ADVrider.com
As a motorcyclist, the two concepts that might well come to mind when someone says “Australia” are “postie bikes” (which might be Hondas, but we modified them first) and “distances”. We didn’t create those, but we do them better than almost anyone else. Since 2002, the Postie Bike Challenge has put the two together to produce this annual event.
“The Postie Bike Challenge provides a unique motorcycle adventure while also supporting community groups through either direct donations or by payment for services,” say the organisers. “So far we have racked up nearly 2 million kilometres and injected over $1 million into community and charity groups.”
For 2023, the trip from Brisbane to Darwin replicates the first event from 2002. It is the longest and travels through some of the most remote places the challenge touched on with any previous trips: notably Hells Gate and Borroloola. Hells Gate is a remote roadhouse near the Queensland and Northern Territory border, as remote and rugged as it gets. Travelling north from here riders face more than 300 km of wide red dirt road and several river crossings before overnighting in a small Aboriginal community.
Riders from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, France and the United States with a great sense of adventure have taken part.
The adventure is in the journey rather than the destination. At times you will ride with a group; sometimes alone; you will feel remote, a million miles away from civilization. There will be long days on the bitumen; on others your sand and dirt riding skills will be tested. Some days you will travel at full speed (75 km/h) and others will be spent negotiating narrow dirt roads at 30-40 km/h instead.
And there you have it. Just follow the red line. Sort of. Image:postiebikechallenge.org
“YOUR MISSION,” say the organizers,”is to keep your small motorcycle going for the 3500+ kilometres!” And to survive, if possible.
More information is available at www.postiebikechallenge.org. You can also drop them an email at [email protected] or ring them on +61 (0) 411 090 891. The Challenge will run from 2 to 13 September 2023 and costs A$5650 for the first 60 entries, A$5850 after that. Entries are strictly limited, although I don’t know to how many.
The cost includes the bike for the duration of the event, a mechanic’s workshop at the end of each day, roadside breakdown service, First Aid staff and much more. “You turn up with your luggage on day 1 and we look after the rest,” they tell me. Am I going? Oh gosh, is that the time…
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