Move forward to age 32, this is when I thought my life was going down hill fast. Owing to a prolapsed disk in my lower back I had to give up riding and find something else to keep me occupied when not working.

The next fourteen years pass quickly, I would watch eagerly at any bike I saw on the road and wished that one day I could be that person.

In early 2003 at age 47 I decided to give it one more go so after much looking I decided on my new wheels, two in fact. I purchased a Kawasaki 1000GTR Sports Touring bike. It was love at first sight and I have grown to love it more each ride and two years ago I set up and now run the Australian GTR1000 Group located at www.gtr-aus.com

A mate of mine for some years living in New Zealand had decided to ride what he told me was an Iron Butt ride. He had to ride 1000 miles or 1600klms in under 24hrs. He completed that and I was amazed, so I checked out the Iron Butt web site where I eventually read every word, tip and word of advice written by the many who had also achieved this and greater. I began to hatch a plan.

With many months planning, reading weather predictions and past history I decided on my route and date of departure. I would ride 1600klms north to Cairns, do a ride with the local Ulysses Club Branch of which I am a member (over 24,000 members in fact) and then take two leisurely days to return, well leisurely for me. In the past two years I had ridden a number of 800klm plus days.

Bike was prepared with all my servicing being done locally by Aaron, owner of Hyperformance at Eumundi and has never let me down. I was prepared and did a warm up ride one Sunday of 1015klm 10 days prior to leaving and felt good, well as good a 49yr old desk jockey can feel. Date for leaving was set as Friday 13th of May 2005 at 4pm.

Storms had raged through the area for two weeks, but on the Thursday it started to clear so all looked good. Friday loomed bright and sunny but at 3pm the clouds rolled in and lightning could be seen in the distance. I decided to head out early and got my start fuel docket at 3.38pm and headed north after saying goodbye to my wife and younger kids. A start and end witness are needed plus start and end time/date fuel dockets being critical for certification. Logs must be kept with all stops and distances written down.

It rained for about an hour and a half, from light drizzle to bucketing rain but by Maryborough it had cleared and by Childers I removed my wet weather gear and settled in for a good ride. Fuel at Miriam Vale was my first planned stop, 350klms down and …. well a bit to go. Up to Rockhampton for a longer stop as my schedule said and stayed for 50mins while I checked the bike, cleaned the screen and ate a snack. Keeping your fluids up is very important on long distance runs and I find I eat very little keeping it to prepared ham sandwiches or similar, nothing that can go off or sit in your stomach. Miles rolled into each other as the towns went by and Mackay came quickly at 1.09 am on Saturday and now past half way.

I had been told to beware of the Marlborough stretch because of wildlife and especially kangaroo’s but with the modifications to my bike including the imported wiring harness and globe to give me better power to my headlight plus the addition of two Narva 55 watt driving lights I took it all in my stride. I had excellent lighting and felt comfortable running through the darkest night I had seen in some time.

5.40am and Townsville comes into focus, well the city lights did as its still dark but the sun should be popping its head up very soon. I called my wife as I had done at every stop along the way and she was amazed at my location as I was a bit ahead of schedule of which she had a copy. I had planned for the worst and set times allowing for delays either mechanical or physical and I had none of these. Having the support of my wife at the end of the phone certainly made it easier on my mind, it’s a mind game really. I knew I could do it and she never doubted it.

8.55 am and I fueled up at Innisfail just before Cairns so I didn’t have to look for fuel in the big city and it is. Then I rode into Cairns to meet up with some Ulysses members as planned and have one of them do the last leg to Mossman and be my end witness.

I found the motor cycle shop where they congregate for Saturday coffee and within a few minutes had located Charlie, who headed home to get his gear and bike to take me the last leg. I was earlier than planned, not through speed but by consistency. This will amaze some but not my family, I have always traveled at a steady and constant pace and this was no different.

The ride from Cairns to Mossman was one of the best parts, its bike heaven in the Cairns area as I was about to find out and the road to Mossman was a taste.

1689 klms and just before noon on Saturday the 14th of May 2005 I ended my first documented Iron Butt SaddleSore 1600k. It’s been an adventure, but as you will read later it was just a start.

As an aside Charlie apparently told me he was taking me on a scenic route back to Cairns but I don’t recall. Remember I had just ridden over 1700 klms in under 24hrs but my wife will tell you I don’t always listen, well I guess that’s true of many guys.

So Charlie took me on a ride into the hills, we had a spirited ride up along the ranges and back to Cairns for a total unofficial distance of 1876klms in under 24hrs.

Rest, dinner and a beer or two at Charlie and Judy’s and an early night, I was formulating a plan for the return trip so bed at 7.30pm as I had a 400klm club ride tomorrow the 16th May to Ravenshoe. Now that’s a whole other story, talk about roads suited to bikes.

Places named are fuel stops

Points I like to add;

1. How do you ride 4388 klms in 4 days? One kilometer at a time.
2. Do not let others project their ideas and concerns over you, it’s your life.
3. Be mentally strong, it’s what makes the difference in your life.
Directions change when you least expect it so be ready.
4. Work on setting goals and work towards them, plan and accomplish.