Day 15 Fri 30th March
Broken Hill to Wilcannia - distance 196 km
Today Wincen Cuy the Mayor of Broken Hill flagged us off from beside the Musicans Club. I met with Hugh Gough a man who is showcasing Broken Hill www.visitbrokenhill.com and he chatted with the entrants and their support crew. The day was as clear as crystal, the red soil and distant mountains framing the wonders of the Hill.
Andrew Lamond riding an 1918 Indian had his 25 minutes of fame from Perth to York . Then his bike spat the dummy. He placed an order for new motor, his sister Sarah arrived with the motor and all hands on deck to get it going. I passed Andrew early this morning with the motor singing loud and strong as the smoke billowed from his Indian. Today he rode the full journey. So special because his father Bob and brother Craig driving Brush cars were all on the road together. We all celebrated this good news and it was my shout @ Wilcannia Golf Club for Andrew and his back up crew, father-in-law Steve and friend Hamish.
As we breathed a sigh of relief to see the flood waters of Darling still had not risen to over the bridge. That was a great welcome to Wilcannia, in the Middle of Nowhere & the Centre of Every Where.
We marvelled at the greenness of the countryside as I sat with David Flentje who rides his Peerless 1913 and he said to me
"Up until now my Peerless 13 has performed faultlessly except for belt slip in the torrential rain around Kalgoorlie and I expected nothing less today. A great day for riding with no wind and getting hot. I had decided to carry one of the charity collection tins and was rewarded at the start with several donations. 5kms out I had to stop and adjust the clutch. Then on to Little Topar for morning tea, top up with fuel and chat with some of the field. The country was beautiful after the rain so stopped again for photos.
Shortly after the Charity Collection tin rolled out into the grasses. Luckily seen by a passing backup car and took 20 minutes of searching to find. Still in tact but slightly dented. The last run into Wilcannia with much water and bright green evidence of the huge amount of water that has been through here."
Judie Stephens OAM - Expedition Director