GARRY Eyles, of Wagga Wagga in NSW, is giving his 2005 Royal Enfield Bullet Deluxe motorcycle its sternest test yet.
Garry, 58, plans to put 6000km on his bike this month with a ride from his home to Culgoa, in northern Victoria, then up to Alice Springs and back.
Garry, an electrical maintenance supervisor, is taking part in two major events organised by the Royal Enfield Club of Australia.
The first was the club's annual winter rally, held at Culgoa, north of Birchip, last Saturday.
Entrants travelled between Culgoa and Swan Hill on the day.
Garry said 21 entrants had registered, riding 17 assorted bikes.
"As well as various models of Royal Enfield, there will be a BMW, a Chinese-made scooter, a Russian Ural with sidecar and a 500cc Norton," he said.
"The rally included a river cruise on the paddlesteamer Pyap, lunch at the Swan Hill Pioneer Museum and a presentation dinner at the Kaneira Hotel in Culgoa."
Once the rally was over, though, a real adventure began with the start of "Alice Springs or Bust".
Last Sunday, 15 hardy riders set out from Culgoa for a two-week round trip to the Red Centre - an idea one club wit has described as "adventure before dementia".
Other riders were coming from places as widespread as Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Bungendore, southern Queensland, the middle of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
"We must have rocks in our heads," Garry said before the rally.
"Basically, we will be using motorcycles designed for English country lanes to access some of the most remote areas of Australia."
The planned days' journeys were from Culgoa to Burra in South Australia (560km), Burra to Glendambo (490km), Glendambo to Marla (490km), Marla to Uluru (Ayers Rock) (500km), one day sightseeing around Uluru and the Olgas, then a day ride to Alice Springs (450km).
Next weekend will be taken up with sightseeing at Alice Springs, guided by local Royal Enfield Club members.
Garry said the trip home had not been planned out in detail, but the riders would most likely retrace their tracks in reverse.
"The only preparations we are making is to ensure the bikes are in top mechanical condition, tune them up and give it all a thorough service," he said.
"We will carry some common spare parts, such as points, plugs and puncture repair kits, and, of course, a first aid kit."
This won't be the first time Garry has hit the open road.
He's already taken the bike on return trips to Taree, Orange, Lithgow, Alexandra in Victoria, over the Black Spur and through the Snowy Mountains.
"It's not a particularly fast bike, but big, long-stroke singles were never designed for high-speed work," Garry said.
"I am doing this trip because it's a bit of a challenge.
"Anyone could do it on a BMW or any modern touring bike, but to do it on an Enfield Bullet and succeed will be really something.
"We are all slightly eccentric."
Royal Enfield is the world's oldest surviving, continuous manufacturer of motorcycles.
Originally made in England, a second factory was opened in India to assemble Royal Enfield Bullets for the Indian Army and home market.
With the demise of the British motorcycle industry, production ceased in England, but continues in India to this day.
The Royal Enfield Club of Australia has more than 100 members, spread throughout all states and territories.
Anyone is welcome at club rallies no matter what they're riding.
Future plans for major events include an annual rally at Murwillumbah in NSW in September and a trip to Hutt River Province in Western Australia next April to help Prince Leonard of Hutt celebrate his 85th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his little kingdom.
Prince Leonard is patron of the Royal Enfield Club of Australia.
