The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge was recently held on the 29th September to the 3rd October 2009. Below is Race Director Mark Polley's account of how the challenge went down.

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.  Track conditions vary greatly from year to year as the desert winds shuffle millions of tonnes of sand over the vast dune complex.  Combine that with temperatures often reaching over 40 degrees, the race has become one of the toughest mountain bike endurance events in the world. 

This race is far more than just five days of riding.  Getting to the start line is a culmination of months of preparation.  For many, the task of finding a driver and vehicle is the first major obstacle, then trying to pack 10 days of food, water and camping gear (not to mention the bike) into it, posses its own unique challenges.  With the vehicle now resembling a sardine tin, teams are ready to head off on the long three day drive to the start line at Purni Bore.  

Organisers knew this was going to be an interesting year, even before leaving home.  Many parts of the Warburton and Eyre Creeks were still holding water after major rains in outback Queensland earlier this year.  Road reports listed the Inside Birdsville Track and the Warburton Crossing as closed but we remained hopeful they would re-open in time.  The only good news was that the QAA line had re-opened making the race to Birdsville possible via an alternative route. 

Expectations of stage wins and 100% course completions abound but for many of these riders who have never seen the desert, their dreams are about to be crushed.  The eight returning riders are more conservative about voicing their ambitions but it dose beg the question, WHY come back?  For most, it is the challenge of obtaining the elusive 100% medallion but also to share in the raw emotion and camaraderie that is a major part of this event.  With the registration process out of the way, the group meets for the pre-race briefing and details of what is to come. 

Day 1
4:30am and the alarm goes off followed by the usual panic as the crews hurried to pack and be ready to leave in the 5:30am forward convoy.  Day one provided cooler temperatures around 30’C and whilst the initial start of the stage looked good, the coating of sand between the dunes was always going to make this day hard.  Last years winner, Lynton Stretton (#1) was determine to put in a good showing and road extremely well to take out the first two stages in a good time.

For the first time riders, this was a brutal induction and ominous sign of what was to follow.  A few riders were just able to drag their exhausted bodies over the finish line ahead of the sweep but most struggled to cope with the sand.  Only 13 riders completed 100% of the first two stages on day 1 (127km).

 "The temperature rose rapidly to 41’C and combined with a track that was heavily covered in sand, the riders soon started dropping like flies."

Day 2
Day 2 morning has traditionally been the toughest stage of the race and this year was no exception.  The temperature rose rapidly to 41’C and combined with a track that was heavily covered in sand, the riders soon started dropping like flies.  With the sweep working overtime at the rear of the field, only 7 riders made it past the 40km half way mark on the morning stage.  By the time the dust storm blew in around 11am most of the field had already been swept.  Crews and officials struggles to hold camp at the lunch stop as the dust storm reduced visibility to less than 100 meters. 

By this stage I had that sinking feeling that I was about to have the dubious honour of presiding over a second race with no 100% finishers.  Finally an exhausted Alan Keenleside (#9) managed to drag his body across the finish line less than 6 minutes ahead of the sweep and be the only person still in 100% contention.  The shorter afternoon stage saw little let up in the sand but it was enough to allow Lynton (#1), Alan (#9) and 5 other riders complete the stage.

Day 3
This is traditionally an easier stage seeing the riders skirt around the edge of the large salt lakes between the 20 and 50km points with the last dunes on the Rig Road providing plenty opportunity to get off the bike and admire the views as you push the bike over the top.  When a few of the vehicles in the forward convoy got bogged in the sand at the 52km mark, panic set in when water stop 2 reported the riders were less than 5km behind the convoy.  Suddenly the pressure was on the crews to get the vehicles moving again.  Once the race reached the end of the Rig Road, it diverted north along the K1 line.  What wasn’t expected, was the large drifts of sand over the track. 

The last time the riders used this track in 2000 it was hard and flat most of the way.  This year there were drifts of sand up to a meter deep and kilometres in length.  The riders who made it to the end of the Rig Road were suddenly crushed by the deserts latest torment.  Roman Petr (#3) managed to claim the morning stage after riding well around the salt lakes.  The afternoon saw little change in conditions with only small sections of good hard track to ride on in temperatures still in the low 40’s and just as the forward crews started to make camp, another dust storm blew in reducing visibility to 50 meters.  With no chance of completing 100% Lynton (#1) teamed up with Alan (#9) to see him through to the end of the afternoon stage.  Not to be out done, the desert tormented the everyone during the night, flattening many tents causing people to make alternative camping arrangements.

The riders enjoyed the early morning temperatures and the tail winds to complete the 41km stage in good time.  Ken Schack-Evans (#28) put in a fierce effort to come in first for the stage.  With the stage over by 9:30am, the crews quickly packed up to make the 76km transit to the west side of the Eyre crossing.  With the convoy arriving in camp by 3pm, it was a good chance to get around and meet people and have a well earned break.

 Whilst the temperature were much lower than previous years, the amount of sand on the track made the event extremely tough.  With only 1 rider completed 100% of the course, Alan Keenleside’s effort was truly inspirational.  Katarina (#2) put in a top effort taking out the female U40 in her first competitive event. 

The Bean Attitude Award (for unselfish conduct) was presented by the 2008 winner, Kane Chandler and went to New Zealander Andrew Jameson (#21).  He was a great competitor and full of positive spirit all week. In the final stage he was even seen riding his own bike up a dune then walking back down to get his mate's bike and help him over.

The charity auction after presentations included all sorts of donated items from hand-made jewellery to a Bali holiday and raised more than $4500 for the RFDS. The Birdsville Hotel even chipped in a pair of their shirts to help the fund-raising efforts.  This will be combined with funds raised by riders and proceeds from the race, we expect over $14,000 will be donated to the RFDS from the 2009 event. 

After some pretty bleak times in the middle of the week, hunkered down in dust storms and battling through heavy sand tracks, the race finished on a fantastic note at Birdsville.  First time riders being able to experience the great sense of camaraderie and mateship that keeps bringing the riders back year after year. 

Would like to acknowledge Dirtworks, Crank borthers and No Tubes as sponsors.

Overall Winner and only 100%
Rider Name Dist. Time
9 Alan KEENLESIDE 489 37h02m

Age Group Winners
Group Rider Name Dist.
U40 F 2 Katarina CERVIKOVA 328
U40 M 22 Jason DREGGS 443
U50 M 9 Alan KEENLESIDE 489
50+ M 1 Lynton STRETTON 465

Mark Polley
Race Director 2009
www.desertchallenge.org