Maree's bid to ride into record books

Maree Stephenson, from Griffin, is now closing in on Birdsville, more than two weeks after starting her remarkable 10,000km 10-desert challenge.

The 53-year-old cycled into Windorah on Saturday and was today peddling further west towards Birdsville, which is her planned finishing line in mid-September.

Maree will use recognised tracks through parts of all 10 Australian deserts and - if successful – enter the record books as the first woman to ever achieve the feat on a bike.

Heavy loads

The initial weeks, from her starting point at Woodford to Birdsville, are being used to prepare for the tougher desert rides when Maree will have to carry more and more water.

At the time of writing, she was also nearing the end of bitumen road surfaces, which will soon be replaced by dirt tracks.

With the Canning Stock Route in Western Australia closed, Maree has had to change her route, but will still cover the 10 deserts.

Daily blog

On her daily Facebook blog Maree has spoken about long, hot days in the saddle, cold nights and the many people she has met en route who are donating to her cause.

Maree’s aim is to raise $10,000 and generate awareness for Beyond Blue, the mental health organisation.

She set off on May 2 and aims to finish in Birdsville on September 17 at the end of 139-day ride which will take in four states and reach almost to the west coast of Australia.

There's more news here

How to donate

Visit the10desertchallenge.com for more details and to donate or sponsor Maree on her epic journey.