From: couyant@convex.com (George Couyant)
Subject: THE trip
Organization: CONVEX Computer Pty Limited, Melbourne, Australia
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1992 00:43:44 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

I've had and overwhelming response from you r.m.d folk about an organised
trail ride exploring Central Oz. Kind of took me by surprise I must admit.
Rather than answer each of your email messages individually, I thought I'd
just post some things for you guys to think about.

First off, if you *really* are interested, I'll gladly put something together. 
You need to be aware that it ain't going to be cheap for you. Firstly, you
need to get here! Return air fares would be at least $2,000 (I guess).
Next are the bikes. I'm sure I could organise bike rental from bike shops
and again I guess around $1,000. I wonder if it's cheaper to freight them
across. If there are a few of you, we may be able to do a deal on a
container or something..

To better cater for our needs, it would be good to do it in conjunction
with a respected outback 4wd tour operator. They have the backup equipment
to support us and will be able to carry supplies and to cook meals. They
can also get into the places we require for fuel drop offs etc. They can
also provide the necessary medical backup and communications. I have a few
contacts here and could work something out with them, and with my guidance, 
specifically cater for dirt bikers instead of familly 4wd'ers. They also 
have a better relationship with the aboriginal land owners so we could 
*really* get into some wild country (I'd just get pissed off and tell them
to get stuffed...). I'd guess that for say a 2 week tour, they'd need $1,500 
per person including meals.

Bike running costs would be of the order of $400 for fuel and $650 for
tyres. $400 for a chain and oils etc. Any other broken bits...well, let's 
not talk about that...

You'd need to bring your riding gear and maybe things like sleeping bags
and small touring tents. We'd want to organise at least a couple of stays
at outback homesteads and maybe do a deal on a luxury resort at Ayres Rock
or in Alice Springs. Figure on another $400.

The route? Well, maybe leave from Adelaide to Flinders Ranges. Up through
the Gammon Ranges and on to the Oodnadatta track. Pick up the Stresleki
track and head north east over the Simpson Desert to Cameron's corner. Next 
head west over the Simpson Desert again, but this time up on the northern 
edge to Dalhousie springs. This section will be great fun climbing up the
steep side of the sand dunes...1,500 km of them. Up along the old Ghan railway 
on the Finke race course to Alice Springs and then through the MacDonnell 
Ranges and down along the Finke river, Kings Canyon and to Ayres Rock. From 
there you could fly back or to wherever you want. For those that haven't had 
enough, we could head back to Victoria and spend some time in the High 
Country for a completely different view of Australia.

Let's just do a quick addition....all up $6,350 plus say another $1,500
for spending money and to compensate for my rough estimates brings it to 
$7,850....Makes a trip to Baja sound good huh.... But there's no escaping
the fact that to be the only humans within a 1000 km diameter is a good
feeling....

It ain't cheap at all... BUT what an experience. If the dozen or so
*definite* takers and the other dozen "sounds great, count me in" responses
turn up, well I have a major organisational problem so it has to be like
above. In fact, if there are as many as 6 that do want in, we'll still
have to do it as above. If though there are only a couple of you, well
maybe we could do it a lot cheaper. You may though need to bring a partner
and hire a 4wd as well to help carry supplies etc. Don't worry, it'll be
a real adventure holiday for them too....

Have a think about all this. I'm doing it next year for sure. I'll need to
begin organising it around May next year for September/October trip and if
there's some interest, I'll post something before May to get an idea of
any takers.

If ya can afford it, do it. I'm a changed man for it. Look forward to some
more "realistc" feedback.
Cheers
George C.


--
  ,--_|\ 	George Couyant			email couyant@convex.com
 /      \ 	Senior Systems Engineer		Ph    61 3 823-6216
 \_/--\*/	Convex Computer Pty Limited	Fax   61 3 823-6254
       ' 	
86 TT600,90 KX500,88 KX250,85 CR250,86 CR500, oh yea, and the kids 92 PW50.

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