Now that I've set the scene for what I'm planning to do, the next thing to decide is the route. As I mentioned earlier, there's a defined route for "record" laps around Australia. While there's absolutely no chance of me being able to set the fastest lap ever, I figure that if I can at least follow the official route as best as possible, my dodgy claim to the fastest lap on a Moto Guzzi might have some chance of being recognised by others and not just me. Of course, that is if I choose to push my claim in any way that is within the public domain, which is by no means a certainty.
First thing required is the decision as to whether I'm going to do it in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Naturally there are definitely pro's and cons for either direction, however popular opinion is the anti-clockwise is the best direction, largely due to the benefit of the prevailing winds being a tail wind while crossing the Nullarbor Plain. As I understand the situation, it is by no means a certainty of strong headwinds travelling west across the Nullarbor, but having spoken to people who have done it on a bike, when there are headwinds, it is very hard work!
Starting in Perth, there is a distinct advantage to the clockwise direction, in that by the time I get to vicinity of Sydney or Melbourne, the bike will be due for a 10,000 km service. Additionally, should I need repairs or new tyre/s or anything of that sort, then availability of Moto Guzzi specialist knowledge in those population centers will be much higher than it would if I were to go anti-clockwise. In that case, I'd be due for a service somewhere around Darwin. Not that I have anything against Darwin (other than it being bloody hot), but there aren't any official service centers for Guzzi's there, plus there would be an age to wait if I needed any specialized parts while in that part of the trip. Of course I could have a service done in Brisbane before heading off to the north if I went counter-clockwise... But then if the bike is to break down, then I fantasize that it is going to be in the first half of the trip... There are too many things that I feel I should consider that will sway me to decide one particular way or the other, so in all likelihood, I'll probably just toss a coin.
And then go clockwise.
Despite the concern about the headwinds, the argument for being able to get the bike serviced in Sydney or Melbourne has me fairly convinced about clockwise. I'd also prefer to deal with the heat of the top end while I'm fresher. I'll also have a chance for a small rest, perhaps half a day on about day 10, when I'll be passing through Portland, where my parents live. They have only recently moved there and it is more than 20 years since I passed through that part of the world, so a visit would be nice, however brief it might be.
As I mentioned earlier, I'll be aiming to follow Highway 1 for as much of the trip as possible. A map of it is shown following (hopefully without incurring the wrath of any lawyers acting on behalf of WickedWalkabout.com, who as an aside, have quite a good website!).
The only variation I'm currently planning on making is to avoid the first half of the east-west part between Darwin and Cairns due to it being largely dirt and seemingly unachievable distances (for me) between fuel stops. Additionally, it appears to be across Aboriginal lands and due to the permit requirements for traveling through them interacting with the current coronavirus situation, it might be that travel is still restricted. At this stage, it seems prudent to avoid those areas. The bonus of the slightly southerly route is that I get to pass through Mt. Isa, which I've always wanted to visit. Once I get to Cloncurry, I'll then swing north to Normanton (passing through the Burke & Wills Roadhouse!) and back onto Highway 1.
Sounds easy enough!
First thing required is the decision as to whether I'm going to do it in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Naturally there are definitely pro's and cons for either direction, however popular opinion is the anti-clockwise is the best direction, largely due to the benefit of the prevailing winds being a tail wind while crossing the Nullarbor Plain. As I understand the situation, it is by no means a certainty of strong headwinds travelling west across the Nullarbor, but having spoken to people who have done it on a bike, when there are headwinds, it is very hard work!
Starting in Perth, there is a distinct advantage to the clockwise direction, in that by the time I get to vicinity of Sydney or Melbourne, the bike will be due for a 10,000 km service. Additionally, should I need repairs or new tyre/s or anything of that sort, then availability of Moto Guzzi specialist knowledge in those population centers will be much higher than it would if I were to go anti-clockwise. In that case, I'd be due for a service somewhere around Darwin. Not that I have anything against Darwin (other than it being bloody hot), but there aren't any official service centers for Guzzi's there, plus there would be an age to wait if I needed any specialized parts while in that part of the trip. Of course I could have a service done in Brisbane before heading off to the north if I went counter-clockwise... But then if the bike is to break down, then I fantasize that it is going to be in the first half of the trip... There are too many things that I feel I should consider that will sway me to decide one particular way or the other, so in all likelihood, I'll probably just toss a coin.
And then go clockwise.
Despite the concern about the headwinds, the argument for being able to get the bike serviced in Sydney or Melbourne has me fairly convinced about clockwise. I'd also prefer to deal with the heat of the top end while I'm fresher. I'll also have a chance for a small rest, perhaps half a day on about day 10, when I'll be passing through Portland, where my parents live. They have only recently moved there and it is more than 20 years since I passed through that part of the world, so a visit would be nice, however brief it might be.
As I mentioned earlier, I'll be aiming to follow Highway 1 for as much of the trip as possible. A map of it is shown following (hopefully without incurring the wrath of any lawyers acting on behalf of WickedWalkabout.com, who as an aside, have quite a good website!).
The only variation I'm currently planning on making is to avoid the first half of the east-west part between Darwin and Cairns due to it being largely dirt and seemingly unachievable distances (for me) between fuel stops. Additionally, it appears to be across Aboriginal lands and due to the permit requirements for traveling through them interacting with the current coronavirus situation, it might be that travel is still restricted. At this stage, it seems prudent to avoid those areas. The bonus of the slightly southerly route is that I get to pass through Mt. Isa, which I've always wanted to visit. Once I get to Cloncurry, I'll then swing north to Normanton (passing through the Burke & Wills Roadhouse!) and back onto Highway 1.
Sounds easy enough!
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