Day 9 was a scheduled rest day, but turned out to be quite busy one for some. Plenty decided to ride the 300km up to Katherine Gorge and see what was on offer. A helicopter trip over the gorge provided some fantastic views and the film crew got some awesome shots of some riders from the air.

Helicopter views of some of the crew

Some stayed behind and enjoyed the hot springs and doing some housekeeping.

Day 10 started in the wet after it rained all night, but I think most of the crew will agree that it was one of the most beautiful. We passed through Katherine and onto Victoria River, 200km away through some spectacular scenery.

It was tough riding conditions with torrential rain, water rushing over the road and many of the dry creeks and river beds filling up with water. Waterfalls were gushing down the mountain ranges and sometimes as far as you could see there were sheets of water.

Donna just before getting very wet

Running into torrential rain on the road to Kununurra

Riding through the wet

The end of the day saw us all arrive in Kununurra, Western Australia. It’s the fifth state on the ride so far, through some of the most amazing places and scenery. And after 130km in NT it will be interesting to slow down to 110km in WA.

Day 7 in Mount Isa started out wet, but this soon dried up as the group moved across the border into the Northern Territory. And with the speed limit rising to 130km per hour, the temperature also rose a few notches!

The stretch of road from Camooweal to the Barkly Roadhouse is the longest stretch of highway in Australia that doesn’t have any fuel, about 265kms. This meant the first roadside stop for the bikes with shorter fuel range with the support crew providing a top up. The price of fuel has also risen a bit, up to $1.77 at one stop (with more expensive to come).

Unfortunately a flat tyre for Ant meant a trip inside the iLoad into Tennant Creek, but after a quick repair he was back in roadworthy condition for day 8.

Not everything went right, Ant had a flat so he got someone else to change it while he watched

With welcome air conditioning, a pool to cool off in and a nice place to lay our heads, Tennant Creek proved to be a welcome stop overnight after a long 670km day.

Day 8 started fairly early. Our film crew wanted to film the bikes leaving Tennant Creek as they came through a gap in the hills, can’t wait to see the footage they are getting.

The iconic Daly Waters, not to be missed

It was another day of 130km, and another day of pricey petrol – $1.98 a litre in Elliot! One of our last stops before reaching Mataranka for the night was the iconic township of Daly Waters where there was a traffic light to ensure you stop at the pub. It’s not to be missed on a trip of the Aussie outback and has some very interesting decor.

Overnight we were in Mataranka and I think everyone enjoyed a soak in the hot springs after a few long, hot days on the bikes.

Roadside stop on the way to Mataranka

Relaxing in the hot springs at Mataranka

2010 SNOWY RIDE ENTERTAINMENT

Friday 5 November

The Schuss Bar – RELOAD (Clarkey’s Band)

Saturday 6 November

9PM THE VILLAGE SQUARE – THE BREWSTER BROTHERS

…also

The Schuss Bar – RELOAD (Clarkey’s Band)

Live music at The House of Ullr, The Denman Inn and Knickerbocker Restaurant

On the road to Mount Isa

Pit stop on the way

Day 5

From Townsville it was time to turn west and head toward the vast outback of Queensland. Hughenden proved a welcome rest stop and the hotel owners of The Great Western gave us a generous donation. Allan hit the road for his first leg on the Gold Wing and travelled into Richmond safely (refuelling his bike so it was ready to roll again the following morning).

The Canberra boys had shown off their extraordinary sales ability in Townsville and this continued into Richmond with the entire Richmond Hotel leaving with AAR memorabilia. If these boys turned up to my town or my hotel I would buy a shirt and a cap from you – I’d be too scared not too. Big shout out the to hotel staff for shouting many of our crew a drink and welcoming us with open arms.

A safe arrival

Day 6 Richmond to Mount Isa

We’ve begun to realise the vastness of this great land and the reality of what lies ahead. After a magnificent morning photo shoot leaving Richmond we were directed by NavMan to turn left in 400kms.

400kms later….

Tommy Tourist (aka Jack) caused chaos and a traffic jam coming into Mount Isa when he insisted on a group photo under the “Welcome to Mt Isa” sign – the photo better be worth it!

A few things were lost along this leg

• Di lost a room key from the previous town but it later appeared in Jacks back pack
• Andrew and Phil in the fun bus lost a spare trailer tyre, we believe it’s ended up with the Sheik of Shabby Creek
• On arriving into our hotel in Mt Isa, Rachel lost “it”
• On arriving into Mt Isa Neil nearly lost “it”… (refer to Tommy Tourist note above)

Pittstop near Ayr

Well we’ve all made it this far without any major mishaps which is what we’d hoped for but wasn’t too confident about for a while!

I think everyone has enjoyed meeting other riders and the camaraderie over an ale… or many.

We are certainly lucky to have ended up with such a good group and even when the going gets tough (and it will) we’re sure everyone will pull together and make sure we all get through.

Day three saw the group leave Mackay on the 389km journey to Townville. Slightly shorter than the previous two 600-plus km days and passing through Bowen and Ayr.

Day 4 – rest day

With Tenterfield to Townsville in our wake, a well deserved rest day was enjoyed by all in and around Townsville. Activities included climbing Castle Hill, riding up Castle Hill and even driving up Castle Hill – or just enjoying looking at Castle Hill from the retreat known as Watermark.

Those with time on their side and no bikes to have serviced headed to Magnetic Island for bus rides, swimming, ice cream and other refreshments. The local restaurants in town were given a good workout and we found a variety of quality in food, service and timing.

Tomorrow will be an early start setting out from Townsville and heading 500-odd kms to Richmond.

On the road in Ayr

We’ll try to keep up with the crew and post updates on their adventures as they unfold. Here is the story so far…

The Around Australia Ride got underway yesterday at 8.30am. Fifty riders, ten pillions and ten support crew in four vehicles set out from Tenterfield, stopping in Toowoomba, Goomeri and Bundaberg for a total of 610km.

Word had already spread with a servo in Toowoomba giving free fuel to one of the support vehicles as he’d heard about the ride on the radio and another generous stranger giving them all the change he had on him… a great response so far, let’s hope it continues.

Some of the riders were even TV stars with Phil and Joe Salim (Shire optometrists in Southgate, Sylvania) doing an interview with WIN News in Toowoomba which aired last night.

On day two the riders have left Bundaberg and headed for Mackay, stopping at Miriam Vale, Rockhampton, Marlborough on the way completing another 600-plus kilometres in a day.

Tomorrow will be a shorter trip between Mackay and Townsville, stopping in at Bowen and Ayr along the way. The 389km day will then be followed by a well-earned rest day in Townsville.

The crew in Tenterfield before they head off

After months of planning, the Around Australia Ride officially got underway at 8.30am on Monday 4 October. Fifty riders, ten pillions and ten support crew have left on the road trip of their lives.

Here are some interesting stats to ponder:

• The total trip is around 15,000km, and combined the crew will ride over 800,000kms
• Around 2,500 room nights of accommodation have been booked for the 33 days
• The ride will visit 80 towns and cities around the country
• The riders and support vehicles will chew through around 8,000 litres of diesel and 50,000 litres of petrol
• The oldest riders is 68 and the youngest is 28
• There are four female riders
• The largest bike is the 1800cc Honda Goldwing and the smallest bike is the 650cc KLR single cylinder

It’s no small feat, but is all in the name of a good cause. If you know of another rider who would appreciate what the AAR crew are doing, get them to visit the Snowy Ride or Steven Walter Foundation websites and donate to help us reach $1 million in 2010.

Rolling out of Tenterfield

Support vehicles supplied by Hyundai

The 2010 Around Australia Ride is about to get underway from Tenterfield NSW.

With 50 bikes, 11 pillions, 10 support and two film crew the 2010 Steven Walter Foundation Around Australia Ride is less than two weeks from officially starting in Tenterfield (northern NSW).

There is much anticipation amongst the riders who are all keen to bring it on (or maybe not so keen at the end of a hot 900km day!)

We leave Tenterfield on 4 October and finish in Thredbo on 5 November just in time for the tenth Snowy Ride.

With the weather starting to heat up, the northern parts of the trip are going to be hot and long.

Check back for more information as the day draws closer.

Welcome to the Snowy Ride blog. We will keep you up to date with information and details about the 2010 Snowy Ride.