10 Deserts Solo Cycle Epic

Welcome to the site of my 10 Deserts Solo Cycle Epic. On 1st May 2009, I'll roll out of Alice Springs heading N.W. onto the Tanami track. My plan is to follow the route below in counter-clockwise direction. The route traverses some of the most inhospitable terrain this continent has to offer, including 10 deserts and over two thousand sand dunes. On two occassions I will have 80lt of water on-board for a week's travel where there is no reliable water source. The total distance projected is approx. 7500km, and estimated time to complete is 11 weeks. You are invited to track my progress over the course of this adventure.

My motivation for embarking on such a ride is simply the desire to experience magnificent outback Australia on its own terms, and with sense of adventure. I hope following this adventure and witnessing my highs and lows can inspire those that can to make a donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service charity.

Follow up:

My aims are:

To ride this route solo and unsupported -
The expedition route traverses the three single biggest desert crossings in Australia, and covers a broad cross-section of all the desert environments in Australia. The expedition includes two significant firsts and I believe will also be the longest continuous ride in such conditions:
First crossing of the Great Victorian desert (Anne Beadell Hwy) by bike
First crossing of the Simpson desert (via proposed route on unconsolidated terrain) by bike
For safety reasons, my father and uncle will be within back-up range nearby the Great Victorian and Simpson deserts.

To raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service -
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) is the first, largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisation in the world. Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, it delivers extensive 24-hour emergency and primary healthcare services to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. The RFDS is a not-for-profit organisation. Our goal is to raise $30,000 for this charity. Corporate donations are also greatly appreciated. All donations over $2 are tax deductable. To donate, please click on the RFDS emblem on the side-bar.

To see and experience the great Australian outback -
177km NW of Alice Springs, I will roll off the black-top for what will be the beginning of a roller-coaster ride (albeit a very slow one) into the heart of this great continent. In an estimated 11 weeks, I'll have plenty of opportunity to experience its immensity, its solitude, see the geography, feel the history, share its spirit, brave the weather, gaze upon the stars, delight in the adaption of the local critters, all the while questioning whether I have the resolve to see this adventure through to the end.

To take only photos and leave only tyre tracks in my quest to highlight how beautiful this country is, and why we all need to preserve it for generations to come.

Has anything like this been done before?

Several of the "lesser" deserts have been ridden before. These are really just dirt roads with limited water supply. There are also 3 "major" desert crossings included in this route. These are the Canning Stock Route, the Anne Beadell Highway, and the Simpson Desert (proper). Only one person, Jakub Postrzygacz, has ever ridden the CSR unsupported. He did this in 2006. By his own account, Jakub took 33 days and lost 18kg in body-weight on this route. To the best of my knowledge, no-one has ever ridden the Anne Beadell Hwy or through the heart of the Simpson desert. Certainly no-one has ever ridden all of these deserts before in one continuous push. Let's see if I can ...

Leg One - The Tanami Track

Leg Two - Canning Stock Route

Leg Three - Wiluna - Laverton

Leg Four - Anne Beadell Hwy

Leg Five - Oodnadatta Track

Leg Six - Strzelecki Track

Leg Seven - Walkers Crossing / Birdsville Track

Leg Eight - Simpson Desert

Leg Nine - Alice Springs