Although l receive a fair amount of mail, most of it is local, with letters from overseas few and far between. It was with some interest. therefore. that I opened a letter from America, particularly as the envelope bore the words "Milli-ken Research Associates Limited". l had heard of Doug Milliken as he is interested in unusual bikes and has long been associated with unusual events, such as the RAAM the Race Across America. Doug was writing to me on behalf of a friend of his, Elaine Mariolle, who rode a streamlined bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles and is a past winner of the RAAM. This year she has plans to have a go at breaking the 24 hour Human Powered Vehicle record and take part in the "Australian Bike Challenge", or the RAA - Race Across Australia. Doug was looking for accommodation and possibly sponsorship for Elaine.

Now. neither I nor any cycle friends l later spoke to had heard of the Race Across Australia.

I looked at the letter again and found that on the reverse side there was a complete description of the event, which is due to take place in October [1992].

"The event will begin at Steep Point, Western Australia. and experts have estimated it will take the top cyclists just over three weeks to complete the course finishing in Byron Bay, on the NSW north coast." As the distance is apparently just over 5,000km that seemed fairly reasonable, but, “The cyclists will tackle just under 4000km of dirt track usually reserved for the toughest of four wheel drives and over 1,000km of bitumen road." l reached for my reference books and found that in this year's Tour de France, the riders covered 4,000km three weeks - but these were the world's top riders, and for the most of the time, the roads were good - even if they did climb the Alps and the Pyrenees. In the Australian Bike Challenge. they will have to average 2,500km a day. and that does not allow for rest days. In addition, to cover 4,000km of dirt, you obviously need a mountain bike, and although l know very little about these, except that by their very nature, they are heavy and slow. I do know that a few years ago, a race was held in the neighbourhood of Oodnadatta, which is well north of Adelaide, not far from the Great Victoria Desert. The race had to be shortened because the terrain was too difficult. ln the event, it was won by a Canberra rider, who might be able to give some advice on bike riding in the sandhills, and which l would be happy to pass on to the organisers.

Not that they are Without expert assistance. The event director is Hans Tholstrup, well known for his activities in the field of low-energy vehicles, and reputed to be the first person to drive over the route from Steep Point [to] Byron Bay. So, if you are tired of the old routine of commuting and would like a challenge, start getting ready for the Great Australian Bike Challenge right now.

More details from Hans Throlstrup, Energy Promotions, (02) 988 4255. If you think you could help with accommodation for Elaine Mariolle, or sponsorship for the whole project, write or phone Doug Milliken, 245 Brompton Road, Buffalo, NY 1421. Or Mariolle, 213 Poshhard, Hill, CA 94523, USA