Dave set off on a new challenge hand cycling along the rail trail from Bright to Wangaratta. The spectacular and constantly changing landscape provides an appreciation of the diverse regions from alpine bush transforming to lush green pastures. Endless hill climbing challenges test Dave’s strength and endurance.

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Goals

• Hand cycle 85 kilometres from Bright – Wangaratta, Victoria.
• Dave to break his personal record for distance.
• Practice filming.
• Enjoy the experience.

Vehicle

• Greenspeed hand cycle

Challenges

• Weather – excessive heat would make it difficult to complete as Dave can’t regulate his body temperature.
• Physical endurance – Dave has not hand cycled long distances over multiple days, this will test his body.
• Ground support – not getting lost in the bush.

Support

• Support Crew – 1 carer and Linda.
• Accommodation – pre-booked farm stay.
• Ground support – car to pick Dave & Linda up at finish point for the day.
• Funding – self-funded.

Learnings

• Have the right clothing for changing environments.
• Ensure you have a suitable level of fitness.
• Don’t take too many cameras and devices as it becomes difficult to manage and have fun.

Dave’s challenge was to experience a tough adventure and retrace part of the Burke & Wills Expedition route that set off from Centenary Park in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1860. The route will follow as close as possible to the 1860 route through Victorian back roads and across the remote outback of New South Whales, finishing in Broken Hill.

Goals

• Handcycle approx 100 kilometres per day.
• Test to see how far Dave can comfortably handcycle each day over an extended period.
• Test out the comfort of sleeping in Dave’s van and efficiency of charging handcycle batteries with an inverter.
• Keep the team happy!

Vehicle

• Lasher all terrain Handcycle (ATH) with power assist.

Challenges

• Temperature – excessive heat or cold would make the journey much more difficult as Dave can’t regulate his body temperature.
• Rain – significant rain will make the dirt roads impassable.
• Physical endurance – Dave has not hand cycled long distances over multiple days, this will test his body.
• Support Rider – need to manage the support rider to ensure he doesn’t burn out with the distances and duration

Support

• Support Crew – 2 carers. One drives Dave’s van the other, a support rider. Both do personal care.
• Accommodation – Van & tents utilising caravan parks in towns, free camp sites and side of the road camps.
• Logistics support – Dave’s parents to find camp sites, organise supplies and cook for the team.
• Funding – self-funded.

Learnings

• • Pre-training was sufficient for the ride.
  • Bed in Dave’s van was too narrow and needs to be modified for comfort.
  • Plan trip in warmer months as May was quite cold.
  • Ensure the air-conditioning is drawing air from the outside so the van doesn’t fill with talcum powder like red dust from the dirt roads.