OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Dino]

COME ON!
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[Dino]

28 days out and counting down.
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[Dino]

Desert tracks and weather conditions as of 15th March, 2014.
http://www.mtdare.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=1
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Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
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[Dino]

Daimantina Road conditions.
http://www.diamantina.qld.gov.au/documents/800087/6d7e9f91-1a3b-4d7a-8a39-320b7ba9ef13
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Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
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[Dino]

A route change is on the cards.
Our event team is monitoring this closely.
And we have several alternate options.
All participants please allow for detours of up to an additional 120 km in your planning.....

Residents & travellers please note: Birdsville Inside Track is CLOSED due to flooding until further notice. For full details see the South Australian Outback Roads site. The Birdsville Outside track remains open http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/OutbackRoads
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Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Dino]

Dino here.
Just got back from the other great part about Bunyip.
The trip out and back.

The full trip report will come later.
The short version is a "significant rain event" threw a big curve ball our way. Not a drop in Birdsville, or even close. Roads closed everywhere, which was not as bad as the tourists rumour mill....

We are quad riders and that wasn't going to stop us!
(It certainly had a effect on our support vehicles though!)
We swapped some things around and made our way to a very wet Poeppels Corner, and under quite unfriendly skies set up camp and enjoyed the quite deserted region the first night.
The following morning, the skies had cleared, the temperature dropped nearly 20 degrees and we looked at our options.

Looking at our options included what fuel reserves would be used, where we could go, and how we would do it. It also very much included NOT needing the winching practise for our heavier 4WDs.
Two sat phone messages made the choice simple.......

Two days afterwards, nearly 600km, nearly 17 engine hours total and more than a busload of laughs later, it was done.
The quads, and there experienced riders performed brilliantly.
Not a single issue. Logistics was the only challenge on this trip.

The 4wds did the heavy lifting, as planned, and the odd minor issue and a simple bogging kept things interesting.

it wasn't good, it was bloody awesome!
Bring on 2015!
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Dino]

Plenty of pics here, heaps of helmet cam footage to come, and a madia interview transcript about quads and their role(s) in Australia to come
https://www.facebook.com/BunyipRidingForAReason
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[Dino]

Dino looks to have a interview coming up with the newspapers. We hope it goes well!
A couple of leading questions they already asked.....

Like "Why Birdsville?"
His answer was a cracker!
"You don't get out much do you? Why not Birdsville?
Apart from the fact that the areas very isolation ensured the right sort of people turned up, it also happens to be where the locals are awesome, the Desert is their backyard and getting there and back is part of the adventure There is something special about a place that attracts over 60 thousand tourists annually."

Which prompted a question about participant criteria which was answered with: "Some of the main criteria about this event was the Fn Quadriders desire to positively promote quad bikes, their riders and the importance of safety when using these motor vehicles. Obviously having people who were of the appropriate attitude was vital. On many levels. That is exactly what we got."

"What sort of quad bikes?" was another question.
"A good cross section of available machines from cross country racing, working and recreation were on the ride. From a fully race prepared cross country racer, a everyday mustering bike, a top of the line 1000cc two seater and also a 1000cc 4WD sports bike. All the bikes also had wheels/tyres upgrades and two had suspension upgrades. Their preparation and use was flawless."

"Was there any issues?" was answered with:
"Due to a weather event, the flies loved us! The riders were very experienced, as was the support crews. They performed extremely well and were very focused on a positive outcome.
For an inaugural event, it was a modest success. The planning helped, and the contingencies in place were comforting."

"And how much did it cost?"
"We based our entry fee at a flat $500 per vehicle, the entire proceeds of which went to the Daimantina SES Birdsville. Because it was a self catered event, we were able to keep the costs down. It would be fair to say that every participant in the event probably spent more than that just in the local community alone. Which is a win for everyone. The sort of people we aimed to be involved were also involved in 4wd touring, camping, travelling and "adventure riding" of quad bikes.
They just need suitable venues and a facilitation of that to happen. It is a very very significant industry with quite substantial economic benefits to communities."

"Would you do this again?"
"Absolutely! We all had a great time. It's a beautiful part of Australia Early in the "tourist season", the tracks are in excellent condition and the weather isn't bad. There seems to be significant support at a local level for this to be an annual event. For sure that a shire bigger than Tasmania, with a population of a city high school would appreciate responsible people helping out the local volunteer rescuers and the local community by visiting, and it is appreciated. We'll all go back to our regular lives and consider ways we can make it bigger and better for 2015.
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Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[donk]

We'll said Dino (as usual) so glad I did the ride
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[donk]

how are we looking for 2015 and did a video of 2014 end up getting done cheers
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It's not a lie, It's a controlled release of information!

[Dino]

donk wrote:

how are we looking for 2015 and did a video of 2014 end up getting done cheers

For certain that the desire to make it happen in 2015 is there, Donk.
The authorities, and the community, want us back.
Those FN Quadriders want to go again.
Possum is keen too! Especially now as she's got super singles fitted to the bus, and a Tomcar to fit out.
Troy is head down @ work and is yet to put it together for the footage.
He's got close to 40Gb of footage to edit, and that is a lot of work.


Gee, flies and torrential rain allowing, it might even go to plan in 2015.
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Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ozphoenix]

Newbie to the forum but looking for good rides - is there going to be a 2015 Birdsville? I'd be keen to consider signing up - have the buggy, the time and the support team.
_________________
Can-Am Commander Max XT 1000
Conditionally road-registered in Qld
Lots of comfort, work and safety extras.

[Dino]

ozphoenix wrote:

Newbie to the forum but looking for good rides - is there going to be a 2015 Birdsville? I'd be keen to consider signing up - have the buggy, the time and the support team.

Next year if numbers and the economy improve.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ozphoenix]

Ok - thanks for the response - understood. Will keep monitoring the thread and hope for better news (and economic times) to come.
_________________
Can-Am Commander Max XT 1000
Conditionally road-registered in Qld
Lots of comfort, work and safety extras.

[ozphoenix]

Any more forward planning for 2016 yet?
_________________
Can-Am Commander Max XT 1000
Conditionally road-registered in Qld
Lots of comfort, work and safety extras.

[Dino]

ozphoenix wrote:

Any more forward planning for 2016 yet?

Get onto Possum at Desert Edge Tours for info.
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ozphoenix]

Ok, will do - thanks for the info.
_________________
Can-Am Commander Max XT 1000
Conditionally road-registered in Qld
Lots of comfort, work and safety extras.

[richard@star.cd]

How did this event end up, was it successful ?
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Richie