dent understanding that Mark had
their back. He’s a tough bastard and
his service to his country has meant
he’s experienced a hell of a lot. He
had their back.
Having your back covered. It’s
what the Frontline Safari is all about.
These guys are military and know
what it means to looks after mates
and everyone is a mate. As the day
approached dusk it was clear that de-
cisions were being made. The course
was being adapted and improvised,
challenges were being overcome. It’s
the beauty of such an event; a fluid,
organic creation that changes to the
need of the riders … everyone had to
be accounted for.
“Boys,” the radio crackled to life.
“Is it time for a romantic drink while
the sun sets?”
I laughed while Willy confirmed it
was. The sun was at the point where
continuing west was dangerous, we
pulled over and as the beers were
passed around a KTM appeared from
nowhere.
Day quickly turned to night and
again any concept of time and space
seemed to disappear, this was tougher
going than the previous day and we
still had a relatively huge distance to
cover, the Ford Ranger was taking a
beating, I couldn’t help think of what
the riders were going through.
Pulling into camp we’d complet-
ed the toughest part of the Simpson
crossing, well after midnight many
riders could no longer wait and
were sleeping wherever they could
find shelter. Thankfully a few had
remained awake and were busily
cooking food for the support crews
that were still rolling in. This was
another highlight of what was making
this ride so special … no one was left
behind, everyone looked after each
other.
Dinner was welcomed and we
laughed as we were told of one of
our riders who’d become ‘lost’. He’d
pulled into a camp, well into the
night, climbed from his bike and
TRAVERSE 24