The Original Dakar – racing the Africa Eco Race

Follow my journey as I take on one of the most difficult and prestigious off-road races in the history of Motorsports. The original and real Dakar Rally; The Africa Eco Race. This multi episode series is an incredibly real and honest look at what it takes to battle through the toughest, most extreme and historically renowned endurance rally races ever.

I will take you through the whole two-week journey; from the preparations to the start line wobbles, to traversing giant sand dunes, to crying alone in the middle of the desert all the way to standing proud on the podium in Dakar, Senegal holding the 1st place trophy.

This is one series you don’t want to miss!!!

Terrified! Ready to watch the brutal desert rally adventure racing to Dakar Senegal?

This first episode I will introduce you to my support crew, show you around my support vehicle and trailer, and take you through some of the key components of preparing for this brutally challenging race. Including a day in the mud with Bowler in the Land Rover beasts.

For 13 days I race over 6,000kms 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, this is one series you do not want to miss.

Part 2 – Too Scared to Fall Asleep – Race to Dakar

This episode is a rollercoaster of emotions! From the nerves of the sign on and the last-minute bike adjustments in scrutineering, to the thrill and excitement of the opening ceremony, followed quickly by the intense realization that this is it… The official start of the Africa Eco Race is now… Emotions are high as I say my teary goodbyes and question myself, why am I here and what have I gotten myself into?

Am I ready to face the extreme weather, limited sleep, high speeds, long days, isolation and unforgiving terrains?

This prestigious race follows the original and historical route of “The Dakar” rally through the African continent, beginning in France and continuing through Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal traversing across the unforgiving Sahara Desert with one goal – make it to the finish line; Dakar…

Part 3 – Close Call: Heart-pounding Escape From Car Crash In Race To Dakar Senegal

Equipped with nothing but an odometer, compass and a paper scroll road book I must navigate my way over thousand of kms of punishing terrain. 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, staying focused all while fighting exhaustion and energy depletion after racing for days on end.

Part 4 – Appalling day – crashed and totally lost in the desert racing to Dakar Senegal

This episode is a thrilling journey of stage two racing to Dakar Senegal on my KTM desert rally bike where I totally forget how to ride and have a nasty crash. Facing the infamous Merzouga sand dunes, enough jaw rattling rock to make Morocco proud. Oh and of course, my first off, causing my Alpinestars Tech Air off road airvest to deploy. Did I mention I also get lost? Very… Very lost!

I’ve entered the full rally class, so I am racing against the elite, with names like Joan Pedrero and Pol Tarres. This Rally is a true test of endurance for both the drivers/riders and their support vehicles, and it’s not for the faint of heart

Part 5 – Painful day racing – stuck in the pitch black fighting to get to Dakar Senegal

This episode marks part 5 of my 13-day journey across the Sahara on a KTM450RR, tackling what’s known as the world’s most challenging off-road race. Despite the hardships faced, including exhaustive 13-hour rides and the complexities of navigating in the dark, the adventure remains exhilarating. Each day brings a mix of physical and mental challenges, but with determination and a newfound partnership, the path forward, even in the harshest conditions, seems a bit more navigable…

Part 6 – Cruel but epic Dakar motorbike adventure – If this was a one day race, no one would enter

The massive challenge in Part 6 was not just the length and the brutal rocky terrain of Africa, but the navigation was tough too. Navigating over several hundred kilometers of relatively flat but open plain and barren desert with nothing in sight other than a horizon and rock after rock that looks the same is a lot more challenging that one may think in extreme desert racing. There is no GPS technology. It is like being lost at sea, left looks the same as right and vice versa, it is no wonder so many people got lost on this day and didn’t make it back until well after dark!

Part 7 – Riding so fast his pants fell down! Averaging 85km/h in the Africa Eco Race to Dakar

Faced with endless feeling terrain, Part 7 saw me racing fearless at full throttle for many hours. It was a mentally and physically draining day, with endless horizons, no major landmarks or features and nothing but vast empty spaced desert meaning navigation was to take center stage. Thankfully with my strong navigational skills and some tweaks to my bike yesterday it meant for a faster and shorter day today… only 9.5 hours riding my KTM rally replica bike.

Part 8 – Rest Day Shenanigans – Africa Eco Race

In the 13 day race all riders, drivers, competitors, service crew, support crews and organisers are given 1 rest day to be able to recharge and refuel their bodies, review equipment, service and maintain their vehicles and have a stretch, this rest day occurs on the 6th day of racing; the last day in Morocco before heading across the border into Mauritania.

Part 9 – What’s it like racing to Dakar? It’s time for Mauritanian sand

Riding over the border into Mauritania saw a transition in such an emotional and moving way; from the level of rubbish to the quality of living in the communities, and also the colossal amount of sand and to think this is just a teaser of what the adventure in Mauritania will be like over the second week of the race.

No wonder this is one of the hardest off road races in the world, I have made it just over halfway of this 13-day race, and tackling some of the gnarliest terrain Africa can offer. I have ridden over 3,800km so far and still have over 2,100km to go. This race is not designed for the weak, the mental toughness is just as hard if not harder than the physical endurance it takes on your body.

Everyone put the fear of God into me about Mauritania and how horrifically soft and brutal the sand was, which of course meant I have been terrified for days, weeks, months even years! Dreading the day I was to face this punishing terrain that the original Dakar route was to provide. Watch the next episode below to see the riding footage of me vs the Mauritanian sand dunes as I continue the race to Dakar.

Part 10 – Another day alone in the desert – fighting for Dakar in the Africa Eco Race

Part 11 – Africa is trying to break me….will I actually be able to make it Dakar?

The toughest day of the Africa Eco race so far. Extreme endurance racing from Monaco to Dakar, Senegal covering 6,000km following the original Dakar route is a grueling test… From the moment I woke I could tell it was going to be a hard day. The fatigue has really started to settle in. With another 478km to get through, I face not only the physical battle but the mental battle of the burning question – can I make it another day, and will I actually be able to make it Dakar? Watch below

Part 12 – Seeing such a huge crash in monster size dunes really shook me up

Consisting of 70% sand and at least 125 km of giant soft sand dunes and some very poor quality rocky tracks, day 10 (Part 12) was really hard going. In this extra warm part of Mauritania I had to be vigilant with my bike and body temperatures throughout the largest and most magnificent dunes in the country, reaching heights of up to 400meters!

Part 13 – Worst injury so far but I’m fighting on

After racing over 4,000km so far my body is fatigued, my energy levels are low and I need to dig deep. I can understand why being able to say you finished the original Dakar is such a huge achievement.

Another intense day in Africa racing to Dakar in the Africa Eco Race on my KTM. The toll on my body from day after day racing across the desert is really kicking my butt! Thankfully my incredible support crew are helping me keep going. As always I’m sharing the real honest reality of extreme rally racing with you, injuries and all. Watch below!

Part 14 – How do you race when your body is shutting down… This is killing me

The penultimate day! Dakar seems to be in sight but my body seems to be shutting down. The pain in my arms, pure exhaustion and mentally drained is a combination that sounds ready to quit. But with 837km left to Dakar the end feels so close! I really hope this Dakar series racing the original Dakar route in the Africa Eco Race gives you some behind the scenes understanding of what it takes to compete in such a grueling infamous race!

Part 15: – Massive crash 12km from Dakar

It’s finally time for the last day of the Africa Eco Race. The 6000+ km gruelling 13 day extreme desert rally all the way from Monaco France down to Dakar in Senegal has been the most monumental challenge on my body and mental resilience I have needed to just keep fighting on each day.

My mission has always been to share the real honest behind the scenes reality of what it takes to finish in Dakar. In the final episode things go dramatically wrong just 12 km from the 6000+ km finish line. On the famous beach race into Lac Rose I didn’t see shipwreck debris in the sand, throwing me over the handlebars and landing hard.

More information on this series:

• EasySim www.easysim.global use discount code TGOAB15 for 15% off all data bundles
• Guardian Bell tracking system www.guardianbell.co.uk

I’m riding Big Buddy a KTM 450 rally replica with some key modifications:

• KTech Suspension set for my weight
• Michelin desert bib mousse and tyres to ensure zero punctures
• Caulfield custom made seat for a happy Vanessa bottom
• Cross Country ADV mega rally pegs
• And my own personalized graphics designed by me
• Custom tool kit hidden under the seat with Teng Tools and my emergency flare

My riding kit:

• Mosko moto Woodsman Enduro pants and Backpack
• Custom Owayo jersey
• Alpinestars TechAir off road air vest [more information – link https://youtu.be/b7rRSbrQMrg]
• Alpinestars Tech 7 boots
• Scott goggles with scratch proof lens films by Infinite Optics
• Hebo helmet with mouth water pipe

My support vehicle:

• Land Rover Bowler Defender 90 on BF Goodrich tyres with Lazer lamp

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.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, Whatsapp and www.thegirlonabike.com.