As seen on Rad Season Podcast: The accident changed Vanessa’s life as she realised she would not longer be able to do some of the sports that she loved. She turned to motorbikes initially as a way of getting around and adventuring on the open road.
Vanessa Ruck grew up in England keeping fit in the outdoors doing loads of sports. When she went to University at 18 she got hooked on wakeboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking, anything that got the adrenaline pumping. In 2014 Vanessa’s life took a turn when she was out cycling and was hit by a car.
After multiple surgeries she started The Girl On A Bike when she was bed bound to channel her energy into something positive. Vanessa shares all the ups and downs of her recovery. Her goal is to make the most out of each day and help others do the same.
Tune in to find out how Vanessa got on in the Tunisia Desert Challenge extreme rally. The physical and mental recovery process, inspiring others through her journey, going from riding Harleys to Hard Enduro, social media and loads more!
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.
As seen in The Cross Countryadv: Experience the thrill of Tunisia Desert Challenge, a captivating rally event by the seasoned organizers of Morocco Desert Challenge. Join now!
The brainchild of Gert Duson and his team – the organizers behind the Morocco Desert Challenge – Tunisia desert Challenge is a new and an old event at the same time. Seeing just the second edition this year, Tunisia may sound like a newcomer in the North African rally scene… except, its organizers have been organizing the Morocco Desert Challenge for well over a decade now, and that experience transfers over to Tunisia.
According to Duson, TDC isn’t simply a copy of the MDC: the Tunisia edition is all about dunes, dunes, and more dunes. Overall, the competitors cover 2,500 km of desert in eight days, and the rally already has a reputation of being extremely brutal. So much so that this year, it has claimed the life of motorcycle pilot Matthieu de Saint-Exupery who, despite the best efforts to rescue and resuscitate him, tragically passed away due to heat exhaustion.
Extreme conditions aside, Tunisia Desert Challenge is also known for very short liaisons, and this year, the organizers have added the “TDC Classic” category aimed at vehicles older than twenty years.
First Female to Finish the TDC
This year’s TDC proved extremely challenging: Alessandro Botturi, the Italian rally-raid champion with two Africa Eco Race wins under his belt, commented that this was one of the toughest races he’s ever experienced. Day Three saw sixteen riders stuck in the El Borma dunes so badly they all had to be rescued, and out of 55 motorcycle pilots who lined up at the start line, only 40 made it to the finish line.
Among them was Vanessa Ruck aka the Girl on a Bike who became the first female to ever enter – and finish – the Tunisia Desert Challenge.
“During the 4th stage, the bad luck continued as my bike malfunctioned at 10.30 AM so I was stranded. Miles from anywhere, deep in the dunes the temperatures peaked at 45 degrees. At these temperatures, the body starts to shut down and even with water, severe dehydration and heat exhaustion is just a matter of time. I had water as thankfully passing cars, trucks, and buggies gave me some, but by 5pm I was bad.
I called for an emergency evacuation and when they saw me, they were clearly scared. I was terrified. I had been trying not to breathe in the hot sand but it felt like my head was going to explode. I was delirious and was put on a drip. One competitor sadly died due to the heat as they didn’t activate emergency support from the organisers, I’m glad I found the strength to hit the button”, Vanessa shared. Despite receiving a hefty time penalty after being rescued, Vanessa finished 35th overall – just a few positions below the legendary Pol Tarres.
Who Can Race the Tunisia Desert Challenge?
The TDC is a serious desert race, and attempting it as your first rally might not be the best idea – but, as many other rally raids, Tunisia Desert Challenge offers the Raid category for rally racing amateurs where riders aren’t timed and cover 70% of the rally route. This is a fantastic option for riders wanting to try out a desert rally but not yet ready for a full-on, timed race. The entry fees start at 3,350 euros, and while it’s not exactly pocket change, it’s still nowhere near as prohibitive as most North African rally prices.
For the rest of the Cross CountryAdv article see here.
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.
As seen in The Cross Country Adv: Discover the synergy of seasoned organizers from the renowned Morocco Desert Challenge as they bring their expertise to the emerging rally event in Tunisia. Join us for the second edition, where tradition and innovation unite in the North African desert adventure.
The brainchild of Gert Duson and his team – the organizers behind the Morocco Desert Challenge – Tunisia desert Challenge is a new and an old event at the same time. Seeing just the second edition this year, Tunisia may sound like a newcomer in the North African rally scene… except, its organizers have been organizing the Morocco Desert Challenge for well over a decade now, and that experience transfers over to Tunisia.
According to Duson, TDC isn’t simply a copy of the MDC: the Tunisia edition is all about dunes, dunes, and more dunes. Overall, the competitors cover 2,500 km of desert in eight days, and the rally already has a reputation of being extremely brutal. So much so that this year, it has claimed the life of motorcycle pilot Matthieu de Saint-Exupery who, despite the best efforts to rescue and resuscitate him, tragically passed away due to heat exhaustion.
Extreme conditions aside, Tunisia Desert Challenge is also known for very short liaisons, and this year, the organizers have added the “TDC Classic” category aimed at vehicles older than twenty years.
First Female to Finish the TDC
This year’s TDC proved extremely challenging: Alessandro Botturi, the Italian rally-raid champion with two Africa Eco Race wins under his belt, commented that this was one of the toughest races he’s ever experienced. Day Three saw sixteen riders stuck in the El Borma dunes so badly they all had to be rescued, and out of 55 motorcycle pilots who lined up at the start line, only 40 made it to the finish line.
Among them was Vanessa Ruck aka the Girl on a Bike who became the first female to ever enter – and finish – the Tunisia Desert Challenge.
Who Can Race the Tunisia Desert Challenge?
The TDC is a serious desert race, and attempting it as your first rally might not be the best idea – but, as many other rally raids, Tunisia Desert Challenge offers the Raid category for rally racing amateurs where riders aren’t timed and cover 70% of the rally route. This is a fantastic option for riders wanting to try out a desert rally but not yet ready for a full-on, timed race. The entry fees start at 3,350 euros, and while it’s not exactly pocket change, it’s still nowhere near as prohibitive as most North African rally prices.
For the rest of the Cross Country Adv article see here.
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.
As seen on the Moto Adventures in Belize: Belize is best known for its perfect white sand beaches, Caribbean turquoise blue waters, island resorts, sailing, and world-class diving. It’s a tiny country wedged between Mexico and Guatemala and isn’t exactly famous for motorcycle adventures.
Five fearless adventuresses joined our Belize expedition, including Vanessa Ruck, better known as “The Girl on a Bike.” Vanessa’s story is nothing short of inspirational.
She suffered a horrific accident on her bicycle a few years ago when she was struck by a car. Since then, she’s undergone several hip and shoulder reconstructions and years of recovery and physiotherapy to become (miraculously) even stronger than before. She took up motorcycling during her recovery, first riding street motorcycles, then throwing herself right into the deep end with dirt bikes. Last year, she finished the Romaniacs, one of the most brutal enduro races in the world and took part in Rallye de Maroc—a Dakar qualifying rally race that can, and does, make grown men cry.
In addition to her incredible story of recovery and persistence, and her racing record, Vanessa also loves to travel, preferably on dirt bikes. So, when we invited her to join the mayhem in Belize, she said “Yes!” without hesitation. Our other four comrades in the Caribbean and sketchy bike life were Canadians Alana and Golnoosh, Suzanne from the U.S., and Mariska from South Africa. Different skill levels, backgrounds, countries, and one goal—to have as much dirt biking fun as humanly possible and live to tell the tale.
Crocodile-Infested Rivers and Friendly Pythons
Starting our adventure in Hopkins, a small beach town a few hours from Belize City, we headed straight for the rainforest trails crossing the Cockscomb Jaguar Sanctuary, a wild place of jungle greenery and red earth trails that lead deeper into the rainforest.
We didn’t spot any jaguars along the way. Still, Suzanne, a Florida native, managed to pet a friendly python as it crossed the road, earning herself the title of “Snake Whisperer.” We’d been worried whether our riders would do well in the insane heat and humidity. Still, here they were, crossing crocodile-infested creeks like nobody’s business and taming boa constrictors as if they were cute puppies.
We rode north, covering a section of the Hummingbird Highway for the next few days. This is one of Belize’s most scenic roads, meandering across green, rolling hills and crossing Mennonite country. Belize is as diverse culturally as it is spectacular when it comes to landscapes: The Garifuna, Mayan locals, and Spanish influence here mix and merge with ex-pats from North America, Europe, and China, as well as Mennonite communities and just about everyone in between.
Belizean nature is as pristine as its Caribbean Sea coral reefs—the greenery of the rainforest brimming with wildlife is a sight to behold, and the deeper into the jungle you ride, the more you feel like Indiana Jones looking for some long-lost treasure in Mayan temple ruins being carefully guarded by iguanas and howler monkeys.
The Lifan Life
Speaking of motorcycles, riding Lifans was a first for all of us. We were aware of the reputation Chinese bikes have in the West, but the funny thing was, those 250s took on anything we threw at them—mud, rocks, creek crossings, tip-overs, overly-enthusiastic clutch abuse, and a lot more.
nowhere near as sprightly as Huskies or Yamahas, but they’re wonderfully forgiving for beginners, stable and reliable on any surface, and capable enough on dirt and gravel roads. That said, long highway miles on the Lifans would be painful, but we weren’t riding Belize for the highways. Instead, we were off exploring the most remote trails we could find, and for that purpose, the Lifans held up brilliantly. We bent some gear shifters and shattered a few handguards, but all in all, they were steady, ready, and fun.
As for our intrepid adventuresses? Jurga and I couldn’t have asked for a better crew. There was no shortage of both the classy and the hilarious, the ballsy and the sweet, the adventurous and the kind—but most of all, it was about the connection and the sisterhood (and, yeah, sweaty boob jokes).
For the rest of the Moto Adventures in Belize article Download here.
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.
As seen on the Kent Online: Vanessa, also known as The Girl on a Bike, took part in an extreme rally raid over sand dunes and scorching temperatures.
Tunbridge Wells woman first female to ever enter into the Tunisia Desert Challenge
Vanessa, also known as The Girl on a Bike, took part in an extreme rally raid over sand dunes and scorching temperatures.
For the rest of the Kent Online Tunisia Desert Challenge video see here.
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.
As seen on ASAP Conference: Vanessa Ruck visits schools to tell students her story and how they can achieve their goals and also offers hands-on inspiring workshops.
A MONMOUTH biker uses her inspirational story to teach people how to overcome obstacles, whatever they may be.
“Before my accident, I was working full time and had a passion for sports,”
VANESSA RUCK
She was bedridden for some time and required seven reconstructive surgeries over the next seven years, including one on her right shoulder and five on her hip. It was during the period when she was bedridden that she became interested in motorcycles.
I was taken to bed and told my husband I wanted a dirt bike,” she said. “He looked at me like I was crazy and said ‘let’s get you that motorbike.
It took me five months to get to sit on the bike because I couldn’t even get out of bed to go to the bathroom, so I set myself small goals like getting out of bed to go to the bathroom rather than going to the bathroom. use a bedpan.
These are the types of goals that Ms. Ruck uses to help young people. In addition to participating in motorcycle events around the world, she now gives motivational talks and hands-on sessions at schools.
When you believe in yourself, it’s absolutely amazing what you can accomplish,” she said. This is the message she wants to convey to young people who see her sessions.
She was inspired to deliver these sessions after the pandemic hit and saw media reports of how children and young people will lose 40% of their future income due to wasted time in school and loss of vital education and experiences.
It’s so sad to see this written,” she said. “And they will also believe it because they see it in the media.
NO MORE NEWS:
I wanted to use my story to show that you can achieve anything you want and to show how people can achieve their dreams and goals by setting smaller goals and creating a positive mindset.
In one inspiring workshop, one of the students was causing distractions and was sitting at the side of the room,” she said. the goals were.
She said the student ‘didn’t have any’ but then said he wanted to do a 180 degree spin on his bike and couldn’t because he was being punished for not doing well at school. Ms Ruck said that when she explained how setting goals such as being better at school would lead to being able to ride on her back while not being anchored and then the goal was closer, the eyes of the student lit up when the penny dropped.
For the rest of the Asap Conference article see here.
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.
As seen on the Rad Season: Vanessa Ruck grew up in England keeping fit in the outdoors doing loads of sports. When she went to University at 18 she got hooked on wakeboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking, anything that got the adrenaline pumping. In 2014 Vanessa’s life took a turn when she was out cycling and was hit by a car.
The accident changed Vanessa’s life as she realised she would not longer be able to do some of the sports that she loved. She turned to motorbikes initially as a way of getting around and adventuring on the open road. After multiple surgeries she started The Girl On A Bike when she was bed bound to channel her energy into something positive. Vanessa shares all the ups and downs of her recovery. Her goal is to make the most out of each day and help others do the same.
Tune in to find out how Vanessa got on in the Tunisia Desert Challenge extreme rally. The physical and mental recovery process, inspiring others through her journey, going from riding Harleys to Hard Enduro, social media and loads more!
Join us for the Vanessa Ruck Chat:
For the rest of the Rad Season motorcycle podcast see here.
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.
From the TheBikerBar: In this webinar, the ever-inspiring, Vanessa Ruck, discusses her life-threatening road accident, and how motorcycles turned her life around.
It was an honour to join one of the first Biker Bar webinars, here is the recording:
More about the BikerBar:
There’s nothing like the feeling of riding a motorcycle, whether for the trails or the track, for competition, recreation, or necessity. The next best thing is talking about motorcycles and sharing our experiences of riding. That’s why I created TheBiker.Bar .
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.
As seen on the Dirt Hub: Vanessa Ruck, also known as The Girl on a Bike, has been the first woman to ever enter into the Tunisia Desert Challenge, an extreme rally raid over sand dunes and in blistering temperatures. The 35-year-old UK competitor went on to complete the gruelling 8 day endurance event, covering up to 469km each day and won the ladies class.
But it wasn’t all sunshine! She endured sandstorms with up to 85km/hr winds which meant that the race had to be paused, she had bike issues leading to a night in the dunes, and another mechanical failure ending with the rescue helicopter being sent out. Many riders were waiting for hours, some drivers even multiple days in direct sunshine with limited water following issues in the brutal conditions.
Despite being on a motorcycle, only able to take what you can carry, competitors are required to carry various safety items such as flares and emergency blankets. For many these proved to be lifelines.
The 3rd stage, through the El Borma dunes, was described by a 10 times Dakar finisher as ‘the hardest day riding of their life’. As one of the many competitors to be recovered Vanessa faced an electrical fault ending her day miles from anywhere. She was the furthest bike of 16 to be recovered, just 6km from the end of 45 kilometres of dunes that day but in those conditions a mere 500 meters is a gruelling slog. She made a campfire and waited for help to arrive. After an exciting rescue in the dark of the night Vanessa made it back to the bivouac at 3.30am, grabbing just 2.5 hours sleep while her Desert Rose Racing mechanic team frantically got her rally bike ‘Sandy’ back to life. Sleepy eyed, it was time for another day of racing.
During the 4th stage, the bad luck continued as Vanessa’s bike malfunctioned at 10.30 AM so she was stranded, again. Miles from anywhere, deep in the dunes the temperatures peaked at 45 degrees. At these temperatures, the body starts to shut down and even with water, severe dehydration and heat exhaustion is just a matter of time. She survived the desert heat by taking water from other vehicles entered into a different class and by mid-afternoon used her bike as some protection from the sun’s deadly rays.
Vanessa said, ‘I had water as thankfully passing cars, trucks and buggies gave me some, but by 5pm I was bad. I called for an emergency evacuation and when they saw me, they were clearly scared. I was terrified. I had been trying not to breathe in the hot sand but it felt like my head was going to explode. I was delirious and was put on a drip. One competitor sadly died due to the heat as they didn’t activate emergency support from the organisers, I’m glad I found the strength to hit the button’.
For the rest of the Dirt Hub Postarticle on the Tunisia Desert Challenge see here.
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.
As seen on the Enduro News: Vanessa Ruck, also known as The Girl on a Bike, has been the first woman to ever enter into the Tunisia Desert Challenge, an extreme rally raid over sand dunes and in blistering temperatures.
The 35-year-old UK competitor went on to complete the gruelling 8 day endurance event, covering up to 469km each day and won the ladies class. But it wasn’t all sunshine! She endured sandstorms with up to 85km/hr winds which meant that the race had to be paused, she had bike issues leading to a night in the dunes, and another mechanical failure ending with the rescue helicopter being sent out. Many riders were waiting for hours, some drivers even multiple days in direct sunshine with limited water following issues in the brutal conditions.
Despite being on a motorcycle, only able to take what you can carry, competitors are required to carry various safety items such as flares and emergency blankets. For many these proved to be lifelines.
The 3rd stage, through the El Borma dunes, was described by a 10 times Dakar finisher as ‘the hardest day riding of their life’. As one of the many competitors to be recovered Vanessa faced an electrical fault ending her day miles from anywhere. She was the furthest bike of 16 to be recovered, just 6km from the end of 45 kilometres of dunes that day but in those conditions a mere 500 meters is a gruelling slog. She made a campfire and waited for help to arrive.
After an exciting rescue in the dark of the night Vanessa made it back to the bivouac at 3.30am, grabbing just 2.5 hours sleep while her Desert Rose Racing mechanic team frantically got her rally bike ‘Sandy’ back to life. Sleepy eyed, it was time for another day of racing.
During the 4th stage, the bad luck continued as Vanessa’s bike malfunctioned at 10.30 AM so she was stranded, again. Miles from anywhere, deep in the dunes the temperatures peaked at 45 degrees. At these temperatures, the body starts to shut down and even with water, severe dehydration and heat exhaustion is just a matter of time. She survived the desert heat by taking water from other vehicles entered into a different class and by mid-afternoon used her bike as some protection from the sun’s deadly rays.
Vanessa said, ‘I had water as thankfully passing cars, trucks and buggies gave me some, but by 5pm I was bad. I called for an emergency evacuation and when they saw me, they were clearly scared. I was terrified. I had been trying not to breathe in the hot sand but it felt like my head was going to explode. I was delirious and was put on a drip. One competitor sadly died due to the heat as they didn’t activate emergency support from the organisers, I’m glad I found the strength to hit the button’.
The camaraderie amongst the competitors was high, and the organisers made an announcement when Vanessa was rescued safely as the questions for her wellbeing were incessant! She carried on with the next stage, and the next, battling the daily challenges of the Tunisian Desert Challenge, and went on to become the first ever female to enter and finish this tough endurance event.
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 Tunisia was no mean feat!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 Tunisia was no mean feat!
For the rest of the Enduro News Postarticle see here.
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.
