less night prior to the ride Googling riding techniques.
One tutorial suggested gripping the fuel tank as tightly as
possible with his knees. Upon reaching Steep Point, Ben-
ji found he had another problem.
“My knees were rubbed raw,” he grinned. But admitted
that the pain was soon erased by the feeling of elation,
his confidence and self-worth was returning. He knew
this was the right thing to do. So many difficult situations
gave the same feeling, perhaps there was something to
this riding solo.
It was the tropical north where Benji found the great-
est peace, especially that magical place called Kakadu.
Unlike many who visit Kakadu Benji discovered there’s
much more than the tourist roads and sites, he discov-
ered the real people, the cultural significance and more
importantly he realised that there’s always a way out, a
way to challenge yourself, a way to discover one’s self.
“In Kakadu,” he went on.
“I refined it down and prepared for 'worst case' Scenar-
io before every ride, taking food for 3 days or 100km walk,
first aid kits and a hatchet on every ride.”
It became almost a metaphor for how to live life, pre-
pare for the worst, live for the best.
“One day I nearly lost my bike in a muddy swamp chas-
ing pigs across a flood plain,” Benji laughed.
“I had to get into the water up to my knees and drag
the bike out. That was a close one but after that, I started
carrying all my food and water on my back, in case I did
completely lose my bike and had to walk out.”
Crocodiles, buffalo, and remote adventure became the
norm. Benji had secured work and used his time to famil-
iarise himself with the environment.
TRAVERSE 18