Dual Sporting is a funny (read U.S.A) way of saying recreational trail bike riding on registered bikes, but however you say it, Dual Sporting/Trail Bike riding, the news is all good. More and more organisations are recognising the growing demand for non-competitive trail bike riding and are entering the market. This has come at a time when bikes are flying off dealers’ floors as the average Aussie is using up some of that fat equity in their recently inflated property value and getting back into the sport and wanting more adventure in their holidays than any theme park could provide!
2007 saw the inaugural ride for the newest entrant in the long distance recreational trail bike market, the very adventure driven 'Cannonball Charity Ride' crew. A down-to-earth group, who set out to do two things - run the best ever holiday adventure ride for the average punter and raise a bit of coin for the Endeavour Foundation in the process. In my mind, both are very worthy causes however you look at it and, by all accounts, these guys were right on the money for their first attempt. The ride was a huge success - a not-so-easy task when you're organising a ride not just around the block, but from Mt Isa to the Gulf and back - a total of 2200km of largely unsupported remote back country roads, station tracks and cow trails.
Trail boss, Katie Beeby, has been around long distance recreational rallies for quite a bit, as both an entrant in various car rallies (where she still drives a '76 HX Holden) and co-organiser for some other long distance bike rides that have been held in recent years. I had to ask Katie why long distance trail rides and why Mt Isa to the Gulf. 'I think there is a huge demand for these long distance rides but, until now, they have been limited to the big Cape York run or the Victorian High Country', says Katie.
While both are great rides and everyone should do them at least once in their lives, what do you do when you have ticked these off your 'must do' sheet? We decided we would run rides that haven't been done before and build up a key group of clients who want big adventure, big variety and a professional outfit to do it with. Most of our clients have done the Cape or the High Country and are now seeking the next big adventure, therefore our motto is 'Been there, done that!' and we reckon it sums up what we are all about. Let's see this big country by dirt bike and let's see all of it!
This year, we took a group of adventure seekers from Mt Isa to Karumba in the Gulf and certainly ticked off a few 'must do's'. We rode some awesome outback tracks, sand, creek crossings, swam with the crocs (done it....but not intentional nor recommended!), went fishing for barra, did mine tours, flew over the top end, and had great meals and lots of beverages to sustain our group of hearty adventurers. In fact, we were very pleased to have a group of ladies on our first trip with the Dirt Bike Chix clothing crew out of Victoria coming along and putting some of their specialised accessories through some long distance torture testing. I think they can honestly say now, not only does it look good, but it works when you really need it to!
But we have done that and, next year, we are alr eady planing to go from Cairns to Broome the long way, approximately a lazy 4500km! The supported trail riding gig has boomed in recent years as people become time poor and are now happy to pay to ensure that, on their one or two weekends they have free, they get an awesome ride with heaps of trails and all the logistics taken care of. We have taken this philosophy and believe the same runs true for people's annual leave - again they want to go remote and have some adventure but don't have the time to pore over the maps and logistics for months in advance to work out their holiday.
We pride ourselves on the fact that, once you pay your ride fee, that is the last time you put your hand in your pocket except for beers and souvenirs certainly helps with your holiday planning, depending on how much beer you drink! The best part is, because we are doing these rides for the first time ourselves, the adventure is still there and everyone digs into help when required. We believe that, each year, we will grow our band of hearty adventurers until we get to the point that, when you come on the ride, it will be like just catching up with long lost friends who come from right around Australia and like to ride, talk and tinker with dirt bikes just as much as you do. Now that's a holiday.
Post note
This year's ride took in the sites of the Isa, Gregory Downs, Lawn Hill National Park, Elliot Falls, Normanton, Karumba, 10 riders started of which 40% were ladies. The ride caters for all bikes, however, if you reckon your enduro weapon is not up to it, the biggest bike that went on the ride this year was a Kato 525, with a lot of 250s and 400s being riders’ preferred weapons. Husband and wife teams are also encouraged.
Cannonball Charity Rides are fully catered and organisers carry all fuel, service, camping and cooking gear. The cost of the rides depends on the locations. The 2008 ride will run from Cairns to Broome, taking in the sights of China Wall, Barkly Stock Route, the Gibb River Road and Cape Laveque. If you're keen, and you should be, more info can be found at www.cannonballride.com.au under 'Fundraising and Events'. Alternatively, call Katie on 0402 750 900 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Either way, just get out there and do it!
