The draw of Ayers Rock, Coober Pedy, and of course the famous Outback. The need for a little escapism plus a brand new bike and a lot of annual leave due, all these things generated a cocktail for adventure. The question was when? Being a proponent of the principle that too much preparation doesn't allow room for surprises left me disinterested in research. However, I really don't like riding in the rain or cold, so I checked out the weather situation. The rainy season in the outback starts in October and ends in May with winter starting pretty much after that. 

Figuring that as the rainy season couldn't possibly last that long, logic told me that May 1 was going to be a good day to leave, and I just couldn't wait any longer. 

Fuel consumption was going to be an issue, with one 260km gap in the Outback to traverse. Also, it was obvious looking at my almost bald rear tire, on a bike that was only just run in (1,200km), that I was going to need to fit something with a harder compound. That or have a trail of the standard issue R compound Metzelers placed in strategic locations by UPS.

Highlights of my pre-trip shopping included:

· Thermal underwear
· 10L Plastic Fuel Can
· Dunlop 205 Radial Tire (hard wearing but not super grippy)
· Emergency Medical Kit including Condoms (not my idea - recommended for carrying water in the desert - duh)
· Headlight protector and clear plastic contact to protect the bodywork of the bike
· Torch
· Swiss Army Knife
· Camel mating call lessons (best done in bed with someone you know really well) to summon alternate transport in emergencies
· Ear plugs 

I took to wearing the earplugs much earlier than expected because I was getting inundated with well meaning advice on how stupid my plan (or lack of a plan) was. Including a threatening phone call from my mother ordering me not to go. When that didn't work, Wes, a true blue Ozzie warned me that in the Outback Armoured cars aren't used to carry money, they carry the beer! It's wild out there mate, he warned. The parting comment was that if you get run over by a road train, don't expect it to stop.

A chance encounter left me wondering at the type of people I would meet "out there". I was in a Melbourne Bike shop when a fellow customer perked up his ears at my intended destination. "I could be going up there, I might see you on the road" he proudly said. Great, I replied, when are you leaving? "Dunno, I just go out to the Kawasaki in the morning and whatever direction it is heading, that's were I go" he smartly explained! The bike shop guy and I shared glances, wondering which one of us would tell him that was an old cowboy story. Horses are far more likely to leave your destination a surprise than a motorcycle you parked yourself!

This sort of trip is best done with company but nobody would want to be on the back of my bike, believe me. Also, as much as I enjoy riding in a group, there was some appeal in making my own choices. Apart from some hard and fast sections the actual route, especially in Victoria and South Australia, would be decided as I reached each major intersection. The basic criteria were the more scenic and twisty, and less chances of police encounters the better. 

Monday morning arrived soon enough and the excitement was blunted by thoughts of the warnings I probably should have heeded. Pride is a powerful force and there was no turning back. Hitting Toorak road at 7:30am meant frustratingly heavy traffic. Once I was through the City the road cleared and I was off.

I didn't intend to stop but the cold got the better of me at Woodend, where prompted by the early morning mist, I put on more clothing and changed to winter gloves. Feeling much better it was a clear run to Bendigo allowing the odd blast to 260kph just to complete the running in process. At Bendigo I made the first of what were to be frequent fuel stops. Bendigo is a quiet little town dominated by used car lots - I am sure there is a story behind that, I just don't know what it is.

It was here that I reached my first route decision point, selecting the Murray River in the hope that it would mean some twisties. This wasn't to be, I should have been tipped off by the fact that the only bend where I got close to having my knee down, Boundary Bend, was highlighted on the map. It was picturesque; the Murray is impressive, either from the road above or a paddleboat, the popular alternative. 

At Swan Hill I was getting ravenous and although tempted by the big M thought I should try local cuisine. Remembering I had instructions from my beloved to eat healthy, I opted for a Hamburger (it has lettuce) followed by something with fruit to ward off scurvy, for that purpose I selected "River Port" a Raspberry and Lemonade mix. 

The bike needed more gas of course. I could see the tendency for Service Stations to insist on your Crash Helmet being removed was going to annoy me big time. "Normal" riding saw the fuel warning light come on at around the 120km mark. That meant I was repeating the refuelling process an awful lot, in fact around 10 times a day.

In the northern part of Victoria.......continued overleaf