The (inaugural) DD
24th July 2022. 2030hrs standing at Kangaroo Point looking north at the Peats Ferry Bridge. Before you finish the DD, this is your last view of the Hawkesbury River. If you’re here before sunrise, you’re doing well. Strava link for the ride. Bonus essay - the outcome is the journey.
The Dyarubbin Double (DD) is Australia's hardest* one-day paddle race.
Can you finish (and still be talking to your partner)?
Welcome to the first event conceived by The Hard Way - a small group of people that believe in an immersive experience with all the trappings of difficulty, not a curated tour with a support car.
Many people have paddled the Hawkesbury River over the past 30 years, no one has done it like this.
We’re just getting started. Are you?
*We think it is, but don’t worry, we already have plans for an XL version in 2023. How long is the XL? You’ll need to wait to find out, but you’ll ride up through the Blue Mountains to get back to Brooklyn.
Overview
Open to teams of two, a self-supported paddle up the Hawkesbury River finishing by riding back to the start.
Why
For us, it’s finding our limits. For you?
Course
Navigate the river by day. Ride back to Brooklyn by night. Easy.
Rules
The race is hard, the rules are simple. No fee, no support, no jerks.
Gear
All you need is a boat (kayak, SUP, outrigger etc) and a bike.
Overview
Standing at Hawkins Lookout looking at the Webbs Creek Ferry
The Dyarubbin Double (DD) is the hardest one-day paddle race in Australia - can you finish (and still be talking to your partner)?
Open to teams of two, a self-supported paddle up the Hawkesbury River finishing by riding back to the start.
If your day is going well, you'll be riding up Mangrove Mountain at 0200hrs in the morning, if it's not, you may have found a comfortable ditch to lie down in a bit earlier. Starting at Brooklyn at 0900hrs on Saturday morning, you'll paddle up the Hawkesbury River arriving in Windsor in the evening. You'll swap your boat for a bike at Windsor and ride back to Brooklyn the hard way.
Welcome to the first event conceived by The Hard Way - a small group of people that believe in an immersive experience with all the trappings of difficulty, not a curated tour with a support car.
Many people have paddled the Hawkesbury River over the past 30 years, no one has done it like this.
To finish this race, you're going to need to find a reason, it's going to need to be good. Even if your day goes to plan, there will be moments when you ask why you're doing this. We think you should find an answer before you start, instead of waiting for inspiration.
We've removed all the obvious and easy reasons that people default to.
This is not a charity event.
You don't get a certificate and a finisher’s medal.
There may be no one at the finish.
You don't have access to a land crew to cheer you on.
You have to do this by yourself. You have to do this the hard way. Most people won't sign up, they'll list off all the usual excuses. Not enough time, haven't trained, can't find someone else.
We'll call this for what it is - bullshit.
Be honest with yourself, then ask if this is who you want to be? If you're satisfied giving up before you've even started, this race is not for you. If you're not satisfied, use the race as a chance to see what you're capable of. You might not finish, but you can come back next year. Be warned, there are already plans to make the race harder! There will be an XL version in 2023.
The Dyarubbin Double is based on the principles of bikepack racing:
There is no organiser.
There is no insurance.
There is no support.
There are no aid stations.
There is no entry fee.
There is no one to call if you get into trouble.
You're choosing to set out at a specific time and follow a specific course that we've set. We plan to be there, but we might not turn up, and that shouldn’t matter to you. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.
We are not in any way responsible for the decisions you make. If you die, don't assume we'll be at your funeral (they're usually kind of sad).
You'll either think this is brilliant (like we do) or realise you want the safety and comfort of an organised event.
The rules
27th August 2022. 0945hrs standing on the northern side of the Hawkesbury River at Gunderman looking towards Singletons Mill. This was our impromptu ‘picnic spot’ on a training paddle. Strava link.
The rules of the Dyarubbin Double are based on the rules of bikepacking races
The basic rules of bikepacking races are:
Race participants are intended to be solo / self-supported and observed as one stage, i.e. the clock runs non-stop. (First person to the finish wins).
A participant may resupply food/equipment, rent a room, launder clothing, or even service their bike at commercial shops. The intent is to ride unsupported between towns and function self-supported when in towns. Any services utilized must be commercially available to all challengers and not pre-arranged. No private resupply, no private lodging.
Participants must always ride 100% of the route denoted by the most current GPS file the race “promoter” distributes.
Advancing (forward) on the route by any means other than one’s pedal power is strictly prohibited. No drafting.
Participants alone are responsible for their safety.
Participants alone must police their conduct (i.e. have personal integrity).
This is a summary of the key points from the Tour Divide rules.
The Dyarubbin Double has simplified these a bit further and added in some elements that make the race 'ours'.
0. Don't be a jerk.
Not sure? You're probably being a jerk.
1. Don't try to find an advantage in any form from anyone outside of your team.
2. No access to anything that is not publicly available.
Note: we are not as restrictive as commercially available. If you need to wander into someone's place and ask for water, that's cool with us. Refer to rule 0 if unsure. This means you can’t drop a bag for yourself along the course, you can’t have someone meet you, and you can’t drop in at your friend’s place.
3. This is a team’s race (of two). The time is when the second person crosses the finish line.
This is not a relay, not a tour, not a holiday, this is a race. The clock doesn't stop because you do. If you don’t cross the finish line together, you have probably broken rule 0.
4. All teams must carry (at least) one stuffed animal (at all times) during the race*.
You are, of course, welcome to take more than one.
5. Follow the course 'as is'. Paddle your boat and ride your bike without any form of assistance. Follow all relevant water and road rules.
This should all go without saying. If you needed to know this, you're probably breaking rule 0. Don't turn up. We don't want you.
*In future editions of the race, you'll need to carry the stuffed animal(s) from any previous successful finish(es). Each year, you'll end up carrying one more than last year. Don't lose them, or you can't enter! No substitutes are allowed.
6. All teams will enter by registering with MAProgress.
XXX include URL or relevant details.
The winning team will meet the following requirements:
(i) The fastest finishing time (as per MAProgress) - see rule 3.
(ii) At least two photos of your team and your stuffed animal (on Strava). One during the paddle and one during the run.
At least one of you needs to be on Strava. Your phone will include the GPS coordinates of the photos.
Photos with your stuffed animal at Brooklyn and Windsor do not count. The photos need to be during the paddle and during the ride. We’re not being difficult, we don’t want you packing your stuffed animal(s) away and forgetting about them!