We’ve added 65km to our total for today of about 165km. We have arrived at Archer River Roadhouse. The locals here are friendly and supportive of our journey. We made good time along the way, even with all the river crossings (which are great fun!). Road conditions are good for an unmade road – a firm base with lots of sand and mud in places.
We expect to get another 40-50km of riding in today, before rolling out our swags.
Here are some more photos from the ride. Next stop Archer River located 66 kilometers north of Coen.
We have been buried in a thick cloud of red dust thanks to the road trains but have made it across the Great Dividing Range after 3.5 hours and 90km. As you can see from these photos there is little need for sunscreen as the combination of sweat and dust covers us head to toe. It has left me wondering if my fellow adventurer John Jacoby is actually more machine than man!
MTR1377 radio broadcaster Steve Vizard talks to David Moffatt about his adventure to The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda.
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We’ve arrived in Musgrave, 162km from last night’s camp. We have navigated over 20 creek crossings and in between is sand, bull-dust and corrugations. The temperature is very hot and dry so it’s been a true test of body and spirit, but everyone is doing really well. We’re just about to start the last 40km, which will make our total distance covered 200km for today.
Safely settled in camp at the end of Day 1 with 160km under our belt. A beautiful 18 degree evening here – no wind and no mosquitoes! Watching the camp TV (the campfire!!!) and looking forward to Day 2.
We have lots of people to thank for getting us this far! Family, friends and a few special mentions … our support crew of Peter Hooper and Kila Elave, 2XU and Salomon for apparel, and both Hampton Cycles in Melbourne and Pump n Peddle in Cairns. You guys are champions! Till tomorrow.
A very tough Day 1 – we still have 25km of the 160km to go. Our spirits are high and we’re very pleased with everyone’s form. The initial 35km was grueling, vertically climbing over 1000ft including some hills that were 20+%.
The Bloomfield to Helenvale leg was quick, accomplished in just under two hours. The best section so far from Helenvale to Lakeland, travelling at about 35km per hour.
Brian Freeman interviewed by David Moffatt at Alola Village Papua New Guinea, May 11 2010. Brian discusses “The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda” where the remains of Australian and Japanese soldiers have recently been discovered.
The first leg of the journey is underway. We’re currently at Cape Tribulation and will be trekking 35km up some very steep terrain to get to the Bloomfield River. We aim to cross the river at low tide to avoid the crocodiles!
Track our progress via satellite GPS.
On 7th June David Moffatt, Brian Freeman, John Jacoby and Chris Bradford, embark on A Journey to the Lost Battlefields of Kokoda. The 1200km adventure epic comprises three stages, all completed simultaneously.
The first 880km will be on mountain bikes, initially on the Bloomfield Track north of Cape Tribulation, then the Peninsula Development Road and later the Old Telegraph Track. When we get to ‘the tip’ we begin the second stage in sea kayaks paddling to New Guinea, approximately 230km across Torres Strait (aiming to avoid sea snakes, box jellyfish and sharks, although we are told we don’t need to worry about the sharks because the crocodiles eat them!). The final stage is on foot – an ultra marathon of 96kms across the Kokoda Track finishing at the war memorial at Kokoda.
Our goal will be to raise funds for a variety of charitable purposes including the possible re-establishment and preservation (as it was in 1942) of a significant battle site and the provision of a community welfare package for local villagers on the track (health, sanitation, water, education and vocational training). This initiative will be undertaken in conjunction with and complimentary to, the current Australian Government and PNG Government “Kokoda Initiative”.
