What is it about Aussies and their mechanical desert toys?
After Alice Springs, I was thinking of heading south on a dirt road through Titjikala (Maryvale) and Finke, a route called the Ghan Heritage Track. But I changed plans. Instead I am taking an alternative route via the busy Stuart Highway– a road with minimal shoulders and definitely more vehicular traffic. It is a much used interstate. But it was the lesser of two evils.
The biggest event of the year in Alice Springs is happening on the week of June 9/10, with much activity happening the week before. It is the Finke Desert Race, with desert motorcyles and ATVs (Aussies have a name for those but it slips me at the moment). Motorcyclists are practicing up and down the Ghan Track (where I had planned to go) pouring dust into the air. I wasn’t about to ride that track at this time of the year. If I had kept according to plan, I probably would have arrived in Finke on June 10 or thereafter. If I arrived on June 10– holy spectres of Wararkuna Roadhouse!– I probably wouldn’t find a place to stay. If I arrived later, the community store might be empty, so I wouldn’t be able to get any food. And, of course, we’re not even talking about the thousands (not exaggerating!) of desert macho guy vehicles tearing through the roads, choking out my bicycle. So Stuart Highway it is.
Finke Desert Race posters were everywhere in Alice Springs. One couldn’t miss it. Examples of past winning vehicles were on display at the Alice Mall, with men ogling the vehicles.
I’ve been in Alice Springs too long. I couldn’t wait any longer for the event to pass. So off I went via the Stuart Highway. As I went, I saw scores of trailers loaded with these bikes headed up to Alice Springs.
Besides, traveling on sealed roads– I mean, paved roads– means I travel faster, so I would probably be further ahead distance-wise anyway.
Not my preferred route, but that’s the way it is. Foiled again by Australians playing with desert vehicles in “the biggest event of the year!”
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[…] I had planned on riding a dirt road out of Alice Springs known as the Ghan Heritage Road. But details made me forego that, and the only other option was to take the Stuart […]