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I
only had a few days left from Alice Springs to Darwin, and had planned
at least one day in Darwin before flying out, but that was not to be.
Somewhere North of Ti Tree, about 200 km from Alice Springs, the bike
started wobbling, and I knew a tyre had gone. When I dismounted I felt
the heat hit my face. I learnt later that the temperature was just over
30C.
I tried the mobile phone, it was dead. I got out my two-way radio
and had a bit of a laugh with that one! It was the first time I used it,
so I got some direct on-line tuition from a couple of truck-drivers!
After that I managed to get in touch with the police, who turned up an
hour later. I was already getting a sunburn on my face, as there were no
trees to give me shade. But I had water. The policemen were really
friendly, apologising for not bringing a trailer with their 4WD, so they
could transport the bike for me. They called someone for me, and after
having made sure I had enough water, they left.
 I
got out a book and sat down with my back to the sun trying to read for a
bit. After about two hours Peter Hawkins turned up, a scruffy looking
bugger with a pick-up truck and a trailer. He was himself a biker in the
right sense of the word. He had two Harleys and was a proud member of
the Ulyssus club in Australia. A club for 'mature' bikers over 50!
Peter brought me and the bike back to Alice Springs, found a dealer for
me, drove me to a hotel and made sure I settled in ok. What a gem!
The
Australians I met seemed to work a lot, and Peter was no exception. His
job is as an 'essential services operator', which means he is looking
after the water and the electricity supplies in the area. He covers
about 5000 sq. km, and drives approx. 1500 km every week. He told me he
has to be on watch 24 hours a day, and hasn't had a holiday for 2 years.
The
bike was taken to Desert Edge Motorcycles in Alice Springs.
The shop is being run by Stephen Gunner and his two sons in
law. They've had the business for about two years now and are doing well.
It was amazing to see how spacious, clean and tidy the
workshop was. I never saw any traces of oil on the floor,
not
even in the hall where they repaired the bikes. And service is friendly and professional. If you need to
check your bike and you're in the Alice Springs area, don't
hesitate to use these guys. |
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Desert
Edge Motorcycles |
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| Stephen
Greenfield took care of the bike |
Stephen
Gunner, daily manager |
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But
where were all the bikes!?
I drove about 5500 km while in OZ, and I can honestly say I could count
one no more than two hands the bikes I met on the road. That is about as
many as what passes by my house in an hour at home during the season.
Strange...
Stephen Greenfield told me there were bikes around, and it
was mostly now in Winter
time people were out riding; In Summer it gets too hot!
I suppose they just weren't driving up and down Stuart Highhway all the time...
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