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DAY 4 WALCHA TO RIVERWOOD DOWNS
I made the mistake of speaking too soon on day
four and assuming it was going to be cruisey after
seeing the 260km route.
But the day was much tougher than the mileage
let on. The main route took us through Mummel
National Park – it was cold, wet and blanketed
in heav y fog. The ground was a mixture of wet,
slippery clay and black dirt. I kept it upright but a
few binned it in the slop.
We hit 1500m at our highest point, and conditions
were at their worst. You could only see the headlight
of the bike behind you, visibility was 10m max.
I stopped for a break in a camping area and
another solo rider followed me in. His bike had
heated grips and I was insanely jealous – we
couldn’t believe how cold it was for summer! But
the area is infamous for its freezing temperatures.
After the Mummel National Park the route took
us along the famous Cell River Road. One of the
great adventure bike roads, it weaves its way across
the mountain tops with spectacular views and tight
twisting sections.
The Cell River Road area could be mistaken for
South East Asia, with rolling green hills and tight
winding mountain roads. The only thing missing
were the rice fields.
The drop from the road was hundreds of meters
to the river below. Skids from bikes struggling to
slow down before the countless hairpin turns were
every where, but no one went over – unless we didn’t
know and they’re still down there.
I binned it hard on the Cell River Road. Exiting
a slippery corner my back wheel dropped into
a drainage ditch beside the road and I got cross
rutted. It catapulted me off the bike and into an
embankment.Luckyafewblokesstoppedtohelp,
but not before taking a few photos.
TurnsoutoneofthemwasBenAlsop,Team
Manager for the Motorex KTM Junior Development
Team. I soon discovered he’s also a keen fisherman
and at the next big river crossing he tried his luck at
snagging a trout with only his mouth.
We stopped for lunch and a splash of fuel in
Gloucester. A bunch of seasoned adventure riders
sat me down and taught me the meaning of life
and that vanilla slices make you horny – you learn
something new every day.
The remaining 50-60km to Riverwood Downs
was smooth sailing. We made six more river
crossings, most of them were fords and passable in
a Hyundai i30, but one was 4WD only and spanned
about 20m. It was knee deep, littered with big slimy
rocks and a few people came unstuck. It didn’t
matter though because there was a huge crowd
filming in anticipation of a crash, and if you went
down they’d eventually sacrifice their dry boots
and come in to help.
The Rallye stopped at Riverwood Downs. A group
of riders from America took part in an Australian
induction ceremony where they skulled a warm
beer and ate a cold meat pie.DAY 5 RIVERWOOD DOWNS
TO WISEMANS FERRY
The day started off sunny but quickly turned grey
and wet. From Riverwood Downs to Dungog the
rain soaked us, and at the breakfast stop in Dungog
no one was enthusiastic about getting back out
there in the wet.
The easy route was the popular choice, but
I couldn’t help myself and turned on to a few
breakout routes.
The most carnage, however, took place at an
unsuspecting causeway. Unlike probably every
causeway you’ve ever crossed, the safest place to
ride was in the middle, not the wheel tracks.
The wheel tracks were like ice and we were
warned at the riders briefing the night before.
German KTM bloke Peter must not have been
listening because he rode straight down the
wheel track and like magic his 1190 disappeared
from beneath him. We then learnt the bike in fact
belonged to KTM State Brand Manager Ray Barnes.
Peter was quick to talk down the damage, as if it
would make breaking the news to Ray easier. I
reminded him he’d be on a plane back to Germany
before Ray noticed the scratch marks on his brand-
new 1190. But he wasn’t – Ray noticed straight away.
The final stretch of dirt road from Wollombi to
Wisemans was awesome. It was a welcome sight to
see the Del Rio Riverside Resort sign and the beer
tasted sweeter knowing that we had made it in one
piece, just.
Being on Rallye for five days you are living in a
little travelling bubble, unaware of what’s going
on in the outside world. The limited network
reception, long hours on the bike and nightly drink-
a-thons leave little time to worry about what’s
happening back home.
By the time I got to the end of the trip I’d made
dozens of new mates and seen parts of Australia
close to home that I’d never visited. We travelled
roads I’d read so much about but never experienced,
and had loads of fun. For any level of rider,
regardless of your background, a KTM Adventure
Rallye should be on your bucket list.HOW IT WORKS- The Rallye is open
to all KTM adventure
bike owners - The route includes
bitumen, gravel
roads, forest tracks,
and breakout routes
each day - Rallye Fee is $895
WHAT YOU GET- Five days, 1500km
adventure riding - Lead riders, course
markers and GPS files - Luggage and tyre
support assistance - Medic/tech support
- Backup vehicle and
sweep support - Dinner included
every night - KTM Goody Bag:
T-shirt, sticker and
event DVD - Event photographer
- Ride with KTM Pro
riders and special
guests! - Riders book their
own accommodation
One of the great
adventure roads,
the Cell River
Road weaves its
way across the
mountain tops
Above The 200 riders
plus crew – it was a
huge operation