Now the main idea was put together so riders who may not have done a long ride could by being part of a group who rode from set point to point each day. Not having the time to do that and being able to cover larger distances I went about working on a plan. Two of the groups would be at Tennant Creek NT on the evening of the 25th April then head to Katherine on the 26th before the last leg into Darwin on Friday the 27th April 2007. I would ride from Cooroy Qld to Barkly Homestead NT on the 25th, 2300klms.

Midnight of the 24th I set off from Cooroy which is on the Sunshine Coast near Noosa Heads and had a blitzer of a first leg of 509klms up to Rockhampton. Fuel only and off again heading west now for a long way. It's still dark, 4:30am out of Rocky so I had planned on taking it easy in the roo area west but it was clear so I easily settled into my traveling pace.

Alfa is next at 8:30am, 439k for this leg and 948klm in 8 1/2 hours. On target so far.

Its not that the ride isn't interesting but I have done a lot of this type of country lately so I tend not to take much notice. I understand that doesn't help with you reading but its basically dry and desolate out here. Very much like Cobar to Broken Hill type of landscape if you have done that.

Winton at 12:24pm and 1378klms. Winton surprised me for its size, its by no means a huge country town but it certainly has some interesting sights. I just had to stop at the North Gregory Hotel and say hello to the publican David. David is a fellow Ulyssian and a rider, the pub is family owned and operated and his boys both ride. Out here you have to ride distance to get anywhere. Chatted with some of his visitors for a while and had a good 40min or so stop here, the only one for the day.

Man its dry out here at the moment, its getting onto mid afternoon so the temp is rising but after 50deg on the Nullarbor its not a big problem. I am making great time and my 11pm expected time into Barkly is now looking at being 9:30 or earlier. No speeding just steady as she goes, I have done enough big distance to know what pace to keep and how to do it efficiently.

Mt Isa is a mining town, its right in the middle of town and I get here at 4:40pm for 1846klm. No time for looking, maybe another time. Fuel and off again still heading west to the NT border.

I get to the Qld / NT border just on dusk so my picture is not the best but I was in a push to get as far as I could in daylight to lessen the risk of animals hits. The last 3 hours were in darkness, now thats not really a problem as I prefer night riding but this area is all new to me. I had never been west of Longreach Qld and thats a long way back. As it panned out I hit a small bird and he/she became wedged in my driving light bar. I hit a bush turkey with my left side fairing and boot plus kicked a small half metre roo with my right boot. Not bad and arrived all in good time to Barkly Homestead.

Barkly Homestead at 9pm for 2297klms in 21hrs. This is a pace I have held before but as these were new roads to me I was quite pleased. Got into my room, quick shower and change and over to get some food into me. As per normal I had not eaten at all this day so far, I drink lots from my onboard container. Watched a bit of TV and off to bed about 10:30pm for an early leave.

The rest of the trip will follow, 8395klms in 8 days on the road. Only six days riding.