Back in the Real World.

Gus here:  It's been a few days since we rolled back into Sydney and cut the engines on the trusty Suzukis for the last time.  Back at work now and wondering did we really cover 5000kms in two weeks?

It was a packed fortnight of mud, dust, dirt, bitumen, tents, steak sandwiches, road trains, outback pubs, little country towns, great people, brilliant night skies, vast landscapes and roads disappearing into the horizon.

And then there were the wild brumbies running majestically over the hills, emus herding their young chicks, kangaroos aplenty, camels, the desert green and in bloom from the recent rains.

Might have to do it again sometime.




I've got a few people to thank, including some without whose help I'd probably still be stuck in Bedourie.
Mark, of course. Not only a great travelling companion, but the whole Gulf To Gulf trip was his idea and it was his planning and determination that made it happen.  And he asked me if I'd like to join him for the trip.  Who'd say no?!
I spent a day in a phone box in Bedourie trying to find new brake parts and I want to thank Tony from Team Moto and Veronica from Metalgear International, both in Brisbane, for understanding the situation I was in and helping out as much as they could.  Thanks also to Craig in the Bedourie Shire workshop who let me use what tools I needed (all to no avail).
Also a big thanks (again) to Tony of Hepburn Motorcycles in Broken Hill for finally getting the bike fixed and donating his time to Gulf to Gulf.

 Here's a few shots from the trip.

Home at last

Mark writing:

Sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria, Karumba QLD

All good things must come to an end, and this adventure was certainly GOOD. After 14 days and 5000+ kilometres, the last days of riding took us through Parkes and Orange in NSW, before a much anticipated family reunion in Richmond. I've since been asked, "What was the best bit? What was it like?" Well, these pics should show that it was beautiful, expansive, challenging, tasty, surprising, tiring, exciting, alternately hot and bitterly cold, and full of wonderful people (and animals) to meet. In other words, a true adventure.

The road heading east from Bedourie QLD

The roadhouse special. "Make mine a sarsparilla."

Approaching Hungerford NSW

There are tyres somewhere under that mud

Everything is big in Queensland

Sturt's desert pea

A friendly local

There are two people I must thank. Gus Algie has been a trusted travel companion. Great company through (literally) sunshine and rain, mud and sand, and a dab hand with a hex wrench, Gus made this trip a light-hearted blast and this blog would not exist without him. He was present, willing and more than able for every other kilometre that clicked over, and wisely reminded me that we make our own adventure. I raise my visor to you, Gus!
And, of course, I thank Sarah. In the many months that the Gulf to Gulf trip took to plan, Sarah was freakishly supportive and enthusiastic, even when my energy faded, and willingly became a single parent in my absence. The trip simply would not have gone ahead without her. Thank you for the gift of this trip, babe.
As of this writing, the Gulf to Gulf ride has raised just over $7000, generously donated by friends, family, people I have met once, and people I have never met. To say I am thrilled by this is a massive understatement. I've found it personally challenging to say to people, effectively, "Hey, I think these poor, marginalised kids in Bangledesh should be able to go to school, and I want you to think the same way -- and I want you to demonstrate it by giving me money." But people gave and continue to give (go, Cassie, go!), so if you would like to donate, all I can say is THANK YOU and point you to the link for secure donations on the right-hand side of this page.
Mark

Hi KC/2H, guess where I am?