“I learnt that I am capable, resilient and focused,”
Sharka proudly says. “I also learnt a lot about working
through my fears.
“I vividly remember the times in my training when
I was at the bottom of a big sand dune, looking up and
trying to find courage to have a go. Sometimes I needed
to come back, but eventually I did make it to the top.”
Chris admits that the ride demonstrated to her that
she is much more capable than she initially thought, “I
am by nature lacking in self-confidence. This means
sometimes I don’t realise others are doing it tougher than
myself.”
Yes, these women rode across the Simpson Desert,
something that’s not for everyone, something that’s been
completed by plenty. While this is something that is re-
markable, it’s secondary to what this ‘ordinary’ group of
women achieved … they lived Dolly’s Dream.
“I learnt that young girls today have an amazing
amount of guts, determination and confidence,” conveys
Kim. “Some of these girls had hardly ridden off road yet
they took on some of the toughest terrain in the world. I
definitely didn’t have their confidence when I was their
age. I think it illustrates that women are taught that they
can do anything these days and that’s great to see.”
Rikki agrees that “the other girls absolutely blew my
mind!”
TRAVERSE 13