Simpson Desert Bike Challenge

Last updated
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 2018 Rider 21.jpg
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge competitor
StatusActive
Location(s)Simpson Desert
Coordinates 25°02′48″S136°44′37″E / 25.0466°S 136.7435°E / -25.0466; 136.7435
CountryAustralia
Inaugurated1987
Most recent2024
Organized byDesert Challenge Inc.
Website desertchallenge.org
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - Fat Bikes are the best tool to tackle the sandy tracks SDBC 2017, day 3.jpg
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - Fat Bikes are the best tool to tackle the sandy tracks
SDBC 2018 - right after the start on day 1 SDBC 2018, Day 1.jpg
SDBC 2018 - right after the start on day 1

The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge (SDBC) is an annual staged mountain bike race held in the Simpson Desert of Australia. [1] [2] First held in 1987, the SDBC is run by the non-profit organisation Desert Challenge Inc [3] [4]

Contents

The SDBC covers between 500 and 600 kilometres and lasts five days. The times taken to finish each stage are aggregated to determine the overall winner. Although the course changes every year, the SDBC typically starts in South Australia and finishes in Birdsville, Queensland. The route takes riders and support crews through the largest parallel sand dune desert in the world. [5]

Riders of all ages and abilities are allowed to participate. For example, past competitors have included a cop, [6] a coffee shop owner, [7] and an IT manager. [8]

The SDBC is unofficially the world's longest-running mountain bike stage race. [9] According to several endurance event rating sites, the SDBC race is one of the world's toughest endurance events. [10] [11] [12]

There is no prize pool for the SDBC . [13] All proceeds are donated to charity. [1] Since 2008 the committee has donated the proceeds to the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) [14] [15] Money is raised for the RFDS through online fundraising of riders, a post-race auction, as well as donations collected during the event for (fun) fines. So far more than $312,000 have been raised by the organization, which is run by a group of volunteers and incorporated in South Australia as the non-for-profit organization Desert Challenge Inc. [16]

Race location and routes

The SDBC" [17] crosses the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park (proclaimed a national park on 26 November 2021, [18] [19] formerly Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Conservation Park and the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert Regional Reserve [20] ) a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland. [21] The course varies from year to year as several routes have been surveyed and developed. [22]

The SDBC it is basically a moving race village, comprising riders and their support crews, 4 wheel drive vehicles and event crew. [1]

The race routes traverse tracks that were constructed for oil exploration in the 1970s. [23] In wet conditions, track closures are common and the race may need to be diverted. [24]

Race concept and purpose

There are no settlements or service locations between the SDBC start and finish lines. As the event crosses protected conservation areas, it has to comply with a range of rules designed to protect the environment. [25] The SDBC follows a format in which riders are always travelling between a front and rear convoy.

Each day, riders complete a morning and afternoon stage. [26]

Due to the significant daily distances and the requirement for riders to arrive at night camp before dark, the SDBC has a minimum speed requirement. Riders must maintain a minimum average of 12 km (7.5 mi) per hour to stay ahead of the rear convoy – which is led by the sweep vehicle. If caught by the “sweep,” riders have to take a lift to the end of that stage. Riders are allowed to restart the next stage in the afternoon or the next morning.

All riders who complete every stage of the SDBC get the “100% SDBC medal.” The average percentage of riders winning the 100% medal is 36% – although there have been years where no rider completed the course (e.g. 2008 [27] ) as well as one year where no rider was swept at all (2016 [4] ).

Water stops are located approximately every 20 km (12 mi) and every rider has to stop and collect water. At the start and end of every stage, the weight of each rider is recorded to manage risks related to dehydration. Beyond water stops, riders must be self-sufficient. [28]

Medical teams are present at each water stop to monitor the physical and mental status of the riders.

[29] Support vehicles must travel in either the front convoy ahead of the riders or in the rear convoy behind the Sweep vehicle. Vehicles experiencing difficulties crossing dunes can expect prompt assistance. Regulations require each vehicle to have UHF radio and a high visibility safety flag. [30]

Event origins

Source

Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 2018, Day 5, Stage 9 - Riding on Big Red SDBC Day 5, Stage 9, riding on Big Red.jpg
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 2018, Day 5, Stage 9 - Riding on Big Red

In 1988, Jack and Mary Mullins organised and directed the first Simpson Desert Cycle Classic In 1988. The event raised money for the Paraquad Association.[ citation needed ]

The Mullins ran the SDBC until 1994, when Rod and Loz Townsend took it over. During those years an association with the Paraplegic Benefit Fund was created as a recipient charity. The Townsends managed the event until 2001.

In 2006 a management committee for the SDBC was elected. This committee established Desert Challenge Inc..[ citation needed ]

Race results

Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - Race Winners [31]
YearOverall Winners100% Finishers
1st Place2nd Place3rd PlaceNo. of riders who completed all race stages / overall no. of riders
2023Marc FoxBenjamin FallonMark Hartmann3/12
2022Peter GwynneJames TranterEckart Altenkamp & Malcolm Murray14/23
2021n/a (cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic)
2020n/a (cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic)
2019Rasmus AltenkampMichael LiebertChris Baillie5/15
2018Derek RaglessEckart AltenkampAurelia Strozik6/18
2017Eckart AltenkampGraham HancoxAdam Gowlett4/11
2016Justin MorrisJason MorrisonPeter Moore20/20
2015Paul SchroderPeter MooreOllie Klein10/20
2014Bruce WoodBill SomervilleMichael Chidgey9/20
2013Ronn SlusserLynton StrettonChris Baillie15/22
2012Alan Keenleside and Murray Rookn/aLynton Stretton7/17
2011Paul SchroderKen GlascoNeil Thies13/17
2010Ron WhiteheadSimon HonoreLynton Stretton12/24
2009Alan KeenlesideLynton StrettonJason Dreggs1/30
2008Lynton StrettonWarren QuinnHeinz von Holzen0/12
2007Bruce WoodAndrew KoopMatthias Axt2/17
2006Ed BourkeHeinz von HolzenJason Iwanow5/11
2005Jaap ViergeverAnthony BrattolliJohn Dermody6/24
2004Jaap ViergeverCraig PeacockLeon Fisher18/30
2003Adrian LaingKim ProctorCarl Barrow13/16
2002Leon FisherCarl BarrowTrevor Best3/22
2001Leon FisherEd BourkeIan Langstaff21/32
2000Jack OldfieldEd BourkeMichael Rueger4/54
1999Jack OldfieldEd BourkeBen Edols2/41
1998Jack OldfieldAlun HoggettLincoln Gore6/37
1997James AylmerBob SimpsonLeon Fisher2/44
1996Luke MahoneyDavid CossettiniRichard Millard22/43
1995Richard MillardDarren BensonMicheal Worden14/51
1994Robert EckelTom Landon-SmithNovak ThompsonUnknown / 31
1993Ian ThompsonDavid AustinMark BakerUnknown / 15
1992Ron VersteeghBrett LovellIan WrightUnknown / 52
1991Lenny Van BerkelRonald VersteeghIan WrightUnknown / 12
1990Peter WoodMal CummackKevin Piercy12/21
1989Ross MartinPeter BarnardJim SmithUnknown / 18
1988Greg MickleDanny MariottiRob BrayUnknown / 19
1987Peter HansonLeon FisherPhil McDonaldUnknown / 30

Event history

In the early years of the SDBC, riders used non-suspension mountain bikes with skinny tyres. They were forced to push their bikes over the sand dunes. The route usually ran along the Rig Road and Birdsville Track, now known as the “Classic Route”. [32]

After 2009, many competitors started uses fat bikes. With 4+ inch wide tyres, those bikes made it possible to ride on soft sand and cross even steep dunes without having to push. Today, the event is dominated by fat bikes. [33]

The advance in bike technology allowed SDBC organisers to choose different route options, including the French and WAA lines – which feature more challenging sand dunes than the classic route.

The climatic conditions in the desert vary from year to year. There have been extremely dry and hot years as well as wet years which did create an even more challenging set of circumstances for riders. [34] Due to flooding and well as bush fires, [35] there have also been years where the SDBC had to be held in alternative locations. In 2020, due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the SDBC was cancelled for the first time.

Simpson Desert Bike Challenge History - Year by Year [31]
YearDescription
1987Over Easter 1987, the inaugural SDBC took place. It was organised by Hans Tholstrup and sponsored by Caltex and Friends Provident Life insurance. The course ran along the French Line, which featured deep sand for much of its length - which forced the race to be shortened to six stages.

Thirty riders competed, including two women. The youngest riders were 13, riding BMX bikes; one of them finished all stages. The oldest participant was 73.

1988Flooding in the Simpson Desert forced the relocation of the SDBC.. The start was in Kulgera and the course took riders along back roads past Uluru [36] and finished at Kata Tjuta.

Twenty-three riders competed, Nineteen riders finished the course.

1989Eighteen riders competed.
1990Twenty-one riders competed. Twelve riders completed the entire 575 km (357 mi).
1991Eighteen riders competed.
1992Conditions were wet in the desert. Many vehicles got bogged down on the way to Purni Bore, the start location. One rider took his bike to cover the last 65 km (40 mi) to the start line due to his vehicle and crew being stuck in the mud. His support crew did only arrive at Purni Bore hours before the race started.

Stephan Vanderhee, #23, had several tyre punctures during the afternoon of day 3 until he ran out of spare tubes. That forced him to ride the final 30 km (19 mi) on his rims. That night, Vanderhee worked until 11 pm on his bike rims with steel wool and a file and appeared at the start line the next morning with a new tube and his original tyre still intact.

Twenty-one riders completed the entire 576 km (358 mi). Fifty-three riders competed, including five women.

1993Eighteen riders competed.
1994Thirty-one riders competed, including three women. Twenty-nine riders completed the entire course.
1995Fifty-one riders competed, including five women. Fifteen riders completed the entire course of 581 km.
1996Forty-three riders competed, including five women. Twenty-two riders completed the entire course of 681 km (423 mi)
1997The temperature reached 45 Degree Celsius on two days and the Rig Road had thick dust on the dunes. The front convoy bogged down on one dune and were overtaken by the riders.

Forty-five riders competed, including five women. Two of the women riders were Japanese\. Of the men, two were Japanese, one was Canadian (who fell and broke his shoulder on the first day) and one was British. Also participating was a blind rider, Chad Towns, who followed his son on a bike with “clickers” on the spokes plus a friend following him. A “Mr. Bean” participated in his white business shirt, long army shorts, black shoes and white socks. He inspired the SDBC Mr. Bean Award. Two riders completed the entire course of 585 km (364 mi).

1998Bob and Jayne Simpson rode a tandem bicycle. [37]

Thirty-seven riders competed, including three women. Six riders completed the entire course of 581 km (361 mi).

1999Course: Rig Road + Outside track.

The conditions were hot with significant sand drifts on top of many dunes. On day 2, only two riders got past the 40 km (25 mi) mark (Jack Oldfield and Ed Bourke). Both riders arrived at the lunch stop just before the sweep vehicle. Many vehicles got bogged down on the dunes. On day 4, a shower created muddy conditions. Bicycle wheels got jammed with heavy mud, forcing cyclists to manually remove mud from their bikes every few minutes. Some racers carried the bikes on their shoulders. The race route had to be diverted from the inner to the outer Birdsville track.

Forty-one riders competed, including six women. Two riders completed the entire course of 587 km (365 mi).

2000Course: Rig Road, K1 with the convoy to Big Red via QAA Line, then out and back on Inside track.

The conditions were hot and dry. On day 3, due to water in the Warburton Crossing, the riders went up the K1 line. Day 4 saw a transport stage across the QAA line to Big Red - instead of riding. The dunes on the QAA line were too steep and sandy (for non-fat bikes). The race did finish off with an out-and-back stage on the Birdsville Inside Track on the last day.

Fifty-four riders competed, including two women. Four riders completed the shorten 457 km (284 mi) course. Jack Oldfield won, his third win in a row.

2001Course: Classic Route; Rig Road and Inside track

Conditions were cool, with overnight lows of 1 degree Celsius. There was relatively little soft sand. On the afternoon of day 4 riders traversed massive cracks in the claypan on the Goyder Lagoon. One rider, Graham Butt, broke the seat on his bicycle during one of the stages He cycled the next 65 km (40 mi) standing up and eventually won a 100% medal.

Thirty-two riders competed, including two women. Twenty-one riders completed the entire 592 km (368 mi) course.

2002Course: Classic Route; Rig Road and Inside track

Conditions were dry with warm temperatures. However, on the morning of day 2, sandy conditions hindered many riders. riders. The Sweep collected all but four of the 22 competitors.

Twenty-two riders competed, including one woman. Three riders completed the entire distance of 593 km (368 mi)

2003Course: Rig Road + Outside track. Race Distance was (only) 519 km (322 mi) due to shortened day 2.

Conditions were relatively cool with very little soft sand.. On day 1, there was heavy rainfall on the course. The next morning, the riders were transported to the “Lone Gum”, where the race resumed.

Sixteen riders competed, including two women. Thirteen riders completed the entire 519 km (322 mi).

2004Course: Rig Road + Inside track. Race Distance was 510 km (320 mi) due to shortened day 2, 3 & 4.

Conditions were cool and the track was firm due to previous rain. However, rain started on day and continued into day 3, causing very muddy and slippery conditions.

Thirty riders competed, including one woman. Eighteen riders completed the entire race.

2005Course: Rig Road + Inside track

Conditions were dry and hot . However, headwind picked up on the morning of day 2 which left only 8 riders completing that very stage... with another 2 of these riders failing to get through the afternoon section. From there onwards, good conditions did allow most of the field to get through the remaining days.

Twenty-four riders competed, including two women. Six riders completed the entire 587 km (365 mi)

2006Course: Rig Road + Inside track

Eleven riders competed, including one woman. Five riders achieved 100%. Several participants cancelled, including an Army contingent deployed to Afghanistan and the Air Force contingent deployed to Malaysia.

2007Course: Rig Road + Inside track

The conditions were dry and hot conditions. Large amounts of sand lay across the track.

17 riders competed, including two women, Two riders achieved 100% of 592 km (368 mi)

2008Winds between 40 and 50 knots and temperatures up to 44 degrees Celsius created very difficult race conditions. [34]

Twelve riders competed, none achieved 100%

2009Course: Rig Road, K1 Line, QAA Line

Thirty riders competed, including three women. One rider achieved 100% of 489 km (304 mi). Alan Keenleside was the first rider to appear on a fat bike.

Over $22,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors.

2010Ongoing rains soaked the low-lying areas of the Simpson. The organisers chose an Out-and-back route in the Great Victoria Desert. The riders traveled along the Anne Beadell Highway from west of Coober Pedy (Mabel Creek Station) to Anne's Corner and back.

Twenty-four riders competed, including three women. Twelve riders achieved 100% of 587 km (365 mi). First year in which several competitors use fat tyre bikes. Due to the wet conditions, the sand was firm. The fat bikes did not get a real opportunity to demonstrate their advantages on soft ground.

Achieved $14,823.90 for the RFDS.

2011SDBC was diverted due to bush fires. The organizers choose northern loop starting at Oodnadatta, via Eringa to Charlotte Waters and return via Mt Dare and Dalhousie Springs. The last stage on day 5 was a circuit loop on 4WD tracks around Oodnadatta. The Pink Roadhouse was the final location.

Seventeen riders competed, 13 riders achieved 100% of 466 km (290 mi) Fat bikes made up half of the field.

2012Course: Rig Road, K1 Line, QAA Line

Conditions in the Simpson Desert were somewhat wet. The oldest rider was Lou McLaren (#16) - at 74 years of age the oldest participant yet.

Sixteen riders competed (11 with fat bikes), including one woman. Seven riders achieved 100% of 572 km (355 mi)

$38,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

2013Course: Rig Road, K1 Line, QAA Line

Race director Greg Roger missed the race. The experienced 4x rider and head of the medical team Leon Malzinskas were selected to replace him.

Twenty-two riders completed, including two women; fifteen riders achieved 100% of 532 km (331 mi)

2014Course: Rig Road, K1 Line, QAA Line

On the afternoon of day 1, half the field was swept. Under normal conditions, stage 2 is a relatively easy run, but a headwind stopped many riders.

Twenty riders competed, including two women; nine riders achieved 100% of 587 km (365 mi)

2015Course: French & QAA Line

SDBC returned to the French Line Due to relatively "easy" weather conditions (cool weather each morning, low winds, firm tracks), the front riders were consistently faster than the vehicles. The convoy heading into the desert first got quickly under the pressure of being overtaken by the bikes - which caused the organisers to delay the start of the cyclists by 1/2 hour.

The 2015 field featured one rider in a traditional 26" bike and one on a 29 inch MTB tyres - the rest of the field was made up of fat bikes running on 4+ inch wide tyres.

Twenty riders competed, ten achieved 100% of 488 km (303 mi).

2016Course: French & QAA Line

Moist conditions caused the tracks to be very firm and fast. Around Poeppel's Corner, the course had to be diverted due to water in the (normally dry salt) lakes. The first year ever where no rider was swept.

$35,000 raised for the RFDS.

2017Course: Classic Route (Rig Road, Warburton Crossing, Inside Birdsville Track)

The first two days brought record high temperatures (49 Degree Celsius at lunch on day 2 with zero wind. A storm on day 3 brought a very cool change and rain – turning the clay pans sticky and forcing some riders to carry their bikes. The Birdsville Inside Track was so buggy that the riders had to travel the long loop to Birdsville on the Outside instead.

Dr. Mal returned to the event for a record 15th time (this time again as a head medic)

Eleven riders completed, four riders achieved 100% of 593 km (368 mi).

$26,000 for the RFDS.

2018Course: WAA Line, Rig Road, K1 & QAA Line

Fort the first time, the course went along the WAA line, running between French Line and Rig Road. The race featured the longest daily distance in SDBC history: 144.5 km (89.8 mi) on day 2.

Half the field was swept on the afternoon of day 1 and many vehicles - including the sweep – got seriously bogged.

As a result, several riders - instead of being swept - did ride into the evening and arrived at night camp in complete darkness. Several riders who were swept did not arrive at camp until midnight.

Eighteen riders competed, including three women and five members of the Australian Army. Six riders achieved 100% of 540 km (340 mi). Aurelia Strozik rode to 3rd place, the first woman to place on the podium of the SDBC.

$40,000 for the RFDS.

2019Course: QAA line, the French line

First SDBC running from East to West, starting in Birdsville, Queensland and finishing at Mt Dare Hotel in South Australia. The race started in Birdsville with a prologue stage, then heading west towards the sunset. The race also featured a first-ever single 100 km (62 mi) stage (day 4).

Riders faced steep and soft dunes. Only 30% of riders completed the route. It was the afternoon stage of day 3 which did the damage: The combination of fatigue, extreme heat and soft sand challenged all competitors with only a few managing to stay ahead of the sweep.

Fifteen riders competed, including two 2 women. Five riders achieved 100% of 499.6 km (310.4 mi). Rasmus Altenkamp, age 22, was the youngest champion in SDBC history

2020SDBC cancelled because state borders were closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2021SDBC cancelled because state borders were closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakar Rally</span> Off-road rally raid

The Dakar Rally or simply "The Dakar", formerly known as the "Paris–Dakar Rally", is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. Security threats in Mauritania led to the cancellation of the 2008 rally, and events from 2009 to 2019 were held in South America. Since 2020, the rally has been held in Saudi Arabia. The event is open to amateur and professional entries, professionals typically making up about eighty percent of the participants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simpson Desert</span> Desert in Central Australia

The Simpson Desert is a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland in central Australia. It is the fourth-largest Australian desert, with an area of 176,500 km2 (68,100 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munga-Thirri National Park</span> Protected area in Queensland, Australia

Munga-Thirri National Park, formerly known as the Simpson Desert National Park, is the largest national park in Queensland, Australia, 1,495 km west of Brisbane. The park covers an area of 10,120 square kilometres (3,910 sq mi) in the Simpson Desert surrounding Poeppel Corner in the west of the locality of Birdsville in the Central West region of Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tour Down Under</span> Australian multi-day road cycling race

The Tour Down Under is a cycling race in and around Adelaide, South Australia. It is traditionally the opening event of the UCI World Tour and UCI Women’s WorldTour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Off-roading</span> Activity of driving on unsurfaced roads or tracks

Off-roading is the act of driving or riding in a vehicle on unpaved surfaces such as sand, dirt, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, or other natural terrain. Off-roading ranges from casual drives with regular vehicles to competitive events with customized vehicles and skilled drivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain bike racing</span> Competitive cycle sport discipline

Mountain bike racing is the competitive cycle sport discipline of mountain biking held on off-road terrain. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recognised the discipline relatively late in 1990, when it sanctioned the world championships in Durango, Colorado. The first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series took place in 1988. Its nine-race circuit covered two continents—Europe and North America—and was sponsored by Grundig. Cross-country racing was the only World Cup sport at this time. In 1993, a six-event downhill World Cup was introduced. In 1996, cross-country mountain biking events were added to the Olympic Games. In 2006, cross-country mountain biking events became part of the World Deaf Cycling Championships for the first time in San Francisco, USA.

The Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve was a protected area located in the Australian state of South Australia within the gazetted locality of Simpson Desert. The regional reserve's name was altered on 2 August 2018 by the Government of South Australia. The regional reserve was classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park</span> Protected area in South Australia

Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park, part of which was formerly Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Conservation Park, Simpson Desert Conservation Park, and Simpson Desert National Park, is a protected area located in the far north of the Australian state of South Australia, near its border with Queensland and the Northern Territory. As of November 2021 it is the largest national park in Australia, covering 3,600,000 ha (14,000 sq mi).

Marathon mountain bike races, often referred to as cross-country marathon (XCM), are a very demanding form of mountain bike racing covering at least 40 kilometres usually in mountainous terrain. Events held in Europe are typically just a little longer than the average cross country mountain bike race. Marathon events in the USA and Canada are typically longer than 100 kilometres and are very different from cross country races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rally raid</span> A type of long-distance, multi-day, off-road racing

Rally raid is a type of off-road motorsport event competed with different types of vehicles. Along with shorter baja rallies, rally raid constitutes cross-country rallying. Both the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) co-organise a common World Rally-Raid Championship featuring the same events and types of vehicles.

Gopher Dunes, located in Courtland, Ontario is one of Canada’s leading off-road parks, renowned for its expansive trails, sand tracks, and competitive racing events. Since its founding in the 1980s, the park has become a cornerstone of the Canadian motocross community, drawing riders from across the country. Its reputation for hosting national motocross competitions, including the Triple Crown Series, has solidified its place as a premier off-road destination.

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is a 3,083.8 mi (4,962.9 km), off-road bicycle touring route between Jasper, Alberta, Canada and Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA. Completed in 1997, the GDMBR was developed by Adventure Cycling Association, who continue to maintain highly detailed route maps and a guidebook.

Ryan "Hedgie" Nicholas Sandes is a South African trail runner. In 2010 he became the first competitor to have won all four of the 4 Deserts races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Price</span> Australian motorcycle racer

Toby Joseph Price OAM is an Australian off-road and enduro motorcycle racing world champion. He lives in Gold Coast, Queensland, and rode for the KTM Off-Road Racing Team until October 2015. He now represents the Red Bull Factory KTM Rally Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simpson Desert Important Bird Area</span> Important Bird Area in Queensland, Australia

The Simpson Desert Important Bird Area comprises some 22,848 km2 of land within the Simpson Desert in south-western Queensland and north-eastern South Australia. It consists of five large contiguous reserves subject to little grazing pressure and good habitat management that are either known, or likely, to provide suitable habitat for Eyrean grasswrens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain biking in Australia</span>

Mountain biking in Australia is a mix of dedicated mountain bike parks, ski resorts with mountain bike facilities, and other parks that have become popular with mountain bikers despite lacking dedicated facilities. The peak body for the sport is Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA).

Merzouga Rally is a rally raid that takes place in Morocco every year since 2010 at the beginning of October in the big dunes of Merzouga. It’s a five-day race plus prologue and a marathon stage in the desert. The stages are varied and around 200–300 km long. Navigation is the key and the competitors use the GPS Unik2, the same used on the Dakar Rally. Safety is important as well with the competitors using the Iritrack, the tracking system studied for the African rallies. Plus a professional medical staff with 4x4 ambulances and doctors on bike and quad along the track and heli-ambulance service. To meet the needs of the professional riders but also the necessities of amateurs, the Merzouga Rally features the division of the route in 2 categories: PRO: open to pro riders and those competitors ready for an ultimate challenge EXPERT: a technical and navigated route but less extreme stages as the Expert riders will cover the 75% of the complete route of the Pro riders. The Merzouga Raid: Ideal for those who face the desert for the first time. At their own pace, riding on the same route of the rally in small groups with an expert guide. The vehicles will be equipped with world track, the satellite system that allow to follow the vehicles on track in real time.. Merzouga Rally took originally place in October and then was organized in April: the 2020 edition was originally planned on May, although it was finally cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers postponed it until its next edition on 2021, which it never took place.

The definition of ultra-distance cycling is far more vague than in ultra running or in ultra-triathlon. Any bike race or ride longer than a century ride, which is 100 miles (160 km), is sometimes considered to be ultra-distance cycling. However, such events are relatively common, so using a longer distance to define the category is more useful, such as any race or ride that is longer than 200 kilometres (120 mi), 300 kilometres (190 mi) or even a double century, 200 miles (320 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simpson Desert, South Australia</span> Suburb of Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia

Simpson Desert is a locality in the Australian state of South Australia located about 920 kilometres north of the capital city of Adelaide and which is located within the desert of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Dakar Rally</span> 42nd edition of the Dakar Rally, held in Saudi Arabia

The 2020 Dakar Rally was the 42nd edition of the event and the first edition held in Saudi Arabia. The event started in Jeddah on 5 January and finished in Al-Qiddiya on 17 January after 12 stages of the competition.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - MTB Stage - as listed in StageRaces.com". StageRaces.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  2. Freewheeling Magazine, No. 43, Page 44-46 (1 July 1987). "Article "Desert Challenge - Fat Tyre Competition"" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. "Joe Breeze". Marin Museum of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  4. 1 2 "2016 Race Report – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  5. "Mountain Bike Australia" . Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  6. "QPS Sgt Frank Falappi To Tackle The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge For Charity". True Blue Line. 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  7. "Flying doc sundowner". Broome Advertiser. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  8. Gainsford, Jim (2017-10-24). "Photos | "Risk averse" Gymea father-of-four cycles 600km across the Simpson Desert". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  9. "Justin Morris wins Simpson Desert Bike Challenge". MarathonMTB.com. 2016-10-02. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  10. "12 of the world's most hardcore endurance races". Matador Network. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  11. E, S. T. a M. I. N. a D. (2018-08-15). "Top 6 Most Extreme Endurance Tests in the World". Staminade. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  12. "3. Simpson Desert Bike Challenge, Australia | 6 Of The Toughest Mountain Bike Endurance Races On The Planet - Page 4 of 7". Mpora. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  13. "The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 1999". Epic Rides. 1999-10-22. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  14. "Fundraising – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  15. "Simpson Desert Bike Challenge | Royal Flying Doctor Service". www.flyingdoctor.org.au. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  16. "About Us – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  17. Williamson, Brett (2014-04-11). "Racing across the Simpson Desert on a mountain bike". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  18. Speirs, David (26 November 2021). "SA now home to Australia's biggest national park". Premier of South Australia . Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  19. Gooch, Declan (26 November 2021). "Australia's biggest national park declared in South Australia's far north". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  20. "New name for the Simpson Desert". www.environment.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  21. "Simpson Desert". northernterritory.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  22. Alan, Keenleside (5 May 2015). "Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - Survey 2015 - The French Line". YouTube .
  23. corporateName=MER; contact=8226 3821; address=Level 4, 11 Waymouth Street. "Metadata.custom". energymining.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-10-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. "No Way In Hell: The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge". Flow Mountain Bike. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  25. South Australia, National Parks (2019). "Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve Management Plan 2019" (PDF).
  26. "INTRODUCTION – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  27. "2008 Results – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  28. "FAQS – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  29. "Unsealed 4X4 | CROSSING THE SIMPSON DESERT... WITH A TWIST". Unsealed 4X4. 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  30. "vehicle setup – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  31. 1 2 "Race Report – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  32. Australian, Cyclist Magazine (1 February 1995). "Article: "Five Days in Hell - On the Simpson Desert Cycle Classic"". Australian Cyclist. February–March 1995: 22–25.
  33. "Simpson Desert Bike Challenge- Mtbr.com". forums.mtbr.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  34. 1 2 Lee, Nicole (2008-10-10). "Desert defeats cyclists". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  35. "No Way In Hell: The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge". Flow Mountain Bike. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  36. Parks, Australia (13 November 2020). "Ayers Rock or Uluru?". parksaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  37. "Three Simpsons: Two Up – Simpson Desert Bike Challenge" . Retrieved 2020-11-14.