XML FeedsAbout me
Name: Russell Worthington
Age: 38
Lives: Brisbane
Occupation: Engineer
What makes a person want to ride through 1 desert let alone 10???
It starts with a life-time spent out-doors. Paddling rivers, running trails, scrambling, caving, flying, speed-skating, photography, wildlife watching, survival training ... there was always something more to explore just around the corner.
In 1998 I taught myself to rock-climb from a book. That was the start of something big. Mountaineering followed in 1999, and quickly led to a year and a half climbing around the world. Alaska was a definite highlight. So many happy memories and great achievements with terrific mates.
Adventure racing and mountain biking followed from 2005 ....
I've travelled through deserts in Africa and North America; so beautiful when you know where to look, but dangerous when you consider their indifference to human frailty. Mother Nature always commands respect; heed her warnings.
Last year I shared a ride across Oz, albeit on road, with a great mate Brad (Poido) Poidevan! Whilst riding the Nullabor Plain, thoughts shifted to the "real" outback Australia ... Now a new adventure beckons, a big one, a truly adventurous route linking the 3 longest and most arduous desert crossings in Australia.
I love moving fast; efficient movement in any terrain. Balance and co-ordination on rock. Power, fitness, skill on bike. As with my climbing, I believe speed offers safety in dangerous environments.
I enjoy racing, solo and with friends ... Here are some recent results:
1st 2008 Merida mens 24hr Solo MTB
2nd 2008 GAR 24hr Solo MTB
2nd 2008 Sunshine Coast short-course trail-run
5th 2008 Boonah Lite Marathon MTB
5th 2008 Ay-up Dusk till Dawn 12hr MTB
Jan 2008 - 4400km TransOz Cycle Epic - Perth to Gold Coast (22 days)
9th 2007 10day 4-person 800km XPD A.R. (completed in 6 days)
2nd 2007 GAR 24hr solo MTB
3rd 2006 24hr 3-person Hells Bells A.R.
2nd 2005 24hr 3-person Hells Bells A.R.
2nd 2005 Australian In-line Speed-skate Marathon
3rd 2005 Australian In-line Speed-skate 10,000m
8 comments
Just a quick message to say congratulations on undertaking such an arduous adventure and for such a great cause, you're inspirational.
On a lighter note, will you slow down a bit and stop over achieving, you're making the rest of your cousins look bad ;-) Perhaps you should introduce yourself to the couch one day soon...
Take care,
Your cousin Jacinta.
Have just got back from driving across the Anne Beadell Hwy. Followed your tracks for a few days. The few oncoming 4WDers informed us that we would catch up to you but we never did. Having driven the CSR, the Simpson and the AB Hwy I know how hard it must have been to ride a bike on them loaded down with all the necessities and pulling a trailer. The corrugations at times must have been really tough. The fat tyres would help a bit in the soft sand. Great bike. I ride a road bike and sometimes the MB so have a bit of an idea of this huge achievement--I take my hat off to you mate--CONGRATULATIONS and well done for a great cause. GOODLUCK FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP
Well done and I hope you get many more donations along the way.
see ya
