The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge
It's been called "Satan's Velodrome" and for many competitors it has certainly been hell. And yet they return, again and again, from throughout Australia and around the world, for those five days of the year when this unique location plays host to this extraordinary cycling event.
Race Overview
On 27th September 2010, competitors, support crew and officials will gather at Purnie Bore, South Australia, on the western edge of the Simpson Desert for the 23rd Annual Bike Challenge.
At 6am on Tuesday 28th September the first of nine stages will commence. The riders will surge off into the heart of the Simpson Desert along the 'Rig Road'. This narrow clay capped track was originally constructed to facilitate oil exploration in the 60s, but it is fast deteriorating as time, weather and 4WD traffic takes its toll.
The first 4 days have an 80km morning stage followed by a 50km afternoon stage. The final 80km stage on day 5 ends outside a classic Aussie icon - the Birdsville Hotel in the tiny outback town of Birdsville in Queensland.
The total distance of around 590 km takes in some 700 sand dunes, salt lakes, vast cattle stations, gibber plains and even a potential creek crossing. The course is weather dependent and subject to alteration.
For more race details Click Here
Online Entry and Race Dates
Race Dates for 2010
28th Sept to 2nd October
Latest News
Entries Open for 2010
Its only the 4th February and we already have 16 entries. The 2010 event is nearly half full already. Register now and share in this truely inspiration event.
Forum Now Online
Visit our forum to discuss issues relating to the event. Training, Gear or anything related to the event that you want to discuss.
Subscribe to our Mailing List
You can easily add or remove yourself from out mailing list using this form.
2009 Race Report and Photos
Get all the info on the gruelling 2009 Race. Photos, Results, Stories. CLICK HERE
Need a Support Crew?
We have a network of crews who can support you to make your desert adventure possible.
Become a Member
Become a Desert Challenge member and support the Desert Challenge organisation for just $20 per annum. You become eligible to stand for commitee positions and can vote for election of committee members. You also get access to the members area of the website which contains committee minutes, documentation, a forum and lots of extra information.
Join up online Now. CLICK HERE
That magic 100%
Most riders go out to the desert with the goal of achieving 100% of the course. The track is littered with shattered dreams.
Check out the stats on who and how many have made the 100% throughout the history of the race.
Race History and Photographs
We would like to fill in some gaps of our race history for this website. If you have photos and stories from previous events we would be pleased to hear from you.
Years of particular interest are: 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
Our fundraising efforts go to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service provides critical aeromedical emergency and health care services across Australia, assisting more than 250,000 patients each year. Whilst assisted by Government, the RFDS relies on public support to purchase new aircraft - at a cost of $6 million each. Voted Australia's Most Trusted Charity.
SPONSOR A RIDER
Click here to donate to a riders page.
You can leave a message of support and you will be immediately receipted.
FUNDRAISE ONLINE FOR RFDS
Create an online page for RFDS.
Email the page to your friends and get sponsored. There is no cash collection and every donation is immediately receipted.
Become a Volunteer
Because we are a non-profit organisation we value our volunteers highly. Become involved and enjoy the cameraderie and satisfaction of participating in this event as an official. Having your own 4wd is highly desireable as are medical skills, bush & 4wd skills and enthusiasm.
Click Here to find out more and register your expression of interest.
Riders' Comments
I kept on riding and when the boxing kangaroo flag came into view my spirits lifted. As I crossed the finish line Mark Polley and Donna congratulated me and Cassandra who I did not know proceeded to give me food and fluids.
I did not know this person but her caring nature was quite overwhelming. It was at this point that I realised that the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge was more than just riding a bike. I considered it was about a whole range of truly positive experiences with people in a unique environment. As I looked around with the sun setting I noticed the beautiful colours of the sand on the horizon. What a sight. What an experience. I not only felt truly tired but I felt truly alive.
Mark Dalton 2009 (comments from Day 3)
Full Story in PDF format CLICK HERE
Thank you for an amazing event. I have been lucky enough to be involved in a lot of racing events over several sports but this one takes the cake for sure. The committee and officials do a wonderful job and can't be praised enough.
For me it was a tough event both mentally and physically but one that has made me tougher on both fronts, the hills are already seeming a little easier. The sportsmanship and camaraderie was unbelievable and a pleasure to experience. On so many occasions when ready to give up there was someone there willing to help you through. There were many times (ok hundreds) where I said I was never coming back but riding over the line in Birdsville changed things quickly.
So with this I'll be back next year.....
Thanks again for a fantastic Challenge
Rick Neale #11 (2007)
I’ve been following this event for several years now thinking what a great challenge & when I finally entered in 2007 found it better than all expectations & some. I knew the riding would be tough & unpredictable, but what I was most impressed about was the professionalism & logistics of the whole show.
As far as I know there wasn’t a hitch with water stops, medical, sweeping riders & all the other things that go on behind the scenes when I was out riding or in bed. I know there is a whole crew of people that make this all possible & I personally thank them very much. In an event like this the buck stops with the race directors & you guys ran the most outstanding, best professional & fun event that I ever been involved with.
Keep up the excellent work & I hope to be there next year.
Mick Harvey. #10 (2007)
Team Axxis Cowboys.
In February of this year I made the decision to enter the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge. (a silly idea I know… but something that I've wanted to do since I first read about it in 1988)
I then had 8 months of on and (mostly) off, very sporadic "training" and suddenly I was standing at the start line at Purnie Bore on the western side of the Simpson Desert. What followed was far beyond anything that I could ever have imagined.
If someone had told me heading into this that some of the dunes were 17 meters high (days 2 and 3), that there would be a 100kph sandstorm/headwind (day 4), that the same day would hit a blistering 52degrees, and that the "average" riding temperature would be 38+ degrees...
I'd never have gone.
But now that I did... I'm heading back in 2009.
The level of friendship and comraderie that this events brings out in the riders, support crews and officials is amazing. (well... all the officials except Grim... grrrrrrrr)
See you all in 2009.
Wayne Chapman #12 (2008)