Cape York Ride as soon as the roads open

[Outback]

A mate and I are heading up to Cape York as soon as the roads open. I have always wanted to tackle the OTT in the 'Wet'. We are attempting to be the first bikes through for 2009. At this stage leaving Cairns on the 27th March for an 8 day ride to the 'Tip'. Cyclone Hamish is currentlu just off the coast and dumping water everywhere so lets hope it drys a little by then.
If anyone is interested in joining us, let me know.

[Guest122]

If I only had the time mate, I have wanted to do that trip for a while now. One of the last great road trips, so I have been told?
I just don't have the time.

[Nadz]

Thats a long way in 8 days...Ive done the easy way with a support ute, are you planning on lugging all your gear along the OTT in the wet?? What kind of bikes are you taking and whose going to build the raft<s> to get across those mega creeks?
Sounds like a lot of fun I wish I had a Dirtbike up here but its stuck in Canberra and I wouldnt trust it to make it <Husky TE610>.
You guys will have a blast, keep us all informed!!

[Outback]

Well the plan is to wait for the Development Road and North & South Bypass roads to be open. Then after we get to Cairns keeping everything crossed that the Bloomfield track is open.

As we will always have a fallback plan along the the bypass roads and Development road we will attempt the more interesting tracks and OTT until we get turned back by either to much mud or if the creeks are more than 1.5 m deep. We can manhandle the bikes with a light truck tube threaded through the front spokes and pumped up. Have used that method a few times to get through the deep ones.

Yep we will be carrying all our gear as usual. Travel super light. We both ride 07 BMW650 Dakars.

Have done the Cape a heap of times so I thought it was time to make it a little more challenging. We hope to be the first bikes through for 2009. Well thats the plan anyway.

[Nadz]

Pleeese post a photo of you guys with a tyre tube getting across a creek somewhere! Last time I went up I got a small blister on my heel then got it wet crossing a creek...long story short 4 days later I spent a night in hospital getting antibiotics shot in my arm evey 2 hours coz my whole foot was infected so bad I could hardly walk.

Gotta love the tropics!

[chrisandhev]

Now you tell me.

Just got my trusty XR400 shipped back from Cairns after my last trip to the Cape (from Adelaide carrying everything) in October 08.

(But I suppose its all academic now as I promised Hev I wouldn't do it again without her)

Is that 8 days up and back?

I suspect the erosion ruts along OTT will be much deeper and muddy. However, it was a pretty easy ride in the dry, so should be a great challenge. At least the sand will be a doddle. Don't like your chances of a quick crossing at the rivers, so I would suggest doing OTT on the way up. Can always do Development Road heading home to catch up time.

Did you mean Lakefield NP?

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun.

Chris

[RogerM]

Development Road is open. Bear in mind that 4x4s wont be allowed down the OTT until its dry enough - so if something goes wrong dont expect someone along in a couple of hours to help. You will need to be totally self sufficient.

If there are road barriers saying the OTT is closed you should nt go down it - the local Councils get very narky about the roads getting damaged by vehicles. Further West in Bourke Shire, they used to have $100 fines and no fuel would be available for a couple of weeks for miscreants - which hurts more than a fine.

Just be careful if there is a lot of water hanging around with crocs. Camp a long way from water, or use hammocks to keep off the ground.

Plus with the dengue fever outbreak, make sure you carry some BIG cans of Aeroguard.

I dont think the TC caused any problems in the far North, all South of Townsville.

[Outback]

Chrisandhev it's not to late to turn that XR's front wheel back north and do the trip again. After a while it becomes a yearly institution. Kinda therapy for ADV riders, I find I'm centred again after a Cape trip. However this one might prove just a tad more challenging. Thats 8 days up and 8 days back. I've done the trip once where we were ahead of the first grader for the year and the ruts were like riding in the Grand Canyon. Add some mud into the mix and its a blast.

RogerM, thanks for the tips. We are also a Tour Operator so we get on very well with the councils and land owners up that way. I have a few 'High Country' shortcuts that we take some of the tours on to get around the boggy sections. There is no shortcut to getting across the creeks and rivers though. They will be the stoppers. The Development road is still closed from Laura to Musgrave so we are doing a few 'Anti-rain' dances. We have had enough rain up here now for this year. Its time for the sun to come out so I can wear shoes for a change instead of flippers.

Cheers

[STG06]

Loxsmith (Glenn) may have some advice etc. He and a couple of mates hit the Cape last year on postie bikes...you can read a little of his story here.

Posties to the Cape

and here on the HUBB

Posties to the Cape - 2

S

[Outback]

I read their story a few weeks ago. What a cool trip to do it on Postie bikes..

[Outback]

Looks like the roads will be open in time. Have delayed the departure a few more days just in case. Might have to do the CREK track again another time as it looks like that won't be open for a while yet.