http://kevin.withnall.com My 15 megabytes of fame Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:16:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en-au I have been enjoying the olympics apart from having to watch channel 7 and therefore get ads (which I am very unused to). I've been staying up late (well, 9:30 which is late for me) watching it. Tonight however, I was distracted and sudden'y noticed myself getting annoyed. This happens sometimes ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/08/12/damn-olympics/ 13869km it lasted. This was also blogged from my iPhone. http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/08/11/new-front-tyre/ Apologies to tolkein for the title but it seemed appropriate. Some things about the trip I wanted to write so here goes. In total it was 10756k long. My shadow, travelled about 2m further than me as I started in the morning, ended in the afternoon. I was riding for about 133 ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/31/there-and-back-again-a-motorcycles-tale/ Leaving Nambucca Heads at about 7:30 in the morning, after a cold night where the bike was soaked in dew, was not pleasant. The bike was reporting 4 degrees, and it felt colder. I had the down jacket on under the bike jacket and the heaters on full and was ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/31/homeward-bound/ I was up and ready to go about 7am. My brother told me he goes at about 7:30 in the morning and I thought it would be good timing to get out at the same time. I had parked in the garage and had the bike packed and was using ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/31/leaving-noosa/ I've already done this and the next day but wordpress ate them. I got up early but stayed in the room as it was really cold. My breakfast was delivered (pre ordered the night before) and I packed up and was ready to go about 8:30am. The Rum tour wasn't starting till ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/31/leaving-bundaberg/ With all this news, they don't seem to show you what they look like. I took this photo last week from the first cargo bay in a 747-200. There are 2 tanks here. Just thought people might like to see them. http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/29/747-oxygen-tanks/ Well, I left Townsville and headed to Mackay. I thought it was only 250k but it was closer to 400. Wasn't the most exciting day. When going through Bowen,  I'm not sure why I went through there as its a few k off the main road, I was sitting in ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/28/leaving-townsville-and-further-on/ I got my camera working (after it got moist) but couldn't upload last night. heres some photos. Me on the ski. This was quite fun. My baby on the ferry. I was quite concerned it might get too bumpy and come off the stand. This was the view after they cleaned a drain. Before ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/27/some-more-photos/ Today, I had a plan. I have decided that I'm the sort of person who needs a plan. When I go snow skiing, I always need to have a plan to get somwehere, when I get there I ust make a new plan and go somewhere else. I was not really looking ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/26/more-townsville/ Well, this morning, I got up, had a HOT shower (the water now works) moved all the wet stuff around so more of it dries and went out to see what townsville has to offer. The tourist information centre said the diving was crap, jet-skiing was really cold and beaches really ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/24/what-a-difference-a-day-makes/ I had a bad night last night. About 9pm I started vomiting and sweating etc. It really sucked and took until about 2:30am till I finally got to sleep. In the morning, I felt better and decided to ride to Hugenden for the night (only 200k ish) and not have a ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/23/townsville/ Well, this morning, I got up at about 6am and then had to watch silly tv until 9am to be able to go to the QANTAS museum. Lets just say firstly that its fantastic. I've been to a few museums in my time and this one is done really well. Theres lots ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/22/qantas-museum-and-on-to-winton/ I wanted to get some shoes at mt isa but the shops were not open until about 9am and I needed to get a move on. So, at about 7:30 I left the expensive crappy room I had and hit the road. As it was early, I wanted to follow ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/22/leaving-mt-isa-arriving-at-longreach/ This morning, I rode the 189km to mt isa and went to the information centre. There, I purchased a ticket for the Riversleigh Fossil exhibit and the Outback Experience and Mine Tour. Firstly the outback experience, its a small museum with some videos and rock samples. Quite interesting watching the videos but ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/20/mt-isa/ This morning I left Alice at about 8:30 ready for a 500km ish ride. I wasn't looking forward to a longish ride after quite a few days off but I didn't really have an option. The ride passed pretty smoothly. Crossing the tropic of capricorn shortly after leaving alice it ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/20/the-longest-day-so-far/ Well, today, being my last day in Alice Springs, I was fortunate enough to get to a dentist. I called at opening time and begged. I was told they would squeeze me in at 1pm so, at 1pm, I was on their door step. I had to fill in forms, use ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/18/the-last-day-in-alice/ I have just made some plans (in order to get the bike serviced etc) and heres what seems to be the go so far. 19th Tennant Creek 20th Mt Isa 21st Mt Isa 22nd Longreach 23rd Longreach 24th Hugenden 25th Townsville 26th Townsville 27th Mackay 28th Rockhampton 29th Bundaburg 30th Noosa (Staying with my brother Marc) From there I will be heading south ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/17/plans-the-second-half/ This morning, after trying to find a dentist as I chipped a tooth last night, we ( Libby and I ) went on some quad bikes on a cattle station for some fun. The quad bikes were more successful than the dentist finding as, aparently, if you need emergency dental ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/17/western-ranges-and-quad-bikes/ This is a local 'theme' park that has many local environments setup. From sandy desert to semi arid areas it seems to cover what you would expect from central australia. It would be easy for this park to be tacky but its not at all. If you're coming out here, ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/17/alice-springs-desert-park/ We did the rim walk at Kings Canyon. Its about 10k from the van park and as I was dressed for walking, and leaving at 8:30am, it was a little cold on the bike (about 4 degrees). Those who know me, know I'm not a big walker. This however was a ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/15/kings-canyon-and-leaving-there/ This morning I left Yulara at about 9:30, Quite an uninteresting trip. Its 304k but only about 120k line of sight, right through a salt lake and through culturally sensitive areas. Theres no mobile service here on any carrier I have for data. I have satellite voice comms but can't blog ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/15/on-the-way-to-kings-canyon/ Yesterday we did toe base walk around uluru. It was a difficult decision to climb or not to climb. On the one hand, the local traditional (and now actual) owners, don't want you to. That seems like a good reason until you find out that its akin to a religions ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/11/the-last-few-days/ Today we are at Uluru. We left about 9:30 (it was 0.5 degrees at 8am, the bike had ice on the seat). It seemed appropriate that today was the first day I thought the thermal undergarments were optional and went without them. It heats up quite quickly and was 10 ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/09/uluru/ On the bike, I don't get a sore arse as expected. I get a sore back and cramps in my legs. Heres what I've learnt on how to stop it. 1. Do stretches in the morning. 2. Don't go more than about 200k without getting off the bike 3. When not riding (ie, ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/09/bike-excercises/ In lots of the bushes on the sides of the road, bearing in mind that thats all there is out here mostly and they are about 1m tall, there are lots of spiders webs or white birds nests. I'm not sure exactly but they look like spiders webs. I vaguely ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/09/tree-webs-i-think/ This place (check it out on google earth) is quite simple. Its just an intersection off the stuart highway that also has a road to Uluru. Fuel is just over $2/L. While I think about it, I think the days of the explorers were a bit overrated. Aparently he took months ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/09/erldunda/ from PA to CP, there was a serious cross wind (from the left) so the technique was refined a bit. As soon as you are within about 30m from any vehicle, of 50m from road trains, the bufetting starts. This is very short bursts of wind from the sides that wabbly ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/09/how-to-pass-a-road-train/ I was up and awake about 6am (with everyone else) and was dressed and ready to go by about 7:15. Sitting there dressed there seemed to be little point in continuing to sit there dressed and it was either get undressed or leave. I left. About 210k later, I arrived at Mulba ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/09/coober-oeedy-erldunda/ Leaving about 8:30 I arrived without much drama to woomera. On getting there, I quickly did the 2 parks full of missiles and planes. Theres a 'technical' museum ($3) that seems to be just setup by HAM radio people and is not really that interesting. Across the other side of town (about ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/09/port-augusta-coober-pedy/ Ok, maybe its me but Port Augusta seems like a really silly name. This morning, I left about 9am, and rode the 20 mins to adelaide to get some fuel (for me and the bike). After leaving adelaide, I didn't put my feet down until port Augusta. I was starting to ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/06/port-augusta/ the sunset and my lovely, lovely bike. It may be unnatural but who can stand between me and my motorcycle. The tractor museum. This disturbed me more than it should have. The Big Lobster (ok, Larry) The blue lake. Ok, it looks blueish here but looks grey in real life. Honest. What we like ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/05/some-photos-for-those-who-care/ I'm sitting in Mt Barker at the moment. We were up about 6am and I decided to leave earlyish. I was on the road by 7:15 and it was about 7 degrees (but mostly dry). In about 30 mins of riding, I had seen many foxes, rabbits (both dead and alive), ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/05/mt-barker-and-the-cold-trip-there/ Well, Friday, the day after flagstaff hill visit is the first day of heading north. Leaving around 9am, I travelled about 10k in the wrong direction waiting for the satnav to tell me when to turn (the sun was in the wrong part of the sky so I know somethng ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/05/friday/ Today was not really a 'biking' day. A total of 3km on the bike (to and from Flagstaff Hill). The destination, was a seaside period (about 1870's i think) village with lots of shops, sailmakers etc. It was interesting and worth visiting. Tomorrow, I have to go about 340km to Kingston ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/03/another-big-day-3km-on-the-bike/ Yesterday.... Left the caravan at about 8:30 heading for Anglesea. On getting to Geelong (on the way) after about an hour on the road, it started to rain. I was going past a Westfield parking lot and decided it would be dry. I didn't like getting a tcket from the machines ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/07/02/the-last-2-days/ Yesterday morning, I decided a day without riding wasn't good enough so I went to do some shopping (in Melbourne) Its about 1:50 each way so was quite a nice ride. In melbourne, I got a down jacket as all reports were telling me it was going to be cold ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/06/30/kryal-castle-and-soverign-hill/ This morning, very early, some people at the motel where I was staying at decided 1:30am was the perfect time to work on their boat motor. by 2:30am I thought it had gone a little long but it was too cold to get up. Shortly thereafter they left and if ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/06/28/its-a-little-bit-chilly/ Well, this morning it all was supposed to be smooth and organised. I slept in a little and was then planning to leave about 7:30. On taking my final packing (in the pannier bags) down stairs to put into the bike, I noticed the garage floor was somewhat wetter than it ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/06/27/theres-gunna-be-a-floody-floody/ This  morning I started the final preparations for the trip. When I got to the office (at about 6:30am) I was just sitting down for a coffee when the power failed. The failure was the result of some huge winds tht suddenly arrived. Now, I can (and have) ridden through extreme ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/06/26/ready-to-go/ Ok, yesterday the photos weren't available. Heres another post with some photos from the camping trial. The bike all loaded up. The tent in the morning. My probably unnecessary table and chair. It packs up quite small and a table is very handy. http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/06/13/more-camping/ No, this is not a post about how to express any particular sexual orientation, its about actual camping. I went on a test ride/camping trip to make sure everything was working for the big trip. I had all my gear packed, the bike felt like riding with an elephant on the back, ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/06/12/to-camp-or-not-to-camp/ Due to the imminent departure for this motorcycle trip, I decided to do the Stay Upright Advanced course to refresh my road skills. As I expected, it was a great course to re-learn what I should already know and it was also a lot of fun pushing the bike harder ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/06/10/motorcycle-training/ Recently I had some solar panels installed. I'm not really sure why other than the feel good factor. We have green power anyway, so we are not really saving carbon, the solar panels have had their carbon credits sold to someone else (before I got them) so someone else ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/05/19/solar-panels/ After about 15 years of being obese or morbidly obese, I'm finally just overweight. So far since surgery, I've lost 40kg and have gone through many sets of clothes. Also, I always assumed that seeing your life partner in a group of people was always easy. This was some inate ability ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/04/23/im-overweight/ The other day, after getting the new bike, I decided to go the long to way to work to get some riding time in. This was so that I could get some time on the bike before the comms/music etc was installed and I could concentrate on the bike and ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/04/06/the-long-way-to-work/ I have been under some pressure from a number of people to update this section of the site. The problem is that nothing exciting has happened. I've now lost 32kg and am going on with life with all the benefits of the vsg but there is really nothing that requires thought ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/02/15/life-goes-on/ I discovered the other day, after planning what I thought was a good trip a couple of things. I wanted more adventure and was a little scared spending all the time with my extended family, having every stop planned I needed planning to that level to ensure accommodation was available through the ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2008/01/08/the-trip-has-changed-somewhat/ The other day I ordered a new bike for this trip. I wanted a 2008 build (I couldn’t get an earlier one anyway) so it should be here late march or early April. Its a BMW K1200GT (Their current recommended touring bike) with ASC (Traction control/stability control) ABS, and RDC (transmitters ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2007/12/22/the-bikes-been-ordered/ I have been asked repeadly what camera stuff I use. Heres a reasonably complete list with comments. This is why I don’t change to shoot canon. Also, I believe Nikon offers better equipment. LENSES 80–400mm VR This offers great reach, especially when used with the D300 DX sensor 50mm 1.4 Great fast lens for some ... http://kevin.withnall.com/2007/12/19/whats-in-the-stable-at-the-moment-camera-stuff/