I haven’t done the Border Run for I don’t know how many years and it’s a good long ride that provides ample helmet time. Perfect for building ride fitness for the big dance at the end of this month (August)

3:30am yells a voice from the alarm clock. WOW, didn’t realise that’d be so noisy. Mustn’t use that feature again. Anyway, I’d like to say I dragged my sorry backside out of bed but it’s more like peel myself off the roof after the rude awakening.
The bikes already loaded and waiting in the shed patiently waiting for me to gear up and throw some coffee down my throat. I’m going to pre run the first leg of the 50CC from United West Gate South to Port Augusta today and see how many gremlins I find in the plan. I’ve got about 80km to the start point, then just over 1000km to Pt Augusta. No probs.
Arriving at the start point, I top off with fuel and grab a DBR (dated business receipt) to start proceedings. 5:45am and I’m on the clock to Pt Augusta. I’ve allocated 12 hours (according to my plan) to get there.

14 hours later, I arrive after a few delays and family stops. I’m satisfied the plan worked, sans delay. I was also supposed to meet a friend here, but due to illness, that wasn’t happening. To add insult to injury, my other mate has called in and is also headed home after a fail to proceed with an electrical gremlin. Damn, was also looking forward to catching up.

Day 2

Woke up feeling a bit meh knowing I wasn’t seeing a couple mates but shit happens and its a nice day so lets go. 18 deg and refuel, taking note of the weather pushing across.
Didn’t take long before the wets were out and the heated gear turned on. Attitude matters, ride with a smile. Thanks Bret Tkacs.

I rolled into Kimba, found the Big Galah, photographed the painted silo and had breakfast at the roadhouse, complete with listening to the whingers who had to wait 10 minutes for a couple things while the overworked servo assistant tried to juggle priorities. Muppets I tells ya.

Anyway, got back underway for an uneventful ride to the border, albeit burning fuel at a rate of knots due to a crazy strong headwind. It was kinda relentless.

A few riders had shown up, I found the hallowed rally pudding and headed over to camp Davo.

Spent a couple days at Border Village, caught up with a couple mates and set sail early (cough cough- 10am ain’t early son) Sunday morning although I did see (a very damp dewy) sunrise.

My plan was Kingoonya via Hiltaba Homestead. Some lovely coastline on the way.

The day was drawing on and as I approached Hiltaba Homestead, the roos were starting to jump and there were plenty of them. Change of plans. I handed over my $15 fee at the Homestead for a campspot in the Gawler Ranges at Pretty Pool. And yes, it was a pretty place with some nice facilities.

I got up in the morning to be greeted by a solid frost. Time to pack up and get some breakfast. Yes, rice cream and black coffee is a legitimately good breakfast. I dont care who disagrees with me 🙂

After a nice brekky , I’d decided I didn’t feel like riding north so changed tack and headed for Mt Ive Station then down toward Iron Knob and onto Pt Augusta. The scenery is just stunning!!

I stopped at the ruins of Pondanna station and had a quick poke about. I mused at what life would’ve been like out here way back then.

Continuing on, the Flinders Ranges came into view and Pt Augusta wasn’t far away.

I detoured via Blanchetown to catch up with family prior to an uneventful ride back to Melbourne.

I closed out the ride covering about 4000km in 6 days. All systems seemed to work well and my ride fitness greatly improved. Time to service the bike and fit a new rear tyre before the big dance in a couple weeks. Until then, ride well and have fun.