The Gunbarrel Challenge

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The Gunbarrel Challenge 2006

Phil Evans (E-W-C) / 22.09.2006

On October 2, approximately 50 international mountain bikers will congregate at the end of the sealed road in Laverton, West Australia for the first ever Gunbarrel Challenge.

Ahead of them lies 1200km of desert track crossing the Great Victoria and Simpson deserts leading them to a final destination of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Corrugated gravel roads combined with the endless expanse of a seemingly featureless landscape, temperatures that could exceed 40c and the ubquitous Australian fly make this as much a mental challenge as a physical one with riders covering an average of 100km per day over 11 days.

The organisers have gone to extreme lengths to ensure the safety and comfort of competitors, carting thousands of litres of fresh water into this remote and hostile land and providing essential water stations every 20km or so. Riders will spend the evenings in bush style camps and can retire to the luxury of individual tents after dining on a nutrious 3 course dinner.

With a first prize of AU$ 25000 for the winner of the professional or novice category and with other prizes amounting to a total of nearly AU$50000 this is going to be a hard fought race, with the trophies and awards being presented on October 13, fittingly, at the foot of Uluru, one of the worlds most famous landmarks.

A course profile and more details can be found here.See All Event Posts