Adelaide to Darwin by pedal power - 3000km for Kiwi Can

In 2015, 55-year old Max Mason thru-hiked the 3,500km Appalachian Trail in the USA. Only 25% of the 2500 people annually who start this gruelling endeavour complete it. When he returned to Tauranga he started telling the story of his entertaining adventure to service clubs and the invitations kept coming. To date he has presented to over 50 groups, and his inspirational message is that anybody can get through tough times if they just know how to develop the right tools and mindset.

Now, Max is about to embark on another ultra-distance adventure and hopes to draw attention to the great work The Graeme Dingle Foundation does for our youth in need, and the good work of Sunrise Rotary.

Max will be attempting to cycle from Adelaide to Darwin starting 1 September, 2019. The route follows the famous Stuart Highway from south to north through the desert heart of Australia. Intense heat, flies, and extreme isolation will test his resilience and ability to cope with the elements.

If successful, the ride will take about six weeks and he will need to cycle 80-120km per day. Some nights will be spent in roadhouses and the rest he will camp in the desert. Alice Springs is the half-way point where he plans to spend his 59th birthday.

Some of the places he will pass through are: Adelaide, Port Augusta, Woomera, Glendambo, Coober Pedy, Marla, Kulgera, Erldunda, Stuarts Well, Alice Springs, Aileron, Ti Tree, Barrow Creek, Wycliffe Well, Tennant Creek, Threeways, Renner Springs, Daly Waters, Katherine, Pine Creek and Darwin.

• Please help the Graeme Dingle Foundation by making a donation:

o $30.32 (equivalent to 1c/km)

o $60.64 (equivalent to 2c/km)

o A fixed sum

Max shares the values that The Graeme Dingle Foundation promotes with the young people it assists in programmes such as Project K. These are Positive Relationships, Integrity, Resilience and Respect.

Follow Max’s journey on Facebook with his regular photos and updates.

Max wants to give a huge shout out to his wife Helen and son Mungo who have been so supportive of this adventure. Also, to Phil Golding of Koops Cycles for going above and beyond.