Daryl Beattie launches adventure tours

Former 500 GP championship runner-up and now Network 10 motorsport commentator Daryl Beattie has formed an eponymous business called Daryl Beattie Adventures.

And he’s hitting the ground running, with seven adventure motorcycle tours planned in 2014,with the first – a six-day five-night Birdsville to Alice Springs trek – starting on March 27.

Other fully supported tours include Alice to Birdsville and three Cape York rides starting in Cairns and finishing at the tip of north-east Queensland. A second, longer, Birdsville-to-Alice adventure will shadow the legendary Finke Desert Race, while another option will be from Uluru to Broome ride incorporating the famous Canning Stock route.

Beattie will head every tour, and there will always be a sweep rider. A Unimog will be at every stopover with personal luggage, kitchen facilities, mattresses and bedding, fuel and spares.

“I have spent many years in the outback. This is a personal passion and something I want to share with others,” said Beattie.

The rides have been tailored to cater for competent riders with dirt-bike experience, with Beattie rating the routes in difficulty from one (the easiest) to five (the most difficult). The rides to the Cape have been handed a three rating; the Canning Stock Route a five.

“We’ve got tours that should suit the skill levels and budgets of most riders,” Beattie said.

“Each tour has limited capacity, as a small group is easier to manage and I will be able to get to know the group better. We feel six to eight riders is ideal.”

Six brand new Honda CRF 450Xs enduro bikes will be used, fitted with modifications including 21-litre fuel tanks.

A keen chef, Beattie promises fine tucker at the end of every day’s riding: casseroles, barbecues, fish and other tasty fare. Wines and beers are available on tabs.

For more details of the tours, dates, prices, inclusions and bookings, visit www.darylbeattieadventures.com.au.