Saturday 21 June 2014, Timor Leste Day 3

The first full real riding day of the tour. We're not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. The ride starts in Dili and goes to Becau via some incredible views.

The logistics and organisation of the team at Timor adventures is great. On each bike we have a kit on very sturdy magnetic tank bag with maps of the day's ride, Timor mobile phone and phone list.


A nice dry start to the day.  My usual response of  "just ride faster" seems somewhat inappropriate in Dili traffic.



Dollar Beach. During the UN days, this was a popular beach for the UN staff. The local children would "charge" the punters a dollar to swim at their beach.


Alan (one L is enough), Tim and David. What a team we made. Not seen is Edu, the Timor Stig. Edu drove the Hilux support vehicle and is a very talented driver.



This memorial is in the home town of freedom fighter Xanana Gusmao, Lalita and reminds us that the great nation of Timor Leste is built on the skulls of its people. A very sad and poignant reminder of the history of Timor.


One of the local markets. Looked for a replacement riding jacket but funnily enough, not much my size.





Out first overnight stay at Becau.



Timor Leste's only full size swimming pool. They fill it up, use it for a few days and then release the water. No need to filter the water that way.




Indonesian occupation era statue/monument in Becau. Many of these have been destroyed on purpose or just alowed to fall into disrepair.



Timor red bananas. A stronger flavour than our preferred Cavendish bananas.



Friday 20 June 2014. Timor Leste Day 2

Today we ride ...

At midday we all met. That's David, our fearless leader from Timor Adventures and our would-be adventurers; Tim, Alan and myself. Lunch at the Castaway Bar and then off to pick up our trusty steeds, mighty Honda Mega Pros. These 160 cc rockets would soon be delivering us across Timor. First though, an orientation ride.

The day started with this view out to sea. Note the taxi. I have a theory that the taxis are spray painted from spray pack/pressure pack/rattle can paint.

 
The ride team of Tim, David, myself and Alan and our mighty Honda Mega Pros.

The Christo Rei (Christ the King) statue of Dili. We rode to this but did not climb the path.
 
The Pope Statue ( Pope John Paul II ). Again, we rode out to this statue as part of the orientation ride.Whilst many people will have their own opinion; myself I found it difficult to come to terms with a statue that celebrates a person and reduces Jesus Christ.
 
 
Some views of the mountains around Dili. Just trying to show how rugged the mountains that surround Dili really are.




Thursday 19 June 2014. Timor Leste, Day 1

First day in Dili. Flights with Jetstar to Darwin and then Air North to Dili were fine, with no problems. Arriving a day early to catch up on sleep and have a walk around was a very good idea. Tomorrow we ride.

View along the main road in Dili looking back at the Dive Timor Lorosae. This is the 'home base' for punters on Timor Adventures motorcycle tours.






Looking towards the east from beach just down from the Dive Centre.





These outrigger canoes are used nightly for fishing. The outriggers are anything the owners can find that will do the job. In these boats they have used both steel waterpipe as well as PVC down/drain pipe.



View from the Castaway Bar, early morning. The Castaway Bar sits on top of the Dive Centre and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Friday nights it becomes a very popular nightspot with a very rocking band.

Sunday 15 June 2014 - Horizons Unlimited Novice Day

Today a group of budding adventure riders set out from CJ's pastries at Woodford to a secret location for a day in the dirt.

We all had a great day learning new skills and consolidating old skills. Full credit to everyone who attended and especially Scott who organised the day and lead us through thinks and thin.












A day in the dirt Part I.





Why do I use a windshield?

Here is the result of one return trip to the farm. This trip was via the D'Aguilar Highway, Yarraman, Cooyar. The trip went OK and it looks like this is faster than the Warrego Highway. The faceshield and glassess also need a clean.


Saturday 24 May 2014 - Campbell Pocket Road, Woodford, Maleny and Montville

On Saturday morning a group of us including Peter, Mark, Mick, Ian and myself headed up for a morning ride. This was the first time up Campbell Pocket Road from Wamuran to Mount Mee for some of us and it is very much a road worth doing.

 Here we are at the top of Mount Mee at the lookout.
This is at "The Edge" coffee shop and restuarant at Montville. It is actually part of a complex build right on and slightly over, the edge of the range. The views are spectacular as was also the lemon slice.

A wee helmet camera video of the ride along Campbell Pocket Road. 

Saturday 17 May 2014 - Rebuilt rear brake caliper on Suzuki DR800

Just to bring your attention to a fix on the Suzuki. The full story can be found on the bottom of the page for "The Widowmaker". Basically, if you have a good workshop and sometime, there is no reason you can't rebuild your brakes on a non-ABS bike. I'm not sure about ABS bikes though. My rear brakes are a little better when cold, a lot better was warmed up than before and no longer make any strange noises.