Cut and shut ( a few more modifications to 'Foxy' the cart)

After many trials around Berowra and on the fire trails I have discovered that my design need some improvement. I was hanging to low in the ass. many ideas where chucked around to improve my departure angle from bending the from poles to lifting the axle height, I decided on cutting the main deck of the cart and bending the frame to what ended up being a 40 degree bend.

'Foxy' is still nice and low to the ground as to avoid rollovers on big side slopes , but now has a very nice departure angle. Thanks heaps to Nathan Gilbert from Apex for helping me out with the welding and cutting we spent much of last Sunday at Nathans house. Thanks to Brendon for your help too.

I also gave some thought to a little extra protection , its not really for rain ( because I don't think that will happen) its more to keep a little bit of the cold off and the war in. The pole in the middle of the cart is new too acting as a sand flag.

Only a few things to get to finish off now, we are going to make a new set of handle bars as I snapped the weld the other day in the bush . I will be inserting a second tyre inside the fat tyre for a some extra thorn protection. Then its just down to making sure I have spare of everything that might break and trying to fit it on the cart.

The people that make this adventure possible

I wanted to take this chance to say thank you to the behind the scenes people that make my adventures /fundraising possible.
My sensational wife who lets me go on these crazy walks. Katrina is always supportive whether its time to train or time to organise stuff. Home life gets pretty hectic trying to put 4 hours of training into the mix.
My two beautiful children who just think I'm plain crazy, spend many weekend hours without me around because I'm out training. Or when I turn up to school soaking in sweat (Lizzie did tell me I was not to come to school like that to do a presentation to her class). I'm sure they have know idea the enormity of the mission I have set myself but one day I hope they get it.
Kim Last has put up with my question after stupid question about how to blog, what's a label, why does this have to be a PDF , what is a PDF.  Kim has set up the blog and done all the art work for the cards, posters and blog without hesitation. I am very sure Kim has put my questions ahead of paying work let alone family time, I cant thank you enough Kim. I could not have done it without your help.
Brendon Last has spent many hours over many beers working on cart design and trip planning. Brendon is giving up a lot of time to drop me on the other side of the Desert. I know  I can rely on you for just about anything so thanks Mate.
The Mt Colah boys you have had to listen to me carry on about this walk for a very long time, you where also the the inspiration behind the Still. So thanks boys.
Foxy you pushed me thru the last time(and supported me) and it is this inspiration that will keep me going this time. Im going to miss my "sand nigger" and I'm going to have to cook all my own food and set and pack up camp. thanks heaps for the Sat phone too.
Besty and Drewboy I cant wait to be out in the the desert for a few days dropping of my emergency food, and our date for State of Origin in Mt Isa should be special too.( the stars all aligned and it just so happens that the night I will drop them in Mt Isa is the same night as game 1.) Both you guys are taking time off work so thanks heaps.
My Oldies, Mum and Dad, I have probably taken a few more years off there lives with worry (and this is before I even leave) Mum and Dad are travelling out to Birdsville to see me set off to the other side of the desert and staying in Birdsville until I return. You know that you will have to come and have a beer with me at the Birdsville pub when I finish don't you? Seriously you are the best parents I could ever ask for. Thankyou
And to the many people who I have missed of this blog Thankyou.

Water and Hydration

This is one of those areas I can not get wrong. I plan to start with 100L of quality Berowra water.
This will give me 5L/Day . 4L to drink and 1L for cooking. 20 days of water, I will also be leaving an emergency supply at the Hay river Track of 50L this is a just in case (also at the Hay river will be an extra 10days of dehydrated food.) I will retrieve the water and food when I finish.
The water is stored in 10L containers that actually hold 11.75L. I plan to siphon water from the bottles as need into 4 500ml bottles this way I can monitor exactly how much I am drinking. My allowance is about 150ml/Km.
I have one more trick up my sleeve I have been playing with a still , to distill  my own urine . Its a simple concept that on first trial was not perfect but using fuel line as part of the contraption I should have know the water would taste like rubber. (well it didn't taste like piss I think)

I have overcome my taste issue using some high temperature food grade silicone hose. The still weighs under 1kg . I will hang it over the fire using a small tripod made from booker rod.
The efficiency is not bad producing about 500ml/hr so my plan will be to run the still on days when i want to finish early and have suitable wood.

Making My Bed

This is something Katrina will tell you I don't do well (maybe not at all). The way I see it , it's only get mucked up again in about 14 hours time so whats the point?
I talking about my cart bed

You may remember I started with a piece of shade cloth, it sagged to much but the concept was born and with the skills of a local canvas maker David Price from North Shore Canvas we came up with something a whole lot better.

Yep it does look a touch short , its just a long sleeping bag.

We made half of the stretcher with velcro so that it could be folded back ,sleeping bag and all. That way when I arrive after a full days slogging I can make my bed with ease.

I can add extra shelter if needed using a small tarp .

APEX Movie under the Stars

I would like to say thank you to all the people who came along to the Movie last night. The rain held off and I even saw a star or two.
Thanks also to the Berowra Apex and Hornsby Council for host a free community event.
The donations that where put in the bucket tallied $124.40 which goes straight to beyondblue. Proceeds from the BBQ will also be going to beyondblue.

I had a great time taking kids for rides on the cart. I had modified the cart adding 2 seats built from milk crates and old school chairs, installed a couple of guards so  no fingers would get caught in spokes and it all worked a treat .

Big news the final tally from all donations not including my bucket for the night was $1574.

Great work to every body that came along to support such a fantastic cause.

Spend Spend Spend.

This little adventure does cost money, lots of it. I'm cool with that and so it nice when companies and people are more than happy to help out.
Firstly a massive THANKYOU to my local coffee shop

WELLSPRING Cafe. Phil has decided to sponsor my shoes . Thanks Mate.
By the way my shoes of choice are an ultra light weight marathon shoe called Hoka stinsons ATR. They have a huge amount of cushioning.

Kathmandu has also come up with the goods in the form of a voucher that I used last Thursday night in Hornsby KMD store. The voucher entitled me to some extra discounts.

Trying not to go to overboard we still managed to knock up a nice bill. 

I also finally went and saw Warren from Promomania this week. I have known Warren for ever and we are best of mates and he has been very helpful with designing some t shirts for me.