Impact on Sugar
Leadership Training Program
Presentation to participants in Mackay, Queensland.
continued...
I immediately said I was in and a few weeks later was the proud owner of an X Australian Post Honda CT 110 with 29,000 kms on the clock. In fact I ended up joining the second trip in 2006, having become a qualified accountant in the meantime.
I rode every chance I got in order to train for the ride which was to be across the Simpson Desert. The rules were simple: this is a not for profit ride and 100% of all money raised goes to the RFDS – all expenses are paid by the rider, a minimum of $1,000 (tax deductible donation) must be raised for the RFDS as the price of entry, and riders were to meet in Birdsville to start the ride. Through some generous support and active fundraising, I raised $8,500 in a few weeks.
Thirty-five riders assembled in Birdsville not knowing exactly what we were in for but ready for an adventure – it was a diverse group including a doctor, journalists, policeman, engineer, accountants, panel beater, mechanic, paramedic, labourers, postman and myself as a cane farmer.
Due to the driest conditions in twenty years we needed to skirt the desert around the bottom of Lake Eyre, rather than cross the 1100 sand hills, rejoining the original route at Dalhousie Springs. Even with this detour the ride was much harder than many anticipated with bike damage ending some people’s ride prematurely and crashes accounting for others including: 4 broken collarbones, 1 cracked shoulder socket, some busted ribs, 1 concussion and 2 lost front teeth.
The weather was cold, the road was rough and the sand was soft but the scenery and sunrises and sunsets were glorious. Like other adventures the real challenge was as much about mental determination as it was physical endurance. I feel fortunate to be one of only ten riders to have ridden the whole 1600 kms and the feeling of euphoria and sense of achievement as we rode into Alice Springs is something I’m sure none of us will forget.
To do the trip on an 110cc step thru motorbike designed for stop/start city delivery work just added further to the trip. Most bikes were stock with the biggest modification being the addition of extra fuel tanks and racks to carry more fuel plus water and camping gear; I left Birdsville with 35 litres of fuel and 12 litres of water. Some riders hasd family and mates in support vehicles to carry some of the load but about a half of us carried everything either on the bike or in a backpack.
I slept in a small tent and used a self-inflating mattress and good quality sleeping bag to stay warm, others used swags. Food was mainly dehydrated meals cooked on a small gas stove. Safety is always high on my list and I rode in a full-face helmet and jacket and gloves with body armour. Temperatures ranged from -3° to the low teens each day, I never took off my thermals all week and used a one piece wind proof suite from first light until after lunch most days, basically I wore the same set of clothes all week as I only had room for one change of clothes in the backpack.
It was a supportive group and everyone who started from Birdsville stood together at the end in Alice Springs sharing in a sense of achievement. Strangers helped each other to achieve a common goal, despite the likelihood we had all entered into this for our own reasons, many new friendships were developed. Close to $80,000 was raised with all money staying with the RFDS.
The next trip is across the Nullabor with 20 riders already signed up. This event shows how one persons’ bid to repay a debt of gratitude can inspire others to not only put a little adventure in their lives but also make an enormous difference for a very worthy Australian cause.
If you wish to contribute to this worthy cause contact Phil at ‘Hardcore Nullabor Posties’ – philandjane@malenynet.com
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