http://www.againstthegrain.org.au is the story of me and three mates. We all live in wheelchairs and in August we rode quad bikes all the way from Perth to Adelaide. We visited our crash sites on the way and one of us, Anton, got married, in Uluru. We tried to blog from the road, but we didn't have much time. I will start uploading our blogs now... I hope you enjoy our adventure....
A day of maintenance on the vehicles including the blue smoke KTM that Rex flushed out over and over again with oil to get every skerrick of water out of. Everyone seemed to do their own thing getting things ready to continue on our journey. Mark Simpson, Andy Cairns, Rex Baker and Steve Mercer all had tight time contraints to get back to work. With Brett (owner of the 3 OKA's) they decided that they would head off in the fuel truck to Port Augusta and leave it there for us to pick up later. That way they could catch a plane home and be in Perth for Tuesday 31st August. This was good enough for another celebration at the pub. Sam was getting itchy feet too, so he chose to take off the next day also. Another night of expensive celebration saying goodbye to a core of our suport crew.
Andy, Mark, Rex & Steve left us for Port Augusta. The rest of us did clothes washing etc ready to go soon. Some of us having trouble determining if we should stay for the Birdsville races as things were starting to hot up including the boxing tent erection in town. (I think it was Fred Brophy who came from Como in WA? who has the last such tent in Australia. After lunch the bike riders left went out to Big Red. Up and down all over place in our buggies. I could not get up the steep side to start off with Barnesy in either Low or High 4WD. Eventual had Neale on board and we shot up it in High 4WD just making it over the crest. Bikes, Quads and cars going everywhere. Craig even trying to go up the steepest section in reverse. (bloody dreamer) Craig did another section (very steep) on his Can am renegade and when coming down, gave the thumbs up just as he hit a bump. He was launched like a rag doll out of the bike. The only time he had not worn his lap sash belt as it had been left off after repairs to his backrest. Craig was lifted back on with his pride hurt more than anything else. Can't remember any of the paraplegics (Anton, Terry or Jim) falling off during the trip. How many falls did you have Craig? Two, is that correct? A great day with a bit of filming but a lot of fun.
Back to the Police station for a BBQ and a start guide by Sandy which was well received by all. We all know how to find the southern point now!! A great but reasonable early night as everyones personal battery is starting to go flat. The hospitality in Birdsville is second to none. The last photo of me standing was outside the General store in Birdsville (1985) which is owned by David and Nell Brook. The building has had a verandah put on it but is generally the same so we tried to duplicate the picture angle with my Polaris RZRs and me in the wheelchair. My plan is to make up an anniversary picture for my study wall with the two pictures framed together.
Day 24 Birdsville to Mungerannie (Tuesday)
Up early with everyone in cleaning mode with the Barracks and Courthouse. Rain is forecast to come any day and they think up to 80mm. As it is still pretty moist this amount of rain would close the roads so we all agreed to move on. Craig (Towy) and Rob (Soundman) were leaving on a flight to Brisbane then connecting to their respective flights to go home. Craigs Renegade had been put on the trailer by the fuel truck and was already on its way to Port Augusta with Rex etc. After seeing them off we said our goodbyes and set off for Mungerannie. As I remember it we had a pretty uneventfull trip down with the threat of rain at any time. Arrived at Mungerannie on dusk. Went straight to the bar and organised some rooms for the full crew. Transportables out the back. You could see that it had been very muddy around the buildings like Mt Dare but it was all firm while we were there. Had a meal in the dining room when the OKA's arrived which was after the kitchen would normally close but they kept it open for us. I was one meal short in the ordering so Lynsay and I shared. Off to bed after some drinks at the bar and Greg not looking very good. Not the grog but a bug of some kind.
Written on 30 Aug 2010
Over 26 years since incident
Tags:
riders, falling over
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