Floating on air

When preparing for this trip, it's amazing the number of people who have expressed concern for the back of my behind. Never fear, I say, I have obtained an Airhawk inflatable cushion, which I hope will provide many thousands of kilometres of squirm-free riding. Just blow it up like a mini-air mattress and settle onto a pillow of air. Ahhhhhh.

Moving pictures

The education project we are supporting is being conducted by Symbiosis, TEAR Australia's partner organisation in Bangladesh. This 6-minute video is a great overview of Symbiosis' work and includes the education component of their activities.

Our steeds

We want good, reliable bikes for the Gulf to Gulf extravaganza. We're throwing our legs over a pair of Suzuki DR650s, prepared by Gary at Wombat Motorcycles. These are tried and tested 650cc single cylinder, road/trail bikes that have been in production since 1990. They don't come much simpler: one cylinder, two wheels, no fancy bodywork, a bum numbing seat.
The Wombat bikes come with long range fuel tanks that will get us from Birdsville to Marree ... we hope. Cat not included.

Australia compared with Bangladesh

Australia Bangladesh

Population: 21.5 million 158 million

Population growth rate: 1.17% 1.27%

Median age: 37.5 years 23.5 years

Literacy: 99% 47.9%

Urbanisaton: 89% of total population 27% of total population

Life expectancy at birth: 81.72 years 60.63 years

GDP per capita: $38,800 $1,600

Expenditure on education: 4.5% GDP 2.7% GDP

Two schools

One image shows a shiny, new school building in Australia. About 24,000 such buildings are popping up around the country at the moment.

The other image shows the inside of a "classroom" operating as part of the project in Bangladesh we are supporting. No chairs, no desks, and walls you can see through.

Bike Envy 2

As Mark posted earlier, the preparation and anticipation for the ride is letting suppressed bike yearnings out of the boot of the car. I'll back Mark with his plane load of cash and cast a vote for the new Yamaha Tenere for going off road. But my road bike choice is the Moto Guzzi Breva 750. Saw it across the dealership floor and it was love at first sight. Mmmm, V-twin shaft drive.