Geo Centre Of The Simpson Desert

Over the next few issues Phil Hodgens will look at some of the toughest desert tracks he’s ridden for Motorbikin’ Films, starting with one that’s so extreme it isn’t even a track.

- Phil Hodgens

There’s a certain breed of rider who lives for a challenge. It becomes an addiction, verging on a sickness.

Late nights are spent tracing dotted lines on outback maps as you research your adversary, studying its strengths and weaknesses. Fuel distances and water consumption are calculated and bikes are fabricated by hand to carry the massive loads.

Support vehicles are scorned. After months of prep the day arrives when you ride into the unknown to do battle with your nemeses: the track, the load and your mind.

The first day is the toughest, mentally and physically. The track will fight you. It has a reputation to maintain and if you want to make it to the finish, you’ll have to earn it.

The bike will seem like it’s trying to kill you, swapping and wallowing like a walrus beneath its massive load, and you’ll question your ability to complete the mission. Should you turn around while you still can before you reache the point of no return for fuel and water?

The sun gets low and you pull up to camp way short of your target.

The realisation you have another week of this torture is demoralising and you fall asleep, utterly rooted, to the sound of dingoes howling in the dunes.

On track

Day two and you ride out of camp on a completely different motorcycle.

You’ve burnt 20 litres of fuel the previous day and consumed a few kilos of food and water. The further you go the lighter it gets. Your mind has disconnected from work and all outside life and the only thing that matters is you and your bike.

The track is no longer your enemy. It’s your friend, and she reveals her true beauty to you. If you make it to the end in the days to come, it’s not because you beat her, but because she let you.