LIMESTONE Coast freestyle motocross rider Josh Burdon has recently returned down under after a three-month stint performing in Shenzhen, China.
With two shows everyday, he completed more than 180 performances during his time overseas, which in itself is a massive feat.
Add into the mix the language barrier, weather conditions, an unfamiliar environment and a new bike and Burdon’s expedition was certainly a challenging one.
“The only way I could describe it is that it was a challenging experience,” Burdon said.
“It was good, but there were a lot of challenges in there, from not being able to speak their language to riding in a different country.
“It was summer there, but their summer is really humid.
“That was something I did not really take into account, I did not think it was going to be as challenging as it was.”
Burdon said before making the trip he felt prepared to do two shows a day, but once he landed in China and started performing he realised it was going to be a big ask.
He said after the first three weeks he realised his fitness would need to be raised to new heights.
“I suppose you do not know until you get on the job site and start doing it,” he said.
“I was mentally prepared to do two shows a day, but then when I got there and we started to get into it and started performing, I realised my fitness was going to have to go to another level.
“Once we got our feet on the ground, got the bikes set up how we wanted and got over the jet lag and the humidity, then we were alright.”
The performances took place at the Safari Park zoo in Shenzhen in a show which included a vast lineup of stunt car drivers and animal acts, along with Burdon’s FMX.
Burdon said it was a rewarding experience to showcase his own talents, along with those of 16-year-old Tasmanian rider Jayden Bailey, who he brought with him for the three month contract.
“The show content was really good, it had a large variety of things,” Burdon said.
“Then when we came into play, it just took it to a whole other level.
“They have not really seen what we do, so they see a motorbike get two wheels off the ground and they think you’re going to crash or die.
“When they saw what we were doing perfected, they treated you like you were Michael Jackson or something.”
The contract was initially for 360 shows, but some trouble with visas and passports saw the trip cut short.
However, taking part in more than 180 shows was a big step up from the 30 performances Burdon did at the venue last year and he is confident he will be asked to return to the international stage again in 2018.
“I was really proud of Jayden and myself,” he said.
“Going over and doing 180 shows and not having a single problem – from bike failure to us crashing – that in itself was a huge statement and I know the company will recognise that.”
“All around it was an awesome trip.
“I learned a lot and it has provided huge opportunities for the future.”
With the initial chance arising after an old school friend got in touch with him last year, Burdon said it was a crazy turn of events which created the opportunity for him and his team.
“I got the call last year from a guy I used to go to school with, Sam Bennett,” he said.
“As you do when you finish school, you go your own ways.
“Then randomly last year I got this email from him and he asked if I was still doing FMX.
“He said he was over in China doing road bike stunt work and they needed two riders.
“It’s crazy how it all happened.”
Burdon would also like to thank all his local sponsors who supported him in his endeavour and said it was a proud feeling wearing their names on his back in a foreign country.
“When you’re over in another country and you put your jersey on and it’s got all your local sponsors on it, it just gives you this tingling feeling,” he said.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to get the job done when you have got locals backing you.
“To be sitting here with no broken bones, that’s the icing on the cake.”
