The Barry Way, Victoria.
It has been pointed out to me by more than one person with too much time on their hands, that by going anti-clockwise around the country on the left hand side of the road, I will in fact be travelling a shorter distance than if I had chosen to travel clockwise on the left hand side of the road. Thank you.
At this point, all you people with Arts Degrees just move along quietly please. Nothing to see here folks. This involves maths, beyond page numbers, birthdays and change for amounts less than $100.
The distance I have unwittingly saved is said by some to be just over 40 metres. Something to do with pi, and r, and maybe 2. Others say it has only to do with pi and d. Whatever. If you do you have a view on this matter, consider keeping it to yourself.
Jessica Watson at least had to sail around the world before controversy found her (in the form of a ridiculous allegation that she hadn't sailed around the world at all), yet here it is already, on my doorstep with the motorbike still in the backyard.
So there goes the third great name I had for the trip, 'The Long Way Round'. The first was 'It's Not About the Bike', but of course, it is. The second was 'Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree', but I was advised on a number of grounds to abandon this idea, not the least of which was relevance. Further, the owners of the copyright in those words do not like sharing, even via oblique reference to the work. I may yet be sued for going as far as I have with that idea.
But I digress, the actual purpose of this post is to provide a map in response to numerous requests for one. The blue line traces the bitumen route, and the green lines near the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Kimberley area are two dirt road options I am considering. It will be obvious that expense has been spared in the production of this map.
If you live on the blue line, expect a visit. If you live on a green line, god help you.
By the way, the photos on this blog are quite high resolution, and if you left click on a photo you can see a larger version of it.
So, having seen the planned route, if there are any amongst you who know of any reason why this does not constitute a ride around Australia speak now or forever hold your peace. Actually, it's probably best for everyone if you just forever hold your peace.
