Distance - 468km (5572km)
Weather - Sunny 38 degrees
Back on the road the ' Love Bus' was now to be the 'chosen' mode of transport.
Firstly we went to CentreShedWorks for a magnificent breakfast put on by Ian 'Macca' Macadam of the Clontarf Foundation. A few of the boys were there to help and it was great meeting these guys and the fantastic work they do with indigenous kids, especially boys.
Macca and Bryan Williams both told us stories of success and frustration with the issues some of the indigenous kids face, at the end of the day the work they do pays off and has seen some brilliant success, even with boys now playing in the Australian Football League. There was little surprise that Macca has had three brothers play AFL.
 |
| The stickered up Love Bus at Stuarts Well |
After an hour or shoe chatting to the guys it was clear how passionate they are and it's chats like this that make the Long Ride (regardless of the transport) so worthwhile.
Saying our goodbyes we set off south and headed for Ayers Rock (Uluru). Leaving the metropolis of Alice Springs I was immediately confronted by the fact that the landscaped wasn't how I imagined it would be, it was actually quite green and full of plant life, certainly not the mars like landscape I had expected.
We continued south west on the Stuart Highway until we reached Stuart Well and caught up with the riders. It was a quick chance to throw a few more stickers on the Love Bus as well as grab a drink and ice cream, the break was short lived and we set off again.
 |
| Cannonball Run memorial |
Not far down the road we stopped at the Cannonball Run memorial that commemorates the lives of three people killed in the 1994 road race. Two officials were killed along with two Japanese drivers when the Ferrari F40 crashed at the checkpoint at very high speed. The Japanese driver was blamed for the incident however, an event of this nature was always destined to be extremely dangerous. We paid our respects and continued on.
 |
| The road to Uluru |
Continuing on we made or way to the Lasseter Highway, the turn off to Uluru, this saw us stop at Erldunda and meet a number of riders coming up from Coober Pedy. I was able to catch up with Chris Dunne, originator of the Long Ride. He and his wife asked how we were going and how was my shoulder, he was saddened that I was unable to ride in but happy I was still here. We had a laugh about the Love Bus and the consequences if my accident and we were then on our way again.
From here the riders stopped at Curtain Springs, a small roadhouse that has become famous with tourists. Old Long Ride friends caught up and said they were amazed when they heard it was me that had 'stacked' the bike, they too were glad i had decided to continue on.
The plan now was for everyone to meet up just past Mount Connor and ride into Uluru in one group under police escort. It was an amazing site and I must admit the site made me tear up, all this way and I couldn't be a part of it.
The reception we got at the Yulara resort was fantastic but not being on a bike made me feel I wasn't really a part of it.
After unpacking and a quick shower it was off to the Long Ride 2014 dinner, in one of the most beautiful settings ...
No comments:
Post a Comment