Race Director's Report - 2011 
This is the thirteenth year that I have been involved with this event and the desert still manages to surprise me. How such an amazingly fragile environment can endure such dramatic natural disasters is a testament to the plants and wildlife that live there.
It’s hard to believe that the Warburton crossing has been closed by flooding for three years. In 2009 the event was subjected to gale force winds and dust storms then in 2010 we couldn’t even get near the desert after record rainfalls caused massive flooding.
Now when everything was finally looking good, thunderstorms sparked scrub fires, closing the desert days before the 2011 event.
What truly inspires me is the commitment of the organisers and participants of this event. It’s when all seems lost, that the best in people really shines through. It take a lot of guts to enter this event and with most of the people already on the road, there was no way organisers were going to give up.
Mark brief's the gang pre-race at the Pink Roadhouse
After a flurry of phone calls and emails, a new course was plotted and the race was on again. This year’s event would start at Oodnadatta and travel via Eringa to Charlotte Waters and return via Mt Dare and Dalhousie Springs, finishing with a circuit loop on the 4WD track at Oodnadatta.
High temperatures on day one had little effect on the riders as hard stone tracks made for fast times and some serious competition between the leaders. Paul Schroder (#21) completed the first two stages in 3:13 and 1:58 giving him a 13 minute lead on day one. Camped at the Pedirka Siding, the cool change moved in later in the evening bringing with it colourful lightening displays.
Day two we awoke to scrub fires south of Hamilton Station. Gratefully, today’s stages took us north through open gibber plains to Eringa Waterhole then across a great section of old untouched track to Abminga Siding leaving me longing to get back on the bike. The afternoon stage finished just over the Northern Territory border at Charlotte Waters. Once again, Paul showed his dominance on the hard track completing the stages in 3:20 and 1:51, increasing his lead to 21 minutes.
High fire danger in the Northern Territory, scrub fires to the south at Hamilton Station and in the Simpson Desert had now closed all access to the area. Unable to leave the desert, we continued as planned and turned south past Mt Dare to Blood Creek ruins for lunch and on to Dalhousie Springs for the night camp.
Loose gravel and rocks dominated the morning stage followed by open clay plan nearer to Dalhousie Springs. Paul continued to extend his lead with stage times of 3:00 and 2:10. We’ve always wanted to camp at Dalhousie Springs during the race and this year riders, crews and officials made the most of a well earned swim in the hot pool.
On the sat phone checking fire alerts
With the road to Finke opening, on day four we were left with no option but to exit the desert drive the 600km trip via Finke, Kulgera, Marla and back down the Oodnadatta track to position ourselves 50km from town for the final days racing. I’m sure the riders were grateful for a days rest to let their backsides recover.
The final days racing took us down the Oodnadatta track, through town and then four times around the 6x4 4WD track on the southern edge of town. The circuit loops totalled 32km of track, 24 sand dunes and 16 clay pans.
The riders stuck together for the final stage into town before the start of the circuit loop. Each loop gave the crews the chance to cheer on their riders. This was the first real test of the Fat Tyre bikes and they proved there worth with their riders tackling the sand head on leaving the other competitors twisting and weaving along the track.
Paul completed the final stage in 4:15 giving him an overall lead of 1hr and 49m. The next three place getters taking out each of the age group categories, Kane Chandler, Ken Glasco and Neil Thies.
The race was topped off with the final celebrations being held at the Pink Roadhouse giving everyone the chance to sit back and reminisce on what was another successful, yet very unpredictable event. It’s that very unpredictable nature of this event, that brings out the true grit and determination in people, riders crews and officials, making this one of the most memorable years for me.
I’m very pleased to announce that combined fundraising efforts for this year have raised over $30,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Congratulations to all concerned and our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed. A full report will be available in a few weeks time.
Mark Polley - Race Director
Winners are Grinners
Paul Schroder
2011 Winner
I caught up with Paul to ask the secret of his indefatigable riding performance.
Paul originally started training for the 2010 event and decided not to come when it was re-routed across the Victorian Desert. He kept training though and so had two years preparation for this year's event. Hailing from a fairly flat Dubbo, Paul has a favourite hill(the only hill) and does up to 50 repetitions on the hill in a training session.
Paul also likes to go bike touring with his partner Eliza(no1 support crew) and has ridden substantial sections of Australia. He once rode across to the Kimberley to meet up with Eliza and also do a bit of teaching there(they are both teachers).
Plus that helmet....I suspect it has some secret aerodynamic advantage...maybe a winged keel hidden under there.
Are Fatties here to stay?
While the Fat Tyre bikes didn't have a chance to stretch their wings this year they performed very well over all terrain.
They have become a significant part of the event, first showing up only last year (2010) and now filling half of the field.
None have yet set foot on the Simpson Desert for the ultimate test but their potential looks great for future events.