Motor bikes across Simpson

A mate of mine did it last year. His report is here

Hi Keith
The first thing that your relative need to do, is to start sand training if they haven't ridden in sand before. The bikes travel at a far greater pace than we do in our 4X4's. A friend on mine did it a couple of years ago, and said that his body was still suffering from the effects of a real work out 3 months later. Be prepared for many spills and possible broken bones.

I asked if he would ride it again, and said that his next trip will behind the wheel of his four wheel drive.

Cheers

Stephen

Hi Keith

(Liked that report in Wombat's link)

Planning to do that from Birdsville next year when I get to sixty.

Week or so ago I posted about trailer design and couplings.



Our experience on bikes and 4wds has lead us to take a different approach.

Essentially we plan to take lighter bikes (Crf 230 and two honda Xr400's), and plan to minimize fuel loads.
Will be supported by the 4wds and have a plan such that if a bike fails it will be put back on the bike trailer I am building for the event.

Phyiscal fitness and common sense is a prime requirement and we expect people from 17-60 years old..
Some others wish to come with us and I will be doing a trial run around one of our local Victorian desserts to ensure everyone understands what they are getting into.

Sand riding requires a lot of concentration, and a bike with a relatively long wheelbase to assist stability.

As you know its a straight run east to west and we will always have a car at lead and one at the tail, such that lead car may go ahead up to 20km and stop whilst waiting for the pack to follow.

I.E. Trip will be done in short 1hr sections, with rests, and no progression until everyone reaches current check point.
Days will be short , 9am - 3pm and am planning on 4 days to cross.

Even so each bike rider will require a pack of very basics which will
allow them to survive a couple of days by themselves, this will include compass ,water,food, decent cb handheld, space blankett etc which will pack to around 5 kg.


Robin Miller

Having driven across many times on all the different routes, and having helped quite a few bike riders fix things, top up water bottles etc you have to be very fit, bikes have to be very durable and as light as possible.
The desert has claimed a few bike riders don't undereitimate it. The worst thing you can do is try to rush it, allow more time than you need for the crossing.

Hi all,somewhere across the dunes is a cross and plaque of some unfortunate bloke on a bike who met his maker when a 4wd(i think)came over a dune and landed on him?sorry to to put a damper on it but you have to be aware of every one and thing going on around you.maybe try 4wd tours australian outback adventures they organise bike and 4wd trips thru the simpson.cheers Paul

Just one little observation. I note most of the experienced guys travel up the dunes off the track, so when they crest the dune there is no chance of a collision, they then rejoin the track for the descent. Not sure what Dept of Environment thinks of this practice, but it seems a safe option.

Mate of mine did it few yrs back, the article was in ADB (he works for them).
He said it was one of the hardest treks he has done in his 35+yrs of riding/enduros.

Would be worth contacting Aust Dirtbike Maggo for the article... if not, I can ask Waz if he has the article still.

I saw a good idea for towing a bike without a trailer.

It was a piece of channel that fitted into the towball sleeve with a short section sticking out the sides. It sat up a bit higher than the tow hitch, so as not to effect departure angle.

Anyway, the front wheel was sat in the channel and the wheel tied/strapped down to the channel and the out riggers used to give it stability. Then all you do is stick the bike in neutral or remove the chain the drive away.

It can also be done by strapping the front wheel under the tray of a ute, if you don't have room on board.

Sounds complicated, but easy enough to do and better than leaving the bike behind.

Just did the Simpson in September with my daughter driving the Landcruiser.Over the last three years I (I,m 56) have done 1 crossing and 2 double crossings. This ride is more fun than a barrel full of monkeys. I leave the trailer at Birdsville ride to Mt. Dare ,service the bike(s)and head back. MY fuel consumption (Yam WR250F) was 14.1 K/L and last year my son on his KTM 520 got about 8K/L. The riding is relatively easy as long as you have ridden sand before (you will master it in a few hours.) It is a lot easier than the sand tracks of the Big Desert area of northern Victoria.For safety sake always stay in radio range of the support car, who should radio ahead regularly. This also gives you plenty of rests.Where possible, ride the original track straight over the dunes, and not the north loop chicken runs. I,ve met 2 vehicles on the dune crest, one had no radio and the other I think was not listening.This year, without going hell for leather, we did Mt. Dare to Birdsville in 2 days , daughters are organised in the mornings and our spare day in Birdsville was 41.Make sure you do the trip.