Twin Falls to Nowlan’s Brook

Lots of tough and enjoyable riding and yet very few miles.

Several creek crossings presented challenges.

I wonder if this log bridge has been properly engineered? Looks borderline to me, especially for a big 4wd towing a big trailer! Even on a bike its certainly one to take care crossing. Gives you a different perspective on what is safe to cross. It feels like there are different standards up here. Down south this just wouldn’t be allowed. The track would be block and road closed signs every where or at best an “enter at own risk” sign at every bend.

One of the better sections of the OTT. A little further up I was able to see out across the vegetation while standing on the pegs and riding. Reminded me a little of some of the heathy sections of the Southern Explorer in Tassie.

After having got through this benign looking crossing.

In actual fact this crossing was as close as I have come to Sunken Miles yet. I didn’t walk the crossing first. There was the big mistake. I could see from the bank that there was a good crossing point on the far left hand side and I headed in. The problem was there was a steep side slope and the back wheel slipped sideways into a big hole and when I powered on a bit it I only sank further. I turned the bike off and got off the bike to survey the situation. I have no issue getting wet my self. I just don’t want water in the engine or the luggage. The air intake was still above the water but the water was less than 50mm below the back of the panniers and the exhaust was under. Hmmm, time to use that brace bar for the boxes that was designed for lifting the bike from  as well to lift it out of the hole. I managed to get it out of the hole and then Raman and I pushed it a little way forward before I started it and got it to where I took the above shot. It actually started raining a tiny bit at this point too. What fantastic weather we have had for this leg of the journey. The little bit of rain didn’t last long but the overcast weather is sparing us from the usual sweltering conditions one would have to endure in this country at this time of year.

Rearranging logs in the water at Nowlan’s Brook before attempting the crossing.

There is a motorcycle bridge made of three logs but it looked a lot more risky than this route for us. We didn’t  get a picture but basically one of the logs had a gap between it and the next log that was big enough for a wheel to fit between so there really was only one option where to put the wheels which left nothing to put a foot on  one side and only a small log very close in on the other side. This in combination with the fact that there was a tree at either end of the logs so the handlebars wouldn’t fit past so one couldn’t get going quickly. So all of that challenge is perched one metre above a two metre deep pool with nearly one metre high banks to the pool in the creek. If you fell in that was it for the bike. It would take a hell of a lot of effort and time to get it out!

With this in mind we looked for alternatives.

One of only three 4wd crossing Nowlan’s Brook while we were there.

Rather than pushing on, we decided to camp here at Nowlan’s Brook. The water is delightful and,  there are no crocs to worry about.

Nowlan’s Brook camp

A half moon lit everything. Rice cooking on the little fire in the fore ground and Raman preparing dinner on slightly sloping table that my side boxes form.