The Best Ever.....
Brisbane to the Gulf of Carpentaria
6 - 17 September 2008
Once
in a life adventure. The great equaliser for all types of riders - 11days, 3600+km, on an unmodified Honda CT110, through
some of Australia's most varied terrains. Rainforest to arid outback; Visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame; Pass through
the vast Gulf country (catch a barra' or be caught by a croc!); Ride the amazing Bloomfield track and water crossings
(feel free to walk through) through the lush, world heritage, Daintree National Park; and the final haul to the Great Barrier
Reef in Cairns. As always we take out of the way route and stopovers: Sunset dinner at Rangelands on a natural flat mountain
top, pull up a swag at our mates working sheering quarters, camp out under the stars next to an outback river oasis, take
a dip in hot natural springs and enjoy the camp oven and a coldie with the locals. The finale is a celebration dinner and
a soft bed at a Cairns resort right on the Esplanade.
Following the great success
of the 2002 - 2007 Postie Bike Challenges we will be doing it again in 2008! A group of "Postie Bikes" will leave
Brisbane on a brand new adventure. The challenge is designed as a spectacular national event with a major goodwill objective.
In the tradition of the Postie Bike Challenge the new route will take us to through some of the
most remote and beautiful countryside Australia has to offer. Those riders that take on and conquer the Challenge will be
rewarded by an enormous sense of achievement. Upon arrival at our destination, the participants will be asked to voluntarily
hand their motor cycles to the Rotary Club to assist in community and national projects.
Riders will average 300
to 400 kilometres per day. Each evening the group will assemble at the appointed place, erect a small tent city and enjoy
the camaraderie that an event such as this inspires. Remember, facilities and amenities are dependent on our location and
in some instances this can be quite remote. But don't worry, there will always be toilet and showering facilities.
Local service clubs in each town will provide a good quality evening meal and breakfast, so good in fact that most
entrants complain that they will gain weight by the end of the Challenge.
After the
morning brief, riders will deliver their equipment to the baggage truck, collect their lunch and set out for the day's
adventure along some of Australia’s most interesting outback roads. This is an event for riders only - no camp followers
allowed. People with handicaps or requiring special support may have assistants.
The event is not a race, but more
of a rally and legs are designed for people to safely enjoy themselves without the pressure of high speed (on a postie bike!?!)
or excessive fatigue. A number of previous entrants (aged from 22 to 74 and about 30% female) found it to be mentally and
physically challenging. People will make their own pace. If you are still on the road at sunset the sweep truck will pick
you up.
All riders must hold an open motorcycle licence (no learner permits). If you have not ridden for a long
time, we STRONGLY recommend a Stay Upright, Q-Ride, skills refresher course etc. Of the 3,600km, approximately 30% of the
trip covers dirt/sand/gravel road, and so riders should be confident that they have the skills to ride on these surfaces.
You will be looking forward to a beer after our day on the sandy road! The Challenge route is designed to give everybody a
taste of the real outback Australia.
The postie bikes are amazingly reliable and withstand the continuous high
speed running marvellously. They handle rough roads very well but require quite a bit of concentration in soft sand. Most
people, even our senior members, found the seats quite acceptable for long riding periods.
DONATION
The Postie Bike Challenge has selected Rotary as a benefactor for the voluntary donation of bikes
at the end of the event. They were selected because of their established high profile community programs and their ability
to process the bikes and forward either funds made from the bikes or the bikes themselves to where they will do the most good
(Remote health services, relief organisations). Of the riders who reached the end of the event, approximately 85% chose to
hand their bikes over to Rotary. Some of those who kept their bikes made a cash donation instead. You own the bike, so donation
is entirely up to you. However, the spirit of the event calls for support for those less well off than ourselves.
DETAILS
Cost:
$4750
AUD including gst
We supply:
· Late model Honda CT110
Postie bike with registration
· All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
· All fuel for the trip
·
Comprehensive Riders Notes on the Honda CT 110
· One way, air ticket from the destination to the closest capital
city, to your home, in Australia. (Those riders who reside in the destination may use their ticket to travel to Brisbane for
the start of the event).
· Carry bag (for your camping equipment)
· Support truck to carry equipment/clothing
bag
· Limited back-up replacement machines and spares
· Workshop truck with mechanics
·
Final celebration dinner and hotel accommodation
You supply:
·
Helmet
· Safety clothing (jacket, gloves, boots, pants)
· Bike accessories (e.g. soft grips, sheep
skin seat cover)
· Personal items
. Camp gear (tent, sleeping bag, mattress) - OR we can supply this, see
entry form details
· Personal Travel Insurance (inc. cover for motorcycle riding)
(Note: Everything must fit the Army-style canvass zip bag that we will send you. This bag will
travel in the baggage truck)
CONTACT US
Dan Gridley or Kylie Kidby
Postal: PO Box 287, Spring Hill, Qld., Australia, 4004
Ph: (61+) 7 3264 7727
Fax: (61+) 7 3264 7767
Email: info@postiebikechallenge.org
Web: www.postiebikechallenge.org
