Slow and Steady

Dave has been fretting all week because the bike tyres are nearly worn out. I've been checking mine occasionally and this morning I estimate 6-7mm tread left on the centre. I reckon that will be sufficient to reach Broome where I have a new pair of tyres waiting. Dave is less confident so he's dropped his top speed down to 100kph. I don't have the patience to go that slow so I race ahead to our next stop at Carnarvon.

Carnarvon is an unexpectedly beautiful location. The town centre is adjacent to the water and several sailboats bob lazily near the shore. I sit in the shade of a tree and watch the boats while I wait for Dave and Kirsten to arrive.

Still waiting.

Still waiting!

Half an hour later they finally dawdle into town, going about as fast as a comatose tortoise. We find a campsite and start putting up the tents. That's when Dave turns to me and says "Jeez, look at your rear tyre".

I turn around and stare at my tyre in horror. It's like some nauseating scene from a slasher movie after the villain has done something unspeakable to the hapless victim with a carving knife. Shredded rubber is literally hanging from the rear tyre. I gingerly touch the centre and a ragged strip of rubber falls to the ground. What the ****?

There's a motorcycle dealer in Carnarvon so I hurry down. The owner and mechanic takes one look and says "No way you'll make Broome". He goes on to say that the highway between Geraldton and Broome is notorious for destroying tyres; it's something to do with the gravel they use. Dave's rear tyre is slightly better but he will not make it to Broome either.

The idea was to head to Exmouth tomorrow. Unfortunately the dealer doesn't have anything suitable for our bikes in stock and it will take two days to get tyres delivered from Perth! Fortunately the dealer is crazy like a fox and he has a plan. He says inflate the tyre to 50psi and travel at 80kph; then I will just make it to Exmouth. He'll ship new tyres to Exmouth by courier and any tyre mechanic can fit it to the rim. I'll just need to get the wheel off the bike.

That plan is so crazy, it just might work.

With renewed optimism we head on down to the local pub. I have only the slightest misgiving about tomorrow; 80kph from here to Exmouth is going to take ages!