Filled with memories of his late grandfather’s renewed sense of purpose after getting involved at his local Men’s Shed, Alex Turner decided to say thank you in his own unique way. It prompted a grand adventure in a stunning setting. However, within hours of starting his ride for Men’s Sheds, even Alex was worried he may have bitten off more than he could chew.
It’s true that one person’s idea of a grand adventure can be someone else’s definition of craziness. Enter 33-year-old Sydneysider Alex Turner who decided he wanted to do something meaningful to support Men’s Sheds because of their “life-changing” effect on his grandfather during his retirement years.
The story of Alex’s fundraising ride adventure for Men’s Sheds by motorbike across the unforgiving Simpson Desert starts with nostalgia. A boy and his granddad are spending time together at the workbench in pop’s shed, shoulder to shoulder.
“Some of my fondest memories as a young fella were going to my pop’s house in Engadine. We would get the Jaycar kits and he would teach me the basics of electronics when I was 8 or 9 years old,” reflects Alex.
“I learnt to solder and I used to love it. My pop and I would play around with Ham radios and (were) always building stuff in the shed and I absolutely idolised him in that way.”
Alex speaks of his grandfather Geoffrey Turner with pride, revealing he worked on communications for a time in the Vietnam War. Like so many veterans, he never spoke about it.
Alex Turner with his late grandfather, Geoffrey Turner
Geoffrey also contributed to the rollout of the first CT scanners in Australia and enjoyed a successful career as a technician for a medical equipment company until around age 70.
His eyesight was declining and he could no longer drive. He didn’t feel ready to retire but had no choice.
Alex remembers a distinct change in his pop’s demeanour.
“It took him so long to let go of work… because he loved what he did and he got so much purpose.
“I think that’s something that I definitely see in a lot of blokes.”
While he can’t remember exactly how his pop found out about his local men’s shed at Menai, Alex says he’ll never forget the resulting lift in his spirits.
“He started going down to men’s shed and it ended up being his sanctuary… and that just gave him so much purpose.”
“He was affectionately known in his shed as Grumpy,” laughs Alex.
“He did a lot of electrical stuff. Always fixing something for someone whether it was an old radio or rebuilding valves or these tube wireless units or polishing and getting them back to just right.”
To Alex’s surprise, Grumpy Pop was learning new skills too. He learned leadlighting and proudly replaced the front windows and doors at home with his creations.
“He ended up building his own mobility scooter so he could get to the shed, which he named ‘Indie’ because that was his independence. It was just bits of different mobility scooters put together.
“To him it was his community. They were people he could go and brag about his grandkids to.”
Fast forward to mid 2025 and Alex had decided to do something positive to celebrate Men’s Sheds because they had such an impact on Grumpy Pop’s life.
To cross the Simpson Desert on his 2017 KTM 690 Enduro R motorbike should take around three days. Starting from Birdsville in Queensland, Alex would take the route known as the French Line. That meant navigating more than a thousand sand dunes before reaching Dalhousie Springs in South Australia.
“I just had this idea of this grand adventure and going across and doing it solo,” he says.
He organised a small film crew with plans to take advantage of the incredible desert scenery.
Alex set off from Birdsville, giving strict instructions to his crew. They were to film – but never help.
Before too long, he sorely regretted those words.
“I’m not sure I can do this”
Alex Turner on day one of his ride for Men’s Sheds
Like so many projects at the shed – and in life – his plan had seemed relatively simple. After all, motorcyclists and 4WD vehicles cross the Simpson Desert all the time.
The reality check was humbling. Alex missed a detour and found his gear-laden, fully-fuelled motorbike stuck in mud.
Weighing around 200 kilograms, it took all his angry determination to get it upright.
One of many crashes. Alex admits he was unprepared for the type of sand he encountered on the ride.
His ride for Men’s Sheds had become a mental test as much as a physical one. It had been a shocker of a start and a punishing day.
It was only day one and he hadn’t even made it halfway to his planned stopover.
That night at camp, he wrote in his journal and questioned what he was doing in the desert – and what he was doing wrong.
“I realised I wasn’t prepared for the type of sand… I’m not riding fast enough.
“Common sense tells me to go harder. You still have crashes… but less frequently.”
Despite the challenges, Alex pushed on. Over the following days he conquered the dunes, crossed the desert and completed the journey he had set out to achieve. Along the way he raised more than $10,000 for the Australian Men’s Shed Association and, perhaps more importantly, shared his grandfather’s story with a much wider audience.
Looking back on the experience, Alex says the ride reinforced just how important purpose, connection and community can be in a man’s life—lessons he first learned from watching Grumpy Pop find a new lease on life at his local Men’s Shed.
“If that’s what I can take away from this trip and give back to the community… and get my Pop’s story out then this has been a roaring success.”
Having reached South Australia, Alex asked a 4WD driver to take his photo. He agreed – for a fee of $10!