BMW R 1250 GS Adventure was incredible fun and a great
way to relax after a race weekend, but what we saw next
was really quite unbelievable.”
Sykes couldn’t believe the devastation as they headed
into the Alpine National Park and crossed the border into
New South Wales.
“The contrasts were clear to see,” Sykes continued. “In
the unaffected areas, you could see how it used to be,
mile after mile of beautiful countryside with a unique
flora and so many animals, kangaroos, emus, koalas, and
deer to snakes.
“Australia is such a biodiverse country and it was awful
to see how this had been destroyed by the fires. On the
other hand, you also then get a feeling of hope when you
come to areas, in which new plants, like eucalyptus trees,
are rising out of the burnt ashes.”
It’s the way of the Australian bush, it fights back and
reinvigorates with renewed zest; fire is life. The human
aspect is quite different however, it is still the Australian
way to fight back and not let a natural disaster beat the
human spirit. This became evident to the riders as they
reached Swifts Creek.
A population of just 250 people was an emotional
experience for all as firefighters demonstrated their
equipment including the mechanisms that protect the
firefighters when surrounded by inferno. Laverty and
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