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2017 winner, Eckart Altenkamp

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“Why?” is the question I heard most often. “Why on earth would anyone want to cycle thru the Simpson???” It’s a good question. There are obviously many reasons NOT to participate in this event… Personally, I have 2 answers to offer: One from before the event and the 2nd with the benefit of hindsight. My … Read more

French Line Route Survey – 2015

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In 2015 the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge featured a new route traversing the French Line.   Video of the French Line Survey – Alan Keenleside (Race Director) Here is a blow by blow description of what to expect when you tackle the big dune country. So what’s it going to be like to ride this year’s … Read more

COURSE MARKING AGAIN and OTHER FUN JOBS

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Water Stop Crew 2015 Lorraine and Alan Hancox In 2014 we ventured into the unknown by accepting the role of Course Markers. Apparently we did an acceptable job because the Race Director made it clear the job was ours for “life”. Fortunately, as in that other event where life sentences are handed down, victims are … Read more

2015 winner, Paul Schroder

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SDBC – 2015 tour de French line I can remember quite clearly getting the Simpson newsletter email, I usually have a quick read of them to see how things are proceeding. There was a friendly reminder that entries closed on August 15th, it was the 11th and I had not even considered entering the 2015 … Read more

Harold & Jeni Hawson – water stop 2014

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Alan, on behalf of both Jeni and I thank you for all of your work and effort to make the Challenge the success it obliviously was.  We simply has a ball, met lots of wonderful people and felt like we had been there before. Jeni commented on the way home that it was one of … Read more

May Newsletter – Tubeless and Puncture Management, Legends Return

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This month we feature some great advice and video on managing tubeless tyres and punctures on your fatbike. Also the return of the silly old fart (legends) plus the meanderings of Grim through outback Australia. Not to mention some very interesting sponsor messages about Fat Tyres and Comfy Handgrips. CLICK HERE

2013 winner, Ronn Slusser

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 STYLE AND PERFORMANCE The Simpson this year, what an effort.  Amazing riders and some good competition. It was a cooler year than normal, but to bring about tough conditions mother nature threw in some very strong winds and some chilly mornings. She also showed us how we can have up to a 30 degree temperature change in the one … Read more

2013 Race Updates

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You’ll get the blow by blow account as the drama unfolds with details of the winners, losers and carnage.   Day 5 – Final Placings 5th Oct 2013 Well it’s all over now bar the drinking. Ronn Slusser rode a strong and consistant race winning every stage. While Ronn had a couple of hours on the … Read more

2013 Rider Profiles

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The Lineup for 2013 Click on image for information, use <- and -> for next and previous   Riders with no picture Rider: 13 Name: Doug Mitchell Category: U40 – Male Desert Attempts – 1st timer Race Strategy : At the time of going to print we hadn’t heard from Doug, we here at SDBC … Read more

April Newsletter now available

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Features this month include:- Cool Bike Frame could be yours Track conditions in the desert Desert Romance Wayne’s world gear report ….and more [button text=”Click Here for April Newsletter” link=”http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d28dcccdc9740f646c58e5508&id=264aaa3ef0″ target=”_blank”]

Muru Cycles donate a very cool bike frame

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Simpson Desert Bike Challenge would like to announce that we have Muru Cycles on board for 2013. Muru have generously donated one of their Witjira Frames, with the SDBC logo sandblasted into it! We plan to offer this frame to the highest bidder at our charity auction at the end of the 2013 race. stay … Read more

Mud Mud Mud – revisiting 2004

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The 2004 Race was not the toughest year due to cooler climate and firmer sand….but ooh the mud. Storms moved in dumping massive amounts of water in the desert.  Have a look at these photos from the event. PS. See if you can’t spot a much younger more virile Grim in lycra. [button text=”Click Here for … Read more

Yep.. it’s our new website

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Our new look website is now online. It features a completely new design utilising stronger colours and larger bolder imagery. The new layout will make it easier for you to find the information you want. It’s easy to update and is integrated with our social networking. Dont forget to ‘Like our pages’ Our home page works as … Read more

Race Director Vacancy

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Due to Mark Polley’s resignation, the Race Director’s role is now vacant. We are actively  looking for the right person to join us in staging this exciting event. Firstly the Race Director role is suited to somebody who has a passion for the desert and the event.  He/She is the primary representative of the Desert Challenge … Read more

Changing of the Guard

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In 2013, Mark Polley will be stepping down from his role as Race Director. Mark has made a huge commitment to the event over many years and is now looking to have a break and get on with other personal commitments. Mark first attended the SDBC back in 1999 and has been out there continuously ever … Read more

Lorraine & Alan Hancox – Water Stop 2012

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Our son, Graham was part of a support team in 2011 and became determined to enter in 2012. We thought we would be a support crew for another rider this year but that did not eventuate so successfully applied to become Water-Stop Officials. We have been in or across the Simpson Desert at least once … Read more

Tim Grimes – Rider 2012

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Day 4, 11.30 am. Temperature about 45. Location, somewhere in the Simpson Desert. 5K from the finish of the stage and with an hour to get there, I sat down under a tree and told myself I had had enough, I was pedaling no more. I decided there that there were two types of people … Read more

New course for Desert Challenge

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By popular demand, the 2013 event will follow the 2012 course across the Rig Road, K1 and QAA lines. The fat tyre flyers have won another battle. Now the route traverses even more sand. Fantastic scenery through some of the largest dunes in the desert including Big Red.

Michael Dalton – Rider 2009

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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. … Read more

RFDS fundraising handover for 2011

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Kate Reynold, Iain Blair, Gemma Snewin (RFDS), Ray Allen, Andrew Griffiths, Konrad Gawlik, Murray Rook

Magnificent Effort for 2011 On the 29th February 2012, President Iain Blair handed over the final fundraising proceeds from the 2011 event, to Gemma Snewin at the RFDS hanger at Adelaide Airport. This brings the final fundraising total to a massive $36,724.95. For more details, see below. RFDS continues to provide an essential service to … Read more

Super Bike Carrier for Sweep Vehicle

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Rider/donor George Couyant formally hands over a new bike carrier for the Sweep vehicle. Although Grim wont be sweeping next year it would have been nice to know that your bike would be travelling in such luxury when you got swept. Thanks to George Couyant who donated the carrier to our auction night. The carrier … Read more

In memoriam – Su Spencer

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It is with great sadness I heard that Su Murphy has lost her battle with cancer and died on the 5th of August. Almost everyone involved with the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge will remember little Su, the timekeeper. I first met Su when I supported Grim in 1995, and she was timekeeper for all the … Read more

25 years of the Desert Race

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It’s our 25th year and we’re planning to make it very special. If your planning to ride, support or officiate in 2011, please register and keep up-to-date with the latest news and race updates. We have filled the waterstop crew positions but we are still looking for Medical crews. To register on the mailing list … Read more

2010 Fund Raising Handover

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On Friday the 11th March 2011, race director Mark Polley presented a cheque for $4500.00 to Ross Curtis at RFDS Central Operation, Adelaide. With all the problems of flooding and relocating the race to the Great Victoria Desert, we are extremely pleased to announce that this brings the total fund raising for the 2010 event to $14,823.90. … Read more

Audax Accreditation for SDBC

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Did you know the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge meets Audax ride rules? The afternoon of Day 3, both stages of Day 4 and Day 5 qualify as Dirt Series events. Check out the Audax Calendar for September.

15 Years of Doctoring in the Desert

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The original Bum Doctors. Dr John (left) with Dr Ian Bowmaker 2001

On the 21-8-10, Dr John Hill was presented with a commemorative plaque to acknowledge his 15 years of “desert doctoring”. His 1st trip to the desert as Dr John was in 1989 after being coerced to come along for a “drive out in the desert” by Ike Trelor and so it all started. This 1st … Read more

Simpson Desert Closed

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Any chance of getting across the desert has now been ruled out. Heavy rains have fallen on the desert over the last few weeks and more rain is forecast. The Simpson Desert now resembles a swamp and many outback roads are closed or have major flooding. Local police and park rangers are discouraging anyone from … Read more

Simpson Desert Closed – Alternate Course for 2010

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Good News and Bad News The Bad News is that floods have closed the Simpson Desert for the 2010 Race. The Good News is that we’ve found another desert to race across. The Great Victoria Desert!!! Yes it’s official….Race Director Mark Polley has pulled this one out of the hat and put together a unique … Read more

2009 Fundraising

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Our Fundraising Efforts In recent years the Desert Challenge Committee has turned it’s attentions to raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The RFDS is essential out in the areas where the Desert Challenge is held and so is an appropriate organisation for us to support. Last year alone we raised over $20,000 2009 … Read more

Crikey it’s a Megasaurarse

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by workmates of Declan Brazil…rider No 3, 2001 Scientists trekking by Bicycle through the Simpson Desert have found the rare and endangered Megasaurarse. This Dinosaur from the late Devonian Period, was thought only to have inhabited the Oxford Street Precinct of Sydney. Rated a “ground breaking find”, the Megasaurarse was dressed similarly to the Oxford … Read more

Desert Storm

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Inside Sport Magazine – December 1999 Story: Robert Drane Images: Ian Kenins Purni Bore, South Australia, not far from the NT border. Nothing to do but look for shade from the stinging sun amidst vegetation too low to sit under. Forty-three degrees and rising. Last night, camels and donkeys frolicked and toileted in the paludal … Read more

Three Simpsons: Two Up

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The Simpson Desert Cycle Classic is the year’s most insane endurance race. Bob and Jayne Simpson made it even tougher by tackling it on a tandem. With almost 600 sand dunes behind us and plenty still ahead I glanced at my watch. As we pushed and shoved the tandem through the deep sand, sweat pouring … Read more

1995 Race Report

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No Name Category Sex Total Time(hh:mm:ss) TotalKms OverallPosition % DistanceCompleted 14 Richard Millard 50 & Over Male 1:05:38:26 581 1 100% 19 Darren Benson 20 & U30 Male 1:06:17:18 581 2 100% 36 Micheal Worden 30 & U40 Male 1:06:28:00 581 3 100% 30 Mark Leach 30 & U40 Male 1:06:41:52 581 4 100% 32 … Read more

1994 Race Report

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No Name Overall Position Total Time (hh:mm:ss) State Category Gender Team 27 Robert Eckel 1 34:55:48 Qld U 40 M Crabs Crack 32 Tom Landon-Smith 2 35:42:54 NSW U 30 M – 14 Novak Thompson 3 36:05:49 NSW U 30 M Desert Storm 1 7 Garry Ridley 4 36:48:15 Qld U 50 M The Tale … Read more

1993 Event

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Placing No Name Total Time (hh:mm:ss) Outright 1st 3 Ian Thompson 15:01:25 Outright 2nd 30 David Austin 15:12:45 Outright 3rd 4 Mark Baker 15:30:53 Under 20 yrs 44 John Ioannou 35:08:01 Under 30 yrs 3 Ian Thompson 15:01:25 Under 40 yrs 4 Mark Baker 15:30:53 Under 50 yrs 29 Ken Worral 20:13:15 Over 50 yrs … Read more

Categories Uncategorized

1990 Race Results

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[tabby title=”Results”] No Name OverallPosition Total Time(hh:mm:ss) DistanceCompleted 10 Peter Wood 1 28:32:15 575k 7 Mal Cummack 2 28:48:51 575k 22 Kevin Piercy 3 29:26:26 575k 24 Kevin Aubrey 4 30:53:52 575k 12 Gregory Roger 5 32:19:21 575k 17 Edward Freeman 6 32:45:01 575k 15 Jonathan Cook 7 34:00:52 575k 6 Arnold Frollows 8 35:12:20 … Read more

Categories Uncategorized

1989 Race Report

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Placing No Name State Total Time (hh:mm:ss) Outright 1st 12 Ross Martin NSW 26:18:20 Outright 2nd 8 Peter Barnard NSW 26:48:34 Outright 3rd 2 Jim Smith NSW 27:17:01 First Female 11 Patricia Thomson NSW 31:24:16 Under 20 yrs 24 Glen Sharrock NSW 33:55:23 Under 30 yrs 8 Peter Barnard NSW 26:48:34 Under 40 yrs 7 … Read more

1988 Race Report

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The 1988 race didn’t go anywhere near the Simpson Desert. Because of flooding in the desert, the race started at Kulgera on the Stuart Hwy near the NT/SA border and ran along the back roads past Ayers Rock finishing at The Olgas.

SDBC2024: 1 October to 5 October 2024