Melrose to Port Stephens (RR)

Ride Report : 14-15 October 2018

This was a return run on blacktop from Melrose to Port Stephens

General Route

 Legend:

  • red line as recorded track,
  • orange dots are spotwalla data points (using BubbleGPS) – 10 minute intervals
  • There may picture icons which contain photos and standard message icons for breaks.
  • S & F – start and finish.
Number of Riders
solo
incidents
none
Commentary

This ride was the culmination of the Flinders Ranges ride. I planned to take 2 nights but arrived in Narromine by 2pm on the second day so I thought I’d just go through to Dunedoo to make the next day shorter. However, when I refueled at Dubbo, it was 3:15pm with 425km to get home. I made the bold decision that it it would be better to be in my own bed even if the last couple of hours were ridden in the dark. This option sounded a lot better than another night in a musty motel so I refueled again in Merriwa to avoid a fill later and just kept going.

The takeaway from this was that 983kms in one sitting (lunch and fuel stops excluded) wasn’t all that bad. In fact, it just showed how good an airhawk seat can be. Of course, I wouldn’t have done it if I were headed for an overnight camp or even staying in a hotel from an 8:30pm finish.

Accommodation

One night in Wilcannia

Stats

Actual 1,549 kms

Ambient Temp 7-37C
Max Engine Temp (at front rocker cover) 134C
Road Conditions no rain
all roads dry & dusty
dust storm(ish) east of Wilcannia to Nyngan
Costs Fuel: $130 O/N: $65 (plus meals)