twowheeler
Husqvarna
A Class
A group of us, including 3 Stradas, went on a ride from Melbourne to the Dig Tree in outback Queensland in early May. Not too hot/not too cold/wet, a week off work plus 2 weekends, a bit under 4000kms of riding on a mix of tar, gravel, dirt & sand.
If you’re not familiar with the Dig Tree and the role it played in the tragic story of early Australian explorers Burke & Wills, Wikipedia does a reasonable summary - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_and_Wills_expedition

Packed the Husky with enough stuff for self-sufficient outback camping throughout – a lot of freeze-dried meals & muesli bars - and extra fuel containers for the longest no-fuel stretch of 460km along the Strzelecki Track –

Setout in the rain –

By (kanga)Roo O'clock, we were close to Mildura so found a bush camp next to the Murray River at Colignan –


Plenty of firewood -

New day, sunshine & an early start -

Into NSW then onto gravel on the High Darling Road –

Not far in, leading the group, I came over a small rise at 80kph to find ~30m of unsighted deep sand. The Husky went into an immediate & full-blown tankslapper lasting about 3 terrifying seconds. The sand ended, the tankslapper continued, the bike highsided, I was ejected and the bike (according to the guys behind) somersaulted twice before landing square on its back.
My mates did a great job gathering all my luggage & bits of the bike, which were strewn everywhere, then cable tying & rox-strapping the bike back together.
I was in no state to help -

The Husky, although a bit bent & busted, fired up first go. No leaks, motor fine, clutch fine, gearbox fine, brakes fine.
I pulled my head together, got back on & rode slowly to the next town (Pooncarie) 100km along the way.
Pooncarie's part-time ambulance officer checked me over – banged up & pretty sore but vital signs OK.
One bent Husky -


Then onto Menindee & camped by the Darling River –

More to come ......
If you’re not familiar with the Dig Tree and the role it played in the tragic story of early Australian explorers Burke & Wills, Wikipedia does a reasonable summary - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_and_Wills_expedition

Packed the Husky with enough stuff for self-sufficient outback camping throughout – a lot of freeze-dried meals & muesli bars - and extra fuel containers for the longest no-fuel stretch of 460km along the Strzelecki Track –

Setout in the rain –

By (kanga)Roo O'clock, we were close to Mildura so found a bush camp next to the Murray River at Colignan –


Plenty of firewood -

New day, sunshine & an early start -

Into NSW then onto gravel on the High Darling Road –

Not far in, leading the group, I came over a small rise at 80kph to find ~30m of unsighted deep sand. The Husky went into an immediate & full-blown tankslapper lasting about 3 terrifying seconds. The sand ended, the tankslapper continued, the bike highsided, I was ejected and the bike (according to the guys behind) somersaulted twice before landing square on its back.
My mates did a great job gathering all my luggage & bits of the bike, which were strewn everywhere, then cable tying & rox-strapping the bike back together.
I was in no state to help -

The Husky, although a bit bent & busted, fired up first go. No leaks, motor fine, clutch fine, gearbox fine, brakes fine.
I pulled my head together, got back on & rode slowly to the next town (Pooncarie) 100km along the way.
Pooncarie's part-time ambulance officer checked me over – banged up & pretty sore but vital signs OK.
One bent Husky -


Then onto Menindee & camped by the Darling River –

More to come ......