66 :OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA
relationship between the trio became stressed at
times but good friendship overcame demanding
situations. Rain, snow, icy roads in Europe and
Afghanistan, crashes, desert crossings with no roads
and dust storms in Syria and Iraq, were challenging
for us and our light two-wheeled machines.
Different languages cultures and money resulted in
considerable communication difficulties. Several
near-death experiences, arrests by government
officials and encounters with armed soldiers in Iran
and Afghanistan, as well as the loss of one Heinkel
and a dangerous encounter with Afghanistan
tribesmen in the Khyber Pass added to the trauma.
It was with heavy hearts that Ralf and I departed
Lahore, Pakistan, leaving Wolfram in hospital with a
critical broken leg. Also, Pakistan Border Custom
took the remaining two of the damaged worn out
Heinkel scooters - Ralf and I made our way to
Darwin by whatever transport means was available.
50 years later, the adventure continued by riding
and trailering two similar vintage Heinkel scooters
from Townsville to Darwin. Travelling especially
from Germany, Wolfram joined me (now 75 years
old) to complete our adventure on the scooters on
24th October, 2015. We met the third member of
the trio, Ralf, at Batchelor, NT and then we wereescorted the last 100km into Darwin to be greeted
by a small welcoming committee. Although 50
years late to complete the Heinkel ride to Darwin,
the original trio was reunited once more for the 4th
time since 1964.
Not to be categorised in the too old basket, in
June 2018, aged 77 and 78, Wolfram and I joined 21
other younger like-minded radicals in a two-week
ride over the Austrian/Italian Alps to Lake Garda.
The highlight was to visit the world’s highest
motorbike museum in Obergurgl, Austria. This was
after an exciting ride over the Timmelsjoch Pass in
Italy close to the Austrian Border.
Wolfram, who resides in Germany, has also ridden
to Scotland with the Heinkel group in 2016. He may
participate in a Heinkel ride through North East
Germany this year. I may consider riding on the
2020 Heinkel tour of France and/or the 2021 tour of
the Czech Republic. My Heinkel was the only scooter
to join the 2016 and 2018 Townsville Distinguished
Gentleman’s Rides that raised funds for prostate
cancer and other charities. The story of Bob’s epic journey is available as a hard copy
book or PDF from http://www.blurb.com/b/6468324-germany-
to-australia-by-heinkel-motor-scootersA HEINKEL OBSESSION
Bob on the Distinguished
Gentlemen’s Ride at
Townsville in 2016.2018 Heinkel Tour riding over
Timmelsjoch in the Italian Alps.Met by a news reporter on
arrival in Darwin in 2015.
Bob (left), Ralf and Wolfram.