In 2008 Smiling for Smiddy founder Mark “Sharky” Smoothy began his seven year quest to cycle around Australia in seven stages. Each September, with the continuing support of our amazing sponsor Bottlemart, Sharky extends his 1600km “Smiddy Challenge” to include one of these stages. So far Sharky has knocked off:
- 2008 - A 3200 kilometre journey from Coolangatta on the NSW border to the tip of Queensland, Cape York, in 20 days.
- 2009 - Innisfail to Darwin in 24 days and the distance was just short of 4000 kilometres.
2010 is the third stage from Katherine in the Northern Territory to Karratha in Western Australia, which includes 600 kilometres of dirt through the rugged Kimberley region. It will be a total distance of 3800 kilometres in 23 days of riding.
Sharky’s motivations for 7 in 7
It has always been a dream of Sharky’s to ride around Australia. Since losing his great mate Adam Smiddy, he no longer dreams…he acts on those dreams. While he would like to ride around Australia in the one hit, this is not possible due to time constraints and other commitments. So 7 in 7 was born; 7 stages over 7 years.
Will “Sharky” do this alone?
Each year Sharky extends an invite to a close friend to accompany him on the stage. In 2008 it was Cameron Single from Mackay, while 2009 saw fellow Smiddy rider Scotty “Falcon” May of Brisbane along for the ride. In 2010 Sharky’s best mate Ron “Man of Tin” Steel from Mackay will accompany Mark and Scott. Steely and Sharky are the only two riders to have completed every Smiddy Challenge since its beginning in 2006. The lads have been the best of mates since working together in Toowoomba over 20 years ago. As well as Scott and Ron, Sharky has a dedicated road crew in Kevin Enchelmaier and Shane Butler, who give up two weeks of their time each year. Both lads have been there right from the start of 7 in 7.
About the Route
For the journey around Australia the route remains as close to the coast as possible. The 2010 route will be an arduous one with the trio set to face 600 kilometres of corrugated bull-dust dirt roads along the Gibb Track through the heart of the Kimberley’s. The lads will have road bikes and mountain bikes and will swap over as the road changes from tarmac to dirt.
Fundraising for Smiling for Smiddy
Sharky’s Oz adventure continues the Smiddy fundraising around Australia. The fundraising continues right up until the lads finish in Karratha, Western Australia. You can donate in support of their journey via their individual fundraising pages: Sharky, Falcon and Steely