Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Cycle Tours => Topic started by: il padrone on October 15, 2012, 12:09:15 pm
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I have posted up the best of my photos from our 5 weeks in Central Australia on Facebook, here (https://www.facebook.com/peter.signorini). Captions are still to come, and eventually a CGOAB journal.
Road trains, gotta love 'em ;)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/32346_10151160745941107_2024901298_n.jpg)
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Wonderful photo here and also those on Facebook, Pete. Very much looking forward to the CGOAB report in its entirety -- please don't keep us waiting too long!
All the best,
Dan.
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Somehow I am not seeing more than a few photos on Facebook... there are so many buttons they could be hiding under!
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Select my 'photos' box then select 'albums' and they're in the Red Centre Way and the Road to Old Andado album.
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Hi Pete!
Like Jim, I just saw a few photos...for some reason, I'm not seeing any entries for Red Centre Way or Old Andado under "Albums".
All I see are 23 entries under "Wall Photos", 8 under "Profile Pictures", and 5 under "Cover Photos".
Do we need to "Friend" you to see them?
All the best,
Dan. (...who's eager to see these! <rubbing palms in anticipation>)
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I'm pretty new to the intricacies of Facebook as well. Being a 'friend' may be the problem. If I look at the photos of people I know who are not 'friends' I only see their Cover, Wall and Profile photos.
I have a web gallery that I've used in the past, but they've changed their server and now only list photos chronologically, and I value the ability to organise photos in albums for easier access. Facebook does this and is much quicker to post photos to, but I'm wary of their approach to copyright. I need to fnd another web gallery that works with albums - maybe Flickr ?
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In the meantime I can post up a few other photos
Typical West MacDonnell Ranges scenery
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/487408_10151160696851107_1078410295_n.jpg)
The road - mostly only 1-2% grades and looong aspects, but with 50kgs on board and a headwind, this still had us working hard.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283513_10151160735891107_1400088450_n.jpg)
Serpentine Gorge
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/374113_10151160735996107_632229629_n.jpg)
Rob at Glen Helen
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/541230_10151160736266107_153718467_n.jpg)
Fires at Glen Helen
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/61133_10151160736316107_963962088_n.jpg)
Tree on the ramparts
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/62074_10151160736576107_174495793_n.jpg)
Fires at Mt Sonder. This stopped us climbing this scenic peak
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/46340_10151160736956107_1325672977_n.jpg)
Rough road surface on the Mereenie Loop
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/487541_10151160737631107_1868804120_n.jpg)
Kings Canyon
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/47249_10151160739831107_923656412_n.jpg)
Views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/557149_10151160741541107_1883231548_n.jpg)
Desert oak landscape after burning off
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/247700_10151160741456107_1566945005_n.jpg)
Just a few to give an idea of the landscape. There are 183 photos in the album.
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There we go, Pete! Thanks!
Outstanding, every single one!
Fantastic scenery, trip, and photography. Feel like I'm along for the ride!
All the best,
Dan. (WOWzers!)
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pete thanks a million for posting those photos there stunning and as Dan said it's like being along for the ride.
MAGIC. ;)
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I need to fnd another web gallery that works with albums
I use Photobucket which does have albums. I can't compare it to Flickr though since I have no experience with that.
Thanks for the cool photos here though!
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Here are a few more photos for your perusal - Uluru and beyond.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/550557_10151160741951107_1841607208_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/522883_10151160741991107_2085718823_n.jpg)
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/527394_10151160742051107_229537430_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/65531_10151160742201107_479027737_n.jpg)
In the Valley of the Winds
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/561930_10151160742331107_1815975421_n.jpg)
Uluru sunset
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/525878_10151160742531107_1011052701_n.jpg)
Desert Oaks in the mid-day heat (39 degrees)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/224514_10151160742706107_1423786742_n.jpg)
Friends we met from the Chrysler Car Club caught up with us on the road - Stuart Hwy.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/550833_10151160742961107_640099920_n.jpg)
Kulgera Pub has character
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/12878_10151160743136107_1568940654_n.jpg)
Wide open roads on the way to Finke
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/254425_10151160743736107_416259599_n.jpg)
Sunset along the Goyder Creek, many miles from any station property
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227540_10151160743806107_1421566647_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66138_10151160743996107_1228896412_n.jpg)
Ducking and weaving on the sandy road
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197572_10151160744056107_1184915176_n.jpg)
Mighty dusty chain, but she was still running silently
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/36307_10151160744271107_1722490460_n.jpg)
Finke township entry
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208160_10151160744356107_97498152_n.jpg)
10 kms of horror road - deep sand over big corrugations :(
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247750_10151160744401107_2145641653_n.jpg)
Goyder Creek crossing
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/416822_10151160744446107_159210262_n.jpg)
Stand-off!
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66353_10151160744686107_745164437_n.jpg)
Crossing desert sand ridges. They were up to 14% grade, damned hard work with 60kgs of gear.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425966_10151160744821107_1273745639_n.jpg)
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Bearded Dragon on the road "If I don't move they can't see me"
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285142_10151162248726107_1622387861_n.jpg)
Simpson Desert sun-rise
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/155157_10151160745046107_611283852_n.jpg)
2000 head of cattle all yarded up to be trucked south to market
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/8154_10151160745166107_779518207_n.jpg)
The sort of road that defeated us at Andado Station
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576899_10151160745291107_2113591160_n.jpg)
Bearded Dragon near our accommodation at Finke
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/3179_10151160745606107_1267468082_n.jpg)
About all that is left of the old Ghan rail-bridge over the Finke River
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/523747_10151160745691107_1731324154_n.jpg)
Wedge-tail Eagle by the roadside near Kulgera
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578623_10151162247921107_1980938482_n.jpg)
Distant travellers on the road
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/62042_10151160746171107_1416864417_n.jpg)
Dinner at Monty's Bar in Alice Springs, last night of our trip
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/643964_10151160750396107_309694252_n.jpg)
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my 2 grand daughters got a fright when they spotted that lizard ;D ;D
that looks like one tough place to ride a bike,
btw what do you think of the extra wheel trailer. ;)
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Thanks for all the photos.
Certainly looks like a beautiful and challanging place to tour.
I am glad to see the bikes did their jobs and another vote for interest in the extra wheel trailer.
Cheers
Andy
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This is the route we traveled (http://www.bikemap.net/route/1361010#lat=-25.126428511135&lng=133.68598101562&zoom=7&maptype=terrain) for the tour. We had to backtrack from the Simpson Desert at Andado, to Kulgera on the Stuart Hwy due to the deep sand road surface. We were limited in the supplies we could carry and did not know how much more sand like that we would face. After pushing through deep sand for over a kilometre (at 5pm) with nothing but more track like that ahead, we realised it was no longer fun and discretion was the better part of valour. It still took us 4 days of very hard riding to get back to Kulgera.
The Xtrawheel trailer was an excellent way to carry extra gear. I actually carried my normal rear pannier load on the trailer and put the heavier water bags (up to 20 litres) and much of the food int the rear panniers on the bike. The trailer just towed along behind the bike. Generally I never noticed it was there, apart from the added weight of the overall pay-load. The trailer itself only weighs 3 kgs and is very tough in design.
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All the best photos of our outback tour are now posted on Photobucket here (http://s1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/petesig26/Red%20Centre%20Way%20and%20the%20road%20to%20Old%20Andado/), with captions.
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Very fine photos, indeed, Pete; thanks so much for sharing these with us. What a wonderful tour.
I did notice you mentioned a tumble at one point and the photo ( http://s1327.photobucket.com/albums/u666/petesig26/Red%20Centre%20Way%20and%20the%20road%20to%20Old%20Andado/?action=view¤t=P1020126_zps0084c653.jpg ) looked serious, with some bags detached from their mounts. (Extrawheel stayed attached!). I hope you weren't hurt or injured, and the bike none the worse for wear. It takes only a moment for an unseen hazard to snag a person; I'm sorry this rut caught you!
You surely had some lovely camps, and I'm really tickled you included photos showing camp-life and your tent in various settings. Well done!
Surely some gorgeous scenery.
Best,
Dan.
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Sandy roads! I had quite a few tumbles (at low speed) when the front tyre dug in and the bike fishtailed. So did Rob. Mostly they were a damn nuisance for us, but injury-free.
The worst was the first, on a 6km section of the Red Centre Way between Redbank Gorge turn-off and the Hermansberg junction. My tyres were inflated too much, I caught some deep sand, and I flicked sideways, landing back first, with the back of my helmet whip-lashing onto a section of rock-hard surface. I had a real head-ache for some time after and the vibration of any corrugations hurt for the next 2-3 days.
That photo was a nasty fall because I was traveling faster on a fair surface and slight downhill, but the photo looks worse than it really was. I got stuck in a strange rut that went along the Finke Rd for many kilometres and the front tyre slid out on the edge. I went down fast with the right foot still clipped in, but amazingly got up with no damage to me or the bike. I just had a very small graze.... on my left forearm of all places. Both rear RH-side panniers bounced off, the steering was twisted right around, the front Ortlieb was on by one horribly twisted hook and the Xtrawheel stayed on but rotated under the bike. A bit of a puzzle to untangle!
Amazing how the Ortliebs' secure hooks manage to unclip when there is a real fall that might overstress the hooks. Lower tyre pressure (down to below 20 psi with the 2.15" tyres) was the answer, but both of the falls I described occurred before we realised that the tyres needed to be lower than we had them. I reckon the 2" tyre on the Xtrawheel was running at 12-15 psi - it was only carrying about 20 kgs after all.
Cheers
Pete
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Great pix in photbucket
I really must get my wheels over to OZ one day
May I ask what camera you used?
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A little Lumix point-and-shoot camera, the FH1. 12 megapixel with a 5X optical zoom. At the end of the trip, in Alice Springs I upgraded to the Lumix TZ-30, a newer model with 20X zoom, Leica lens and great HD video capacity. The last 8-10 photos in Alice Springs were taken with the new camera.
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Thanks for the fabulous nostalgia trip!
(Humility disclaimer: I didn't do it on a bicycle.)
Andre Jute
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I upgraded to the Lumix TZ-30...
Pete! I was hoping this might be the case, as I have been considering one. My TZ-5 has a terrible time achieving focus lock in any but bright sunny weather and gets particularly confused on days with flat, white light and water scenes. The autofocus also "hunts" continuously while taking video.
Has your new TZ-30 been okay in these conditions? Does it achieve focus lock quickly on gray days or when shooting bodies of water? You surely got some fine results with it as shown by those recent shots in Alice Springs.
Thanks and best,
Dan.