The 900-kilometer day and emu attack

The 900-kilometer day and emu attack

As previously mentioned, no coffee and no fuel started this day of riding. Fortunately, the kilometers passed quickly even though it was still and 11-hour ride. I stopped at every petrol station to fill up because in the outback, it could be few and far between. The power outage mentioned before effected towns for many miles so finding fuel became a new mission.

I didn’t take many photos. Honestly, I didn’t get to make a left hand turn for over 400 kilometers. It was after that turn that things got interesting.

As I have stated in previous blog posts, everyone has told me to beware of the dumb animals in Australia. They are dumb as bricks. I found out how truthful that statement is.

After I made the left-hand turn onto another road leading me to Lightning Ridge, home of the black opals, I was on a rode that would barley fit a car, much less a car and motorcycle together. With the recent rains, riding on the shoulder became quite sketchy!

I was riding along at the posted speed limit, when up ahead I spotted and Emu with a clutch of chicks. The passed the road from right to left on the same side I was on and started off towards a field. As I passed them, the adult emu must have not liked the way my bike sounded because his dumb ass did an about face and started charging the bike. My path of travel was already determined so I kept my eyes forward, ready for impact. I saw his head come within inches of my helmet. I felt impact and I jarred to the right just a bit. I was thinking, “Was that it? Did I kill it?” I had not gone down nor was I thrown from the bike. I quickly scanned my rearview mirrors but didn’t see any psycho bird creature in them giving me the finger or a bird equivalent of “Screw You!” I didn’t turn around and check on it either.

After a safe distance, I pulled over to check on my bike and message my friends in Oz to tell them what had happened. After my safety was guaranteed, I continued on my way to the next turn in the road.

About another hundred kilometers or so, I turned right and there was a sign that said “Fuel 16km”. Cool, another break for my bum which by now was feeling the impact of the day’s ride. I had 2.5 hours to go so any quick stop meant a breather!

After I topped off with my last fuel stop of the day, I turn onto the last road to Lightning Ridge. You aren’t going to believe me but I have a picture to prove it. There were miles and miles of cows, all munching the green grass on the side of the road. So now, not only did I have to dodge psycho birds and all other Ozzie animals, I had to dodge cows along with cow patties.

Cows are much smarter that birds, I had slowed my speed considerably and they all got out of the way. None were interested in challenging my red motorcycle as I putted past.

I got to the hotel unscathed, double checked my motorcycle for damage and all I found was bugs who had sacrificed themselves to the windshield and my protective gear.

I got checked into the hotel, immediately went for a meal and wine, went to my room, stripped, showered, and collapsed in the bed.

Long day but I proved to myself that I can still do it without too much damage.