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FEBRUARY 2021
Kindly sent to the BMWMCQ by Lyn Dyne after printing in the BMWMOC Gold Coast Newletter - a perfect story to align with Dakar. By Kevin Devine. Photos Rob Wynne, Member #585 ‘Off Centre Run - Mt Dare Homestead’
T
he story of 3 of our members and their 3 mates in 1994 -
It was 3.30am on Friday, 5th August when a group of six intrepid souls with overloaded machinery underneath them ventured out from Kevin’s place to commence a great adventure which would take them across some of the most inhospitable areas in this country. Months of preparation and planning had gone into this trip by the ‘Boys’ and now the time had come. The group consisted of Rob Wynne R100GS, Kevin Devine R100GSPD, Wayne Roberts R100GSPD, Graham Watt R80, Peter Malouf (Lenny) R100/7 and Peter Day R100GS. First stop, Toowoomba where it was freezing. Hot coffee was ordered and a chance to thaw out before pushing on to Dalby for breakfast. Headed off towards Moonie and St.George ending the day at Cunnamulla at a pub where we took advantage of bed and breakfast for $12. The road between Dalby and Cunnamulla was so straight and boring we decided to traverse the table drain to break the monotony. Saturday morning headed off in the direction of Thargomindah.
Wayne, Lenny, Kevin, Graham, Rob at Thargo
OFF CENTRE RUN 1994 On the way Lenny hit a roo taking off his blinker and bending the oil cooler. After assessing the damage and moving on it was not long before another incident occurred. Rob hit an eagle which was unfortunate to be too slow on takeoff from the ground but if that wasn’t enough, Graham also hit the poor bird. We eventually pulled into Thargomindah for a couple of beers to quench the thirst. Rob promised to show us the thermal bores but missed the turn. From Thargomindah the bitumen narrowed down to one lane so we did most of our riding on the side of the roadway. As boys will be boys, we held speedway races on the clay pan for a bit of fun.
Clay pan speedway We thereupon sped on to Noccundra which was a detour from the main route to visit the pub for a coldie. The pub is the only building in sight and in the old days travellers would sign their names on the walls, doors and anywhere there was space. Unfortunately the adorned walls etc. have since been painted over and consequently some authentic history has been lost forever. (If only the walls could talk, what tales they could tell). Headed off onto the main track which took us through Jackson oil fields and where the oil pumps can still be seen along the roadside. It was at this point that we kissed the bitumen goodbye. We set up camp for the night about 50kms after leaving the tar at sundown under a tree. It is to be noted here that certain rules were laid down for the trip. A $1 fine was imposed each time a bike was dropped. Confessions were held every morning and for those caught out, the fine was $5.
