"Every Second Counts"
I have learned
that
it's very easy, on a very long multi-day endurance ride,
to lose time fiddling around on breaks, stopping to add or remove
clothing, chatting, stopping at a seductive ice-cream shop or bakery,
etc. I have also learned that, in remote areas, a lost hour on one
day can mean a lost day shortly thereafter because of a failure to reach
a resupply point before it closes. For this attempt, I will live
by the mantra "every second counts" in an effort not to lose those key
hours.
The Record
All
of my research about the record was done via the internet. As far
as I can ascertain, there is no "official" record or route for riding
round Australia solo and unsupported. However, there appears to
have been supported races around Australia in 1999 and 2000 where
the Canadian endurance cyclist, Perry Stone, set a record of 41.02
days for a 14,200km circuit.
Perry returned to set a record of 57.4 days for a solo unsupported
14,321km ride around Australia in January 2003, an average of
249.5km per day (see
www.spokepost.com/news/?articleID=99&catViewAll=10 ).
In
September 2004, Eugen Schilter improved on Perry’s record by
completing his 14,430km circumnavigation in 55.7 days an average of
259.1km per day (see
www.aa56.org/Default.aspx?tabid=26 ).
Eugen later offered a prize of A$15,000 to anyone who could break
his record. I made an
attempt in 2007, but abandoned it shortly before reaching
half-way when I tore a quadriceps muscle badly enough that I could
only ride with one leg.
Against my better judgment, I decided to make another
attempt on the record in May 2008. However, in the
meantime, Erik Straarup, a Dane, announced he was also going to make
an attempt on Eugen's record and set out in March 2008 from Perth.
Erik had failed in an attempt on the then record in 2002 when he
withdrew after 6,700km.
Shortly after I set out in May 2008,
Erik successfully
completed his record attempt, finishing his circumnavigation in
51 days and 47 minutes (51.03 days), and covered 14.611 km, an
average of 286.3km per day. In addition to passing through the
key points specified by Eugen as a requirement for claiming the
prize, Erik added distance by following the coastline around the
Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and following the South Gippsland
Highway in Victoria. Erik claimed the prize which, I believe,
was donated to the Red Cross in Denmark and Australia. Erik
has since set up a
website to document record attempts and modified Eugen's rules
for a claim on the record to take account of the longer course he
rode. Erik's rules for a successful record attempt can be
found here.
In my 2008
attempt, I planned to
follow Erik's longer route as well as adding
some additional distance by following Highway 1 north through Cairns
in Queensland and travelling via Cape Crawford in the Northern
Territory. Unfortunately, my quest came to an end when I was
hit by a van while riding at night just north of Perth, Western
Australia, after completing 8,880km in 31 days.
I vowed after
the 2008 attempt that I would not try again, but it sits like
"unfinished business" in my mind and I decided to make another
attempt, which will definitely be my last, in 2009. This time
I will follow the same route as intended last time with a small
extension up to Mossman, north of Cairns. The philosophy for
the route is to follow the bitumen (sealed) road as close to the
coast as possible without making silly detours or travelling
out-and-back. Using Google
Maps, I calculate the distance to be 14,955km and I will set out
with the intention of completing the ride in 50 days, and average of
299.1km per day. You can see the intended route
here. Essentially, I will adhere to
the requirements specified by Eugen for a successful record attempt,
but travel a longer route.
I'm not at
all confident that I will be successful in setting a new record.
In fact I rate my chances as being about 1 in 5. I already
have a chronic right knee problem which may limit my cycling
capacity and, at age 58, my powers of physical recovery are not what
they once were. Success will depend on remaining healthy,
avoiding injury, having no serious mechanical issues, encountering
reasonable weather, avoiding accidents, and being fortunate enough
to have loved ones remain healthy at home.
I have
resolved to complete the circumnavigation this time, even if I fall
well behind record schedule, unless I encounter a real show-stopper.
Although the theory is to ride
300km per day, the location of, and
distance between, settlements means that there will be significant
variation in the daily distances travelled. From previous
experience, I know that such schedules are only a guide and didn’t
intend to stick to the schedule religiously. Although I will
carry a bivvy sack, my preference is to reach somewhere each night
where I can get a room, have a shower, and buy food for the next
day.
Bike
I will
be riding the same
2007 Specialized TriCross Expert that I used for the 2008 attempt.
It is of robust construction, designed for cyclocross racing, with an alloy frame and carbon fibre forks and seat post.
The alloy
frame allows me to fix a rear rack to the frame and the carbon fibre
components incorporate vibration dampening inserts. Vibration
will be one of my biggest problems because it can lead to various
hand, arm and shoulder problems.
I have modified the bike by installing
-
a new Selle Italia Max
Flite Gel Flow saddle (the same that I used last time).
-
the Velocity AeroHead rims I used last time. The front wheel has a
Schmidt Dynamo Hub which provides power for two front lights with
minimal drag (advertised as the equivalent of climbing 6ft in a
mile).
-
Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres
(700X25C on the front and 700X28C on the back).
-
a rear rack
with an easy-release Topeak rack bag.
-
a small
front Topeak rack bag.
-
two large
1.25 litre bottle cages.
-
Shimano -
PD-A520 - SPD Clipless Touring Road Bike Pedals.
I’m
not much of a bike mechanic, but will take some basic bike repair
documentation in addition to three spare tubes, a spare tyre, spare
spokes, a puncture repair kit, spare chain links, spare chain. cable ties, wire
and a small tool kit.
I
will also mail ahead spare Schwalbe tyres to somewhere on the west
coast in
case I need to change them over. If I don’t, I will mail them ahead
to another point on the route.
Lighting &
Visibility
Because I will be travelling a lot at night on unlit outback roads,
I need to have good lighting so will have three front lights,
two driven by the hub dynamo and one (flashing) headlamp, and three
flashing red tail-lights along with a very large reflector. I
have bought from the US a running belt, incorporating a flashing
blue strobe light, that I will tie around my rear carrier. I will
carry a small store of batteries as spares. I will have a
large reflective patch on the back of my backpack and will wear
flouro yellow vests and a fluoro yellow rainjacket.
Entertainment
I
will have a
Sangean DT-400 AM/FM radio (I love listening to the local
country radio stations and am a current affairs addict) with me
along with an iPod Nano with the 200 greatest songs of all
time.
Communications
Equipment
I will have a handsfree
headset for use with my mobile phone (it gets very tiring riding
one-handed during long phone calls), a
Dell Mini 9 notebook
computer (less than 1kg) and a Next G Wireless modem along with
an aerial that works with both my mobile phone and my wireless
modem. I will carry a
TrackStick II, a GPS logging device, with which I plan to record
and upload my daily route to this website. The file, and hence my
route, can then be viewed via
Google Earth in various modes, including fly-through, if your
computer has the capability.
A number of people suggested during my
last attempts that the time spent maintaining the on-line diary was
risking the attempt as a whole, especially when I was very short of
sleep. However, for me it was part of the adventure and I still have
hopes to one day write about my experiences. I also gained inspiration
and motivation from the many supporting e-mails I received during the
trip as a result of the diary, even though I rarely had the time to
extend the courtesy of a reply.
Timing
I want to avoid the heat and humidity of the north as much as
possible, and also to complete my trip between school
vacations, thus avoiding the associated traffic and accommodation squeeze.
I originally intended to set out in May, but changed my plans when a
chronic knee injury was hampering my training rides. I have
rescheduled for a late July departure in the hope that the knee has
improved.
The advantages to a late
July departure are more stable weather conditions in the north of
the continent and longer daylight hours.
I
will be travelling anti-clockwise, having researched prevailing winds, daylight hours and temperature
ranges on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Given that most of the trip will be in winter with
shorter daylight hours, this means planning for night-time riding
and cold temperatures, with wet weather in the south. I don’t mind
riding at night, especially in the outback, providing I have good
lighting, but do not enjoy the cold and rain so have some quality
adverse weather gear with me.
Daily Schedule
I learned from my previous attempts that a very early start works
best, especially in areas where shops are few and far between.
My goal will be to rise at midnight and be on the road by 1:00am
each day (for very long scheduled days, I may get up earlier). By starting at that time, I can reach the day's objective by
mid to late afternoon, even if I encounter delays, and buy supplies for the next day's
travel before shops close. In the warmer latitudes, riding at
night can be pleasantly cool. Traffic is lighter too. I will
average 15 hours riding a day which will include 15 minute breaks
every 40 or 50km and longer 30 minute breaks one or two times a
day. I tend to choose break spots according to where there is a
good place to stop, i.e., a town, picnic area, etc.
Accommodation
To
keep my equipment to a minimum I will be “credit carding” the trip,
riding from settlement to settlement, staying in a mix of motels,
hotels, cabins and lodges, and only carrying an old one-man tube
tent, without poles and pegs (to save weight and time), which I can
used for shelter in case I need sleep somewhere with no accommodation.
Food
I do
not want to carry much food so will be relying on what I can find
along the way. Being well-known for my propensity to eat junk food
and having tested this as a diet on previous trips, I am reasonably
confident I can manage.
I
plan to carry only as much food as I need to get me to the next
re-supply point with maybe some “snakes” as an emergency food
supply.
Drink
I
can carry 3.25 litres of fluid in the bottle cages on my bike to add
to the 3 litre Camelbak pack I will be wearing. If I know I need to
travel for a whole day in warm conditions, I will add two or three
1.25 litre bottles to my backpack load. This will make for a heavy
pack (the laptop will already be in there) but by using the fluid in
the backpack first, the load will be lightened relatively quickly.
I tend to only carry as much fluid as I think I will need for the
day
Clothing
I plan to carry four pairs of high-quality cycling knicks and two tops, with the
plan to wash the things I wear every few days. I will
wear two pairs of cycling knicks at a time to reduce the chance of
saddle sores. Additionally I will have a
lightweight pair of shorts, underwear, a T-Shirt and thongs
(sandals) for when I’m not riding. For colder conditions I will
also have a waterproof jacket, warm thermal jersey, a thermal
beanie, a Goretex helmet cover, long Goretex riding pants, waterproof Goretex gloves and socks, and waterproof overshoes.
Pharmaceutical
I
will carry plenty of Vaseline and lanolin and use it liberally each day. At
night I have found applying some antiseptic cream to chafed spots
has aided recovery and avoided nastier problems. Windburn and
sunburn will be addressed with lip salve and suncream, and I’ll
include some Nurofen and Voltaren to deal with any significant pain issues. I
tried No Doz caffeine tablets on previous trips when I got very
tired, but didn't find they made any difference to my fatigue.
A steady intake of caffeinated drinks (colas and iced coffee) seemed
to serve me better. I
will stick to my daily multivitamins and Glucosamine intake.
Training
I
don’t think it is really feasible to train specifically for this
kind of challenge. Riding 300km a day on familiar courses would
drive me nuts, as well as being very time-consuming. I am really
trusting my body will adapt as the trip progresses and that the
challenge will tap the resources and willpower necessary for
success.
I try to get in one or two 200+km rides each week.
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