Truckin' Bikes: Cross-continent drive to the ride start
From Canberra to Kununurra via Darwin is not one of the world's shortest drives at about 5000km.
There's a lot to see on the way. Even if done at a fast clip by car with bikes on the roof, rather than by body on bike, the slice across the continent is worth a look see.
A few views so far ...
The Murray River...The Riverina region of NSW and the Riverland of South Australia have a distinct feel to them.Broad scale cropping, irrigation, oasis towns such as Mildura and Barmera, giant river red gums and long, long flat stretches of road.The Murray River, especially the lower reaches is also one of a kind for Australian inland rivers. Having flowing water wide enough and deep enough to host river boats is not common for Australian rivers.
A brave recumbent rider on the Stuart Highway. Brave because the next pic was fairly common view through the windscreen on the Stuart Highway. (Edit: Post-ride via the message book on this journal I learned that the recumbent rider was in fact CGOABer Kiwi Mike Avery. He was powering along to Darwin. Read about his ride at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/mikeinoz. He assured me that the road trains were not a problem.)
The freshwater crocodiles have called a union meeting. At Crocodylus Park Darwin. These are the relatively harmless form of crocodile up this way. Still not one to tangle with.
Argyle Dam...about 70 km from Kununurra. Australia's largest artificial lake.Artificial lakes often look less than comfortable in the landscape but this one is impressive. The water submerged large areas of traditional owners' land, but has also generated many new opportunities in the region.
After an almost 5000km road trip, the bikes are at the start of the ride part of this journey... Kununurra. From here it is a 700 km ride on the Gibb River Road to Derby.
