My 1st Rally

I spent 6 months training for the Tuareg Rally and it was certainly an unforgettable experience.

Day 1 . Had found secret check point and my start to the rally felt really good. Had to miss an oncoming Donkey whist climbing in the last part of the Enduro section. Ended up going off path and rolling down steep hill. Trees and bushes broke me and the bikes fall. Took a long time to get the bike off me and get back on track. Got to 1st check point but Ico kept freezing after and I struggled to navigate.

Day 2. Started at back and worked way through back riders. Wasted an hour waiting in line for fuel. After cp3 got lost after navigation error. Was just going too fast trying to make up time. A lesson learned. Missed next check point by 8 minutes.

Day 3. Going well with Labyrinth section completed in good time. 1st set of small dunes fine then clutch went on bigger ones later on. Took all day to get bike back to camp. John, Andy and I put in new plates. I worked late into the night trying to get it finished.

Day 4. Early start trying to get the bikes problems sorted out. Got to the start line but clutch problems persisted. Found John and replaced seal in clutch. Still had problems. Spent all day putting in a complete set of clutch plates. Day gone.

Day 5. Battled with the dunes all morning. One hill climb I just couldn't do. Did attempt after attempt but did get near enough to hand in time card. I'm pleased I pushed myself further into the dunes and persisted.

Day 6. Struggled with dunes again but rest of the day good. Finished in the top half.

Day 7. Went really well with navigation and special completed with loads of time to spare. I had learnt from previous mistakes and it felt good. I was on schedule for my best result. With 120km to go and all the hard work done, the bike had a fuel injection problem and my rally was over.

Day 8. I watched everyone else complete the rally. I was really pleased for everyone and congratulated all that I shared moments with on the rally. It goes without saying that I was gutted that I was unable to ride my bike to the finish.

The 690 genuinely held up well and the gear from Rally Raid Products was spot on. Just some bent rims, broken spokes and a new fuel injector needed. The plastics and decals were pretty badly scratched up, the rear light got broken, and the front fender collected a nice crack but its to be expected.

My 1st rally didn't quite go to plan but I was happy with my fitness levels, only suffered gentle bruising, met extremely nice people, and basically want to do it again. Everyone on the team was amazingly patient and helpful. A big thank you to them all.

My final thoughts go out to the riders who went out with broken bones. I wish them all a speedy recovery.

Morocco

My 1st taste of the desert and Morocco. Really enjoyed it. Only downer was that it didn't last long enough. I am now officially addicted and want more.

Dawn 2 Dusk 2011

My 1st race on 2 wheels.

We took the 690 for the Big Bike Night Race and the 525 for the 6hr. Great weekend. 1st person we met on site was John from Rally Raid Products who was also taking part in the 10hr Big Bike (cheers for the stickers John), so set up behind him and Desert Rose Racing and spent some hours talking all things KTM and rally related. Couldn't get any sleep that night back at the camp site and the next day was spent getting the bikes ready, registering, watching the sighting lap, etc. By the time we got to the starting we were knackered.

Met up with Tom from Cotswold Outdoor. He was racing his 640 Adventure. Big old lump that 640. He did really well and it was his first event. 

The Big Bike track was good and challenging. It was a shame they closed the hardest hill climb early on due to some burnt out clutches. The 6hr hour course was as usual slippery and exhausting.

Rob turned up later on in the event and did a couple of laps during the 6hr. Was really good to see him.

The 690 was faultless and the Michelin tyres awesome. I was as in 3rd 3/4 of the way through the race with a 2 lap lead but couldn't keep up the pace and ended 5th. It was a real challenge and had to dig deep more then a few times during the race. There where a few offs, cramps and general sickness but I felt I did OK for a 1st attempt. I do though really need to work on my fitness levels.

John did really well in his 1st ever enduro in the 6 hr event. It was also his first go on the 525 EXC. He got the hole shot and finished 6th in his class and thouroghly enjoyed himself. He will be back next year on his Honda XR 650.

Trail Riding In Wales

My 1st trip to Wales. Arrived at the Touratech site on the first day and went out for a little laning with Nick Plumb and our good new friend Tom. Camped the night there and then headed off to LLanerchindda Farm.

Very good days riding, with ruts, mud, slate/stone, river crossings, and hot weather. We both had a fall each and the bikes only suffered a few scratches, some knackered decals, and a broken number plate. 

1st Green Laning Experience

In Devon, freezing cold, and muddy on the old LC4. Loved it (apart from the ruts). Will be doing more of this.

Iceland

A gentle trip around Europe turned into an unforgettable and amazing off-road adventure through Iceland. I met the most amazing people. Iceland was just outstanding.