Plan and try....or wait and die!
16th April 2025
Barron Gorge, early May 2025.
I have been planning the ride to South Australia since June last year. I watched a video the other day, made by a man about my age, who reaffirmed my thought that I just should get it done. No more waiting, have a try!
Part of my planning has been getting out and about in the rainforest in the rain to get my camera skills back on track and to practise riding the bike in the rain as well.
As I made my way through the rainforest on one of these practise outings, one minute it was overcast, the next a bit of sunshine through the clouds and then rain. This would be good preparation for the start of my journey on my bike Himi to Adelaide.
My first stop on the trip to Adelaide, Girramay National Park, Cardwell.
I left Cairns for the journey to Adelaide after lunch on the 15th of April. A day where it would continue to be that mixture of sunshine, rain, clear skies and overcast as I rode.
My plan on the first day was to ride part of the distance to Townsville just to get used to the extra weight on the bike and riding in full gear again. It has been a while since I did anything other than city commuting.
I stopped at Girramay National Park to sit on the beach and decide where I would camp as I looked out to Hinchinbrook Island. Here I would make my first mistake on the trip…….but I did survive it.
When I am in the rainforest I have to avoid wet rocks, Gympie Gympie and wait a while. On the motorbike for long rides it is a whole new world of things to look out for. So what was my first mistake travelling on the bike?
My bike on the first day of the trip at Girramay National Park. April the 15th 2025.
I contacted my daughter and she had the day off work so I decided to push on to Townsville to see her and my granddaughter knowing I would have to ride a bit in the dark. With rain about, the roads full of pot holes and me still adjusting to riding with the extra load….. this was stupid for that and a whole lot of other reasons. No more riding at night or even near sunset.
Fallen leaf in Barron Gorge being hit by sunlight though the canopy, earl April 2025.
Much like a leaf that is falling from a tree, I have a general idea of where I am going on this journey but not exactly sure when or where I will land. I have already made two changes to the plan and we are just day two.
I had intended to stop in to see a friend on his farm near Bowen……. but he is mustering. We will try to catch up on the way back.
I also just spoke to my older brother as I type this and it looks like Lake Eyre at the moment is a must see……a once in a lifetime view he said. I think the itinerary has changed big time already :)