Day 110 Alice Springs

Distance today Nil. Prep day

TOTALS: Distance 7560. Donations $10,025.09. Days remaining 29. Deserts: Sturt Stony, Strzelecki, Tirari, Pedirka, Gibson, Great Victorian, Little Sandy Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Tanami Desert Tracks: Birdsville Development Road, Birdsville Track, Oodnadatta Track, Red Centre Way, Great Central Road, Goldfields Highway, Wiluna North Road, Marble Bar Road, Great Northern Highway.

Note to new readers: I am travelling with my bike who’s name is Banjo. I often refer to ‘we’ meaning Banjo and I. ‘We’ have an amazing support team of family, friends, sponsors and folk we meet each day. But it’s still up to ‘us’ to face the challenge and tackle each day one peddle at a time.

It’s 5.30pm on Wednesday the 18 August 2021.

Hey ‘the10desertchallenge’ community. Congratulations everyone!!! We have raised $10,025.09.

I uploaded the $485 donations from the Tanami this afternoon. It was so special to see that milestone come up. Bless everyone supporting our challenge. Every dollar helps and collectively, we’re making a difference. Beyondblue says it beautifully, “Every donation helps and makes a significant impact to mental health in Australia so thank you for your generosity.”

So far we have traversed/crossed 9 of the 10 deserts in Australia.

On the Birdsville Track we crossed Sturt Stony, Strzelecki and Tirari deserts. On the Oodnadatta Track we traversed the Pedirka Desert. On the Great Central Highway we traversed the Gibson and Great Victorian Deserts. On Wiluna North and Marble Bar roads we traversed the Little Sandy Desert, and on the Tanami Road we have crossed the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts.

Our last desert is the Simpson. Originally I was going to attempt the Simpson via Mt Dare and the K1/Rig Road. This route crosses the NT/SA/QLD borders which is problematic with Covid restrictions. This means I need to reroute from NT direct into QLD via the Plenty Highway. The track is north of Alice Springs off the Stuart Highway. Once back into Qld, I’ll drop down through Channel Country into Birdsville via Boulia. We’ll cycle out into the Simpson and back into Birdsville to finish. My job tonight is to finalise the route and break down the kms so my family can start planning their trip out to meet us in Birdsville.

I picked up my parcel pack today and there were 2 letters, one from Dylan and one from Dawn. Tears of joy!!! I’m so blessed. 4 weeks until we’re together and on our own adventure my darlings 💕

Today’s been really productive getting ready for our next stage.

Banjos in for his service at a local bike shop, “The Ultimate Ride.” How awesome have this team been!! They have donated tubes and sealant as part of the service. The boy will soon be all good to go again.

I dropped off my phone to a local phone repair store. It’s in a drying machine overnight and a tech will see if it can be salvaged tomorrow. Here’s hoping. 🤞🏻 They’re not confident but we’re giving it every chance to retrieve the photos which are my main concern. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

We did our census online which is good to have that done ✔️

I then popped into Woolworths Alice Springs and spoke to the assistant manager, Pankaj. What a kind and generous man just like his mate, Vipul from Sandgate Woolworths back home. He donated a $50 store voucher to help cover the costs of supplies for the final stages.

Thank you mate!!! It was a pleasure to meet you and your team and I’ll see you tomorrow when I stock up.

I walked back home via the Todd River. Dira was telling me that you’re considered a local only when you’ve seen the Todd flow 3 times. Dira’s been here 5 years now and the Todd’s already flowed 3 times with the unusual seasons they’ve been having.

Dira’s a beautiful lady; full of heart and fun. It’s a real honour to get to know her more. She had never worked in a remote community before making a lifestyle change from Canberra to Alice. She said when she arrived, her boss advised “Go steady, listen deeply and tread lightly.” What wonderful advice, not just for work but life in general. I will remember these words!!!!

When Dira got home from work, she watered her plants and topped up the 70litre bucket she has for the local wildlife especially the roos and dingos. Last night I could hear the kangaroos coming down the hill to drink. She was telling me about ‘Mr Big;’ a red kangaroo who’s now quite relaxed around her. At first she thought it was a female until he stood up and scratched his jewels. She showed me a picture. He’s indeed a big handsome boy!!!

Time now to paw over some maps and call my partner with a rough idea of time frames and distances. Night and talk soon xx