bromo View Hotel. Paying Aus$ 8 for the room including towels, linen, hot water, free WIFI AND breakfast. Thats 4bux each!

Nathan and Akiko

loxsmith 30 Jul 2008 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravellingStrom (Post 198758)
Good luck you guys, if you see an overloaded blue 650 Vstrom up that way that is me, doing a lap of Oz, cape is the first goal, or as far as I can go on a heavy bike solo.

Cheers
TravellingStrom:thumbup1:

Hey Richard, what date are you expecting to be in the Top End?? We have a 650 Dakar rider tagging along 'til about Cooktown, you are welcome to join in!

Glen

Waipuna 8 Aug 2008 06:56

Dont have,ta be.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by loxsmith (Post 199638)
Thanks for the tip Al, do we need to be Vets to visit these guys??

I knew Pandanus Park was up that way but was unsure of it's exact location until your reply

Glen

Nope---I,m not a vet & they wee pretty friendly to me. Had to ride qute a way over the ford though---maybe 10--15 kms,Seemed a long way.
CHEERS AL.

loxsmith 12 Aug 2008 07:16

Postie pic
 
1 Attachment(s)
Here's a pic of one of the bikes at a freight forwarders in Brisbane ready for the short trip up the coast to Cairns :scooter:
Orange panniers just click onto the racking and I have an Andy Strapz "A" bag to strap on top of the rack.

I am leaving Sat week myself to fly to Cairns.

Any more spots/tips would be much appreciated

Glen

STG06 17 Aug 2008 19:51

Bamaga School 1974
 
1 Attachment(s)
Glen...sorry about not replying sooner. Been in the mountains. Here's a pic of the Bamaga School circa late 1974 that may be of interest to current Staff and Students.

Would be cool if you could take a shot from the same place when you get up to the Cape.

Best of LUCK - laboring under correct knowlege- on your trip!!!

Stephen

loxsmith 19 Aug 2008 00:01

Gotta get the that mail through !!!!!!!!!
 
Now we have some real mail to take along. STG06 "Stephen" is sending a FEDEX parcel containing a 1974 school year book from Red Deer Canada for us to hand deliver to the principal at Bamaga State School.

Can't wait to see the principals face when I wander in! :rofl:

Glen

STG06 28 Aug 2008 20:25

Up the Cape with a Postie Bike
 
Wonder where they are now? :confused1:

mcguyver 6 Sep 2008 12:06

They have had a few dramas but have made it to the top and are on the way back down. Some updates at www.austouring.com.look for the midgets to the cape thread.

loxsmith 17 Sep 2008 07:28

The Mail Got Through!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by STG06 (Post 204316)
Wonder where they are now? :confused1:

Despite a big end engine seizure on my bike 500km out of Cairns, an emergency trip back to Cairns on the weekly Mail Plane for another bike, and more punctures than I can count, we got the Mail through! How many crashes did we have?? I lost count, but every time we just laughed our heads off as they have to be the wildest bikes I have ever ridden in sand and bulldust. Now imagine riding a Postie bike 450km in one day to catch up with the others and you can guess why I am now having trouble sitting down on a normal chair. 450km = 12 hours of solid riding. 5.30am to 5.30pm

Even fake Mailmen never give in!!! :thumbup1:

Stephen we met with a very surprised Principal at Bamaga P to 12 School and he was very receptive to 3 dust covered bikers. The current groundsman was enrolled in the Primary School in '74 and took us to the exact spot at the High School where your 1974 picture was taken. After handing over the FedEx parcel from Canada we were given a 2007 year book which I will forward to you once I get all of my luggage home.
I have taken some new pics that I will also forward to you along with a business card for the Principal if you wish to contact him.

The Top End operates on "CT" time, that's Cape Time for non locals. We met some great people along the way locals and travellers alike. We were like a travelling freak show, everywhere we stopped people would take pics, laugh, and ask if alcohol inspired such a trip. My reply was always, It seemed like an immature thing to do
Now that's an adventure I will never forget. Now to work out where I ride the CT110X after a complete engine rebuild??? I can't believe that I am talking about a next time, how quick the pain subsides eh!

I have some classic pics of the CT wheelstanding out of Gunshot Creek. Will post them when I get a chance. :rofl:

That completes a totally unsupported trip covering 3220km Cairns - Musgrave Roadhouse (engine meltdown) - Cairns - Musgrave Roadhouse - Cape York - Cairns

Glen

STG06 17 Sep 2008 16:18

Not snow, sleet, wind, or rain ....
 
Glen....great to hear the update....did read through the reports posted on Austouring...sounds like your 'adventure', including the mailmen moment, lived up to expectations, except maybe for the total replacement and rush to catch up...sore ass and all ....one of these days I'm keep thinkin' a guy should switch putting in the kind of hours one does sittin on a bike for sitting on a stool at a pub....sore ass might not matter so much then....anyway...look forward to pics and such...glad you made it up and back with a rich supply of stories and experiences.....great part of Oz....

sckoby 29 Jan 2009 11:57

Only going south
 
Hey Guys that is great,
I am hopefully doing the same trip but only heading south and solo. I live on horn island and I am planning on riding my postie south to Cairns, like I said, hopefully. Chances are the rivers will still be up, but I am a teacher so I only have a limited window. Are you filming this adventure?? If so I look forward to checking it out.

Best of luck
CT's are the only way to fly
:scooter:

matthewM 29 Jan 2009 21:18

Gday
just wondering how many kilometers a day you guys were doing
just curious

P.S well done on the trip sounds like you had a ball

loxsmith 2 Feb 2009 02:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by sckoby (Post 225893)
Hey Guys that is great,
I am hopefully doing the same trip but only heading south and solo. I live on horn island and I am planning on riding my postie south to Cairns, like I said, hopefully. Chances are the rivers will still be up, but I am a teacher so I only have a limited window. Are you filming this adventure?? If so I look forward to checking it out.

Best of luck
CT's are the only way to fly
:scooter:

No room for a Video Camera, flat out fitting in a Digital Camera. But we have some cracka shots of the bikes in places they were never designed to go!

Give it a shot, what have you got to lose if something goes wrong? You can always ditch the bike and fly out on the weekly Mail Plane.
Although I heard yesterday that Mac Air is no longer, I have not confirmed if this is true yet!
Let me know if you decide to give it a go and I can tell you the most likely spares you will need to carry.

Sorry for the delay in reply as I have just returned from a 5 week, 8500km ride to Tassie and back.

Glen

loxsmith 2 Feb 2009 02:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewM (Post 226009)
Gday
just wondering how many kilometers a day you guys were doing
just curious

P.S well done on the trip sounds like you had a ball

Matthew it depended on whether it was the bitumen or the dirt but sometimes 100-150km (on the dirt) was more than enough for a day but I did a marathon day of about 450km (mostly black top) to catch up after I picked up a second bike in Cairns. The 450km day was from 4.30am to 5.00pm and included an oil change and 1 flat rear tyre. It took a 6 pack of Rum and Cola to dull the pain that day!

Again sorry for the delay in reply as I have just returned from a 5 week, 8500km ride to Tassie and back.

Glen


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