Got a phone call from a Kristopher Davant about his ride around the world on their Quad bikes raising money for Oxfam (a worthy cause I'm sure you will agree), well they are doing a ride into Sydney and across the Harbour Bridge on their Quad bikes (unusual I know) and they are trying to drum up some support from the local M/C community well look here is the email that he sent me.
Hi Mike,
It was great to speak with you on Friday. Thank you for your kind words, it really has not been easy.The last 4 months has changed my life forever. It is so clear that Val is missing. But we must continue to honor him.
Our Dream
On August 10th 2010, the three of us, Valerio De Simoni (23), Jamie Kenyon (24) and Ted Davant (26), young Aussies from Sydney set out to break the Guinness World Record for the longest journey on a Quad Bike. Riding overland across the world from Istanbul, to Sydney. An epic and life changing adventure of best friends taking a full 14-months, across 38 countries spanning Europe, Africa and Australia. We have now raised $30,000 for Oxfam Australia and we are just the three young Aussies.
Our Story - The Quad Squad, who are we?
Not an easy task with a quadbike that is meant to be on a farm! Crossing through hostile sections of dunes through the Libyan Sahara Desert, surviving on camel meat and finding ourselves in the mist of political conflicts were all adding huge pressure on our team as we acted to overcome Northern Africa. Descending the continent of Africa we experienced extreme stomach viruses passing through mine infested militia area of Northern Sudan, thousands of kilometers from any western hospital. We had to push on into 4000m highlands of Ethiopia, while avoiding being attacked by people throwing stones and spears. Making it this far, half way down the length of Africa we had to pass through bandit territory of Northern Kenya with a para-military convoy, where shooting bandits is a weekly occurrence. But all these times above were nothing compared to losing Val.
Losing Valerio in a car accident - Honoring Val
On the 12th of April 2011 after riding together through roughly 25 countries, there was a car accident. We were riding in convoy and a car lost control and hit our friend Valerio. Our best friend of 13 years. After 12 hours in intensive care with us by his side he passed away. This has changed our lives forever. We took his body back to Sydney for a funeral and after 6 weeks we got back on the plane to finish what we had started in his honor. He didn't have the choice to continue so we decided we must continue.
The Quad Squad Welcome Home Ride Day
We need your help. Our friend Valerio had another dream, to finish our World Record journey with as many other riders
who shared our passion for motorcycle riding. We need your help, to honor our friends dream, to finish in the way that he will not be able to.
Details
Date: 22nd October 2011
Location: Newcastle (with a stop close to Sydney perhaps Hornsby) to Sydney. Crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Opera House.
Time: To be announced
This event will be covered by the Channel 7 Sunday Night program (similar to 60 minutes on channel 9 expect more viewers), filming by helicopter and through the day with a crew.
The ride day has also been embraced by the Motorcycle Council of NSW as a great opportunity to promote Motorcycle Awareness week. As the ride coincides with Motorcycle Awareness Week 2011.
More information about the Quad Squad and a question:
There will be a episode on Seven Sunday Night in 3 weeks time which will show case our story. I will advise when this is on so you have a better understanding of our story. In the meantime please read the following informatio
Our website has more information:
www.quadsquad.org Many photos from the journey:
www.facebook.com/expquadsquadAction:
Please take this back to your committee and get back to me to show you interest. In the mean time we will update our website and create a facebook page and advise you when up.
Green Regards,
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KRISTOPHER DAVANT
The Quad Squad Expedition : Istanbul-Sydney 2010-2011
M. +61-415-755-705 I Sat. +881-622-450-574 I E.
kristopher@expedition.org.au I W.
www.quadsquad.org Mmick
