Introducing Paj

As a newcomer to 4WDs I thought I might undertake a training course to familiarise myself with my capabilites and my car's capablities.

4WD Training Day near Lyndoch, Adventure 4WD

Introducing Pajero on the "Oh Shit Hill" (this vid of my brother):


You can see why it is called the "Oh Shit Hill" (vid of Pat). The oh shit comes when diagonally opposite wheels have lost traction and gravity pulls the car along:


Again diagonally opposite wheels loose traction, mixture of hard and sandy surfaces, combined with a sharp corner with an embankment on one side and rocks on the other (vid of Daniel in Pajero - second car):


And back up again (again Daniel):


The training by Adventure 4WD was made up of a night theory session, and full day practical which included vehicle recovery. Excellent course, well recommended, trainer always relates all info to each vehicle (make/model/year, auto/manual, fuel type) and through a CB radio installed in each car talks every driver through each situation.

I for one looked at the so-called Kindy Track and thought there was no way in hell I would ever take a car down that ditch (sorry no video), I've seen many steep creek washaways like it hiking through the Flinders. Learning how to tackle it though has certainly given me confidence to get through situations I might encounter in my travels. Although I don't plan to find myself in such difficult situations.



Photos thanks to Pat

Download videos

For my fellow course peoples or those wanting to see a higher quality vid I provide the following links to download each video. Or, download all videos in one zip file (37MB).

Right click and select Save Link As to download, or click on the link to view in-browser (will only play if you have Apple's Quicktime plug-in installed). The .mov Quicktime videos are better quality than the Youtube vids:

Oh Shit Hill	Rock Dip Corner
Daniel (Pajero) (3MB) Dave (Range Rover) (2MB) George (Triton) (2MB) Joan and Carmel (Colorado) (1.5MB) Pat (Colorado) (3MB) Pauline (Prado) (3MB)	Down: Dave (Range Rover) and Daniel (Pajero) (4MB) Down: Rock Dip: Joan and Carmel (Colorado) (3MB) Down: Pauline (Prado) (3MB) Up: Daniel (Pajero) (2MB) Up: Dave (Range Rover) (1.5MB) Up: George (Triton) (1.5MB) Up: Joan and Carmel (Colorado) (2MB) Up: Pat (Colorado) (2MB) Up: Pauline (Prado) (3MB)

Big Ambitions

Copied from a entry of a blog I have been following, this guy is riding South America.

I like it cos I have been planning mine for a few years and it's been good not to talk to too many people about my plans, cos I have just let it rattle around in my head for years (whilst saving $$) so now I just have to do it.

Tips for getting started on your Big Ambition

I have been asked on a few ocassions how I managed to be able to take a year off to go cycling. I think the general priciples are probably the same for whatever big ambition you have. Here are a few things that I think we're helpful.

Save money. Open a savings account (a tax free ISA is a good place to start). Most things in life require a little money to grease the wheels. Set up a standing order for at least 10% of your salary each month.

Write down your idea and decide what steps you can take today to make it happen.

Read. Books, websites, forums are a good place to start researching your plans. Then try something small (like a short cycle tour) to see if you like it...

Don't tell anyone. Let the idea build up inside you and grow to the extent that you have to do it. I told people I was getting into cycle touring but I waited several years before telling everyone the South America plan. Almost till I'd bought the ticket and quit my job.

Accept that you will need to make sacrifices but don't make comprimises on your dreams.

Don't rely on luck. Don't listen to the naysayers.

Don't wait till everything is absolutely perfect. It never will be. Just go!! Get on with it.

http://peterhubbard.blogspot.com/2009/12/tips-for-getting-started-on-your-big.html