Steve Halligan's Terra Australis Pt1

THE BEGINNING

Kia Ora and welcome to my Story.

My name is Steve Halligan.

The beginning was when I first heard about this event in 2017. I was hooked on the idea immediately and signed up soon after. Lots of riding and gear testing ensued, I was super excited about riding top to bottom of Australia.

In 2017 I completed a dream to ride and finish the Tour Divide , a 4,400 km ride from Canada to Mexico . This was an amazing adventure the pushed my limits on every level . Now here was the Terra Australis Bike Epic looking me in the eyes , and luring me in with a bigger distance by 2,000 kilometres, different Terrain and different wildlife . Of course, I was mesmorized, had a strong desire to take this on and challenge myself some more. The fact that this was the inaugural running of this race was extra special and motivating to get to the start line.

That looks like a Long Way

After plenty of riding through the New Zealand winter, the start date of September 15th rolled around quickly . I left New Zealand on the 12th flying to Cairns then the following day flew up to Bamaga, in far north Queensland .

Arriving safely at Bamaga airport, a tin shed building with some seating and a vending machine, myself and Steven Mcleod, another TA rider began putting our bikes back together after their travels from New Zealand.

I then rode out into the hot sun towards Bamaga Township and onwards to Punsand camping resort, where I had booked a cabin for 2 nights. Steve stayed around the Bamaga township to be assured of WiFi to complete some work.

Punsand Beach near the tip

After a Pre Race ride, Punsand Bay

Ten other adventurous spirits had signed up, including Steve Watson, the race organiser. We all met up the night before for a brief, excitement was building, I was ready.

The Tip

After riding up to the car park, then walking over the rocks to the Tip for obligatory photos, we were off shortly after 6am, on the 15th September 2018.

We were off, into the adventure, into the heat, into Cape York Wilderness.

Smouldering fires were a regular encounter all the way down the Cape

Jardine River Ferry.