Riding my motorbike to Cape York???

Any advice, books, guides to buy etc

Places to stay..must do's / don'ts / sees.
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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 08:49

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 08:49
Make sure you take an Engel and a good supply of beer.
Also take a small dog and a long rope to test the water before you do the river crossings
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Reply By: Crazie - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 09:19

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 09:19
Hi gazza
Just went to the cape sep 2010, had an amazing time. We referred Ron and viv moons book along the way. It was very useful in finding the best campsite as the would say it is good, great or our favorite. Not sure how many in your group, but a sat phone in case of accident is always good, we unfortunately saw a couple.
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Reply By: cycadcenter - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 10:05

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 10:05
On our trips up The Cape there seems to be two different types of motorcyclists.

One type on large off road bikes with a support vehicle who insist in riding at 100 kph plus up the road.

The other type ride at sensible speeds and are pretty well self contained with camping gear etc. this group is much more pleasant to be around.

Lots of places to see and visit.

Silver Plains, Chilli Beach, Portland Roads, Bramwell Station, Horseshoe Falls, Captain Billy Landing.

One trip we went up through Chillagoe to Gamboola station, crossed the river there and went up through Kings Junction, Kimba Station etc.

And I can assure you that you don't need an Engel full of beer to have a good time.

Bruce
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 14:29

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 14:29
I was only joking Bruce – A Waeco full of beer is just as good.
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Follow Up By: skulldug - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 16:51

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 16:51
Dennis,
Engels are easier to balance on the fuel tank. Only of course if the dog is happy on the back.
Skull
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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 22:02

Saturday, Jan 15, 2011 at 22:02
Skull; men or your wisdom are in short supply these days – not many of us left I'm afraid.
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Reply By: gazza414 - Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 10:31

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 10:31
Thanks guys, will start reading up as we plan to go late July.
Thinking of having my missers and kids as support in the Landcruiser towing a trailer following me.

Is there an up to date guide / booklet / website on here to find fuel / water / supplies / campsites etc ?

Also a guide that gives indicative distances which can be realistically traveled each day too???..just wondering how many days I need to allow for up and back from Cairns.

thanks

ps..yer fridge not on at this stage --unless it all goes belly up !!!!
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Follow Up By: Crazie - Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:32

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:32
Hi gaz
There is heaps of fuel and supplies to get along the way.
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Follow Up By: gazza414 - Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 13:32

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 13:32
Thanks Crazie,,,,,in general terms would you need to make provision for xtra fuel with a 100 series V8 petrol to get you between fuel stops?...or would carrying say 2 X 20 litre drums get ya outa trouble?

thanks
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Follow Up By: Crazie - Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 21:23

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 21:23
Hi gaz, get the cape York book of viv andron moons, has all the details on camping and fuel etc.. If you planned your stops, as you would, the cruiser would be fine. I would carry a few jerries, just in case and also for the bike.

Chilli beach was ok, weipa and north was good, punsand bay is worth while. Vrilya point was our fav. We did the OTL with camper all the way. We really enjoyed exploring and the history. Met heaps of people on bikes, a few of the trailered the bikes to cairns and left from there. The lions den pub on mtgs bloom field track is also a great place to stop for a night.
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Reply By: andoland - Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 19:19

Sunday, Jan 16, 2011 at 19:19
Expect to fall of your bike a few times or more. The bauxite pebbles make the roads slippery.
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Reply By: ian - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 16:54

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 16:54
Gazza,
Another point of view for you.
Sounds like school holidays. I wouldn't do it. I am a keen bike rider and took my L/cruiser up last year. Glad I didn't have the bike. Telegraph track and some side roads are good, but the main highway is infested with fools really thrashing through the dirt. I happily sit around 100, but they were plan stupid. It is thick with dust and you can't see oncoming cars and they can't see you, and if you go slow the cars coming behind will run over you in the dust, especially when you slow for the gullies (if you can see them in the dust). No fun for anyone.
Go in the car and enjoy the trip with your family, and take the bike somewhere else.
It will be packed. Glad I did it,but not again when there are so many better options.
Ian


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