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Sunday, March 9, 2008

Fun Endurance


At 10:20 am I was ready to leave the bike rental shop http://www.bikescape.com.au/ where I mentioned last that I rented the BMW 1200GS they were also kind enough to let me keep my suitcase there until I returned, I put everything on the bike and headed to the Gold Coast as the destination of the hotel on the GPS guided me through traffic.



It took me about an hour and a half to get out of Sydney and suburbs on to a freeway, and after that it was easy going. It took me 12 hours to cover the 860 km to the hotel mostly due to the fact that the freeway entered many towns where the speed limit, which is strictly enforced, at times was as low as 50 km. This is why Google Maps estimated the trip at 11 hours.



However all this speed limit enforcement and safety signs did make me feel safe on the road, especially one that read "Be Aware of Motorcycles" which leads me to believe that there is a big Motorcycle culture here in Australia especially since I witnessed so many motorcycles traveling along the same freeway.




At the rental shop I was told that the route I intended to take was not as scenic as other alternate routes, I explained that I needed to attend a conference and that I had to make the trip in one day. However when the trip was on its way I found the route to be very scenic and fun, and then realized that they live here and to them this is normal. Compared to where we usually ride, on a strait road with nothing but the desert on both sides, it was paradise with trees all around and roads that twist in all directions but at slow speeds.



It started to get dark at 6:30 pm and that is when I saw my first Kangaroo warning sign and said to myself I couldn't have chosen a worse time to cross this area since it would be difficult to see if a Kangaroo was actually in the middle of the road or not and then all the bugs came out to play with the bike's windshield creating lovely patterns of the windflow.


I arrived finally at the hotel exhausted from the riding and the flight travel the day before and looking forward to a day of resting.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you arrived safely & all is well. Have a nice & fun trip my friend ;)
& keep us posted, Regards from all of us.
Aziz & Family

Aldenya said...

i take a look here in your blog

and i proud to see a kuwaity man
do a great real thing

i wish you success in all phases of life

Anonymous said...

Hi Muhannad,good to hear that you reached your first stage distination safely and sound, yes "Keep Left".Now, don't sleep during the conference.Have fun.
What's the temp. like there?
Hussain & Friends.

Anonymous said...

Hi Muhunad, well done for making the trip to the Gold Coast in 1 day - a stellar effort even by our Aussie standards.

If you enjoyed the road up the coast, then you havent seen anything yet! You will really enjoy the inland roads on the way back.

Enjoy your conference and see you later in the week.

Ride safe,
Selena
Bikescape Motorcycle Tours & Rentals. www.bikescape.com.au

Anonymous said...

Finally you made it, I hope you enjoy every bit of the journey and get back save to take over!!!
Looking forward to see you and don’t forget to bring Kangaroo along with you if it's to heavy Koala will do.

wish all the Best
Bu-Abbas

Anonymous said...

Muhannad, I asked for the koala before Abu Abbas.....forget the kangaroo!!!!! Have fun and a safe trip home. See you soon for prawns!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The photos are great. Maybe one day we will see Aussieland for real. Looking forward to seeing all the photos not on the blog. Keep safe.


Myra

rocker fran said...

Muhanad,
I'm visiting your mom today - we're painting. She's gone to get lunch and I am visiting your website. I'm so impressed with your travels, your photos, your desire to see, experience and learn!
Enjoy, friend. Hope to see you and your family again soon.
Fran

Anonymous said...

Hey cousin it's been a long time. It's great to read your blog and see all your fantastic photos. I've always wanted to learn to ride, your adventures are an inspiration.
Be well
Heather(GiGi's daughter)

Janifer said...

I think you are only person in Kuwait who doing some extra adventure in his life.
Tampa Hotels

Yousuf said...

I think there is lot of people in Kuwait have some great adventures in there life.
Utah Ut Catering

Welcome to my Journals......

Ever since I have been traveling on two wheels I haven't written any thing down regarding where I went, who I saw, or how I did it.

Most of my travels are with friend who I thank for letting me tag along, learn, and grow.

This journal will have two aspects the first a record of my future travels, and maybe some back dated ones. And the other will be my thoughts about traveling on a motorcycle, what gear I have tried, and what methods I feel are the best for traveling.

Please feel free to drop me a note regarding motorcycle travel, I will be happy to reply.