Andamooka, Arcoona, Bosworth.
Submitted: Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 15:11
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Bega Photographer
G'day.
I'm very soon (end of month) going on a photographic trip traveling on an ATV (four wheel motorbike). I'll be covering the ground between
Andamooka, Arcoona and Bosworth homesteads and
Lake Torrens and have the owner's aprovals for this.
Has anyone been over the dunes in this particular area? I'd appreciate some info if it's available. I've already had some valued general input but hope to get something specific. It may be that since these areas are not on the way to anywhere that not many travelers go that way.
I'm conserned that if the tracks over the dunes are loose I'll have to "gun 'er" to get the bike through and this will be too rough for the little trailer that carries my spare wheels and most of my spare fuel. Just like a horse and cart: the horse will handle the rough country but the cart won't.
If I'm restricted to the hard ground I'll still get around quite a bit but will have to go the long way around on some occasions and on others will need to turn back rather than make a round trip.
I know that there will be those careing souls who'll be concerned for my safety, traveling alone in such country on such a flimsy vehicle. I have a hand winch, shovel, sand ancor, GPS with waypoints, maps, compas, spare wheels,
puncture plugs, pump, tools, the all important wire, plenty of water, a satellite phone and several cans of baked beans. Oh! and a
sand dune flag. So please relax and wish me
well.
ATV and trailer
With thanks,
Laurie.
Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 19:13
Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 19:13
Hi Laurie,
I have had these plastic wheels before, and I wouldnt be relying on them for remote work, or any work with 1/4 that weight.
1) the brgs are not sealed and will get sand in quickly and chop out, as they are only roller brgs not tapered wheel brgs.
2) the sides of these plastic rims folds down easy especially if the weather warms up, and then the tyres fall off and blows the tube, there is nothing you can do to fix it, they are only made for wheel barrows
3) the bike will struggle to pull any part of that load on a skid, you will have to leave it behind and retrieve it later if it breaks down.
My suggestion is to go and buy 2 wheels the same as what you have but with steel centres and take the 2 plastic ones as emergency spares, will be 60 - 80 bucks
well spent, but you will still have brg problem!
It looks to me to be overloaded for this type of wheel, but hard to tell from
pic.
I would have used a pair of tyres and wheels the same as on the bike for sand floatation as these wheel barrow wheels will bog in very easy.
Hope you have a great time in this great part of our state, but I have some real concerns with your choice of wheels and tyres for your trek, do you have time to modify this setup? hope so.
Cheers for now
AnswerID:
116407
Follow Up By: Bega Photographer - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 21:13
Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 21:13
Thanks Steve.
It's not only the time factor but the dollar factor.
Everything thing you say rings true and I'm afraid that in a month's time I'll be posting to say you were right (and David as
well). But in the mean time I'll just have to try to keep out of the sand with the trailer, leaving it behind when I come to the sandy country. I can quite safely go 20 or 30 kms without it.
I've been on some good practice rides on forrestry roads and tracks with the trailer loaded and had no trouble. If I keep my fingers crossed and avoid the sand I hope to get away with it.
If need be I can stack the jerry cans on the front rack and the wheels on the back. It just means I can't get my camera or tripod out without a major unpack every time. There are alternatives there. I won't perrish over a blown trailer tyre or melted wheel, though it will be quite inconvenient.
I've made sure I can navigate and get out of a bog. What I have to be constantly on the
lookout for is a nasty accident on steep ground such as a
creek crossing.
The other thing is the nights. It will be the dark of the moon. I'll be camping on my own
miles from civilization. I reckon the nights will be pretty scary with not even the glow of a campfire. Please spare me a thought around new moon. At least the stars will be brilliant.
On the website linked to below are some images from my previous trip to the
Roxby Downs,
Andamooka area. I was in the car and a bit restricted. Laurie's Photos Click on the "Arid Desert" link.
Regards,
Laurie.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Nudenut - Monday, Jun 20, 2005 at 08:00
Monday, Jun 20, 2005 at 08:00
My thoughts on those narrow wheels is that they will sink almost immediately you hit the sand
FollowupID:
371978
Reply By: Member - Luxoluk - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 20:28
Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 20:28
We had a
shack at a place called White
Dam being a few Kms south of
Andamooka from the mid 1960's until just recently. Old Bill, from "Bills Pub" who lived a couple of
shacks down the track drove his rather then new X2 HD Holden up through that country to
Birdsville, circa 1966. Quite a challenge he reckoned and I'm sure it was. He made it up and back!
I've not been through the northern part for quite a few years but from what I remember I wouldn't be too concerned about the dunes. You could basically walk the bike through if you started to bog down. Punctures.....
well they would be another matter on some of that gibber
rock!!
My advice to you is to talk to the Police at
Andamooka who would be regularly travelling throughout these areas. Hard to believe that there has only been a Police presence in
Andamooka for about 25-30 years....when they arrived half the bloody town left...
Check the WWW for posts on
Andamooka. There are people in town who have organised local desert bashes etc who could also offer you some informed advice.
Cheers and good luck.
AnswerID:
116420
Follow Up By: Bega Photographer - Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 22:09
Sunday, Jun 19, 2005 at 22:09
Hey, thanks Luxoluk for that great info. You tell a great story with it.
I've seen Bill's pub on the net.
I've seen White
Dam on the map and considered going there for a ride. Now that you mention a
shack, Bill's Pub and other
shacks it sounds very appealing. Would I get shot at if I went around there? Are these
shacks as full of character as the ones in
Andamooka?
Would I find any
ruins from the early pastoral days around this country?
Abandoned Miner's Cottage,
Andamooka
Lying in what remains of the garden of a former miner's wife, an old jerry can rusts away. Looks like it got pretty hot while the seal was still holding.
Regards,
Laurie.
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