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26 June
All good on the Anne Beadell! More rain last night. I plan to arrive in Coober Pedy late tomorrow. Food and water all good. I even have a tail wind 
only 220kms to go.
25 June
Russ's border dash update 4
315km and 29 litre water remaining. I'm just about out of dune country. Soon the only obstacle is corrugations. There has been rain again now I feel comfortable about water.
24 June
Russ's border dash update 3
407kmsand 33 litre water remaining. Oh my god riding this sand is a slog! When you stop peddling you sink and there is no roll
23 June
Russ's border dash update 2
495km remaining, 38 litre water remaining. I'm hoping for a warm night tonight to allow night travel. Last night was FREEZING! The terrain still very soft and sandy in dunes.
22 June
Russ's border dash - Day 1
560km remain, 44 litre water remain. Yesterday was very slow but today has been better so far!
20 June
Sunsets are really golden out here! The dark green spinifex, light green desert myrtle, brilliant red dunes glowing, magestic marble gums, pale blue skies, emerging stars golden sun = magic!
And so begins the slog: Anne Beadell Highway Biggest challenge is still ahead of me.... 645km on soft narrow corrugated four wheel drive trails on just 50L of water. Bike is very heavy and hard to control at slow speeds in such technical terrain. I must keep my speed up or else I will run out of food! Wish me luck! 
Thanks for the RFDS donations to date! Keep them coming in.
19 June
Another day in paradise. A golden sunrise more gorgeous marble gums, red mulga, even spinifex is green. Dingoes howl at sunset.
I passed through Ilkurlka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilkurlka,_Western_Australia). Pete showed me how Royal Flying Doctors Service medical chest is put to good use. Pete's 11 year old son Winston joined me for 2km. It was my first and only ride companion for 4000kms. I've had 600kms down but a tough 800km ahead.
Just when I thought I'd seen it all in the desert, a Heli West Chopper circles above me then comes i to land near a dune. Brett from Heli West do charter flights for RFDS and Brett just dropped in to say gidday and wish me well when he heard by UHF I am raising funds for RFDS.
Please get your donations in before the end of the month for tax deductions this tax year.
18 June part 2
Bike Maintenance Update
Ah good news it appears yesterdays bike problem may be a simple as a new spring and a very thorough clean will do at Coober Pedy.
18 June
Bike Maintenance Update
After nearly 4000kms abuse is the toughest terrain the pall and ratchet on my freewheel wore out. I have swapped my trailer and rear wheel so back on track in the morning.
16 June
Yesterday conditions became very soft and sandy, but no pushing thanks to 4 inch tyres. I made Yeo with greater than 20L spare. Water conservation less due to two short cold days. 30L for 290kms to next rain water tank.
15 June
Some more messages from how Russ has been going -
I was wrecked after CSR in Leonora I ate or devoured 2/3 days worth of food in 1 day. Lots of rain has been through even the spinifex has been green, lots of eagles emu and kangaroo's. Trail has been sandy.
This morning at breakfast 4 kangaroos nearly came through my camp site a dingo was in hot pursuit. It was too cold to get out of my nice warm MONT sleeping bag. 205kms to first water source 23 litres ok.
14 June
Message from Russ
All batteries charged or replaced during much needed rest day at Leonora. Much appreciated wind assistance to Laverton yesterday that completes leg 3, very cold all day and freeze at night (Temp range between zero and 15 degrees)finding the start of the Anne Beadell was my first AB challenge. Only 4 water stops over 1380km so I always have heavy H2O load. At least I have wide dirt road for now.
5 comments
We're absolutely flaborgasted at your remarkable effort, the strenght and determination that your ride commands, plus the guts to takle those remote regions completely unsupported puts you at the top of the tree in our book.
I myself am presently undertaking a ride from Carnarvon in WA to Carnavon Gorge, Queensland(where I come from). Its 4,800k of mostly dirt roads, but certainly nothing that compares with the likes of CSR or the Simpson where it doesn't sound like your on a road of any sort. The other huge difference and it is huge is my wife, Lucinda has been following me with a fully ladden camper. It is only the last 1150k that I will be on my own, with coinincidently an Extrawheel trailer.
Anyhow we might even cross paths, we expect to be at Coober Pedy about the 30 of June before heading to Willaim Creek and onto Birdsville.
We always make a donation to the RFDS, but this year would like it to go through your ride. A ride that will go down in history as a truly great effort.
All the best mate and keep those legs pumping.
Bruce and Lucinda Mayne
Bruce...how's the bike going?
Dave Arnold
Rockhampton
Best of luck with your journey. Myself and a couple of mates did a similar route in 2006, albeit on motorcycles. Still fondly remember the amazing sunsets and open spaces in the centre of Oz.
Hope your Simpson Desert crossing goes alright. We researched that route when we went across and decided that going the way you're planning would be full-on insane.
Cheers,
Matt
