It’s been a crazy couple of months, we have been hard at work getting the truck desert ready. New boxes are getting fabricated as we speak to hold all our gear and supplies.
We have also secured some great sponsors in Light Force Australia, and Nomad ADV to name a few. So yes, its all happening! And with the Anzac Day ride fast approaching, I can’t wait to get out into the dunes and give our team and trucks a real test run. We have also been getting out into the dunes as often as possible to get our fitness up and get some of the team up to speed, and I wanted to share a particular story here with you.

Early Jan this year Joel and I went to Rainbow to dial the bikes in and get comfortable riding long distances, carrying heavy packs in extreme heat. On this particular day, eager to get out and get the work done, we headed off from basecamp as the mercury started to rise on what would inevitably be a 40+ degree day. In these kinds of temperatures, the only respite is when you are rolling through the sand trying not to work too hard and concentrate on the breeze washing over your body.

We knew it was going to be a hot one, so we ensured we took a full 3litre bladder each and drank up to a 1.5ltr of water before setting off. About 150km in, we arrived at the base of a large dune with a sweeping corner at the bottom. Joel dropped is bike; A DRZ400 with nearly 28litres in the front. I watched from the top as he wrestled the thing back upright and back down the dune. The heat was well into the 40s now and twice more he dropped it. His voice came over the radio gulping for air “I’m done man, I’m wrecked down here.” I got the bike up and watched Joel walk up the dune ten steps, then collapse under the sparse shade of a shrub. He is a strong man, but the heat was taking its toll. “You’ll be right mate”, I encouraged, “this will be the hardest day you ever do in the sand; I promise!”

Another ten steps, and again he was down. There was just no respite. The sun was at its zenith, there was very little shade, the sand must have been another 10 degrees hotter, and our feet were boiling in the bottom of our boots. Add another 10-15 kg of gear, tools and water on that, and it was hard work in anyone’s language.

I could see that he was on his chin strap*, my mind went straight into damage control.
I still had plenty of water, in my small med kit I had a foil blanket which I could fashion a shelter out of and create a better area of shade. Dig the sand out and get comfortable.
I didn’t want to split the group, so we would stick together and see out the worst of the heat and ride home when the evening sun started to cool. As all of this was running through my head, Joel came up and slouched down next to me. “Take as long as you need mate, we have food, water, no stress. You ride my bike back and we can get back later tonight.” I said. We sat and chilled out for about half an hour or more. But soon enough, with some rest and water, Joel was back on the bike. We rode another 50 km out of the sand, and almost another 100 km before we got to the lake and dove in fully kitted. Total distance for the day was 240km.

I reflected on the day later that night. We knew the conditions, so we made plans accordingly. We came up against some challenges and had the gear we needed to keep safe and recover. But the greatest ingredient to the success for the day was the resilience Joel demonstrated in the face of adversity. This, my friends, is the key to moving forward and winning in the heat of any challenge. I was really proud of Joel and how he gritted his teeth and kept moving forward, and that is what crossing deserts is all about; planning, preparation and a good dose of resilience. That’s what I love about it.
Hope you enjoyed this ride report. I’ll see you in the dunes. 😊

Benji B

*British army slang to mean extremely tired or worn out. As if to be hanging from the chinstrap of ones helmet.

Newsletter #6 The Key to Keep Moving Forward