Day 9 (04 August 2024) - Karumba to Mount Isa - 558 km

After a leisurely start to the day, Neil and Dave set off for Mount Isa. The journey was a bit windy for most of the way to Normanton, but the weather improved for the rest of the trip.

The road was in good condition, and to their surprise, there wasn’t much traffic.

They caught up with Kim, who was riding his BMW ‘Vacilando Cruising,’ at the Bourke and Wills Roadhouse and again in Cloncurry. Kim is always up for a chat, so if anyone crosses paths with him, they should definitely say hello. Unfortunately, Neil and Dave don’t expect to see Kim again on their Lap for Legacy, as their timelines differ significantly, even though they are heading in the same direction.

In Cloncurry, Neil reconnected with his friends Ruth and Pete from Morwell. Ruth and Pete are enjoying their nomadic lifestyle, helping out at community events across Queensland.

Peter, Neil’s friend from Scootaville 2023, rode from Mount Isa with a couple of other riders to escort them to Mount Isa. It was a pleasure for Neil and Dave to see Pete again and meet their other escorts.

The scenery on nearly all of their legs continued to impress, with the landscape or flora changing almost every hour. The stretch from Cloncurry to Mount Isa was no exception. Ruth perfectly described this leg as "stunning and breathtaking."

Not only did Peter escort Neil and Dave to Mount Isa, but he and his lovely wife Jenny also graciously hosted them for the night. Peter had also arranged for the Mount Isa RSL sub-branch to provide them with dinner. In addition to the meal, the sub-branch made a generous donation to their Lap for Legacy Facebook donation page.

Peter’s contributions to the Mount Isa community have been recognized, as he was awarded Senior Citizen of the Year in 2023. Beyond that, he and Jenny are raising money for Blue Dragon, a charity dedicated to rescuing trafficked children in Asia.

Support Their Cause
Neil and Dave are riding to raise awareness and funds for Legacy. Donations can be made via their [Facebook donation page](https://www.facebook.com/donate/770603211667626/) or directly to Legacy, noting 'Lap for Legacy' in the comments.


Follow the adventure of [Day 10](https://track-notes.com/au/qld/normanton-mt-isa-karumba-gulf-country/lap-4-legacy/2527).
See the previous [day's track notes](https://track-notes.com/au/qld/cairns-far-north-queensland/lap-4-legacy/2525)....

Day 10 - 05 August 2024 - Mount Isa to Renner Springs - 797 km. As the sun rose over Mount Isa, Dave and Neil were filled with anticipation for the day's journey. The road was calling, and they were ready to answer.

After a very comfortable night at Peter and Jenny's, Peter, accompanied by his two dogs, escorted Dave and Neil out of Mount Isa.

They rode on to Camooweal for a fuel top-up and admired some of the local artwork.

Not long after leaving Camooweal, they crossed into the Northern Territory. Throughout their journey, Dave and Neil had been listening to audiobooks using the shared music function on their headsets. For today's ride, they listened to "The Cattle King," the story of Sidney Kidman. They selected this book because Kidman owned multiple cattle stations in a country similar to the terrain they were passing through. The local artwork they admired in Camooweal depicted scenes from the Outback, adding a touch of local culture to their journey.

Once in the Northern Territory, where the speed limit increases to 130 km/h, Dave and Neil open the throttles but soon realize that the increased speed leads to higher fuel consumption. They quickly calculate that Neil wouldn't make it the 240 km to Barkly Homestead at this pace, so they reduce their speed to just over 110 km/h, allowing them to cover the distance comfortably.

After a satisfying lunch at Barkly Homestead and a quick fuel stop at Three Ways, they finally arrived at Renner Springs and checked into the roadhouse motel. The accommodation was decent, but the food and beer were exceptional. Here, they had the pleasure of meeting Wendy and Bill, fellow motorcycle enthusiasts who were also on a journey around Australia, albeit at a more relaxed pace. This journey was their dream and a joint birthday present to themselves, a fact that instantly bonded them with Dave and Neil.

Wendy and Bill had packed their camping gear and sent it back to their home on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland via Australia Post. Dave and Neil, on the other hand, were still carrying their camping gear but were hoping they wouldn't need to use it.

The road between Camooweal and Barkly Homestead, and again between the Homestead and Three Ways, presented several stretches of roadworks. These shared experiences of navigating through the roadworks, the dust, and the occasional detours, further strengthened the bond between Dave, Neil, Wendy, and Bill, as they all understood the challenges and the thrill of the journey.


Support Their Cause
Neil and Dave are riding to raise awareness and funds for Legacy. Donations can be made via their [Facebook donation page](https://www.facebook.com/donate/770603211667626/) or directly to Legacy, noting 'Lap for Legacy' in the comments.


Follow the adventure of [Day 11](https://track-notes.com/au/nt/pamayu-elliott-renner-springs/lap-4-legacy/2528).
See the previous [day's track notes](https://track-notes.com/au/qld/cairns-far-north-queensland/lap-4-legacy/2525)....