Cyclist completes Capricorn odyssey
05/09/2007
Italian athlete Aldo Mazzocchi has completed an unusual trek.
He spent most of August cycling across Australia, following, roughly, the line of the Tropic of Capricorn, with a diversion south to Ayers Rock. The starting point was Keppel Bay in northern Queensland and the trek ended 19 days later in Geraldton, Western Australia.
He had intended to make Carnarvon the finishing point, but a stomach complaint forced the cyclist to change his planned route.
He had intended to make Carnarvon the finishing point, but a stomach complaint forced the cyclist to change his planned route.
In the end he covered more than 5,000 kilometres, mostly on dirt tracks. The terrain included extreme conditions, such as those in the Gibson Desert. The temperature ranged from 0 degrees at night to 40 degrees during the hottest part of the day. He averaged 280 kilometres a day by spending 18 hours in the saddle.
He drank 10 litres of water every day and used up 11,000 calories during each stage.
Textile producer Aquafil was one of Aldo Mazzocchi's technical sponsors for the event. Its Dryarn fibre went into the Briko sports clothing the athlete wore, providing him with extra comfort through its moisture-resistant, heat-regulating, breathable and antibacterial qualities.
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