Race Details
It's been called "Satan's Velodrome" and for many competitors it has certainly been hell. And yet they return, again and again, from throughout Australia and around the world, for those five days of the year when this unique location plays host to this extraordinary cycling event.
Course Updates
Pastrol Board Rangers have been out checking the PARs. The Goyder Lagoon is full and has pushed a little water down the Warburton in the last week. It looks like it will be at least July before the track is likely to open. If the Warburton doesn't open, we have a clear run across the QAA line. Birdsville here we come!
20/4/2012.
Race Overview - 26th Annual Bike Challenge
In late September 2012 , competitors, support crew and officials will gather at Purni Bore, South Australia, on the western edge of the Simpson Desert for the 26th Annual Bike Challenge.
At 6am on a Tuesday morning in late September, the first of nine stages will commence. The riders will surge off into the heart of the Simpson Desert along the 'Rig Road'. This narrow clay capped track was originally constructed to facilitate oil exploration in the 60s, but it is fast deteriorating as time, weather and 4WD traffic takes its toll.
The first 4 days have an 80km morning stage followed by a 50km afternoon stage. The final 80km stage on day 5 ends outside a classic Aussie icon - the Birdsville Hotel in the tiny outback town of Birdsville in Queensland.
The total distance of around 590 km takes in some 700 sand dunes, salt lakes, vast cattle stations, gibber plains and even a potential creek crossing. The course is weather dependent and subject to alteration.
For more race details Click Here
Online Entry and Race Dates
Race Dates for 2012
25th - 29th Sept
Latest News
Latest Newsletter is out featuring:
- Current Desert conditions
- Water stop technology
- Birdville Pub in the 60s
Become a Member
Become a Desert Challenge member and support the Desert Challenge organisation for just $20 per annum. You become eligible to stand for commitee positions and can vote for election of committee members. You also get access to the members area of the website which contains committee minutes, documentation, a forum and lots of extra information.
Join up online Now. Click Here
2011 Race Report and Photos
With the desert closed this year due to bushfires, the race was diverted around the desert heading up into Northern Territory and finishing back at the iconic Oodnadatta Roadhouse.
Click Here for the full story
Rider or Support Crews?
Thinking of riding in this years event but you don't have a support crew or you have a 4WD and want to be a support a rider.
To find out more and register your expression of interest... Click Here
We're sorry but space is at a premium and we don't have the ability to transport people unless we can find a 4WD.
Moments in Time
Some old articles have recently surfaced courtsey of Robert Weir. Check them out...
Cyclist Magazine - Jun 1990 (850kb)
AOTC News - April 1992 (310kb)
To download a printable copy of the 1992 stage results Click Here
1987. Winner Peter Hansen in action.
Have you got any historic race photos?
If you have photos, stage results or stories from previous events we would be pleased to hear from you.
Years of particular interest are: 1989, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003.
That magic 100%
Most riders go out to the desert with the goal of achieving 100% of the course. The track is littered with shattered dreams.
Check out the stats on who and how many have made the 100% throughout the history of the race.
Subscribe to our Mailing List
FUNDRAISE ONLINE FOR RFDS
Visit the RFDS Website Click Here
Used the everydayhero.com.au website to donate towards your riders efforts.
Create your own fundraisng page.
Email the page to your friends and get sponsored. There is no cash collection and every donation is receipted immediately.
Become a Volunteer
We're still looking for crew for this years event. We have access to a 4WD. Anyone interested, please contact us.
To find out more and register your expression of interest..., Click Here
Riders' Comments
I kept on riding and when the boxing kangaroo flag came into view my spirits lifted. As I crossed the finish line Mark Polley and Donna congratulated me and Cassandra who I did not know proceeded to give me food and fluids.
I did not know this person but her caring nature was quite overwhelming. It was at this point that I realised that the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge was more than just riding a bike. I considered it was about a whole range of truly positive experiences with people in a unique environment. As I looked around with the sun setting I noticed the beautiful colours of the sand on the horizon. What a sight. What an experience. I not only felt truly tired but I felt truly alive.
Mark Dalton 2009 (comments from Day 3)
Full Story CLICK HERE
Thank you for an amazing event. I have been lucky enough to be involved in a lot of racing events over several sports but this one takes the cake for sure. The committee and officials do a wonderful job and can't be praised enough.
For me it was a tough event both mentally and physically but one that has made me tougher on both fronts, the hills are already seeming a little easier. The sportsmanship and camaraderie was unbelievable and a pleasure to experience. On so many occasions when ready to give up there was someone there willing to help you through. There were many times (ok hundreds) where I said I was never coming back but riding over the line in Birdsville changed things quickly.
So with this I'll be back next year.....
Thanks again for a fantastic Challenge
Rick Neale #11 (2007)
I’ve been following this event for several years now thinking what a great challenge & when I finally entered in 2007 found it better than all expectations & some. I knew the riding would be tough & unpredictable, but what I was most impressed about was the professionalism & logistics of the whole show.
As far as I know there wasn’t a hitch with water stops, medical, sweeping riders & all the other things that go on behind the scenes when I was out riding or in bed. I know there is a whole crew of people that make this all possible & I personally thank them very much. In an event like this the buck stops with the race directors & you guys ran the most outstanding, best professional & fun event that I ever been involved with.
Keep up the excellent work & I hope to be there next year.
Mick Harvey. #10 (2007)
Team Axxis Cowboys.
In February of this year I made the decision to enter the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge. (a silly idea I know… but something that I've wanted to do since I first read about it in 1988)
I then had 8 months of on and (mostly) off, very sporadic "training" and suddenly I was standing at the start line at Purnie Bore on the western side of the Simpson Desert. What followed was far beyond anything that I could ever have imagined.
If someone had told me heading into this that some of the dunes were 17 meters high (days 2 and 3), that there would be a 100kph sandstorm/headwind (day 4), that the same day would hit a blistering 52degrees, and that the "average" riding temperature would be 38+ degrees...
I'd never have gone.
But now that I did... I'm heading back in 2009.
The level of friendship and comraderie that this events brings out in the riders, support crews and officials is amazing. (well... all the officials except Grim... grrrrrrrr)
See you all in 2009.
Wayne Chapman #12 (2008)