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.

Bike envy

This ride is stirring a latent bike love. The Suzukis we are hiring are the right bikes for this ride, but what bike would I buy if the money plane crashed into my backyard? I quite like the insectoid look of the new Yamaha...

Spot the difference

Yes, yes, one is green and one is white. Yes, one is the the flag of Bangladesh and one is the flag of Japan. They both sport rising suns, but Bangladesh's also represents the sacrifices required for independence, obtained in 1971. But why is the Bangladesh sun shifted slightly to the "hoist-side" of centre, as they say in the flag flying business? Supposedly to make it appear in the centre of the flag when atop a flagpole.

Boating on the Birdsville Track

Our plan and a major part of the Gulf to Gulf ride is to travel from north to south via the Birdsville Track. But after torrential downpours in southwest Queensland a few months ago, the Track is cut at Cooper Creek by waters flowing towards Lake Eyre. And it's not just a wimpy creek -- it's 3 metres deep over the road!

Yay Blake!

Many thanks to Blake Education for signing up as a corporate sponsor! Blake is an educational publisher, so they know the value of a good education and what their support could mean to 600 Bangladeshi children -- it will make a huge difference.

The test ride: Back in the saddle

We had our test earlier this month to make sure we remembered how to sit on a bike without falling off (it's been a few years). All went well, as we are still alive. But we'd forgotten about numb bum and finger lock. Ouch. These are the bikes we'll be using for the ride: Suzuki DR650s prepared by Gary at Wombat Motorcycles.