They’ve packed their sunhats (with corks?) and compasses, and are off to Australia
to try and become the best in the world, racing in terrain quite different to that
they’re used to

Alan and Aiden won the trip by placing top in the last three Polaris Challenge events,
held all over the British Isles in the last year.

The Polaris Challenge tests competitors by making them navigate their way around
checkpoints, whilst carrying equipment for an overnight camp on the Saturday. The
location of the overnight camp is kept secret until the start on Saturday. All teams
camp at the same area and the camp is an integral part of the event with 400-500
tired bikers all camped in the wilderness somewhere, overnight. Penalties are heavy
for finishing late. After a good night’s sleep teams then have another 5 hours on
the Sunday to collect more points and finish back for the results and prize giving.

Roger Dillon, the Managing Director of Polaris Apparel Ltd and Endurance Events Ltd
said "Alan and Aiden have pretty much dominated the UK Polaris/Trailquest scene
for the last couple of years, and other events around the country. They won the trip
to Australia for placing the highest in the last three Polaris events, and we’re
all watching how they do on the other side of the world. They’ve won the UK Polaris
an unprecendented eight times, so it’ll be interesting to see how they get on ‘down
under’".

The Australian event is taking place on the weekend of March 10th-12th in 700km of
rugged bush and mountain country between Lithgow and Bathurst in Australia. As well
as Aiden and Alan from the flying in to compete from the UK, there are teams taking
part from Malaysia, Germany and New Zealand.