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Crossing the Gobi desert is no easy feat, but
a team of three men - of whom two are from Norfolk - have travelled
625 miles of Mongolia's harsh desert using wind-powered buggies.
Kieron Bradley and Peter Ash who are both from
Norwich, and Professor Brian Cunningham, of Manchester, came up
with the idea after watching a travel documentary on the area of
Gobi.
Mr Bradley, an ex-Formula One engineer designed
the three-wheel, aluminium-framed buggies, which had large tyres
and roll bars to protect the pilot in the event of a crash.
"I thought I'd over-designed these buggies, but
when I see what they've been through I think I got it just about
right," he said.
"This was the toughest ordeal any kite-buggying
rig has undergone, but it was worth every minute," said Peter Ash.
The men provided an exclusive diary of their expedition
for 91Èȱ¬ Norfolk.
Diary entry:
Wednesday 22 September
We are now camped within 10km of our destination
after a superb day.
Yesterday was hard with difficult wind but today
more than made up for it.
We covered just under 82km over the best terrain
we've seen so far. However, there was a sting in the tail with a
difficult traverse of some very rocky hills towards the end of the
day.
We could have finished the final 10km today but
instead we deliberately stopped here to avoid camping close to the
town.
People are so interested in our expedition that
we would certainly be mobbed if we continued into Olziyt.
We will finish the final 10km tomorrow.
It is hard for us to realise that we have now completed
the first kite-powered crossing of the Gobi Desert.
All our gear and our support team have been great.
The PKD Century kites have been brilliant in the
most demanding of conditions. We have not had a single kite failure
despite some desperate weather and horrible terrain.
The buggies have taken dreadful punishment and
are still going strong.
We are hugely grateful to all our sponsors for
their enthusiastic support and for having the faith in us to complete
this adventure.
Read through
the diary entries »
Send your messages
What do you think of the expedition? Send your
messages of support to the team in the Gobi desert.
Well done Kieron and mates. what a wonderful thing to achieve! Glad you are back safe and sound-very proud of you XX
Jayne, Thorpe Rd Norwich
Now that you've murdered the Gobi, why don't you bring your buggies over to the Mojave and we'll catch some sick air. Word 'em up!
Sam Snow, Wrightwood, California
I'm really interested to hear more about the Parastorm buggies. They have obviously been fantastic. Are they expensive and who sells them?
Felicity
Pete, hear you're bombing along nicely. Small beer when you return ?
Kevin & Jack
keep going lads!
Read About Norfolk
Get on with it Peter, services to be done! Good luck
Steven Ives, Norfolk
Go bro, keep it up!
Bruce Ash
A few of us at Lotus are following your adventures. Keep it up and safe journey.
Mark, Norfolk
All the best, lets hope you get some good winds soon. we will follow your progress with great interest
Jean and David Hawke Norfolk
well done lads now the aeroflot bits over the rest should be a breeze. or should that be a gale!!!
keep the cameras rolling and clean
all the best Ray
ray.gotts
Good Luck Uncle Pete You Can do it.
Imogen and Finlay Ash
Good luck on your adventure we shall watch your progress with great interest on the website.
John and Meda Hilton, Bolton
Are you using Parastorm buggies? If so, where can I buy one?
Scott Ashcroft, Canada
My crazy brother (Kieron),
Always thought you had problems with wind! Hope you're well. In UK 17-30 Sept & will check on the kids. Love you very much. Come back safetly. Lallo xxx
Annabel Bradley, Atyrau Kazakhstan
Superb challenge! I wish you fair weather and loads of luck. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you
Lance Green, South Korea
I think this is a great idea - what a challenge! Good luck on your travels.
Emma
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