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Located in the centre of Australia, the Simpson Desert is a true unique desert wilderness which plays host to the annual Simpson Desert Bike Challenge.
Often described as “Five Days in Hell”, the event pushes the riders to the limits of their physical and mental capability.
The race/challenge consists of nine stages over 4 ½ days (morning 80km, afternoon 50km) and each competitor must maintain a minimum average speed of 12km per hour or they will get pulled out of that stage and their total distance is adjusted accordingly.
Very few athletes can expect to tame the elements of the Simpson Desert (monster sand dunes, head winds, 40C deg + temperatures, sandstorms, the odd rouge camel…to name a few) and only the mentally fittest and strongest athletes will complete 100% of the race. No one completed 100% of the race in 2008 and only one rider completed 100% the race in 2009. Many of the defeated had completed multiple ironman events.
John completed 60% of the race last year and will return September 2010 for another attempt… there’s some unfinished business out there!
The Simpson Desert cycle challenge (a non-profit organization) is aligned with the Royal Australian Flying Doctors, however given that most of you are Kiwis you can opt to donate your hard earn $’s to our Kiwi equivalent, the Helicopter Trust.
Last year John raised $3,500 from friends and former work colleagues and this year we have decided to expand our fundraising…
Fundraising = kilometres pedalled…
1. Decide how many $’s or cents per kilometre pedalled you would like to pledge
2. Send an email to patricia@rescue.org.nz "I pledge X$’s per km” and we will email you acknowledging your pledge.
3. Then on 28th Sept John starts pedalling across the desert until he falls over… or dissolves into a pool of lard…or makes it to the finish line! That particular spot in each stage is recorded by the race officials
4. Results for each day will be uploaded via satellite phone for those of you interested in following progress… http://www.desertchallenge.org
5. On completion of the race/challenge (2rd October) John’s final result will be recorded on the official race website for all to see…http://www.desertchallenge.org
6. You can then pay the amount (km’s completed X $c’s per Km pledged) to the Helicopter Trust.
· Either send a cheque made out to “Bay Trust Rescue Helicopter”
· or pay by direct on the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter secure donations page
  
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