10 Deserts Solo Cycle Epic

Details -
Distance: 1380km
Conditions: combined soft sand, sand dunes, hard pack and VERY corrugated 4WD tracks
Difficulty: 4/5
Est'd Time: 2 weeks

Laverton is the stepping stone for my west-east traverse of the Great Victorian desert (GVD), or Anne Beadell highway as it's better known. The Anne Beadell is another class 'A' desert, a well earned rating given the destruction these badly corrugated roads cause for so many 4WD'ers. This link from the Exploroz site is very helpful. The GVD is Australia's largest desert, covering approx. 425000 sq.km.

To the best of my knowledge this route has never been ridden, let alone unsupported. There are 4 known water stops spattered along this 1380km route, but the single longest stretch without water is 645km from the west side of the WA/SA border, all the way to Coober Pedy in SA. The dunes in this desert are not as challenging as the CSR, but the isolation will be surreal. Reports are that you may not see a single 4WD for several days if at all during this crossing. At the time I'll be traversing the GVD, temperatures will be quite timid during the day, and freezing at night. The desert is never 100% reliable though. Any change can be just around the corner, so best to be prepared for anything. Travelling the same terrain in summer would not be a smart move.

My bike trailer has been specially designed, specifically for the copious water load I'll need to carry for this crossing and also across the Simpson, but more on that here (link)