Wheelchair Motorbike Ride Around OZ

Hi John and Val, thanks for the reply. I am aware of the extremes in weather and the info from you is great! Planning to start on 18th October from Perth as its 40 yrs to the day that I became paralised. Do you think with my timetable its best to do the North route first in a clockwise direction to beat the weather? I've looked on G maps at the roads and they look pretty good but i want to stay on bitumen as much as possible. Thanks for now. Mike

Hi Mike,
Just following up on the comments below.

You will encounter a lot of these about 50m long. Not mad drivers, just very big with a lot of momentum, meaning smaller vehicles make way for them - which may mean moving off the bitumen if the road is narrow, which it is in places.

Suggest you go through the places section of this site, including the weather section to get a better idea of the conditons you will face. Many overseas visitors underestimate both the distances and the heat here, and most of us "southerners" dont go north during the summer months (even in airconditioned vehicles) because its just too hot and humid. If you can find a garden hothouse where the temperature is in the high 30s and the humidity close to 100% spend a couple of hours inside then imagine spending all day for a few weeks in such conditions.

I cant really see much advantage going clockwise - that would put you going across the Nullarbor in January, again not a pleasant prospect.

I understand and respect why you have chosen your dates, but if there is any way that you could change them you would probably have a more enjoyable trip. I think the ideal time would be to leave Perth about early April going anticlockwise - puts you though the SE part of the country before it gets cold, then go north as the winter and dry season sets in. You would be back in Perth early July but as you would be following the coast going south it shouldn't be too cold. Just a thought.

Cheers,

Val.

Thanks Val. I take on board all you've said. I'll keep a look out for the Road Trains.

Hi Eric, as a Welshman I'm pretty used to those mad drivers you refer to :-) My Motorbike is a very special sidecar set up that has been designed for me to ride from my sidecar. The wheels are 17" and I have about six inches of clearance under my sidecar. I can cruise at 55-65 Mph all day and with my additional fuel tank get around 225 miles. I intent to carry a couple of 2 gallon fuel jacks. I can do 8 hr days with no problems but can last as long as the fuel, if necessary to get to my accommodations. I have a mate who is hoping to ride on a hire bike of a loaned one would be better. I ride in Europe averaging 3k per two week journey, so have a Truck drivers heart and eyes! I cant attach a photo but if you internet search wheelchair Duc--- (cant put the full make for forum rules - but its made in Italy and its red Lol) you can see it in action in videos.wheelchair ducati

Thanks Pop. I've dropped them a line so lets hope they can help with some info. Take care, Mike