The Hard Alpi Tour is one of the longest and most scenic off-road rallies for larger adventure style motorcycles in Europe. This 800km long event spanning over northern Italy has four classes to allow all levels of motorcycle riders to get involved; The Extreme 1000, The Extreme, Discovery and The Classic.
The Hard Alpi Tour is 80% off road terrain with different lengths and different time allowances for the varying motorcycle classes. You must ride in teams of three as there is no mechanical support available to you, only medical support, so it is vital you carry an array of basic tools that you may need.
The extreme class begins at 11pm and the time allowance is 36 hours, this is what hubby Alex, bestie Anika and I decided to take on. In the video’s below I will show you the full behind the scenes of this adventure, showing you what to expect and what is involved, including riding footage direct from the Harley Davidson Pan America motorcycle; an adventure bike never before seen at this event.
Watch here
Part 1:
Part 2:
How heavily did I have to modify the Harley-Davidson Pan America motorcycle to make it handle a 36 hour Hard Alpi Tour Extreme 780km event? Here you go:
Changed the rubber to my favourite adv Michelin Motorcycle Anakee Wilds for the best traction
Added OEM Harley LED lights on front bars
Strapped on Mosko Moto Reckless 40 panniers for my sleeping and bivi bag, and road snacks
Screwed on a Peak Design phone mount
Downloaded the Harley navigation app to load the events GPX file straight to the bikes screen
Paired up our Cardo Systems intercoms for the ultimate banter
Carried charging cables and power banks to recharge lights / phones on the road
Turned off HD traction control and selected off road mode Then…it was all down to me!
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.
Morocco Desert Challenge a 3000km extreme desert race
This is a 3 part series showing you the real behind the scenes of one of the toughest races out there; the Morocco Desert Challenge. I’ve entered the full rally raid class, so up there riding with the pros, and it’s a full on 8 day moving bivouac race.
In part 1 you’ll see what goes into getting to the start of the race and taking on the prologue. The prologue is designed to be a ‘short’ 150 km ish day with a special stage. The times in the SS are then used to seed the riders into the first full day of racing.
Successful day based on..
1. I didn’t vomit with nerves at the start line
2. I made the prologue finish line
3. I didn’t get lost
4. I had fun
5. I 3 million % fell in love with my new bike he’s a beast but just gorgeous to ride, even in the sand
And..
6. I came 25th overall!!! Mad stoked with that.
Watch part two here: Biggest crash of my life
Watch part three here: My eyes have never hurt so bad…
Watch part four here: I had to pee while riding….
I mention my Tunisia Desert Challenge series where I was the first female to ever enter and first to finish, I highly recommend watching:
I’m riding Big Buddy for the Morocco Desert Challenge!! After just one shake down ride the only way to describe him is like sex on wheels. He has to be the nicest bike l’ve ever ridden!! Quite possibly swayed by knowing the adventures we’re going to have together with the first race being the MDC. He’s a brand new KTM 450 rally replica with some key modifications:
– Custom tool kit hidden under the seat @tengtools with my emergency flare: / @tengtools3639
Weighing in at 175kg he’s going to be much lighter than the Tiger in the dunes [see 1000 Dunas series for me racing the 900 Rally Pro] but a lot more capable than my little Honda rally bike [see Qatar rally video]. lt’s time to up my game and ride with the big boys. I’m road with Desert Road Racing as my bike support, rally mechanics and all round knowledge pool as I take my rally riding to the next level. This was a BIG rally.
KTM 450 Rally Replica review:
For more information on details shared in the videos:
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 Bike Shed show in London is a weekend long event with hundreds of custom bikes, live music, food, shed talks with guest speakers and of course my KTM 450 Rally Replica on display.
The Bike Shed show at Tobacco docks London is a weekend long event with hundreds of bikes to look at, including my KTM 450 Rally Replica “Big Buddy”, live music, lots of food, a VIP night, Shed Talks and a huge array of custom bikes from both professional builds to home shed builds. The range and amount of motorcycles is incredible, and a great place for inspiration.
Join me in my video below for a walk around the Bike Shed Show and see first hand why this is an event worth adding to your calendar.
During the show I was honored to join Gareth on the Shed Talks stage to talk about Dakar and Beyond, alongside Chris Evens, the UK Dakar customer liaison. It was an interesting talk you can check it out here
DAKAR & BEYOND – SHED TALK – LIVE AT BIKE SHED MOTO SHOW LONDON 2023
With the main Bike Shed Show sponsor being Michelin I also show you their take on Past, Present Future with the augmented reality custom bike.
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.
Vanessa Ruck, also known as The Girl on a Bike, has successfully battled for her life to complete the gruelling Morocco Desert Challenge, an extreme rally-raid over sand dunes in blistering temperatures. As one of the world’s toughest endurance events, the 36-year-old completed the 8-day event, covering up to 420km each day and became one of the few who finished. With an attrition rate so high that only 40% of the motorcycle category riders successfully completed, it’s a serious achievement for the British athlete. But it wasn’t all sunshine!
She endured the heat wave hitting North Africa with temperatures peaking at 52°C. She tackled an upset stomach and hydration challenges from the extreme heat, faced two huge crashes that deployed her life-saving air vest, and confronted an allergic reaction that led to her barely able to open her eyes just half an hour before taking to the start line. Many would have quit.
Unforgiving extremes in the desert
But with pure grit and determination Vanessa fought on, “I knew I was racing others, but it felt more like I was fighting for my life. Fighting the terrain, battling the heat, the mental and physical fatigue, I was riding for my life. In the vast dunes, I knew that if I had an issue that was me done. I even started wording a message in my head to record on my phone for my family if the worst happened. It was scary.”
The heat in the dunes is exceptional and unforgiving, and the human body is incredibly vulnerable on bikes when the temperature peaks at 52°C / 125°F in a heat wave. “I recall cresting a huge dune peak higher than a multi-storey house and scanning the horizon…there was nothing but sand and dunes in every direction and not a soul. It was me and my bike. My body was exhausted, I wanted to rest but the heat meant I had to keep pushing. The only way out, was onwards. I had to dig deep mentally to fight to the finish.”
Lives lost to the desert
Competitors all accept the risk of extreme desert racing but sadly disaster struck twice, with the desert taking two lives during the race. Motorcycle rider Bram van der Wouden succumbed to the heat and exhaustion. Participants found him lying next to his motorbike, where he lay presumably having stopped to rest. The medical intervention team arrived very quickly but there was nothing they could do. The day before, a terrible racing accident took Laurent Lichtleuchter in a vehicle crash.
Mental and physical extremes
Competitors are navigating but also tackling the rugged and rocky terrain of Morocco. The tricky navigation means following a series of symbols, compass bearings, and distance on a scrolling piece of paper mounted to the handlebars, called a road book. Road book navigation events, such as the infamous Paris-Dakar, are far more than just riding. Riders have to navigate accurately, retaining mental and physical focus for upwards of 6-8 hours of racing, and do this off-road day after day. Could you stay calm on your own in the middle of nowhere, digging deep into your energy reserves with only the supplies you can carry?
It would be easy to question Vanessa’s sanity and decision to enter such an event but when a cycling accident in 2014 threatened to derail the adventurous life Vanessa loved, she refused to take it lying down. Instead, she handled things the only way she knows how. Brushing herself off, she put herself back together. And then she upped the ante. With a reconstructed shoulder and hip following a 7-year recovery with 7 surgeries, Vanessa discovered the thrill of motorcycles.
Fast forward 7 years since she mounted her first off-road bike and she’s taking on some of the toughest races going and is amongst very few females braving the brutalities they put you though. Vanessa’s journey has not been smooth with pain now a daily feature in her life, but what she has learned is that it’s vital to never let your past control your future. It’s likely the resilience her recovery forced her to gain, helped her through many of the brutal Morocco Desert Challenge obstacles.
Puffy faced allergic reaction
Such as day five where she woke with an allergic reaction that caused her whole face and eyes to swell. With the weight of the fluid on her eye lids making vision a challenge and a thick head, many would have stepped down for the day. Instead, she hit the antihistamines and headed to the start. “The first 80km was tough trying to find my rhythm and see clearly, but as the pills kicked-in, the eyes eased and I found my flow. By the time I was refuelling I was feeling solid and had demolished my 4.5 litres of water already!
The heat started to intensify after lunch and hitting the dunes in the midday heat felt cruel. The light with the sun at its highest was hard on my eyes that were already struggling to see contrast, but I rode steady and smooth. Only three spills in the deep sand so I was pleased with my riding” she explained.
Fight to the finish
By day 8, in these conditions, the finish line is all the competitors can focus on. Vanessa describes her final push;
“I wish I could say the final stage was smooth sailing, but I had the biggest and most painful off of my riding career so far. With my rear tanks full in preparation for hitting the sand and dunes, my bike’s weight was not ideal for the first 30 km of rocky tracks. As I braked into a right-hand corner my rear tyre smashed into a submerged bolder sending my backend up and sideways like a rodeo bull. Feeling the bike unsettle, I smashed on the throttle to straighten out and held it, but the corner was on me…and with no way to pull it around I flew off the rocky track edge jumping and landing into a rock garden.
Fighting I held him down, knees gripping and heart pounding, whisky throttling I managed to keep him straight but the rocky step ahead was the last straw. We launched and smashed in. I hit the jagged desert rocks HARD! My airbag magically knew before we hit the ground, deploying to my defence but a bolder impaled my left abdominal straight into my pelvis.
Winded, I screamed. The air sucked from my lungs. I couldn’t tell if I was ok, kicking myself for killing my chances of a finish. I hurt. Was that me out!? No! I refused to let the pain stop me! I’ve fought through worse…’’
The girl on a bike vanessa ruck 1
Thankfully, Vanessa’s body’s adrenaline and determination helped her make the finish. Hurting, but knowing she had to get back on she took her emergency painkillers, and carefully remounted ‘Big Buddy’. “Every bump felt excruciating, but I only had 70km to go!! Just 10km at a time, I could make it. But then I realised I needed to pee. With the pain, I knew I had no hope of getting my trousers and kit down”.
Vanessa jokes that she can’t decide if this moment was a new high or low in her racing career… determined not to fail so close to the end, she relieved herself riding along.
“I WAS making the finish. As I crested the penultimate dune the finish line flags came into view and my heart leapt with joy!!! Everyone heard my screams of delight!” With just 40% of her moto category finishing the near 2,500km event, it’s a true testament to Vanessa’s strength and determination. Placing 25th in class Vanessa is an inspiration to male and females alike.
The realities of the toughest endurance races in the world are not glamorous and we appreciate Vanessa’s honesty to share these highs and lows. Vanessa is a force to be reckoned with in the motorcycle world and showing the male dominated industry that women can too! She explains, “My mission is to not let my chronic pain and my past control my future. It’s incredible what we can achieve if we put our minds to it!” As an inspirational speaker and athlete she’s inspiring youths across the country and we look forward to seeing what she takes on next.
Watch part one here: The race begins…3000km extreme desert race
Watch part two here: Biggest crash of my life
Watch part three here: My eyes have never hurt so bad…Morocco Desert Challenge
Watch part four here: I had to pee while riding…. MCD behind the scenes
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.
Racing Heartbeats: My First Track Day Experience with Michelin at Donington Park
It’s about to get serious! What’s the likelihood of a knee down on one’s very first track day? This is the behind-the-scenes of my very first track day. I swapped the mud for some hard tarmac riding a Kawasaki 650 twin, something super friendly and forgiving, and I was in the capable hands of John McAvoy of Fast Bikes. I’ll talk through my kit, my nerves, and the best bit…. will you get your knee down on your first track day? Watch to find out the answer!
Bring it on! 🤟 oh and did I tell you I was terrified!!??? 😳
Who’s done a track day? What bike did you ride? It’s time for my first!!
This was the hottest day recorded EVER in the UK and I was in leathers…sweaty!
Vanessa Ruck on first rack day ever at Donnington Park
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.
ANOTHER FIRST FOR BRITISH FEMALE SPORTING ACHEIVEMENTS
The first female to finish 1000 Dunas desert rally in Morocco on a huge adventure bike
Vanessa Ruck, a British motorcycle rider and UK based adventurer, has completed the 1000 DUNAS RAID in Morocco, making her the first female to ever finish on a standard production large-capacity adventure bike. Battling dry riverbeds, sand, camel grass, dunes, and long distances over rough terrain every day. Vanessa finished the 7-day rally with teammate Aled Price, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
You can watch the full behind the scenes 1000 Dunas rally on Vanessa’s YouTube – links below
According to the 1000 Dunas organisers, this event is all about being the ultimate test of how far you can go, and not all riders are expected to finish every single day. The paper-based roadbook navigation is tricky, the terrain is hard, and the distances are long.
“Most people were there on more typical smaller rally bikes. I was part of a very small group of nutters on large motorcycles”, Vanessa says. The terrain was incredibly challenging at times and recovering a bike over 3 times your body weight in soft sand presents a real struggle. “We had a section of small, uneven dunes covered in camel grass where Aled and I were in full survival mode.
We got more and more tired, so it was teamwork to recover the bikes until the unthinkable happened, Aled’s clutch burned out. The bike was dead. I was left with no choice but to continue through the dunes and remaining 180km day alone.
As I pulled away, leaving him to be rescued, I knew I was riding for my life. Just one mistake, one drop in the deep sand could be game over. My heart was racing and it took every bit of determination, strength and fight to make it through. Being alone in a desert on a bike like that… that was brutal, and the heat, and fatigue and fear builds very quickly”, Vanessa explains.
The Adventure of a Thousand Dunes
The 1000 Dunas, a Morocco rally, starts in Granada, Spain, takes riders across the Moroccan desert to Merzouga, then loops back to Granada for the finish covering over 1,500km. It’s a seven-day rally that isn’t timed but is designed to give riders the opportunity to test their roadbook navigation skills, their endurance, and their bikes. Riders are ranked according to navigation accuracy and whether they finish each stage, and Vanessa came in 8th out of eleven Hard Trail finishers.
Vanessa – also known as ‘The Girl on a Bike’ rode the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro motorcycle from the UK to Spain carrying all her camping gear, tools, and spares with her. Then, she spent one day familiarising herself with the bike off-road at Triumph Adventure Experience in Spain, did some minor tweaks on the Tiger, and lined up at the 1000 Dunas start.
Most would want weeks to prepare but Vanessa just jumped straight in. Vanessa shares she would have perhaps hesitated a little more before saying “yes” to entering the 1000 Dunas on an adventure bike if she’d known just how brutal it was going to be. “Then again, I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, so I was determined to give it my all to get over that finish line. However, while I think going into the desert with rocky riverbeds, boulder fields, dunes, hill climbs, and sand on a Tiger is brave, doing it alone would have been stupid, which is why I chose to ride with Aled”, Vanessa explains
Fighting on at 1000 Dunas
Vanessa covered the distance and made it to the finish line every single day, although teammate Aled Price completed 6 of the 7 days due to a mechanical issue leaving Vanessa to brave the barren desert solo. Each day their arrival at the bivouac elicited cheers and support from other riders on smaller motorcycles. According to Vanessa, they had no idea whether the Triumph Tigers would hold or whether they would be capable enough for a rally raid like this – yet day in and day out, the motorcycles just plowed on.
It’s not hard to imagine that wrestling a heavy 900cc adventure motorcycle over sand dunes rather than a lighter bike is a much harder job.
“The feeling of finishing 1000 Dunas is absolutely incredible. Male or female, getting across that finish line is an achievement. Doing it as a female just makes me feel really proud for other women out there and hopefully show some inspiration and encourage others to give it a go. Sure, I have to fight a little harder, I’m smaller and not as strong as a guy, but women absolutely can do it, and it’s a very powerful feeling. I’m utterly exhausted right now but buzzing at the same time.
Vanessa’s story is one of true resilience and utter determination so it’s no surprise to her social media followers that she finished! She describes herself as just a normal girl who faced one of life’s big curve balls. But after being hit by a car while cycling in 2014, resulting in 7 surgeries and a roller-coaster of mental and physical recovery spanning 7 years, taking on 1000 Dunas was no mean feat!
Who is Vanessa Ruck?
Vanessa found her love for motorbikes seven years ago while recovering from a cycling accident. After a lengthy recovery involving five hip and two shoulder surgeries, she found new adventures on a motorcycle, and never looked back. Having no previous rally experience, Vanessa took on the Qatar International Baja, Rallye du Maroc and then became the first woman to have ever competed in the Tunisia Desert Challenge and has now competed in numerous rallies, including the notorious Red Bull Romaniacs and Dinaric Rally. She has since made it her mission to break barriers and expectations, whether through upskilling her knowledge of motorcycle mechanics or mastering unforgiving terrain.
Vanessa continued: “My accident was the hardest thing I ever had to go through, and my love for riding has meant I can embrace new challenges that are within my control. Mental attitude is a huge contributor to success – for me, staying positive and not being afraid to fail have allowed me to continue to push my limits to places I never thought I could go.”
And Vanessa isn’t giving up any time soon. “I refuse to let what happened in my past completely control my future, she asserts. “Yes, I could have less pain if I didn’t push my body as much. But my mental pain would be worse. Getting up and getting out there and managing the pain, I can take control of my mental state and get the satisfaction and the energy from it to manage the rest.”
For anyone wanting to see the riding action head over to Vanessa’s YouTube as she’ll be sharing a behind the scenes series later this month.
Can the Tiger Tour? Can a Tiger Rally? Find out below:
Part 1 – Tiger 900 Rally Pro properly tested – Wales to Africa
Part 2 – Tiger 900 Rally Pro properly tested – Wales to Africa
Part 3 – Tiger 900 Rally Pro off road calibration at Triumph Adventure Center Spain – Wales to Africa
Part 4 – Turning a Tiger 900 Rally Pro into a desert rally bike – Wales to Africa
Part 5 – Tiger 900 Rally Pro desert sand test in 1000 Dunas rally – part 5 – Wales to Africa
Part 6 – How To road book navigate
Part 7- Tiger 900 Pro’s Epic Dune Battle: Conquering 1000 Dunas Rally from Wales to Dakar
Part 8 -Tiger 900 Pro’s Adventure Continues: Overcoming Challenges in the 1000 Dunas Rally
Par 9 – Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro’s Ultimate Test: Finishing the 1000 Dunas Rally
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 TUNISIA DESERT CHALLENGE returned to the birth place of rally-raid and introduced a new, epic rally-raid across Tunisia. The Tunisia Desert Challenge is much more than an alternative to the MDC Morocco Desert Challenge. It will be a new annual rally-raid, which is an exact copy of the MDC in terms of organisation, but totally innovative in terms of tracks. Having done the race….I promised a raw, real and honest behind the scenes of extreme rally racing…here it is! A three part series as the first women to ever enter the Tunisia Desert Challenge, an 8 day extreme rally raid. I’ve entered the full rally raid class, so up there riding with the pros, and it’s a full on 8 day moving bivouac race.
In my three part video series of the Tunisia Desert Challenge you will get to see everything that is involved in participating in this extreme race….it’s already got the reputation as being harder then Dakar with multiple time Dakar riders saying the TDC was by far the hardest riding they’ve done. Hard in how technical the terrain is, but also in how tricky the navigation is. The Tunisia Desert Challenge is one seriously extreme race. Watch the below for more:
Part 1: The race begins…Tunisia Desert Challenge
This is part 1 of a three part series showing you the real behind the scenes of one of the toughest races out there.
In part one you’ll see what goes into getting to the start of the race. Getting to the start line is an hugely understated process in rally riding. The lead up, planning, bike building, preparing and of course finance is huge. It’s weeks of admin sorting insurance, ordering tyres, race licences and carefully packing the required safety and medical items, kit and tools needed for all scenarios.
Once you’re finally on the ground the admin continues as any good rally, such as The Tunisia Desert Challenge, have a meticulous sign off process to ensure every competitor is equipped for the challenges ahead. No safety flare and kit, no start. Not got the right riding kit, you’re not starting. No insurance, no racing. And the bike’s also inspected, including all your SAT kit for tracking to enable the mission control team can monitor you. If you’ve not got your admin sorted, it’s not going to be looking good! But the reality is that these checks safe lives 🙏
Disappearing into the desert solo on a bike comes with risks. But together the administration can help negate some of the risks.
I hope you enjoy, please do watch, let me know in the comments and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss the rest!
Part 2: It’s time to go into the desert… alone…Tunisia Desert Challenge
This is part 2 of a three part series showing you the real behind the scenes of one of the toughest races out there. This video is the first day into the desert, day 2 and 3 of 8 days riding. My nerves are really high, the riding intensity goes up as we hit the dunes. With some extreme terrain, described as as the hardest day’s riding they’ve ever done by a 10x Dakar finisher… day three is a tough day. I push on but just don’t have the strength. 16 motorcycles and a total of 30 vehicles were rescued that day. Check out my campfire in the desert….I also had a 4.5 hour ride in an 18 wheeler MAN sweeper truck being rescued. Getting back to the bivouac at 3.50 aim it’s ends with the unknown as to whether I will be continuing.
Part 3: Near death helicopter rescue – Tunisia Desert Challenge – 1st female to enter behind the scenes PART THREE
Let’s just say things get even more intense! Bike issues, 7 hours in 45 degree dunes and a near death evacuation, then the 85mph sand storm, cancelled stages, stuck trucks, full bivouac life. Keep watching to the end to see how I place in the motorcycles category as the first ever female to enter the Tunisia Desert Challenge. I really hope you enjoy, I’m all cards on the table… honest and open.
Please do comment and let me know any emotions you have watching this Tunisia Desert Challenge series.
More information:
I’m riding the Beta 480 RR for the Tunisia Desert Challenge. I’m upped my game and did the full rally raid category so a 250km fuel range, full navigation tower, Michelin race rubber and tricked up Ktech suspension is just part in the build. I’m road with Desert Road Racing as my bike support, rally mechanics and all round knowledge pool as I take my rally riding to the next level. This was a BIG rally.
For more information on details shared in the videos:
Cardo Intercoms 15% off use https://cardosystems.rfrl.co/5gxzq
Desert Rose Racing: I highly recommend http://www.desertroseracing.com/
Active Collagen 20% discount with link: https://bit.ly/2y45MM3 or 10% off use UPVRUC10
360 camera used – Insta360 ONE X2 discount: https://www.insta360.com/sal/one_x2?insrc=INRVDIU
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.
Try roadbook navigation for the first time – UK RallyMoto CannonBall challenge Join me on a one day adventure doing the RallyMoto CannonBall challenge.
If you have ever found yourself tempted to try Dakar style roadbook navigation before then this is an event for you. You just need an an android tablet and a road legal bike. This video I ride my Harley-Davidson Pan America on the 425km CannonBall challenge with Gab’s of Rally Moto
Who’s game for a ride?
The route starts in north Wales and wiggles across the country down to south wales with some epic scenes! The roads, the landscape, the ride. It’s epic! 425km of it to be precise. You can sign up and get the navigation yourself…you just need a bike and Android device. Who’s tried roadbook before?
I also talk through a little more on how to read roadbook in this video. I hope you enjoy! Oh and who is going to try and beat our completion time?
RallyMoto CannonBall
More on the event:
https://rallymoto.co.uk/cannonball-challenge/
You can complete in your own time, on sign up you will have 3 months to do it.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys 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.
