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"There's nothing you can't do with a Bike Friday!" proclaimed customer Klaus Schreiber as he pedaled his Air Friday over a rocky mesa on Route 66. Enter Super Seniors Ron and Bev Lukin, kicking it up a notch by completing a fully-loaded, self-supported expedition to the punishing northernmost tip of Australia. Add the fact that the Lukins are "looking, not staring, at their 70's" and you have a super inspiring summer tale of what you can do, if you dare, on a Friday ... - LC
PHOTO GALLERY The Lukins conquer Cape York Peninsula, Australia MOVIE CLIP See the Lukins talk about this trip at the Australian BF Club Annual Gathering 08 (go to end of clip) |
There was a window of opportunity in which we could fit in an unsupported ride from Cairns to Cape York in Queensland’s tropical north. Our Bike Friday Gnus hardly had time to cool down and we were on a flight Sydney to Cairns. Cape York is a very challenging 4WD journey, with an amazing mixture of wild life, terrain, landscape fauna and flora. Our bike trip commenced in August during the dry season which made river crossings minimal and fun – being very aware of possible sightings of saltwater crocodiles in some areas. |
 On this trip we decided on four panniers each instead of the suitcase trailer, because there would be many times we would be cycling in heavy sand, plus corrugation and anything the off-road could throw at us. We had to strap our panniers to the racks - even the brand that claims their panniers are secure - Ortleib - did jump off, cable ties and straps were used to secure the panniers. It was important to check all screws, nuts and bolts during the trip, because everything was being tested to the limit. A water filter was essential and also a good mosquito repellent. Day three had us grinding into a big climb up to Mt Alexandra to be rewarded with a spectacular view of the coast after which there was another big climb to Noah Creek. By the fourth day Cape Tribulation to Ayton we were into the dirt and would sometimes only see minimal sections of bitumen near small townships. This was a day of many steep climbs; some being concreted to help with traction – a very tough day. |
Camping at Saltwater Creek we were nearly carried away by mosquitoes. Riding across Nilford Plains on dried clay made us think how lucky not to be doing this during the wet, as the track would be impassible. We saw a rare cassowarie bird and families of wild pigs during our journey.
Leaving Cooktown we cycled north through Lakefield National Park to the Normanby River, Laura River and Old Laura Station and had to negotiate a number of water crossings. Considerable time was spent most evenings and in the morning filtering water to fill our water bottles and for cooking. This was essential because of the uncertainty of water availability. Kalpowar Crossing was the best organized camp ground run by Park Rangers, with toilets and cold showers otherwise for cyclists the trip is bush camping because of distance. We met a German couple at Hahn River who were having a great time in their 'Troupie' 4WD. Like us in Germany their sense of direction was reversed and it was easy to mistakenly start of in the wrong direction. Camping at Saltwater Creek we were nearly carried away by mosquitoes. Riding across Nilford Plains on dried clay made us think how lucky not to be doing this during the wet, as the track would be impassible. We saw a rare cassowarie bird and families of wild pigs during our journey. Before getting to the old Telegraph Station at Musgrave we had 8 km of heavy sand where we had to drag, push or cycle through the bush along the edge of the road to make any progress. |
Some roads have been up graded since we did our trip in 2004. Between Dulhuntly River and Cockatoo Creek is the famous and very challenging 'Gunshot Creek' crossing where normally sane people winch their 4WDrives up a near vertical bank to continue their journey. There is an alternative bypass around this section of the track. We waited a couple of hours at the crossing hoping see what sort of people would do this to their vehicle, but no one came by. This was our hardest day because of heavy sand and we only managed to cover 27 kms. |
At 4am three young Germans arrived in a small topless Suzuki 4WD. They had driven 800kms on the dreadful roads and they thought we were crazy?
At 4am three young Germans arrived in a small topless Suzuki 4WD. They had driven 800kms on the dreadful roads and they thought we were crazy? From Seisia we rode to the 'Tip' and made sure we dragged our fully packed bikes up to the lookout and down the other side to the edge of the sea…the most Northern point of the Australian Continent. We both felt fully satisfied and thrilled with our personnel challenge being accomplished. From Seisia we took a ferry to Thursday Island in the Torres Straight where we had R & R for a couple of days. Then the ferry to Horn Island for a night and finally a flight back to Cairns then a flight to Sydney. The Fridays traveled well – the Gnus being the mountain bike version of their range. Thank goodness for our 'Thudbuster' seat posts ... |
Other rides include 6,000km from Alice Springs to Darwin and down the coast to Perth - and also 3,000 kms in and around and out of France including 20km along the closed Tour De France route just before the riders came through. In June of this year and at 65 years, we will of cycling 1,900 km from Brisbane to Cairns. Ron & Bev Lukin |
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