Motorcycle Explorer August 2015 Issue 7 | Page 141

The coastal route to Adelaide offers a wealth
of beauty and constantly changing landscape.
There are some terrific spots to free camp and
the Youth Hostel at Port Elliot is a gem. Set
high on the hill overlooking the bay, this
historic house reflects the charm and dignity
of the region.
A week in Adelaide saw Mo and I doing the
Black Dog one-dayer Ride; speaking at the
Ulysses meeting and joining their mid-week
jaunt in the Hills; BBQing with the Horizons
Unlimited crowd and getting organised for the
next leg with a complete once-over from
Mick’s Motorcycles in Gawler.
On the advice from a friend, I had decided to
turn my circumnavigation into a Figure 8 and
go up the Centre from Adelaide thus allowing
me to do the Nullarbor from west to east
taking advantage of the tail winds. This is
particularly relevant on a little bike as
slamming into headwinds all day takes its toll
on rider and on fuel economy.
My wonderful hosts, Brian and Val, brought out
the maps of the Flinders Ranges and we
plotted a route north. I have always wanted to
tackle the real outback but fear that I am
wholly unprepared as I have very little
experience on dirt. The Oodnadatta Track
seemed to be the best choice and with hops of
200kms between the townships I prepared to
challenge myself with 800 kilometres of
unsealed uncertainty.
If Ruth Blayne can go from UK to Australia two-
up on a 125cc Lambretta in 1959, surely I can
do a short hop along a well-used road in the
Outback and not put myself in too much
danger. I could learn to fix a tyre if necessary…
and Brian threw in his Spot Tracker – just in
case I couldn’t.