Jim Rogers and his BMW. Best parts were his travels through Africa. Good book, even if you're not into bikes.
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Glass I thought you might enjoy this video of main street during the Sturgis motorcycle rally. You can hear a steady dull rumble of motor cycle engines in the background that is there all the while the rally is going on. When you're there it seems to shake the whole town.
We've been having very warm weather for this time of year. Still in the 30C range. Lots of people out on their bikes over the weekend.... and who wouldn't? I was sitting in a mall car park on Saturday and about 30 cruisers came by. You could hear the rumble building like thunder for a fair few minutes before they arrived. Was a sight to see. Everyone turns and watches as they thunder by. I notice that for the most part cruisers seem to part the traffic like moses.
I'm amazed with the number of bikes that have farings on them in that vid. I don't get the stereo on a bike thing but maybe that's for hanging out in mall car parks or at the coffee stop.
This whole bike thing is a can of worms. Been looking at touring videos, reading forums. Honda's bringing out some new 500cc road bikes. So thinking on what I really want. I think a cruiser still but a little nipper could be handy for going places a bit faster. So there you go now I need 2 bikes. Better be getting 1 sorted then I'll see how it goes.
It is about 26,000kms or 16,000mi to circumnavigate Australia by road. That's across the top end, down the sides and along the bottom. Been reading about peoples adventures.
This guy did it on a maxi scooter: http://www.max.grenkowitz.net/?topic=840
He went counter clockwise from Queensland, Up the east, across the top end, down the west side and east along the bottom.
He did a very detailed blog but he's a man on a mission so it's more about getting around in X days than taking it easy and discovering Australia. But there's lots of good info on how to get around and places to stay.
The thing I liked to most was the pictures he took on the way.
Links to journey diaries, GPS map, stats, accomadation info
Daily reports
I can't link the pics which is a shame but he does take some good photos. From day 8 in the DR's they are all from the top end. Amazing country. Check them out if you have some time.
So anyway I'm going to have to make a plan to do something like this. Maybe on a sports tourer.
Always wanted a Motard.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ud1E-KZogM...-bike-2008.jpg
This is the can of worms because one bike can't do it all so logically you need a couple of bikes. I can see I'd need a cruiser, a street bike and a tourer and a motard or adventure bike would be handy also. I'm starting at the begining so will go for a starter bike for the road and work up from there but I like the idea of touring.
Glass if you do decide to do some touring I don't think you'll regret it. I always liked to see what was on the other side of the hill and used to take short trips seeing the sights. I 2001 we had a drought and I sold my cattle then hired on with a trucking company. I would pick up a load where ever it was then take it to where ever it needed to go. It was an adventure that I really wouldn't have wanted to miss. There was a computer in the truck and it would beep and a red light would come on. that was the signal that they had a load I could pick up, where it was a where it needed to go. I just never knew where I was going next or the people I'd be meeting. It was interesting and an adventure. I traveled the 48 states and saw all the backsides of the cities and a lot of the empty places in the middle of nowhere for a year and a half. My home was in the truck. I had a small refrigerator and a little dc cooking unit and a comfortable bunk. All the comforts of home! I think you could have a great time traveling, seeing the sights and meeting people along the way.
It's seeing the pictures of the north west and central parts of Australia that gets me going. It's been a long time since I was up that way. It is a rugged but amazing part of the country.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBlgPn5TJx...+Australia.jpg
more scenic snaps
Literally
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jnbx7DNsfq...arge+crocs.jpg
i loved to ride! ive had 10 different motorcycles. i quit 30 years ago because of two good crashes! now with all the crazies texting and on their cell phones im not inclined to ride anymore. three friends(different incidents) were literally run down from behind because of distracted drivers. another one killed by a FOP(fucking old person)! two others who were brothers hit a guardrail in seperate incidents and were killed. another had his foot ripped off from hitting a curb! there are two kinds of riders, the ones who have crashed and the ones who are gonna! also two kinds of riders, live ones and dead ones!! be safe look out for idiots!
A lot of photographers seem to like getting out and touring.
Here's a guy, calls himself the Motographer. Travelling Australia. Blog: http://thegrandaustralianroadtrip.com
He crossed paths with a pedal powered biker who is heading to Darwin from Melbourne:
http://thegrandaustralianroadtrip.co...3/05/cycle.jpg