Re-routed APC Rally off to great start

Peter Whitaker

Snow on the lower regions of the Victorian Alps, the big wet out west and the closure of the Simpson Desert forced organiser John ‘Homer’ Hudson to shorten the inaugural APC RALLY at the 11th hour but last Saturday over 100 riders roosted out from strategic start points such as Dorrigo, Wodonga, Yunta, Marree and Charleville facing perfect mid-winter conditions for the 6500 km, 14 day adventure that encompasses NSW, ACT, Victoria, SA, the Northern Territory and Queensland, all hoping to return safely to their chosen starting location.

Navigation consists of no more than following the coloured route evolving on the GPS screen and depositing black dots as the ride progresses. If the deposits stray from the coloured line the rider needs to backtrack. And whilst the route consists of forest trails, little used gravel roads and outback tracks there’s enough private property for riders to fully test their skill and stamina.

At the Woodenbong start point on the edge of the Unumgar State Forest the most popular mount was the KTM 950/990 in its many derivations – a machine well capable of carrying its own pop-up campsite – plus a sprinkling of Teneres, WRFs, Beemers and an immaculate Honda Dominator. Of course many of the usual hard-core suspects turned up but the non-competitive marathon attracted many novice riders including at least one still on his provisional licence. Each rider that manages to avoid the daily mayhem – and the inevitable recounting in many outback pubs – to return to his or her original start point by August 5 will receive a ‘completion medal’ in memory of legendary Nev Thorley.