Continental GT sets new Australian Land Speed record!

Dry Lake Racers Australia Speed Week - Lake Gairdner

South Australian motorcycle dealership 'Motorcycle Revolution' and 'Prancing Pony Brewery' announce that the Royal Enfield Continental GT now holds the Australian Land Speed Record for the class '650 MPS-PG' (up to 650cc pushrod engines using pump fuel). The record was set by the team during the 'Dry Lake Racers Australia Speed Week' at Lake Gairdner in the north-west of South Australia.  

"The bike had some mild internal modifications such as cams, pushrods, valves and valve springs. A Dynojet Power Commander V was also fitted and then it was dyno tuned, which netted around 40% more power than stock and a slightly higher rev' ceiling. 

The fastest speed achieved by the Continental GT was 103.341 mph (166.311 kmh). 

The bike performed faultlessly, even in 40+ degree heat, bouncing off the rev limiter in every gear run after run after run, a testament to the engineering that goes into these bikes from the factory" stated Motorcycle Revolution's Jon Guidera. The bike's owner, Frank Samson (head brewer, Prancing Pony Brewery), rode the bike in the record breaking runs.

Site of the DLRA Speed Trials, Lake Gairdner is located in the State of South Australia. Largest of a group of shallow depressions west of Lake Torrens in central South Australia, 240 mi (550 kilometres) northwest of Adelaide, the State capital. It measures 100 mi (160 km) long by 30 mi wide. Lying at the base of the Eyre Peninsula, the lake is a dry salt pan (playa) intermittently filled with water. Visited in 1857 almost simultaneously by Stephen Hack and Peter E. Warburton, it is named after Gordon Gairdner, former chief clerk in the Australian Department of the Colonial Office, London.

Lake Gairdner is the fourth largest salt lake in Australia

The salt covering the Lake can be 1.2 metres deep in some places

Canberra's Favourite - the Cotter loop - Part Two

Just around the corner is Cotter Reserve.  It has been loved by Canberran families for generations.   The expanse of lawn is flanked by trees and provides a perfect location for picnics or BBQ's.   A children's playground, electronic BBQ's, park benches and public toilets are available plus walking trails describing various features of the area.

At the north-western edge of the reserve is the Cotter Dam, part of Canberra's water supply (no swimming permitted).

Cotter Dam wall

Back to the ride!  Exiting Cotter Reserve the road changes name to Paddy's River Road.

Continue onto Paddy's River Road

Paddy's River Road get's a fair amount of motoring and bicycle traffic.  Be aware that dirt is often brought onto the road by vehicles entering from side roads.  Bumpy in places but overall a reasonable surface.   

Paddy's River Road

The local kangaroo population is large and mobs of them can often be seen grazing by the roadside.  Unfortunately our enjoyment of the clean, fresh air is often punctuated by the smell of decaying kangaroo carcasses!  

On a positive note sometimes you can be lucky enough to spot a magnificent wedge-tailed eagle taking advantage of the roadkill.    

Discovery Drive

Our next stop is Moonrock Cafe located at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) on Discovery Drive.  During the Apollo program, Tidbinbilla was used for tracking the Apollo Lunar Module.  The owner is a motorcyclist and often has bike videos on the screen located in the cafe.

CDSCC

Unlike many cafe's at tourist traps the Moonrock is a good one, so have a break and enjoy the video!

... Part Three - Corin Dam