Mitigating Dangers

Australia Trip Planning #2

You’re crazy to head out alone into the outback!

I’ve heard this several times as I voiced to people that I wanted to ride the Australian Outback in 2019.  Certainly a solo desert ride has its dangers.  But I have been diligent to mitigate the dangers that are within my control, so I am confident a good trip will likely be the outcome.

The Australian Outback by bike requires life-critical considerations.  I’ll be in a spot where I’ll be hundreds of miles from any service station– much less a person– by myself.  There may be days where, in the harshness of the desert, I might not see another person, be it in a house, car, truck or motorcycle.  So the first thing I decided on was to make sure my mode of transportation– being my main partner on the trip– would support my survival.  Like a cowboy whose life on the range depends on his horse, my safety is reliant in part on my steel steed.

I, for one, don’t mind riding any bike on a tour. If it has two wheels, it will work. But in consideration for my safety, I looked for a vehicle specifically designed for touring in all kinds of environments, from freezing paved roads to rough jungle trails to hot desert sands.  And so, a newly purchased Surly ECR 27-Plus arrived this month.  To me, it’s like a safari Land Rover on two wheels.  To be sure, this bike cost me a hefty sum!  But if the cost means the difference between me dying in the desert and being able to pedal to the nearest place for help, the expenditure is simply the price of insurance.

There are, of course, other considerations for survival from solid equipment to plotting the exact route.  For instance, I won’t be without my SpotCheck 3.  This 2-inch GPS device has the ability to send my coordinates at set time intervals to anyone I choose to give the information to– and to call in a rescue team when I push the SOS button. And so many other implementations too boring to detail.

I am not running a death wish by seeking to ride the Outback. I wanted to be sure the material components would last through the long-term rigors of the blatant heat, the constant rubbing against gritty dirt and sand, and the inevitable torment of wind and rain.  If anything happens to me (and I am cognizant of the uncontrollable dangers), it won’t be because I was foolish enough to not prepare.

Australia, here I come.