Desert to the Surf
Alice Springs to Brisbane – 11 days taking in The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge
September 25th to October 5th 2021
Contact: Cath Hew | +61 429 089 901 |
Website: http://lifecycleadventures.com.au/
Itinerary:
Days 1-2 – Meet us in Alice Springs on September 25th and we’ll enjoy a campfire dinner and introductions before heading off early the next morning for Mt Dare and the start of the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge. We’ll be travelling through a variety of ecosystems and interesting country, from desert sand dunes to shimmering gibber plains, and a swim at the lush green Dalhousie Hot Springs will help wash of the red desert dust.
Day 3 – We have a full day at Mt Dare to orientate and prepare for the race, check gear and fill up on fuel for the race. Our bus has a great camp kitchen and will be well stocked with good food.
Days 4 – 7 – The amazing adventure of The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge where you get to compete in what must be one of the unique bike challenges of the world. The Simpson Desert is the largest parallel sand dune desert in the world and you’ll get to know each dune intimately! The bus will go ahead of the riders each morning and be ready with food and drinks at some stops, with race support vehicles at each water stop, while the sweeper vehicle will be ready to pick up exhausted riders or help with running repairs. Non competitors will ride in the bus, enjoying the scenery, excitement and hopefully snapping fun photos of the competitors!
Day 8 – The last sand dune, Big Red and arrival at the famous Birdsville Hotel where surely a cold beer never tasted so good! One can only imagine the celebrations and stories to be shared this night.
Days 9-11 – A leisurely start the next morning and we begin the journey back to the east coast, travelling through desert, savannah and grazing country, all 1600kms or so. We’ll spend our last night camped on the beach at the Sunshine Coast and enjoy a beach ride and surf in the Pacific Ocean before drop-offs at Brisbane airport or as required.
What’s Included:
- Airport or hotel transfers
- All food and camping gear, except sleeping bag
- Bike maintenance facilities
- Limited water for bush shower each night.
- Limited drinks…a couple of beers or similar per night. We need to be very conscious of weight. Plenty of drinking water though.
- USB charging facilities
- On request we may be able to help with Fat Bike rental.
- Options for pick up or drop off along our route
What’s not Included:
- Sleeping bag. Please BYO sleeping bag suitable for minus 5 degrees centigrade
- Sports gels, energy drinks, and race nutrition.
- Personal hydration pack. Ideally, 4 are required (start, plus 3x water stop drops)
- Spare parts specific to your bike. Greg will discuss with you what he suggests
- Flights to or from Alice Springs and Brisbane.
- Personal insurance including evacuation
About Life Cycle Adventures:
We love to share our passion for wild remote places and travelling by simple human powered means. We facilitate bicycle adventures through the spectacular Australian wilderness, whether desert, coast or high country.
Our two compact four wheel drive buses are capable of going anywhere and carrying the gear to support adventurous riders who can leave the logistics, camping gear and planning to us.
We provide great food and good quality camping gear and its reassuring to know we’ve got your back if conditions get too tough, your bike has problems, or you simply want a break and ride in the bus.
Come and enjoy the fun and camaraderie of like-minded people, while camping under the stars, experiencing ancient landscapes, enjoying wildlife encounters and doing what we love best… riding bikes under the big Australian sky.
Greg Scamporlino is the original Bush Mechanic having worked in remote field service as a heavy diesel mechanic in far northwest WA, Northern Territory and Queensland as well as sailing to Antarctica as Engineer, First Mate, Cook, Kayak guide, and general purpose bottle washer (: on 100ft Tall Ships and Expedition yachts over many years. Most importantly Greg’s love of bicycles and the simplistic freedom of bike touring has taken him on adventures through many distant parts of the world from the Arctic Circle to Mongolia, Europe, the Americas and even riding the Canning Stock route unsupported. Greg’s dream is to facilitate others in sharing his passion for seeing remote places by bicycle… the ultimate simplicity!
Cath Hew has also spent much of her life in wilderness and remote areas. As captain of her yacht Icebird, she’s been taking like minded adventurers down to Antarctica for the last 17 years and understands well the logistics and care of clients in remote locations….especially the importance of great food! Cath also loves bike touring and for her, Mundabiddy, Gibb River road and Mongolia were a good start!
Est. Cost for 11-Day Adventure:
Riders: $6,850.00
Non riders: $4,250.00
Deposit 30% on booking with 2 further instalments of 35% and fully paid by July 31st 2021.