^{Date Published: 12 Nov 2010 8:24pm
Author:Steve Moore}

At about the half way point and the days are falling into a well organised pattern. The Caribou boys Rick & Al organise breakfast, usually in their room, although at Katherine it was set up on a table beside the pool. Very pleasant. Everybody wanders down with bags and gear which Paul organises into the trailer. Not sure how he gets so much into there but he makes it fit somehow. Lisa organises the radios and spare batteries, checks the food supplies in the cars and makes sure we have enough water.  Everyone loads other gear into the cars and puts the bikes on the trailers and we head off to the next stage. When necessary Paul gives the bikes a bit of a tweak and so far that’s all they have needed. The cars and the bikes are both performing fantastically.

Once on the road there is now a well rehearsed routine. Caribou Boys holding the rear and covering any incoming traffic, chatting to the truckies and supplying fresh drinks to the riders on the road. The bike trailer crew drive ahead to the next changeover point and ready themselves for their stint. The car with the wildfire trailer (known as the Yellow Peril) sits in front of the riders with the riders who have just finished their stage. The white Ford Territory subs for the Yellow Peril during the changeover then drives forward to the changeover and assists the next crew getting ready. The Territory also goes off to grab lunch where possible or sort out any other requirements.

The riding day started at Timber Creek after the drive from Katherine, the first pair of riders took off about midday following on from where Blue Team finished their stage. The heat was oppressive but the scenery is absolutely amazing. Around every corner there is another photo-op even better than the previous one. Wide open plains have given way to rocky red outcrops, huge escarpments and massive rivers.

The riders decided to do shorter stages but more turns to get through the heat. Water and electrolyte intake are at a premium and everyone is keeping an eye on each other. Cicadas must be territorial as while riding along you’ll hear them in one section and they are deafening, a kilometre down the road and there is no sign of them.

During the day the temperature hit the low 40's with the Garmin computers showing the on road temp in the high 40's. Red Team rode into Kununurra around 5:00 pm to finish at the hotel and be greeted by Maddy, Jim and Rod from Caribou and a welcoming drink. Mango flavoured beer is not bad. A quick counter meal and on the road to our accommodation in Halls Creek. The nightly trivia and humour session commenced and an added hazard for the night driving is wandering cattle. Drivers are changed over regularly to minimize fatigue.

Arrived in Halls Creek about midnight and off to bed.  Another day down and another day of different experiences and scenery.

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