-
Please arrive with a clean bike. This helps us to
spot problems before you set out and removing seeds that may be hiding in the
dirt on your bike helps to reduce the spread of weeds.
-
Tubes. Fit Ultra heavy duty tubes. About $30 a
wheel, but almost never suffer a flat. This is a must. You must bring a spare
front and rear tube and carry them with you. They can be standard types. If
you’ve fitted ultra heavy duty Pirelli or Metzeler tubes, you probably won’t
need them, but bring ‘em just in case.
-
Noise. It must be fitted with a muffler that does a
reasonable job of making it quiet. Please, avoid full bore MX systems.
-
Bike protection. We recommend bash plates and hand
guards.
-
Wet weather gear. You must bring waterproof outer
clothing. The high country can turn ugly and if you get wet, hypothermia can
ruin the trip! Cheap nylon stuff, lightweight, yet waterproof is fine.
-
Water. Bring a Camelbak style device or equivalent
to avoid dehydration.
-
Tools. You don’t need much, but at least stuff to
fit things that are specific to your bike. You need to be able to get your
front and back wheels off to fix flats. You must bring a spare spark plug and
a spanner to fit it. Spare brake and clutch levers would be a smart inclusion.
-
Bike Preparation. Go over every, yes every nut, bolt
and screw including spokes and make sure they’re tight enough. Check tyre
pressures as heavy duty tubes deflate over time. Around 15 psi is usually
about right. Run a fresh air cleaner. Check engine oil. Ensure the headlight
works. We try to avoid needing them at all but you never know.
-
Registration. Bikes must be registered. Vic. Rec.
Reg is fine. Bring the label for us to check.
-
Licence. You must have a motorcycle learners’ permit
or licence. Bring it.
-
Fuel. Your bike should arrive full of fuel. We’ll
provide all fuel after that (Premium). Two stroke riders need to bring their
own oil.
-
Body preparation. Your stomach should arrive full of
fuel too. Have a decent breakfast and stay off the grog the night before, as
our rides are not simple beginner affairs, where we cruise all day on bitumen,
or two wheel drive dirt roads. We use as close to zero of both as possible and
many riders are challenged physically.
-
Accommodation. We often stay at country hotels.
Bedding, with electric blankets, towels and showers are provided at these
places. Buller and Tom Groggin are the exceptions. For Buller, the lodge we
use is a base and you can leave your car parked there and return to it that
night. So you can thus bring more stuff. As a minimum, you’ll need a sleeping
bag, pillow and towel, as well as toiletries. Mattresses are provided. At Tom
Groggin, you need to check with Rod when booking to see what you have to
bring. Some early bookers get a bed. Others have to bring a swag. You still
need to bring at least a small overnight bag, with a change of clothes and
toiletries. Our support vehicles can transport it to Groggin for you, along
with the swag if need be.
-
Alcohol may be available on our tours, but is not
included in the price.
-
Food. We provide all meals, which include Saturday
lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch. Lunches are salad rolls etc.
from the back of the four wheel drive, or on some tours, fantastic three
course meals cooked by a chef and support crew, often at picturesque locations
in the middle of nowhere. Dinners are pub meals, except Tom Groggin and Buller
which feature a home cooked delight from our chef. Breakfasts are cooked,
usually with the option of cereal. If you have any dietary necessities, you
should let us know as soon as possible and we will try to cater for your
needs.
-
Parks Permit Fees. We are accredited Commercial Tour
Operators with Parks Victoria and our access to State Forests and National
Parks is supported by the authorities. Parks permit fees are included in the
cost.
-
Communication. We carry a Satellite phone for
emergency use only. Mobile reception is good on some tours, poor on others.
For instance Buller has excellent reception at the lodge, whereas Tom Groggin
has none. Ask Rod if it’s important to you. If you carry a mobile, remember to
turn it off prior to riding as they go flat in no time searching for networks
that don’t exist in the middle of nowhere. The guides communicate via quality
GME uhf radios. You are welcome to bring your own uhf.
-
Cameras. If you have a digital camera, you can bring
it along. If it has pictbridge capability, bring the USB lead and we may be
able to print your pictures free of charge Saturday night, courtesy of Konica
Minolta.
-
GPS units. If you have a GPS, leave it at home, they
are not welcome on our tours. We carry one for emergency use.
If you want to know anything else, ring Rod on 0407271548. We
think our tours are as good as anyone’s and better than many. We hope to provide
you with an experience that you’ll never forget.
