Wern Ddu Quarry – UK’s toughest hard enduro location
Wern Ddu Quarry, arguably the best and toughest hard enduro venue in the UK. Offering an array of different level hills, tracks, gnarly rocky streams and more.
Welcome to Wern Ddu Quarry, arguably the best and toughest hard enduro venue in the UK. Finding decent places to ride and train hard enduro can be tough, especially with so many places closing down. The venue offers an array of different level hills, climbs, single track and even gnarly rocky streams. This means it is suitable for notice through to highly experienced riders.
In this video I’ll share a day riding at Wern Ddu Quarry in North Wales and you can see for yourself why it is one of the best enduro venues in the UK and how it nearly killed me!
Welcome to Wern Ddu
Expect to be exhausted and bruised by the end of the day, but you will be leaving with a huge smile and improved skills. It is open on weekends pretty much all year round, with pre booking available on their website.
Enduro bikes and trials bikes are allowed but there is a noise limit on bikes, so be sure to check as they are strict [OEM pipes recommended].
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
The Africa Eco Race is one of the most difficult and prestigious rally raids in the history of Motorsport, following the original and real route of The Dakar.
What is the Africa Eco Race (AER):
This legendary off-road race is one of the harshest, most brutal rally raids (race) in the world. 500+ participants race their motorcycles, trucks, quads and cars, for 12 straight days across thousands of miles of some of the most remote, rugged and punishing terrain in the world.
Facing extreme weather, limited sleep, high speeds, long days, isolation and unforgiving terrains are some of the reasons why the Africa Eco Race remains to be one of the most difficult and prestigious rallies in the history of motorsport.
Why it is the real Dakar rally:
The Africa Eco Race was launched in 2009 by two men who wanted to keep the original spirit and route of Dakar alive after “The Dakar” Rally was moved in 2008 from its original location in Africa to South America, followed by Saudi Arabia where the race is currently held now. Subsequently with this move and the desire to keep the traditional, legendary and historic Paris to Dakar rally alive the Africa Eco Race was born.
The AER follows the original route of “The Dakar” rally through the African continent, crossing thousands of miles over multiple countries while traversing through the Sahara Desert with one goal – make it to the finish line; Dakar. Every year the AER makes minor alterations to various stages of the race to keep things fresh and exciting but ultimately the race is the same as the original just with a different name.
Why is it called Africa Eco Race and why is it special:
Although the Africa Eco Race has recaptured and kept the original Dakar spirit alive by racing the real and traditional route of Paris to Dakar, there have been some major changes in the values, focus and goals of the rally. During the time when “The Dakar” was in Africa there were many criticisms made in regards to the environment, inhabitants, livestock and human rights. Which is why the AER has captivated the world with their values and the way it is operated.
The Africa Eco Race has a special focus on the environment, the communities, the people and local businesses of those that which the race passes through. It operates in a way that puts the true values of human lives, eco responsibility, authenticity, sustainable development, environmental impact and sportsmanship at the forefront.
It is the most environmentally friendly and ecologically aware rally race in the world, running a series of projects each year that help provide long term contributions to improve the lives of people in the remote areas of the countries that are raced across. Whilst also contributing to the local economy and ensuring they are involved at a maximum.
Where is the race and how long is it:
This extremely brutal, intense and challenging off road rally begins in Europe and ends in Africa. Beginning in Monaco and continuing through Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal traversing across the unforgiving Sahara Desert all the way to Dakar.
Participants come from all over the world to take part in this incredible race, upon arrival they are equipped with nothing but an odometer, compass and a paper scroll road book and must navigate their way over more than 6500km/4000miles of punishing terrain during the course of 12 days.
Who can do it:
The Africa Eco Race welcomes amateurs and professionals, but this Rally is a true test of endurance for both the drivers/riders and their vehicles, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It is no easy task enduring extreme desert temperatures of up to 50°C during the day and -5°C during the nights while navigating through difficult and punishing terrain, unforgiving conditions, constantly maintaining and repairing your machine all while staying focused for 2 weeks in a row during this insanely long race.
Watch me:
Follow me Vanessa Ruck “The Girl On A Bike” as I take on the Africa Eco Race in 2024. I will be documenting the whole experience from start to finish and sharing a unique perspective on what its like to take on the real Dakar.
The 2024 Africa Eco Race departs Monaco on the 30th December 2023 and finishes in Senegal on the 14th January 2024. See the table below for more information on the race schedule.
Dates:
Day:
Stages;
Daily Distance
Special Stage Distance
Accumulated Distance:
02-Jan
Tuesday
NADOR / BOUDNIB
598 KM
SS: 174 KM
598
03-Jan
Wednesday
BOUDNIB / MHAMID
425 KM
SS: 383 KM
1023
04-Jan
Thursday
MHAMID / ASSA
523 KM
SS: 463 KM
1546
05-Jan
Friday
ASSA / FORT CHACAL
473 KM
SS: 468 KM
2019
06-Jan
Saturday
FORT CHACAL / DAKHLA
593 KM
SS: 405 KM
2612
07-Jan
Sunday
REST DAY IN DAKHLA
2612
08-Jan
Monday
DAKHLA / CHAMI
635 KM
SS: 205 KM
3247
09-Jan
Tuesday
CHAMI/ CHAMI
475 KM
SS: 454 KM
3722
10-Jan
Wednesday
CHAMI/ AMODJAR
485 KM
SS: 395 KM
4207
11-Jan
Thursday
AMODJAR / AMODJAR
467 KM
SS: 363 KM
4674
12-Jan
Friday
AMODJAR / AKJOUT
415 KM
SS: 390 KM
5089
13-Jan
Saturday
AKJOUT / ST LOUIS
477 KM
SS: 248 KM
5566
14-Jan
Sunday
ST LOUIS / LAC ROSE
325 KM
NIOKHOB – LAC ROSE: 15 KM
5891
SS Distance
3963
Total distance
5891
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
5 fantastic days in Southern Spain on immaculate BMW GS motorcycles – what more could you want from a trip? Here’s why I recommend Moto Hire Spain for bike rental.
As someone who has ridden a wide array of different adventure motorcycles I decided it was time to try the BMW GS. They are a massive love or hate bike, so I knew it was one I needed to get some decent saddle time on it, thus an adventure would be ideal. I found Moto Hire Spain near Malaga and decided to do 5 days around Granada, Zaraha de la Siere and Ronda with a girlfriend.
The Team
Run by English speakers who have lived and experienced Spain for many years, they are a perfectly armed team able to offer their extensive knowledge and services of the beautiful country. We had an easy and friendly welcome at the airport with our transfer and everything was easily explained.
Bikes
Moto Hire Spain have a large fleet of BMW motorcycles and offer pure rentals, part guided and full guided tours. We opted for the part tour where Moto Hire Spain provided us with a route plan and pre-booked hotels.
Bikes wise, in 2023 when I visited, they had:
BMW R1250GS ADV
BMW R1250GS
BMW R1200GS ADV
BMW R1200GS Rallye
BMW R1200GS
BMW 1200R
BMW F850GS
BMW F750GS
BMW F700GS
BMW F800R#
Triumph Tiger Explorer 800 XC/XR
You’ll notice that they are heavily BMW focused and all bikes can come with the option for luggage and tank bags. Our bikes were on premium Michelin Anakee tyres so a great choice but I realise that their fleet did have varied tyre brands on offer. Moto Hire Spain have the largest selection of adventure-ready motorcycles in Spain, outfitted with quality gear and maintained by an in-house staff of professional mechanics.
I was super impressed with the quality and presentation of the bikes. They were immaculate and very well maintained.
We hired a GS 1250 and F850 GS to do a comparison.
You can see my GS 1250 / 850 comparison review here:
Tours
Moto Hire Spain will organise as much or as little as you like and even offer fully guided tours. We went for a hybrid option, renting bikes and getting a pre-planned route with hotels prebooked. Given we rode in the heat of July we asked for medium length riding days, ranging from 3-4.5 hours in the saddle. This gave us time to stop at great photo locations, enjoy chilled coffees, have cool down dips in lakes and rivers, and of course enjoy Spanish cuisine for lunch. They can adapt the trips to your needs and know a large array of hotels to provide the best nights possible to explore the Southern cultures of Spain.
Their tours offer the perfect balance of scenery and riding in Southern Spain. Some of the roads we did were just incredible, from mountains, forests to coastal twisties. Their extensive knowledge provided a brilliant riding experience through some of the best scenery you could imagine whilst on a holiday adventure of a lifetime in Spain.
How to get to Moto Hire Spain
Fly into Malaga in southern Spain and the team will collect you from the airport.
Moto Hire Spain are located within a 50 minute drive from Malaga airport and offer an airport pick up/drop off transfer service. They collected us in a nice well kept van and it was super easy. The bikes are stored in a large warehouse with a mechanics area where they maintain the fleet in-house, they offer tea and coffees, and have a changing room to get ready for the ride. We were able to leave our suitcase in the corner of the warehouse for the week too, transferring our kit into the GS panniers.
Moto Hire Spain on site facilities
Fleet of BMW and Triumph motorcycles for rent
Warehouse storage for luggage
Toilet and changing facilities
Car parking (if arriving via car)
Mechanic workshop area with tools
Reviews
They have a lot of customer reviews on their website but here are some that I fully agree with:
”Anyone wanting great friendly service, excellent organisation and the finest experience in Spain and morocco then look no further than Tristam and Norman at Moto Hire Spain, Malaga. Nothing is too much for them to make your trip the ultimate adventure, a chance in a lifetime with a professional organisation, will use again”
– Geoff Cole
“Excellent service, they were very nice and helped us every step of the way! When we rent bikes in Europe again, we will definitely do it with them!”
– Daniel Ramos Lazcano
“Would highly recommend this company, very easy to deal with”
– Keith Sheridan
Summary
If you’re after bike rental, a part organised, fully organised or a guided trip on adventure bikes in beautiful Southern Spain then I definitely recommend Moto Hire Spain.
Here are some of my favourite photos from our trip with Moto Hire Spain:
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
Discover the joys of group motorcycle adventures and how to make new friends! Learn the benefits of pre-organized rides and tours here.
Wondering how to make new motorcycle friends? Thinking about going on a group ride? After having been on group adventure motorcycle rides in over 15 countries I thought I would share my thoughts on why I highly recommend looking into pre-organized group rides, and how you can make new motorcycle friends.
In this video, I will also discuss some of the pros and cons such as:
Time
Admin
Experience
Legalities
Meeting new people
Riding different motorcycles
Watch why I love group motorcycle tours and making new friends
If you are not sure where to start but you want to meet new motorcycle friends or try a group adventure tour check out some of the videos from the group tour adventures I have been on and can highly recommend:
Tour1 – The wonders of New Zealand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94WFpjBJ9A&t=0s
Tour Enduro Sardegna, Sardinia
Big Little Rides [womens only] – 9 women take on Belize
Toro Trail, Spain – I flipped it
Altitude with Attitude – European Harley Davidson Road Trip
Ride with Locals, Iceland – Offroad experience
Superior Motorcycle Experiences, UK
Novo Adventures, Bolivia – Riding death road
Enduro Dreamland, Ukraine – Snow riding
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
I can understand why New Zealand by motorcycle is a bucket list destination. Join me in this multi episode series as I tour the incredible South Island on a Harley-Davidson Road Glide. I’d say “what happens on tour stays on tour”… But not with me
3000 miles around New Zealand’s beautiful South Island with my best friend Emma Wolstenholme, the epic organisation of Tour1 Gary France, and amazing group of Harley-Davidson riders. From the scenery to the roads, the landscapes to the hotels, it’s been incredible. It’s been a wild adventure with landslides, extreme weather, seals and flat track, to gondolas and unicorns.
When things go wrong… that’s when the real adventure starts right?! New Zealand was facing some extreme weather resulting in multiple landslides, power lines down and totally cut off roads, so we ended up stranded on the north west coastline, penned in by nature’s disruptions. Thankfully Tour1 sorted new hotels for the group and eventually, 24 hours later we got back on track taking an alternative route around the island. The rain and flooding was mental. 400mm in just a day!
Part 2: Girls on tour… New Zealand and why it’s a bucket list motorcycle destination
Why I like Group Tours:
Part 3: Burt Munro, lake dips, Lindis pass and so much more – the final leg in New Zealand
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
How to protect your bum on a motorcycle – anti monkey butt
Here are my top tips on how to protect your bum to avoid monkey butt on a motorcycle based on my experience from extreme long distance endure desert rally’s
Watch the full video – Why does no one talk about this, how to avoid monkey butt
How to protect your bum and prevent monkey butt on a motorcycle is a big topic but one that no one seems to talk about. In this video I am going to share my top tips built from my experience of doing extreme long distance endurance desert rally’s and how to keep your bum and genitals happy on a motorcycle. These tips vary in their cost, but for the ultimate effect I recommend all 5.
Top tips for bum comfort and monkey butt prevention on a motorcycle:
Custom motorcycle seat for improved comfort – my seat is by Caulfield Leather https://www.caulfieldleather.co.uk/ it is worth noting they will do any motorcycle seat from street bike cruiser, adv, you send them your seat and they will re foam, gel and upholster it
Anti chaff cream. Designed to reduce friction, monkey butt and also help control bacteria that is apparent with high levels of sweat you would anticipate when doing extreme sports – https://amzn.to/3EN6rjJ this is the same cream used by professional cycling athletes
If you get sore both on your bum and your lips, use Germolene. My top rally hack tip is Germolene on your lips instead of any kind of lip solve. It is an antiseptic and antibiotic cream that helps cracked skin, so it is amazing for your lips or sore bum – https://amzn.to/3PwowaK
Sweat wicking seamless cycling impact shorts. The key is to make sure they are a seamless technical layer, you do not want to wear cotton on a motorcycle ever, due to its ability to hold and store moisture which will ultimately lead to chafe. Also, the added padding of cycling shorts supports with the fatigue on your saddle
Technical base layers. Depending on the temperature of the riding conditions you are in you want to make sure you are wearing the correct base layers on your skin. These should be sweat wicking and temperature appropriate to your environment. It may seem slightly counter intuitive but having full length base layers even when in a 52-degree desert race will still keep you cooler than having other materials on your skin due to the moisture wicking technology. I do wear my impact shorts underneath my base layers to prevent chafe from the material pattern of the technical layers being on your skin. I am a big fan of the Alpinestars base layers to help with monkey butt
Hopefully this gives you a few tips to help keep your bottom from becoming a monkey butt and keep you comfortable on longer motorcycle rides, whilst I am talking about this in an intense enduro race environment these tips will still work for your usual everyday touring conditions.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
I think it’s safe to say the Road Glide has become my favourite Harley-Davidson.
With the world to explore finding the right touring bike can be a challenge, so in this review video I’ll share my experience riding the Harley-Davidson Road Glide around New Zealand with Tour1. The organised tour took us on several thousand kilometres of road through the wonders of the South Island in both the pouring rain and glorious sunshine.
I’ve ridden many other Harley’s before and have a Street Bob 2015 in my own garage… but I think it’s safe to say the Road Glide, especially in this light popping red paint, has become my favourite Harley-Davidson.
From its poised stance with the shark fairing, to it’s amble power, insanely comfortable seating position, pillion comfort and great touring features, the Road Glide has won me over.
Check out the video below for more details, including hearing the sound of the Milwaukee engine.
This video is part of a multi episode series of my Tour1 New Zealand Harley Road Glide adventure so make sure you check out the other videos in the series:
Part 1: When your breath gets taken away but …
https://youtu.be/J94WFpjBJ9A
Part 2: Girls on tour… New Zealand and why ..
Part 3: Burt Munro, lake dips, Lindis pass and so much more – th
Why I like group tours: How to make new motorcycle friends
Tips for riding in a group:
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
Taking on the Qatar International Baja for the second time
1.5 years ago I a did my first ever rally, first time in sand, first time in dunes and first time doing road book navigation…and it happened to be this exact race – the Qatar International Baja. What better way to measure my progression that to come back to see how my training has stacked up – link below to see the nervous mess I was last time I was in Qatar for my first! This is the first part video of me taking on Qatar but to add some more fun I’ve come with my bestie Andrew Seats and this time the it’s his first time in the desert! Will two Brits survive the extremes of the middle easy on enduro rally bikes? I hope you enjoy the race with us!
Bike preparations pre the Qatar International Baja
What’s it like taking on your first road book rally and first desert race with me? Poor Seats….here’s our experience doing the Qatar International Desert Baja with QMMF.
Watch Qatar International Baja Part 1 [of 2]
Watch Qatar International Baja Part 2 [of 2]
I had a total melt down on the start line… my first ever rally in Qatar
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
Conquering Strata Florida: A Thrilling Adventure on the Honda Africa Twin in Wales
With over 9 river crossings, the Strata Florida is a very fun legal byway in Wales. It’s wide enough for big 4x4s but also great fun on two wheels. But be warned…it is a wet ride! Both with a lot of puddles and standing water that tend to be murky with hidden rocks, and also from the many rivers, it can be a sporty ride – making it my best green lane. This was a day riding with two friends, I was on the Honda Africa Twin along with Alex, and then Nick was on a Tenere 700 – all three ADV bikes are largely standard with the addition of some extra protection bars/plates. We’d had a few dry days so the water was manageable on the big ADV bikes but indeed some deep hairy parts, with 9 river crossings the Strata Florida is not one for after heavy rain.
This is possibly… one of my favorite byway green lanes in the UK.
the girl on a bike vanessa ruck strata florida honda africa twin wales green lanes
I hope you enjoy watching it.
You can watch my full Africa Twin reviews on my YouTube channel too:
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
A crew of babes assembled for a mega Belize adventure on motorcycles – this is day one!
Bikes and Belize! Literally what more could we wish for? We’ve got 11 days of adventure planned, all revolving around two wheels but tied into discovering the wilderness of Belize. From river tubing in the jungle to hunting out wrecked planes, diving, and cooling off in waterfalls, and pontoon parties. It’s a fully organized adventure with @MOTOURISMO and Big Little Rides so I don’t have to think about anything other than enjoying it
9 women hit Belize on motorcycles – Part 1 – Motourismo ADV adventure
We found the jungle – Belize by motorcycle Part 2 – Motourismo
Part two see’s us riding off into the jungle in Belize, Central America. With a crew of females assembled from around the world for an adventure on motorcycles – this is part two!
Belize is an epic place for exploring for two weeks and this trip included a range of riding abilities. This shows the first-ever river crossings but with a team of lovely ladies, everyone was supported and guided. The empowerment was incredible!
Bikes and Belize! Literally what more could we wish for? We’ve got 11 days of adventure planned, all revolving around two wheels but tied into discovering the wilderness of Belize. From river tubing in the jungle to hunting out wrecked planes, diving, and cooling off in waterfalls and pontoon parties. It’s a fully organized adventure with @MOTOURISMO and Big Little Rides so I don’t have to think about anything other than enjoying it.
We found the jungle – Belize by motorcycle Part 2 – Motourismo
Tropical paradise by dirt bike – 10 girls, 12 days
Get ready to embark on the ultimate off-road adventure through Belize’s tropical paradise! Join our group of 10 daring girls as we explore the breathtaking landscapes of Belize on dirt bikes, riding through jungle trails, crossing rivers, and scaling mountains. We’ve got 12 days of action-packed fun planned, including visits to hidden waterfalls, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and exploring ancient ruins. From adrenaline-pumping rides to laid-back beach vibes, we’ve got it all covered. So buckle up and join us for this unforgettable journey through Belize’s untamed wilderness!
Tropical paradise by dirt bike – 10 girls, 12 days
Jungle Adventures on Dirt Bikes
Join us for another exhilarating day in Belize as we venture deeper into the lush jungle and conquer new challenges on our dirt bikes. We’ll cross treacherous terrain like the infamous Slipe Grund and make sure our bikes are in top shape for the journey ahead.
Our adventure takes us across rivers and to scenic lunch spots, where we can take a break and cool off with some delicious ice cream. After braving a water crossing, we’ll head back to our hotel to unwind and prepare for an exciting sea diving experience on Day 8.
Our dive boat sets sail, and we prepare to take the plunge and explore the fascinating underwater world of Belize. Join us for another incredible day of adventure, off-road riding, and unforgettable experiences in this tropical paradise!
Jungle Adventures on Dirt Bikes – 10 Girls, 12 Days in Tropical Belize
It didn’t all go to plan … motorbikes in the jungle
I’m excited to share with you the latest installment of our Belize adventure! on a Dirt bike. In part 5, you’ll see us take on the jungle once again as we navigate through the lush foliage on our dirt bikes. From crossing rivers and streams to tackling muddy terrain, this was definitely one of our most thrilling days yet.
But that’s not all – as we ventured deeper into the jungle, we stumbled upon a hidden waterfall and couldn’t resist taking a refreshing dip. The water was cool and crystal clear, and it was the perfect way to cool off after a long day of riding.
So come along with us on this wild ride as we get wet and wild in the heart of Belize’s jungle. It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!
It didn’t all go to plan … motorbikes in the jungle
Don’t ride like a girl! I’ll teach you to be a better rider
I’ll be sharing some essential riding skills that are necessary for both novice and experienced riders. These skills will help you navigate through challenging terrains with ease and maintain better control over your bike. These workshops where delivered during a Big Little Rides womens only motorcycle trip to Belize.
First, I’ll demonstrate the front squat pick-up method that comes in handy when you’re riding on tricky terrains. This technique involves lifting your bike off the ground and lifting with your large leg muscles while facing it. Then, I’ll show you the bar lift method that is ideal for riders with limited mobility.
After that, I’ll move on to proper bike positioning for riding downhill and uphill. I’ll share some tips on how to position your body weight to maintain stability and balance while riding through steep slopes, but also finding your comfortable balanced position where your hands are not overloaded. Additionally, I’ll teach you how to ride while standing up, which is a useful skill for off-road riding.
This lesson is not just about learning new skills, but also about empowering women riders to take control of their bikes and ride like a girl. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, join me in this journey to elevate your riding skills and confidence to the next level!
Don’t ride like a girl! I’ll teach you to be a better rider
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
