75 year old cyclist to take on the Cannng Stock Route - solo

:-) He aims to claim SOLO, not unsupported, even though he has no support vehicle.

Others aim to claim unsupported, but have TWO vehicles travelling with them.

I think he is being modest in his aim to claim, no?

If you read his BIO again, you will note that he is doing several desert cycles before the Canning, and has already done part of one in Australia. So he should have a good idea of his capabilities by the time he gets on the Canning.

This is also probably a good indicator that he is fit: 'I have a strong racing background in cycling. Specifically cycle cross the last 20 years. US champ in age 70-74. (2011) and placed 3rd in the Masters World Championship’s 2012, Louisville, Kentucky. Racing has nothing to do with touring but it has kept me in very good shape.

Erik also has had in depth conversations with 2013 cyclist Scott Felter and even has his equipment. You don't get better information than from a fellow cyclist who has done it recently. He is also very open to receiving information. We are having ongoing discussions and he is speaking to other cyclists, 4x4'ers and travellers in Australia

I did send Erik an email to explain the last food parcel. It makes more sense that he means Kunawarritji, but will clarify and update report when I get that information. He is not trying to take ALL his food in one hit. He is upfront about that. There will be a resupply. Still a big effort I reckon.

btw: Happy Camper Gourmet is supporting him on all his desert cycles, not only the CSR.

If you have any specific questions you would like me to direct to him, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to get the answers. :-)

My mistake.

He said in his email he was sending a care parcel to Bill. I thought he was using short hand for Billiluna.

He meant Bill Johnson, CEO of Kunawarritji.

So Erik is resupplying in Kunawarritji.

Erik also noted his time estimate for the Wiluna to Kunawarritji section - 20 days. Scott and Tom did the whole trip in 26 days.

:-) There is a 65 year old from Aussie also doing it this year - cycling. Although he has given me info and photos, he has asked me to hold off publishing anything for now.

And then don't forget the solo unsupported Polish man dragging his seriously heavy cart through the desert. Ugh!

As information comes available I will update my website and the Exploroz forum.

Gonna be a fun season of human endurance with lots to learn from all involved!!!

Did a search on youtube but could not find them - only one of 2012 Italian cyclist Oli. Maybe you are referring to him? Or maybe my search needs a few more key words?

My interest is specifically CSR foot powered adventures. I love exploring how people plan for it, what their equipment looks like before the journey, what worked on the journey and what adaptions they needed to make in order to succeed. I store this all on my website for people to refer to, learn and perhaps use in their own adventures. That is why I like specifics as opposed to vague generalisations.

Like my survival instructor said: It is the small things that get you in the end.

search anne beadell hwy on youtube.
scroll through until you come across a movie by michael smart dated 17th may, laverton to turkey point.
two korean guys on bikes. it gives little detail but i do wonder how they went. presumably ok. maybe the cheese and vegemite turned them into superman.
cheers

Ah ....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te2DHA9Lmbo

Ooooh... normal mountain bikes, not fat bikes with little wheel trailers. Hardcore!

Daily distance range from 20km to 100km depending on terrain.

We digress, but for Prado's interest:

Got an update from Russell Worthington, the 2009 unsupported cyclist of the CSR. He also cycled the Anne Beadell as part of his 10 Desert Tour:

Russell Worthington cycled this route solo and unsupported in 2009. He used 50l of water to ride the final 645km section without water between the border and Coober Pedy. He did this in one week, and had 16l of water left-over. The entire Anne Beadell took him two weeks, and he commenced this just four days after completing the CSR, riding the whole distance between Wiluna & Laverton.

Iron Man!

He is sending me a full ride report on the whole 10 Deserts Tour. Let you know when it is available for viewing.

Cool.
That's oustanding as it takes about a week in a 4wd.

Noah, know what you mean - I did it last year in an non air-con / armstrong power steering 40 series and I thought i was doing it rough until we met Gaynor walking up the track and then Scott & Tom on the pushies around well 33.

Puts things in perspective.

Gaynor - good to see Eric is utilising Scott's experience and bike gear - nothing like using something that is proven and reliable.

Rosss..... If you read the article, you will see that he has taken out additional GEOS alliance insurance using SPOT.

http://www.canningwalker.com/the-teams/2014-attempts/erik-nordenson/88-erik-nordenson-cyclist

Quote:
'Spot connect, for emergency with their add on Emergency evacuation insurance. Also will most likely use their tracking system'

This from the SPOT website:

http://au.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=104&referrer=AuSpotHome_BannerBottomGeos

Quote:
'Why Should I Upgrade?
The GEOS Member Benefit, including the Search and Rescue Insurance, underwritten by Lloyds of London, is available to all SPOT subscribers for only $19.95 USD. The GEOS benefit provides up to $50,000 per occurrence in reimbursement for qualified SAR extraction-related expenses for which you are held responsible up to two (2) events per year. The GEOS Member benefit also provide additional SAR coordination– including arranging private aircraft/helicopter charter, private search teams—if required to get you to safety.'

The Australian Government is not expected to pay for this eventuality.

Phil,

'At last..!!!'

Could not agree more. Enjoy every moment. It is an endurance event even in a 4x4!

Re meeting a person foot powered person on the Canning:

Walking in the desert I appreciated the 'silence'. Listening to the wind in the spinifex, the twittering of excited birds off to water, the swish of my gaiters rubbing as I took each step, my heavy footfalls in the soft sand and the sound of my own belaboured breathing.

And the welcome roar of an approaching 4x4 convoy. We hear you long before we see you and we do the sensible thing - get out of your way.

A sixty year young Australian from Canberra plans to cycle the CSR before Erik. I have been asked to withhold any further details for now.

mmmm....personally I am a bit worried about the 60 yo. Received his bio, planning and equipment list last week - or rather distinct lack of.

Have not uploaded it on my website as his own quote 'lazy' attitude alarms me.

Hopefully he will shape up over the next 4 months.