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WINSTONS Adventrue ride to the Cape

By Peter Gately Join Me

Help me make it meaningful

Mental illness doesn’t discriminate – it affects 1 in 5 Australians every year with symptoms like depression and anxiety. The impact can be devastating, not only for those living with it, but for those around them.

That’s why I’m getting active and raising funds for the Black Dog Institute - to support crucial mental health research and support services that help Australians impacted by mental illness and suicide.

This is a cause close to me as I had been affected by depression for a few years and have come out the other side.

I will be joining Maschine Adventure Tours riding my Husqvana Norden 901 from Mackay to the Cape and back to Cairns.

Winston is my Black Dog mate who will be  will be  travelling on my front mudguard and other various positions on the bike.

I will be posting pictures and video on my facebook page for you to join in on the excitement, thrills, spills and river crossings during the trip.

Join me for a daily update on the trip as internet access allows.

Please donate now. Thank you.

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Arrived home last night just after midnight, Mackay to Uki.

Monday 7th Aug
Well the Adventure is over and we have raised $3257 towards helping Mens Health.
Thank you all again for your great support from those who kept pace with Winstons adventure and checked out the photos.
Then there was the riders who were also completing the last leg of riding the entire length of the great dividing range. 
Such an achievement and a boost to every man and the one woman's mental health in our group this year. 
It is great when a group of people get together to achieve an objective and help each other through out the Adventure.
I learnt some riding technics that helped me from other riders.
Some Learnt from riding technics from me.
Other stoped and helped people out of bogs, get across rivers, un-drown engines after the bike went for a swim.

Last day on the bike today

Saturday 5th Aug
It has been a long two weeks travelling to the Cape, Tip, Top of Australia.
I have had to travel at a slow speed of 70-80km to cut down on oil consumption. It appears my mechanic (me) did not oil the air filter element properly, possibly do to the exhaustion a lot of the riders were experiencing. This caused the piston rings to wear out resulting in 1Ltr of oil being passed through the exhaust pipe every 100km on Friday and 500mm today as I lowered the travelling speed to 70km, 1000 rpm lower rpm.
I arrived in Townsville at 5:30, found a place to overnight in a caravan park cabin. and was in bed not long after 6pm and not up until 9am to be underway again to Mackay.
On the Mackay leg I had to pull over at Ingham and have a 10min sleep at a bakery bench and again on the grass in a park on the edge of Bowen.
My son Damien who lives in Mackay did me a great favour and drove my ute to  Proserpine and saved me another 2hrs on the bike riding slow.
Well Winstone and I have now been to the Cape, Tip or Top as it is known by many different groups and returned tired but in good health. We only had one injury that lead to no more bike riding and his shoulder is on the mend. 
One concussed rider who took a heavy fall but was able to ride again two days latter.
8 bikes i can think of that went for an unexpected swim
1 with a busted rim
1 leaking radiator and damaged motor
My dusted motor
And Matts KTM 1190 frame failure,

We finished the Adventure at Peepers Palm Cove Resort with a celebration tea, Winston was off his food so I had a good feed.
Well I am falling asleep again 8pm so its bed time for me.

Thank you all for helping raise $3200 to help with mens health.

We all made it to the end of our three year Adventure of riding the full length of the Great Dividing Range

Friday 4th Aug
A BIG thank YOU to all who have helped raise just over $3000 for mens health. I have a few cash donations to send in that will take the total over our goal. 
Now that we are back in Cairn I can tell you a bit about the ride south. 
Day one took us from Punsand Bay to Weipa
Stopping in at Elliot and Fruit bat falls. Fruitbat is a lovely place but if you have 4x4 or bike Elliott falls is the best. 
Day 2 Weipa to Coen
For the Enduro riders this was a 140km ride back north along a new gazetted road through Steve Erwins nature reserve. Pushing 19 bikes across a knee deep river that most likely had Croc in it  that took two hour, the northern leg took 6 hours so it was a fast ride to Coen to get in before dark. 
Day 3 Coen to Cooktown was an easy run out through Lakeland area. Very interesting landscapes check out the photos as soon as i can get them up
Day 4 was an easy run back down the Bloomfield track. Winston stopped in at the Lions Den to show the lion how dirty the bike got. We all played it safe and pushed our bikes across the last river as we did not need to spend time fixing a flooded bike, Palm Bat Resort had our attention and a soak in the pools 
We had a few of bike issues on the return trip Winston was being a BLACK DOG seeing if he could affect our buzz. Winston rode on the back of Jo’s bike and she had a flat rear tyre. The following day Tim carried Winston and was hit by a Kangaroo with a bit of bike damage and a few bruises. On the last two days Winston was with me and my motor suffered a oil viscosity problem and i rode slow into Cooktown. Changed the oil that afternoon but the next day the motor consumed 1 liter of oil in 250kms. Will be looking intowhat caused the problem today. Was motor dusted by a poor filter service at the TOP by me or did the oil fail, time will tell. 
Bike problems on the way south
One bike racked a front rim (trailered to Cains )
One bike had a radiator failure and cooked the motor also towed to cairns
On 1190 KTM broke in half from all the corrugated roads. It was left in Coen for the insurance company. 
And my bike that is still rideable if i keep the oil upto it. 
The tour company Maschine also had problems 
Broken rear window on the van from stones bounced of the trailer it towed. 
The recovery Rangers trailer had an axil snap so it has become part development road scenery along with all the other vehicles that did not survive. 
Thank you for taking this Adventure with Winston and my self
More phots to come asap 

We reach the TOP as the locals call the TIP

Tuesday 1st Aug

Sunday Afternoon 

This was to be a 75km trip to the cape and 5 beaches. The reality was that by the time we rode to the cape, walked out to the Tip or The Top as the locals call it or Pajinka by the indigenous we were all worn out so we headed back to out resort. 

Being at the Tip was very special, over the last three years we have traveled from Halls Gap in Victoria to the Top of Australia up and down the Great Dividing Range.

Winston was at the TOP of Australia enjoying the view across the sea to PNG.

Yesterday we travelled from the Top down to Weipa Enjoying Elliot falls and Fruit Bat falls. The water temperature is always perfect for a swing and a pounding under the waterfalls. 

More pictures to come as time allows.

Today we are heading for Coen more red dust and corrugations.

Tinaroo to the Cape York

Sunday 30th Jul
Well it has been a big three days traveling from Tinaroo to Hann River. Hann River to Bramwell Station then Bramell via the Telegraph Track to Punsan Bay nearly at the cape. We have two nights here as after yesterdays Teli experience we are all enjoying the REST. Which means working on our bikes for the next few days south.
We left Tinaroo in the mountains down to the coast through rainforrest tracks in even more rain which settled down for a dry afternoon up past cape tribulation and onto Hann river for our first camping night.
Leaving Hann river it was ride mostly along the Development road getting use to riding corrugated roads. One rider I spoke to said it was just terrible with the bike bouncing so much. I told he was not going fas enough, the following day he comes back with a big thanks, as soon as he got over 80kms the bike started to settle down. We stayed at Bramwell Cattle Station that night, it was 7:30 when I got in as we did a quick run along the eastern side of Frenchmans Trak to see what the water level was like as we were hoping to come back out that way. River was over waist deep with crocks around so that was out.
Yesterdays run was from Bramwell to Punsan Bay. Started of well a few bikes dropped in the sand then we stated to cross the multiple rivers along with a total of 5 bike being drowned which held the group up. Then we had one rider have a brain fart and tried to ride to quick in the confined sandy tracks. The front wheel got caught on the loose rocks and spat him into a tree knocking him out for about 20seconds then it was ferring him and his bike out to the support car. With all the drowned bikes, injuries and difficult terrain the day went by very quick. It was then a bike push to get to the Jardine ferry before it closed at 6pm. The owner of Maschine Adventure tours towed one bike with his for around 150kms. The ferry man was convinced with $$$$ to wait until 6:30 so we all got into Punsan Bay well after dark. I had tea a shower and went to bed. BIG day. 

Townsville to Tinaroo

Wednesday 26th Jul
Another 500+Km day with a lot of mud covered roads. Proud to say that I am getting closer to mastering riding on muddy roads with no laying the bike down at all.
We stopped in at Little Crystal Creek falls then onto crossing the Berdikin river.
The roads had very thick sticky clay in some areas causing on of the riders front wheels to lock up, putting hum down very quickly and damaging his shoulder. Medics think it is a ligament problem but he is waiting to see a doctor at the Atherton hospital.
Winston has been complaining about all the rain and the constant showers he has been getting so I gave him a bath. We entered a creek crossing with the camera team on the other side so we knew it would be a safe crossing with a surprise. The sunrise was the the depth of the water it was well above the front guard that Winston sits on so he went well under water. I will post that photo as soon as the camera guys post it.
There will probably not be an update tomorrow as we are camping at Hann River.
Tomorrow we leave Tinaroo and head back to the coast then up through the Daintree National park to the Lions Den pub, Lakeland then on The Development Road up to Hann River a distance of 489Kms.

Day 2

Tuesday 25th Jul
Townsville to Lake Timaroo another 518km day for those doing the Enduro (Red) route. 
493km for the Adventure riders
Enduro riders tackle steeper roads and single tracks. Tomorrow’s enduro run is an easy dirt roads but another long day. 
Hopefully no rain?

Winston wanted to know why the bike was having a rest

Tuesday 25th Jul
512Kms today 250km was rain and at least 100km of mud. Took us 5 hours to cover the 250km to Collinsville. The afternoon was dry and so was the road making for a much better last part of the day. Check out todays photos.

Details of our first ride day

Monday 24th Jul
Hope Winston does not get a sore butt sitting on my front guard tomorrow.
512km Leaving Mackay around 8am, out to finch Hatton Gorge, Eungella Dam then onto Collinsville. Been raining lightly most of today and if it has been the same up at Collinsville we will have a very greasy road after Binbee. Winston may end up with a mud treatment but not at a health Spa.

Arrived Mackay spending a day and half with my son

Sunday 23rd Jul
Hi everyone
Winstons slept most of day and half drive to Mackay were I arrived at my sons place on a cane farm west of the city.
Been trimming a mango tree then unloaded the bike and filled the tray with rubbish and did a tip run. Winston supervised the whole job.
Tomorrow I get a bit of shopping done then meet up with everyone Monday night for first tea and advise on the leg to Townsville then we start out in Tuesday morning.

Bike loaded up, Gear packed

Thursday 20th Jul
Well just one more sleep then Winston and I are off on our two week adventure. 
A big thank you to all how have sent a donation in I have a couple of cash donations to log and we will be over my initial target. 
Lets see how high we can go.
Loaded the bike this afternoon and put the Winstone's Adventure stickers of the fuel tank. Big thank you to Jonny of Shogun Signs Tweed Heads (http://shogun.media/)who donated the stickers for my bike and 50 smaller stickers for the other 45 bikes travelling to the Cape with Maschine Adventure tours (https://maschine.com.au/). This is the final leg of travelling the length of The Great Dividing Range over the last three years. Check out there youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@MaschineAdventure and Facebook pages. https://www.facebook.com/teammaschine/
You will find me riding a BMW R1200GS on the First Leg. Now riding a Husqvana Norden 901 for the 2nd and 3rd legs. Nick and Trudy run an excellent supported tours, my daughter event event did a week tour with me through the Flinders Ranges a few years ago.

Bike ready for the trip

Saturday 15th Jul
Bike is all serviced including new tyres and tail bag full of tools just incase.
Winston has been hopping around the bike checking out the best place to ride on the bike, Tail Bag, Tank Bag or Front Guard.
We load up on Friday and head to Bundaberg for an overnight stay with a friend that did the trip with me 10 years 7 weeks ago.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$50

Anonymous Supporter

$220

Cash

$105.50

Anonymous

$105.50

Anonymous

$31.65

Peter & Lindy

$52.75

Steve

Great work Peter, hope the rest of the trip is fine weather riding.

$105.50

Janette Crowhurst

Thats one hell of a ride. I remember doing it with small kids and in a 4WD. Well done! The walk is longer than you expect to get to that Northern most point. Very proud of you.

$52.75

John Phillips

John says ... Safe travels.

$250

Cara Gately

What a crazy adventure! Looks like even the easy roads were tricky this time. Well done. Take a holiday when you get home!

$52.75

Pamela Randles

Good on you Pete. Travel well. Be greatly blessed. 😃 Pam

$79.13

David Catterall

Stay safe and enjoy the ride Peter. See you soon.

$25

Meredith

Go Winston & Peter! Travel safely.

$105.50

Beverley Warne

Go Peter x

$500

Fella

Great cause Peter

$52.75

David Lahey

Good onya Peter. I hope you get good weather

$263.75

Firetail Consulting

Good effort pPete

$131.88

Graham Benard

Good luck Peter try to stay on

$21.10

Emma Stumpf

Enjoy the ride!

$107.50

Anonymous

$52.75

Peter Sibilant

Well done mate and thank you!

$158.25

Anonymous

Safe and fun travelling!

$52.75

Jdk Motorcycle Wreckers

$101

Damien Jenkins

$131.88

Anonymous

Good luck Peter - such a good cause. Regards, Ann

$50

Dawn And The Doggos

Good Luck Pete and Winston . From Dawn , Elvis and Obi

$20.90

Amy Castle - Castle Emdr & Psychology

Safe travels Peter. Wonderful idea.

$131.88

Julie Thomson

$52.25

Scott Carpenter

Well Done Peter Safe travels mate

$26.38

Steven Waters

Don't be croc fodder

$52.75

David Arthur

$105.50

Kate Sanderson

$26.38

Anonymous

$31.65

Sarah Rosborg

Great job Pete. I hope it goes well x