202 On Tour

On the road at 9ish after catching up with a group of 8 brothers on their way back from the Cape. The eldest had a Triumph Rocket Sidecar built by Bruce of sidecar fame in Townsville, and the youngest had played footy for Shepp United back in the day. While they’d all grown up in Finley they were now spread far and wide, and were doing this trip in memory of their 9th brother who passed away unexpectedly last year. Interesting bunch of fellas.

Longish section of bitumen to start, and before long the turnoff to the Telegraph Track appeared.

Quick toilet break, obligatory chat with interested 4wd’ers and then onto some genuine 100kph dirt sections.

Not for us mind you, I was happy with my 60/70 kph – we’re only off to Bramwell and we’re already 1/2 way there.

The road then deteriorated a bit, no problem. But right at a section where the corrugations were such that acceleration was the answer a mob of 20 or so Brahman cattle were crossing the road single file. 

Slowing down on big corrugations is the pits. Everything shudders and you feel like the sidecar is going to break into 3 or 4 bits.

So i wasn’t that surprised when I simultaneously heard a noise, felt a pull to the left and had Liz in my ear saying “there’s a noise coming from the wheel”.

The mudguard mount had finally had enough. Trick was though, this was supposed to be the good mount of the three.

And not only had it had enough, it took a 1/4 inch welder tab clean off the frame

Liz ended up holding the mudguard as well, as we sauntered up the table drain on formed and unformed tracks for a lot/ most of the rest of the way into Bramwell Tourist Park at 30 koh for the next couple of hours.

Was happy to see Moreton Telegraph Station had ice creams and cold drinks – this was the sweat line from my t shirt and motorcycle jacket when we got to Bramwell at about 3pm

Both got a wash!

Chose to sleep on what to do about the mudguard since tomorrow is a pre planned rest day.

Bramwell Tourist Park was recommended to us. Cheap air conditioned room

A 10 minute or so history then a set menu buffet, served very efficiently by the 8 or so hospo staff. Liz was happy

And then a fella on guitar doing cover songs for entertainment. Sing along and Aussie classics for an older crowd. Think  Elvis,  Slim Dusty, Neil Diamond & Paul Kelly.

Liz thanked the guitarist by name before realising the name on his guitar case was the guitar brand and not his name😁