From Evernote:

Everything changes, everything remains the same

The Simpson Desert Challenge is a race of contradictions.

It's not how fast you can ride, but how slow you can go without being caught.

It's not the lightest wheel that wins, but the biggest.

It's not the toughest rider that wins, but the one that can take the most tender loving care of their body.

It's not good food that's important but how much you can force down your neck.

It's not what you drink but how much.

Many people think that deserts are hot places but the correct definition is actually a dry place. The ultimate contradiction is that the Simpson Desert is actually underwater this year. While it would be good to see the wildlife it would be a pretty tough trip to get a vehicle through. Running a cycle race is out of the question.

Instead, we head north to Coober Pedy and then turn right. The Anne Beadell 'highway' runs due west towards WA.

I've been thinking about this race for a year; training, buying bicycles, testing, fettling, re-testing. After all that careful planning and preparation we're right back in the same position as last year - heading into the unknown!

Everything changes. Everything remains the same.