Antarctica ) Amanda started a journey of discovery . “ It is a huge , vast , open country ,” she shrugs . “ There ’ s not a lot of distractions between fuel stops . “ It gives you time to reflect on what ’ s important . It ’ s eye opening to travel Australia by bike , you come back a different person .”
Amanda discovered that Australians will do whatever they can to help a mate , and everyone is a mate .
“ Maybe it comes from having a small population in a big space .”
It ’ s that space that impacted Amanda most , riding the west coast , Western Australia , set the scene as she started to explore her emotions , her very being . Seeing nobody for hours at a time described as one of the most memorable experiences , laying on a deserted beach and watching dolphins frolic amongst the shore breaks .
“ I treated myself to an Eggs Benedict and splashed in the water all day ,” there ’ s a pause as if the memory has triggered an emotion , perhaps similar to those triggered by accomplishment , something that came plentiful when riding a sports bike around Australia .
“ Tank slappers and high-pitched screams ,” an explanation of riding through bulldust and corrugations after a tropical cyclone destroyed a main road . A challenge forced ; a challenge accomplished .
Water crossings , 200 metres wide , deep , and
hiding large reptilians . Another challenge , another accomplishment .
There ’ s a theme . Amanda , before this meeting , might ’ ve been lacking for confidence . It ’ s hard to imagine as confidence surrounds her when describing her rides , and while she admits that riding around Australia was well within her comfort zone , mostly road riding , when she talks of the Simpson Desert a physical transformation occurs , her short stature seems to grow , proud and correctly so .
“ My first off road ride was horrendously painful ,” there ’ s a grin but it ’ s hard to determine the feelings . “ Probably the single scariest ride I ’ ve done in my life .”
Amanda ’ s second off road ride was in sand and resulted in a hospital visit , a broken finger , a nervous laugh .
“ I ’ m not a natural off-road ride ,” she laughs . “ I ’ ve taken about 100 high sides in sand before learning to ride it properly .
“ I had to train every weekend for 5 months straight so that I could feel confident enough to cross the Simpson .”
There ’ s that determination that becomes so apparent the more you chat with Amanda , it ’ s a trait needed to cross what is regarded as one of Australia ’ s toughest rides . The Simpson Desert , 500 kilometres of parallel sand dunes , the largest such desert anywhere on Earth .
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