10 Deserts Solo Cycle Epic

Hi Everyone,

Well as the title to this post suggests, not eveything has gone to plan; hence no SPOT tracker updates of late.

The above photo: Halls Ck - bike cleaning in preparation for CSR.

I'd re-stocked with food at Halls Creek, and returned the 170km back to Billiluna aboriginal community. My bike was the heaviest it has been so far. Coming up over the hills at the northern end of Tanami Rd, I even had to step down to the granny chain-ring. Something tells me this chain-ring may see some more use over the upcoming sand-dunes.

Commencing the CSR on a bike, alone and unsupported is not something to be taken lightly. In my travels thus far, I've seen 4WD and car wrecks strewn along the wayside with alarming regularity. When I set out from Billiluna onto the CSR it was with amazing sense of adventure, and also apprehension of what may lay ahead. I'd just started to settle into a sense of calm that I was realising a recent dream of mine to ride the CSR, alone and unsupported. Then, almost before this feeling had really sunk in, the yoke of my trailer frame broke. I was only 20km onto the "real" CSR (where this road splits from Tanami road). My present intentions dashed for now, I was in no danger, only 20km from Billiluna. I could safely dump any weight (water) on my trailer and return without risk, since I still had 10lt on my bike.

Closer inspection revealed there was nothing wrong with the construction of the trailer. Instead, I've learnt that I've had it overloaded, particularly in consideration of where that mass is.

Long story short, I've hitched back to Halls Ck. I've hired a car to get myself the 360km to Kununarra which is the closest town that can do any modifications for me. I have plans to modify my trailer, maintaining all its good features, and also to take some weight off this by moving my smaller panniers to the bike front fork.

I have no intention of abandoning this ride. Little set-backs like this are the true test of ones' commitment to a cause.

I'm expecting to have my small modifications complete by the end of this week. Hopefully by early next week you'll see the Spot tracker once again showing my progress south of Billiluna. Please check back. In the meantime I'll be enjoying the relaxing starry nights out here in the bush, and the beautiful Kimberlies. It really is nice up here. Until next time. Cheers, Russ.