Some say just getting your whole team to the GeoQuest start line is the first major milestone. For team BroCann (brothers Andy, Lukas, Mick, and cousin Steve), that was already a win. With sick kids, sick partners, and way too much salt-water gargling, simply arriving in Crescent Head together felt like an achievement.
Our first drama came when Lukas unpacked his car and found oil all over his bike and brakes. An 800km drive with a blown diff seal will do that. With no spare pads, we cleaned everything using every alcohol wipe the local chemist had. Eighty percent braking would have to do.
Our goal was simple: finish together. A top-50% result was the stretch target. Being our first Geo, the unknowns made anything more ambitious unrealistic, but five months of training gave us confidence.
Friday was spent testing kayaks and practicing deep-water re-entries. Mick’s first attempt nearly drowned him, but he recovered well. With strong winds forecast, we were warned the ocean leg might be cancelled. Thankfully, planning went smoothly and we were in bed by 9:30pm.
Saturday started with very little sleep thanks to a nearby bucks party. Lukas suggested we treat it as “XPD training.” After a brief panic about our control card, we started near the back, avoided the chaos, then worked our way forward. The first ride went well and we hit the first TA in first place in the men’s category.
Lukas and I took the swim/run, enjoying warmer water than expected, while Mick and Steve tackled the longer run. A bush bash through thick lantana earned us some scratches but saved time. After regrouping at the beach, we were back on the bikes and still feeling strong.
Soft sandy tracks made things tough, but reaching Smokey Cape lighthouse was a highlight. At the next TA, ham sandwiches and Coke tasted unbelievable. Our first navigation error here was caught early by Steve, limiting damage. Team DASH passed us on the beach run, and I became a firm believer in tow ropes.
Packrafting was slow and awkward, but we made it across and hit our stride on the bikes. Lukas carried most of the raft gear — our way of “equalising” things. We clawed back time and entered the first rogaine in the lead.
Unfortunately, the rogaine unraveled. We couldn’t find our first checkpoint for over an hour and had to change plans. Steve navigated well despite slipping and hitting his head, while Lukas’ stomach issues created “hazard zones” behind him. A four-hour leg became six. We ran out of water, refilled from creeks, and finished the leg at midnight in third place. As the Geo blog put it: “the wheels fell off.”
Back on the bikes, things improved. We flew downhill, narrowly missing a massive drop at 50km/h, and made up nearly half an hour. Hot food at the next TA helped, even though stomach problems spread through the team.
Night kayaking on the Nambucca River was magical — until we started getting hit by jumping fish. One even landed in Steve’s boat. After a cold transition at 4:20am, dry bread saved my stomach and became my new favourite race food.
The next bike leg was long and hilly, with more stomach issues. I took over navigation and struggled badly in the next rogaine. Missed checkpoints, upside-down maps, and repeated hill climbs crushed confidence. Eventually we found what we needed, but skipped one CP due to low water and battery. That decision cost us a three-hour penalty.
We left that TA battered but determined to finish.
Anger, hunger, and the promise of hot food powered us through the next bike leg, which we smashed. Even though we were out of contention, we still beat the leading men’s team on that section. Quarry Road produced our first team “niggle” after nearly 38 hours — not bad.
Another raft crossing went smoothly with the tide, followed by uncontrollable shivering on the bike. Warm food and a fire at the next TA felt like heaven. Butter chicken had never tasted so good.
On the final kayak, sleep deprivation really set in. Steve had micro-sleeps, paddling without touching the water. We finally reached the TA at 1:14am to loud cheering from support.
The last leg was a 7km beach run. Navigation was fuzzy, we briefly lost each other in the dunes, and the “sleep monsters” appeared. Steve nearly walked into the ocean. The lights of Crescent Head seemed miles away.
We crossed the line at 5:11am after 45 hours and 11 minutes, covering 250km. We finished 17th overall, later adjusted to 21st after penalties.
Highlights were the bike legs, night paddling under the stars, and leading the men’s division for a while. Teamwork was excellent, with everyone stepping up when needed. Transitions and nutrition need work — and dry bread is now mandatory.
The rogaines were the low point, especially the second. More night navigation practice is essential.
A huge thanks to Linda and Dad for outstanding support, and to Reuben, Hannah, and Tom for enduring 48 hours in the car. Ice cream was the least we could do.
We debated racing again on the final beach run. Those conversations are sealed away until recovery is complete and the stories have settled in.
BroCann out.
