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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 13 Nov 2006
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Gibb River Road on a Postie?
G'day folks,
In 12 months time my wife & I (both experienced riders) will be taking off on a 16 month journey around Oz in our converted bus, & are thinking of towing a small trailer with two 'postie' bikes (Honda CT110). Apart from 'getting around locally', if we *do* tow bikes, then I'd also like to use the bikes to get to areas where road conditions prevent me taking the bus. The 'Postie's' may be slow, but can carry sufficient camping gear, fuel etc for 'extended' camping trips & light enough to lift over obstacles if all else fails. One such dream is to travel the Gibb River Road on the bikes.

Any comments about whether such use would be simply 'eccentric' or indeed foolhardy on such machines in remote areas.
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Old 13 Nov 2006
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Postie bike setup
This is the best site I have found to setup a postie bike for outback travel, gearing, max speeds etc etc
http://www.postiebikechallenge.org/
Looks like a lot of fun eh!
Good luck
Glen
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Old 13 Nov 2006
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posties
They are amazing bikes, I use the road going c90 for winter trips and race them
http://www.scarabis.com/WitteringPedRace29.7.6a.html

Don't pack excessively and carry a spare fuel can!
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Old 14 Nov 2006
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Thanks guys. Anyone care to comment upon what may be the major 'obstacles' to overcome on the Gibb River Road. I imagine it's mainly miles & miles of of rock/soft sand plus river crossings. Any major river crossings that a Postie wouldn't cope with? ie too deep to push it across. ('Spose we could always wait for a truck if need be...a la 'Long way round/road of bones') ;-)

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Old 14 Nov 2006
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It probably depends on the time of the year you intend to do the Gibb River Rd. In September this year the deepest crossing was not more than knee-deep. You could push the postie across ;-) If in doubt, walk the river crossings before driving them.

The first 2/3 (going north) were not too bad, the last 1/3 was in places rather rough.
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Old 15 Nov 2006
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I've had my postie about 2 months now and finally took it for its first long ride... and what better place to go than the Great Ocean Road (the GOR). I had an absolute ball. the postie did really well through all the twisties, made it to 95 km/h on the FWY (but went down to 70 depending on wind). Went down there with a few mates for the day. looked rather funny on the FWY on the way home the postie, followed by 2 CBR RR 250's an R1 and Kwaka Z1000!

Heading off in Jan 07 - RTW on the postie!!!! Oz first (melb-adelaide-perth-darwin) might run into you guys!!
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Old 11 Dec 2006
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Gibb River Road
Hi Ian

I travelled the road several times (and plan to do it again June 07), albeit in a 4WD.
The road is in relatively good condition, and I can't imagine you would have any difficulties. The major river crossing is the Pentecost, which is not much more than ankle deep in the dry season.
There is also a reasonable amount of traffic, so the risks associated with a breakdown are negligible.
There are some terrific camping spots along the way eg Bell Gorge/Manning Gorge. Also, make sure you visit Mitchell Falls, with a fantastic camp spot at King Edward River.

Cheers,
Tim
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Old 17 Dec 2006
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Anyone care to comment upon what may be the major 'obstacles' to overcome on the Gibb River Road

I would say they would be the corrugations which wreck all GRR vehicles eventually. Passed a caravan once slowly falling apart and something always breaks for someone. The soft sand and river crossings will just be pleasant interludes in the miserable washboard. Plenty of lifts out though if the posties break up. Have you considered the CT?200 ag bike with OE sheep racks?
As timok says, there are some lovely spots on the way, esp in the western half.

Ch
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Old 18 Dec 2006
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Postie bike
The postie bike will meet all your needs if you want a relaible bike. The engine is really strong. I owned a Honda benly 110 and thatbike went evey where on its 9 litre tank. It would cruise at 85-90Kmph and get me into the Zambezi valley from Harare in Zimbabwe.
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