REPORT – 2024 RideADV Bridge to Bridge
Words & Photos: Yamaha Motor Australia and RideADV
Since the first RideADV ‘Bridge to Bridge’ was held in 2014, this biennial event has become a favourite with adventure bike riders. Yamaha Motor Australia have been backing Bridge to Bridge rides from the beginning and once again lent their support to the sixth edition, which ran from 9 to 16 November, 2024.
Originally created to honour Tony Kirby, the late, great doyen of adventure riding and former publisher of SideTrack magazine, Bridge to Bridge is a multi-day ride that’s open to riders on any road registered adventure bike. Past editions have included runs from Sydney to Brisbane and vice versa, while COVID restrictions in 2020 limited the route to within New South Wales, specifically from Batemans Bay to Bathurst. The fifth Bridge to Bridge in 2022 was another Brisbane to Sydney run, while this year’s edition saw RideADV return to a route last used in 2016 – Melbourne to Sydney.
City to City – but lots of Country
Over seven days, 50 adventure riders on the 2024 RideADV Bridge to Bridge travelled east from Melbourne to Gippsland, then north for the High Country, Great Dividing Range and NSW’s Southern Highlands, before finishing in Sydney.
While Bridge to Bridge starts and finishes at major city landmarks – Melbourne’s Westgate Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge - it is an adventure ride. That means the route avoids tarmac for dirt roads. Throw in water crossings, remote trails, forestry tracks and even some sand riding and there’s ample opportunity for riders to put themselves and their bikes to the test amidst some epic Aussie scenery.
A Nice Surprise
Bridge to Bridge is also a navigation rally, meaning participants don’t have to “follow the leader” and can use the provided route instructions to travel at their own pace. These are given to riders in the form of a GPS unit each evening for the following day. As riders don’t know the day’s exact route until they’re on the road, this adds to the adventure.
While GPS minimises the risk of getting lost, riders can still go off-track, so the RideADV support crew is on hand to ensure no-one gets left behind. Along with mechanically- and medically-trained sweep riders, RideADV provides a support truck to carry luggage, so participants can ride without being weighed down by their gear. A bonus this year saw off-road legend and Yamaha ambassador Stephen Gall join the ride, offering assistance and riding tips throughout the week.
The course planned by RideADV for the Melbourne to Sydney Bridge to Bridge saw participants cover around 350km each day, with “standard” and “special” route options offered. The former is self-explanatory, but the latter included more technical sections for those wanting a little extra spice on the ride. Entrants could choose between standard and special when receiving their GPS each night, and even mix and match on different days.
The Route
Appropriately for an adventure ride backed by Yamaha, the 2024 RideADV Bridge to Bridge started on 9 November at Yamaha City in Port Melbourne, where entrant registration and a pre-ride briefing for the 50 starters was held ahead of the ride getting underway the following day.
The opening day saw participants gather at the Westgate Bridge before exiting the city, heading east to Gippsland, taking in the region’s dairy farms and passing through Wonthaggi and Trafalgar before the first overnight stop at Sale.
Day Two saw riders head north from Sale, covering a further 350km and finishing up at Merrijig, located between Mount Buller and Mansfield in the Victorian High Country. This taste of the region turned into a smorgasbord on Day Three, with an easterly and northerly route taking in some amazing trails and attractions like the iconic Craig’s Hut before finishing at the beautiful little township of Bright.
Day Four went deeper into the High Country and then into New South Wales. Along the way, riders experienced Mt Murray, Twins Track, Bucklands River, the Dargo High Plains and much more, with the big 400km day wrapping up at Jindabyne. Exiting the High Country on Day Five, the route continued north, taking in Berridale, Adaminaby, Long Plain, Horseshoe and the Broken Cart Trail before dropping into Yass for the overnight stay.
Another 400km special tested riders on Day Six and included new routes skirting Bango, Blakney Creek, Binda and Tuena. Riders passed over the Abercrombie River and indulged in pine forest trails before finishing at Oberon in the Blue Mountains.
The seventh and final day of the 2024 RideADV Bridge to Bridge on 16 November was shorter, but not a milk run. Challenges along the route included Shooters Hill, Gurnang and trails at Dingo Dell, as well as Mount Werong and the Kowmung River. Regrouping in Mittagong, riders then travelled in convoy to Sydney for the official finish and photo opportunity under the Harbour Bridge.
Big Ride, Big Fun
In total, riders covered 2,400kms on the sixth edition of RideADV’s Bridge to Bridge. All 50 participants completed the event without mechanical issues, with special mention going to Andrus Enn, who rode his original and unmolested XT660Z Ténéré with 130,000kms on the clock. The Peter Smart Memorial Rider’s Rider award was split between Craig Hatton and Rex Carlton.
“It was another ripper with some cracker trails, many of which were new for this event,” said RideADV organiser, Greg Yager. “It was great to see the number of riders frothing over the day’s ride and looking forward to where the GPS would take them the next day.
“Bridge to Bridge is open to riders of all brands, but we are finding that more and more are choosing Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 and World Raid due to the performance and reliability of these models.”
The next Bridge to Bridge will be held in 2026. RideADV will post more on this event as it draws nearer, as well as all other rides – short and long - on their calendar. RideADV also offer introductory courses for adventure bike beginners. See their website, rideadv.com.au for further details.
