If you want to understand what a Rabaconda is and how it can help you, please keep reading my Rabaconda review.
Is changing tyres your absolute nemesis? Something always painful, emotional and one to avoid! That inner fight between wanting to have nice fresh rubber and putting off the dreaded tyre change?
Rabaconda tyre changer
Sounds like me. I pushed tyres until I might as well have been on slicks just to avoid the pain of doing a tyre change. But then I succumbed and got the Rabaconda. Where an earth has this magic tool been all my biking life!
You might be sceptical that this ‘magic’ devise can actually help as much as people say. Just another highly priced gimmick to add to the man cave…. I’ll be honest, I seriously questioned how anything could make something soooo horrific ‘easy’…surely it’s just the pros who can manage in sub 5 minutes!?
Well…I’m no pro…and YES it really is that good! [and I’m not being paid to say it]
Fast forward two afternoons and I’m absolutely converted. I’ll never be without a Rabaconda again. So let’s get into it.
What is a Rabaconda?
In a nutshell it’s a tyre changing tool designed for ergonomic use to minimise the pain and physical requirements of changing a tyre [including mousses] while hugely reduce the time required. The Rabaconda enables bead breaking and huge leverage onto the tyre making it effortless, it even makes rim locks easy.
The Rabaconda is an absolute garage essential as far as I’m concerned.
It’s madness how having the right tools and following the pros directions [I watched how to videos first – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-nPR8LXG_I] and then practiced…it’s actually totally achievable as a ‘normal’ person.
I challenge you to grab some rubber and give the tyre change race a go!
We can take it from the PROs
The Rabaconda is without a doubt the quickest and easiest way to change your tyre. There is a reason it’s the only tyre change you’ll see on the racing scene. It is race tested by over 80 top riders and factory teams across the globe. Simply search ‘fastest motorcycle tyre change’ on YouTube and I’m confident they’ll all be using a Rabaconda.
Christophe Charlier in action with the Rabaconda
But also take it from me…and I’m NO PRO
Get in!! 4 min 22 second ‘axle to axle’ tyre change with mousse and rim lock! That was my best time after an afternoon practicing. See YouTube video here. I did roughly 8 changes to hone my skills, getting my time from well over 18 minutes down to sub 5 minutes. The bit I was really loose the time on is actually the wheel extraction and refit, I kept getting the chain and brake calliper caught. I think I could probably knock another 30 seconds of it I got that smoother.
Tyre changer review
Get the Rabaconda and get practicing!
How do you get better at changing tyres? You practice! I utilised home lock down to take on the Michelin tyre change challenge and in one afternoon playing with the Rabaconda I got the time down to 4 min 22 sec for an axle to axle change!
Here’s my first afternoon practicing:
I managed to get my time from over 18 minutes to 5 min 27 seconds.
The techy bits
Rabaconda Features
Rigid and durable construction
Light weight
Tyre lever tray at comfortable height
Strong Cordura 1000D carry-bag for comfortable and compact storage
Quick-release bolts for fast switching between wheel sizes
Bead breaker positioning system
Oval profile lever with good grip
Premium quality product. Made in EU.
Rabaconda Technical Info
Suitable for wheel sizes 16-21 inches
Carry-bag dimensions: 70 x 28 x 25 cm
Materials: galvanised and powder coated steel, anodised T6061-T6 aluminium
Here’s me using the Rabaconda for a 4 minutes 22 second tyre change:
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.
Looking for a good motorcycle April Fools idea? Look no further. Here’s my 2020 prank:
Time for some engine upgrades to the TE300i! If you’ve been dreaming of more power than you can handle this is the mod for you! Today I’m using my home lock-down for some increased performance by changing the Husky’s powerband from the standard ‘black’ to the killer ‘red band’. This is going to deliver more peak horsepower to the beast. Let’s hope I can handle it!
Who else has done a powerband upgrade? It’s super easy to do. Simply take the cylinder head off and swap them out. I got my powerband upgrade direct from Husqvarna UK.
With the world increasingly joining the global fight against covid-19 and going into lock down. I’m finding ways to keep myself entertained at home, but also working to improve my bike fitness. I’m is determined that the time isolating at home can be used to improve our riding through working on balance.
The best bit? My challenges are all designed to be done with the items most of us have at home. No bike is needed!
Here is the first in my new series of balance training videos to help us all keep sane while isolating at home but also helping to progress our motorcycle training. Balance is a fundamental element to riding, especially when you start to hit more technical terrain.
Head over to my YouTube and make sure you hit subscribe to see future balance training videos.
Challenge on
So, how far can you make it? Are you a level 1, 2, 3 or 4
sock-bike balance master? Get out and try and be sure to tag us and @thegirlonabike in your
videos!
The goal is to give us all some challenges, keep us fit and active, progress out motorcycle skills but also just keep us entertained!
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.
Let’s sit this one out. Yes…the bike is calling you. Mine is too. But the world needs to come together and fight this battle!
As I write this over 35k people have been reported dead from covid-19. This is no drill, this is not a game or something that doesn’t apply to you. We must stop the spread so please listen and heed your governments’ directions on going out.Moto distancing responsibly means stay home.
In the UK it’s full lock down. No going out unless you’re an
essential worker, such as our incredible NHS teams, police or those helping
keep the nation going [such as energy, food, infrastructures], or for essential
food and medicines, or helping the vulnerable.
It is hard being home.
It can be lonely, boring, isolating and claustrophobic. But there are lots of things we can be doing to help ourselves. Here’s some of my ideas:
Make a list of things you can achieve – that might
be baking that new recipe, painting the bathroom, fixing that niggle on your
bike or writing that article
Build a new routine, keep your alarm set and
have a plan [mine goes off at 6am to kick start the day]. Even just changing rooms
in the house can help give a new perspective
Use technology to keep connected – video apps
and social media are great for socialising
Rekindle those drifted friendships, I bet they’re
feeling as in need of a chat as you are
Find some online videos for a home workout [try
my sock balance challenge on YouTube]
Plan your food so you don’t let any go to waste,
spreading the favourites out
Do at least one thing a day to expand your mind
[TED talks, online tutorials]
Watch the news, but don’t overload – this level
of death and suffering is too much for an individual to know all about all day
long
Find ways to reward yourself, maybe that bag of
popcorn or chocolate when you’ve hit your goals [I don’t eat sugar so a pickled
onion is one of my favs #truestory]
Keep a pen and pad with you and make a note of
things you’re grateful for when they hit you, this list will bring a lot of
smiles over time and great for reflection later
Make sure you turn on notifications for my page and hit subscribe on my YouTube – I’ll help keep you entertained with my daily shenanigans [yes that includes terrible attempts at kicking loo roll…see post below]
Above all, stay home, stay safe and save lives.
If you have any other ideas please, please comment below or get in touch via social media! Together, united we WILL get through this!
My thoughts are with everyone impacted by covid-19
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 survived…My first British Championship Enduro – BEC enduro
Making the step up to national championship level racing is hard enough without brutal storm conditions turning it into one of the toughest races in recent British Championship BEC enduro history. Let me tell the tail…
The BEC enduro was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. 6 hours in the saddle with zero breaks or food stops and a track that entailed largely dirty, dirty, muddy, rutty, rooty and boggy woodland. I’m mega chuffed with myself for sticking with it and making it around but honestly, I felt a tad broken by the end. But I was still smiling!
Why make the step up to British Championship? Was it a step into the deep end for you?
Honestly, I didn’t over think the decision to race my first British Championship. Previously I’d done several Rallymoto races and a round of the Scottish Championship, I’ve been riding and training hard. Trying the BEC enduro just felt like a logical next step. Whether I would make it or survive was on the periphery of my mind, I wasn’t there to win, I was there to ride and enjoy the experience. Push myself to a new challenge. Other people manage it so why can’t I give it ago? Afterall, what’s the worst that can happen? I don’t make the finish line? At least I would have a crack trying, hopefully have a fun day riding and maybe make some new friends.
But what I didn’t expect was quite how brutal the race would
be. Talk about jumping in the deep end. At 5 points I was near thigh deep in
mud with a 96kg bike suctioned in like a dead elephant. The organisers had set
some pretty painfully tight check point times and I was constantly on catch up.
To put it into perspective… Of 73 riders in clubman 37 of
us did not finish…that’s half the riders DNF!! That just shows how mental and
physical it was. Storm Ciara certainly gave us a battering too. It was
demanding in a way I’ve never experienced. And when the fatigue kicks in you
start to make little mistakes, which cost even more energy.
Did I do any special bike prep for the race?
I was riding a new 2020 Husqvarna TE 250i and so it really
is pretty race ready on buying, at least for my level of riding. I put on some new
Metzeler rubber and of course all the usual like fresh oil and air filters. My
next prep is getting the right weighted WP suspension spring on as that will
hugely help – I’m not the average 85 kg rider.
Did I do plenty of course walking on the Saturday? How was the atmosphere in the paddock and on the course?
The atmosphere when we arrived on Saturday was one of busy
anticipation. I was amazed by how many people were there. Mega vans and race
wagons parked as far as the eye could see. The whole course walking was a new
thing for me, and I was amazed by how seriously it’s taken. Some, walking each test
as many as three times and even using Strava to track the route to help them
memories the ‘left, left, right, left’ turns of the course.
My intention was to walk both special tests on Saturday,
however…our van had a different idea. Halfway there the front brake calliper
seized on. Wheel off on the side of the road we got it released but it took a
chunk of the day light. We managed to walk the second test and just had to go
with it for the first test.
Given the terrain was not highly technical it didn’t make me
feel too nervous. I wasn’t there to win so it probably wouldn’t help me too
much anyway. It’s a lesson for next time – get there earlier!
What experience did I have of time card enduro – did it all make sense, how easy was it to get my head around to rules and the maths?
I’d previously done three timecard events, so it wasn’t new
but still used some brain power to work out. You have a series of check points
and the time you need to make them by. Sounds simple right? Add a storm and
some very tight times…then it’s not so simple. By check point one I was only a
few minutes behind but by the end of the day I was 75 minutes behind, meaning I
didn’t make the final check point start time.
I kept my timecard tucked in my backpack strap pocket and
actually got praise from marshals for how clean it was. But having this to hand
is important for check points.
How was the course on the opening lap/how did the event begin for me?
Oh my, I can still feel the terror and throbbing beat of my
heart as I sat on the start line. There were people everywhere and my time to
leave was fast approaching. In those moments my mind seems to dramatize everything,
questioning what on earth I’m doing there. But, then you start and within 5-10
minutes I seem to find my flow and forget about the fears. I’m out there alone,
just me and my bike and I’m riding tackling the terrain 10 metres at a time. I
love that feeling, especially with the whole track ahead of me.
My first impressions of the track was probably being a
little surprised by how tight it was with the trees. I was lucky to not clip my
knuckles, but I saw many plastic bike parts and notches out of trees where
others had had close encounters. It required full concentration and lots of
leaning the bike twisting between the trees. I loved the big berm corners,
something the day gave me great practice at trying to power through.
Lap one was definitely the best part as the heavens had not
yet opened. The puddles were deep but manageable, the ground gave traction and
the mass of roots were not yet too exposed. But by lap two the conditions
really had worsened, making for some tough survival riding for me.
How did I get on in the timed special? Did the switch to going flat out take some getting my head around or did I just keep it all under control?
I’ve love to say I smashed the timed special tests, but I
would be lying to myself. I did ride them harder than the rest of the track.
Pushing myself to ride faster with more aggression, but I think ultimately by
lap 2 I was feeling so exhausted and the track had turned so nasty that it was
more of a survival. Plus, with my historical injuries [reconstructed shoulder
and hip] I always try to ride within my limits, hopefully to mitigate a nasty
fall. So, I didn’t ride them like a nutter. My times were respectable in the
group, despite a couple of muddy tumbles so I’m proud. I know I can do better!
But that’s the beauty of learning and pushing.
The weather turned a bit brutal (halfway through the storm hit) – how did it affect the riding conditions?
Oh my, the weather. About mid-way through Storm Ciara seriously
upped her game and us riders could feel it. The wind whipped sideways, and on
some sections in a terrifying way. I recall moving about 2m sideways in a split
second and one point, I slowed down! Then there was the rain. The track, which
on lap one had been quite light and fluffy with lovely berm corners…that was
a thing of the past by lap two. Much of the track had turned to a mud pit and
flowing river. With such a narrow course and so many sections seeing trees on
both sides kissing your handlebar guards, it forced everyone to ride in one
line. Digging a deep nasty rut and no way to avoid it. The deep puddles that we
survived in lap 1 were like venus-fly traps just waiting to eat us bikers.
At one point I was stuck, stuck. No way was I getting out on
my own, I just didn’t have the strength no matter how hard I tried. As I stood
there continuing to tug, try leverage, even sticks, I came to realise that I
just didn’t have the strength to get out on my own. But I wasn’t the only one.
A rider would come in. Suction would win, the mud taking
another victim and I’d watch for a few minutes until I knew they had exhausted
their efforts for escape before going over and offering help. Note my bikes
clearly stick behind me… using what little energy I had left I helped get the
first biker free. Covered in mud, and then he just rode off. Oh…maybe be didn’t
see my bike. Second biker, same story, I helped them out and they rode off.
Third biker stuck, yet more energy helping them and he rides off without a
consideration for my bike wheel deep in mud. He didn’t even thank me. Starting
to lose faith in humans, biker four gets stuck… and again I help him. But this
time, he’s Josh Gotts, currently in head to head for 1st place…but
he had the time to stop and help me. It amazed me that the guy with the most to
lose had the time to help me. He reinstalled my faith in our species. Thank you
Josh.
The reality I believe, is not that the guys didn’t want to
return the favour, it was that the time checks given for this event were so ridiculously
tight that they just could not afford to help me. Which is fair enough. I got
out in the end with my knight in shining ‘mud’!
Photo by Vision Off Road Media
What was the worst moment?
My worst moment was on lap two, I’d not seen anyone for ages
and ages… and then it happened. I scouted my line…braaped forwards and boom. I
was air filter deep in a dirty, sludgy, muddy rut. And I wasn’t going anywhere.
I tried to push out with the engine but quickly realised all I was doing was
digging my grave deeper. Tugging at the front I couldn’t even wiggle it and the
back was even worse. I looked about hoping for a glimpse of a marshals bright
yellow off into the trees but there was nothing. No sounds, not engines or
voices. A wave of…oh blimey, I’m stuck in the woods on my own, swept through my
body. Yikes. Thankfully a marshal appeared. My hero.
A second scary moment saw me underneath my bike for about 4
minutes…in the mud. I’d fallen sideways on a muddy rutty corner and my whole
leg was trapped under the bike. My head was downhill in the mud and I was
pinned. Again, silence, not a sole around, I couldn’t even see a darn squirrel,
they were probably smart enough to stay in bed with Storm Ciara. Anyway, I lay
there trying to push the bike off me but at the angle I was pinned. I worked
out that I could just get my heel close enough to push off the handlebars,
slightly lifting the weight off the bike enough to wiggle little by little
until I was free. I was grateful Husky build some solid bar controls! Released,
I picked my bike up relieved to be free and giggling to myself that I was so
pinned… and we rode on. It wasn’t my day to die alone in the woods thankfully.
Was I even worried about a result or was it just a case of getting back to the van?!
I’ve been off roading for maybe 20 months now [spread across
4 years with three hip surgeries…] so for me it was never about winning. I was
there to suck up the experience, progress my riding, enjoy the terrain and push
myself. Saying that, given I was soaked through to my undies having given my
waterproof jacket to a random spectator in a hot sweat, and getting to the
point of exhaustion where I was falling off for almost no reason at all. Total
fatigue had set in, and I was 100% in survival mode. Kicking myself to stay
focused and pushing on. Stopping was never a thought that crossed my mind as I
had set out to finish and I wasn’t going to give in. But oh boy I was looking
forward to making that finish line! It was like I wanted it to end but loved it
all at the same time. It was brutal.
What was the best moment?
Thinking about my best moment, it’s probably the happy faces
on the marshals at each check point. Each time I made one I felt like high
fiving myself inside, so chuffed to be making progress, and the marshals were
always so friendly and happy to see me, reassuring me I was doing great. Maybe
it was my muddy face they were actually just laughing at, but I really enjoyed
their energy and smiles.
I think my second-best moment was lap two, special test two.
I’d done it before, so I knew roughly what was coming…or did I!? I power around
the corner and OMG! There in front of me, entirely crossing the path was a
massive pine tree. It was huge. Probably 30m. Storm Ciara had clearly been
here. My immediate reaction was to get to the other-side, I knew I couldn’t leave
the tapped course to go around it so I went for it. Heart racing, compressing
the suspension, popping the front wheel and brapping. The world almost slowed
down as I popped over it. YES! As I rode away, I felt a huge flood of giggles
inside for having conquered it. I then spent the next minute working out if
anyone had a chainsaw and who saw it come down, how lucky no one was under it.
And then I remembered I was in a race… focus Vanessa!
What were the biggest things you learned?
The obvious one is I need to get a lot faster! But I think
there are three key things I will do before my next race:
Firstly, I would have two sets of goggles as my roll offs
jammed mid lap one leaving me to ride the rest without goggles…which was
actually torture on the road liaison, the rain was like needles to my eyeballs.
Secondly, having someone in the pits to shove some food down
your throat, refuel for you and make sure your goggles are okay. Even if it
just gives me a three-minute chill it would have helped. When you’re slow you
don’t get any rest and so 6 hours with one bite of food was tough.
Thirdly, I need to get stronger! When your bike is stuck in
a bog you need more strength than recovering off a rocky hill side. I’m going
to work on my dead lifts and get stronger. My body weight to bike ratio might
be weakness for me but I know I can get stronger. Time to hit the gym even
harder!
But, I think the most important lesson I learned is that I can
do it. I could dig deep and keep riding. Continuing when I knew the time was
running out but determined not to quit. Carry on even soaked through and
exhausted. It’s an amazing inner drive to make it to the end, even if the end
was timing out with a dnf. I learned that I’m stronger than I imaged before.
Would you do it again?
HELL YES I would do it again. Maybe that’s a sadistic flare deep inside or maybe it’s just the love for riding I have. If we don’t push ourselves, we don’t grow!
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.
WilTec 300lb 135kg Hydraulic Motorcycle Workbench Lift Bike ATV Stand Jack Table Bench
This is an absolutely fantastic bike lift. It’s small and compact yet highly capable. Being able to jack the motorcycle so high enables effortless spannering with easily hydraulic adjustments. The motorcycle bike lift is rather heavy making it very stable and has clips to hook onto the footpegs for added security. You can see a full tour of our garage here.
Hydraulic Motorcycle bike lift in action
WilTech lift
More details about the WilTec 300lb 135kg Hydraulic Motorcycle Workbench:
This practical Hydraulic motorcycle lift should not be missing in any workshop.
The Hydraulic Motorcycle Workbench Lift table with non-slip hard gum plate and the strong locking springs guarantee a safe stand for repairing or maintenance of motorcycles, roller or mopeds.
The Hydraulic Motorcycle Workbench Lift is carried out by means of a practical foot pump (foot pedal). The lift table can be lowered by using a screw. To avoid an uncontrolled lowering of the lift stand a three-stage safety can be installed.
The generously designed inspection chamber allows also by jacked up vehicles an easy access for changing oil.
The hydraulic motorcycle jack it is perfectly suitable for winter time due to the hydraulic load relieving.e-forme n’est pas possible grâce au guide fileté.
lifting height 35 – 90 cm lifting table 35 x 41 x 5 cm piston diameter Ø 24 mm inspection shaft 7.5 x 18 cm
Having used this for a few years in our garage I really highly rate it. It’s compact to store but hefty enough to get the job done on a decent size bike.
Having recently levelled up my riding from the 2020 Husqvarna
150i to the 250i
I was ready to tackle Cown…or at least that’s what I hoped.
BEEC Cown Leisure
The BEEC, a five-round championship, is designed to push
both riders and their bikes to the limits. After a very slippery round 1 at
Tong, Cowm Leisure hosted round two offering
a multi-terrain mega circuit of an old quarry. The quarry provided growling
hill climbs, huge rocky technical sections, bogs and some downhills to make
even the bravest stomachs go wobbly. It’s a favourite with many different
riders from the top extreme riders in the world down to the everyday rider wanting
to show their abilities in the tough conditions.
Here’s a track walk of Cowm to see what the riders were up against:
The event hosts a two-hour morning race for Sportsman,
Sportsman Vets and Youth and a two-and-a-half-hour afternoon race for Clubman,
Elite Vets, Experts and Championship. This year saw the two big guns of British
Extreme Enduro, Billy Bolt and Jonny Walker go head to head in an epic battle
of supremacy with Storm Dennis showing his hand too and making a full-on test
of stamina and nerve.
It was fantastic to see multiple women out there riding.
Including Chloe Richardson riding
the PM race and finishing a very respectable 42nd! Other females in
the AM race included Rose
Roswett, Brook Johnson and me, Vanessa Ruck. It felt
amazing to be riding among other ladies, however, the female portion still look
up a tiny percentage of the total riders.
Wet and windy, steep and aggressive, and definitely a crowd
pleaser with many sections giving a serious displace of bike acrobatics…including
full back flips, loop outs and completely bogged down mud roosting.
Did I finish?
Hell yeah I finished! Marshals and spectators a like
reported hearing my little whoops of delight after surviving tricky sections
and by the end I was absolutely buzzing. I was exhausted and wet but the thrill
of making it and actually thoroughly enjoying it is like nothing else. Still new to hard enduro
finding my race pace is something I’m working on. I tackled Cowm gently, and as
a result managed to finish without burning out. However, I’ve still not found
my balance. A bit more aggression for round 3 will have a good few minutes off
my time.
Before the race I set my sights on two goals:
Making
a lap – which would involve successfully navigating every kill climb, rock and descent
to complete the course
Then,
if I managed a lap…I wanted to make 4 before the two hours was up.
I manged four laps placing me 37th in the AM sportsman
race.
One might naturally think that with each lap the riding
gets easier and easier, you’ve done it before, figured out the line and can
repeat…right? However, with a race in such gruelling conditions and a named
Storm Dennis throwing his weight in too, the track was changing dramatically
with every lap. Two particularly nasty downhills absolutely terrified me. Every
lap forcing me to kick myself to get down them. They were step, curved and had
huge rocks that lay there waiting to have you off. By lap four they were ever
trickier and no less horrific. In fact, one actually had a medic on permanent
station due to the falls. Thankfully I wasn’t one of its meals!
Finish line feeling
Crossing the line saw me covered in mud, my bike had half a clutch level, a wobbly rear brake pad and a broken spoke but my body was in one piece and my mind was on fire with adrenaline. The course definitely pushed us like you would expect with extreme enduro. I was satisfied and over the moon to have finished. And with March marking the 6 year anniversary to my life changing accident it was an incredible feeling standing there covered in mud and sweat knowing I’d made it. I’d finished a British Extreme Enduro Championship round.
But… as I stood there, I also knew I could do better!
Time to recover, refuel and crack on with training. It’s also time to get some
proper Acerbis protection on my poor
bike, which took a beating.
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 here plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
The Girl On A Bike’s motorcycle journey from hospital to hard enduro
My bike journey has developed through an incredibly journey over the last few years, starting in The Bahamas and now reaching hard enduro. Here’s the full story.
Don’t wait for life, ride to meet it!
I did not grow up with motorcycles, I wasn’t a small kid braaping around at an early age. I was into the world of four legged friends, obsessed with horses. This meant I was lucky enough to ride a family quad bike in my teens. But no motorbikes. However, the combination of this and my love for cars and adrenaline was enough to spark motorbike enthusiasm later in life.
How it started
As soon as I turned 17, I was off driving; passing my test just 16 days after my birthday and within the year I had my IAM Institute of Advanced Motorists qualification. In these early days, my world was all about cars. The Girl On A Bike was not even on the radar.
The Bahamas…
This all changed when I lived in the Bahamas in my early 20s for 1.5 years, here on a remote island transport was difficult. I couldn’t afford a car, so I bought a Chinese Lifan Enduro 250 motorbike and had it shipped in. There wasn’t a single other bike on the island and I’d never ridden a bike before, but that didn’t faze me. Others can ride bikes, how hard can it me?
I was however rather shocked when it arrived part assembled in a box! Yikes. Thankfully a trade for a bottle of rum saw a local bush mechanic put it together and I was on my way. I never remember ‘learning’ to ride. I just did it as it was the only way I could get around the island. I was very soon found exploring the remote island of Eleuthera, where I lived, with my spear and fins strapped to the side for spearfishing beach adventures.
So my first bike was quite an adventure, lots of sand and track riding. I then came back to England and realised that it was about time I actually got my full licence…I immediate passed my full access licence but years went by without having a bike. I guess early in my career and post-university I couldn’t see the financial commitment of a second vehicle as feasible when a car was vital.
My first bike, a Lifan Emduro 250 in The Bahamas
The Accident
I was living in the UK working 9 miles from home and so I commuted by bicycle. However, this all changed with my accident taking the my strong body away from me [read more here]. In the years post my accident I was unable to do my commute cycling and thus was driving in our 3.5 litre V6 Mercedes-Benz Viano….which drinks petrol back and forth to work. Once physically able I decided to get a bike, the Suzuki Bandit, to skip the traffic and save money…
I went for a little 600 Bandit as it was the ideal commuter. Light, reliable, low cost and pretty nice to look at.
My commute a Suzuki Bandit 600
As The Girl On A Bike I wouldn’t say I am a stereotypical biker chick, but I am definitely a biker chick
Then came the Harley-Davidson’s
The love for Harley-Davidson’s started on our honeymoon when we hired two bikes out in Texas and racked up 1,000 miles across 5 days exploring Mid-point café on Route 66, Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, and the breathtaking scenery of the Palo Duro Canyon. It was an amazing adventure [read about it here]. Then on one of our wedding anniversaries, we hired two Harley-Davidson’s in England and that was it. Within a few weeks, we decided to buy two, and the Harley adventure began. :Looking back now it was one of the best decisions we made in my recovery. In the first three years, around my numerous surgeries, we managed 10,000 miles, countless weekend adventures, wild camped, explored 6 national parks in the UK, enjoyed sunrise rides over Tower Bridge in London and generally had a blast on two wheels.
The Harley facilitated a sense of freedom and adventure but required minimal physical capabilities for me. We could get out and have an ‘adventure’, yes nothing like our pre-accident adventures, but it was still an adventure. I remember the first weekend away. We rode about 6 miles to a campsite, we had a BBQ, bottle of bubbly and I was out of the house. It was so uplifting for my spirits among so much rehabilitation and pain.
Read more about my irreversible journey as The Girl On A Bike to becoming a Harley-Davidson rider here.
Transition to dirt bikes
I was off work post my first hip surgery, I was bedridden, but I woke up one day and turned to my husband “Please can I have a dirt bike?” To this day I’m not sure what sparked it by let’s just say he was more than thrilled by the idea. As soon as I was mobile enough, we started the hunt and found a Yamaha WRF250 4-stroke. From what we had read it was a great beginner’s bike, friendly and reliable. That is was!
It was 5 months until I could sit on it but I had it. It was sat there as a goal. Something to strive towards, help motivate me on those days where the pain just made me want to quit. Once I was able, always following medical recommendations, I was buzzing around on her, named Whizz. It was just gentle green lanes near home.
KTM EXC 200 2-stroke
KTM EXC 200 2-stroke
However, I soon realised my hip was not okay and more surgery was required. We also realised she was just too heavy for me at 125kg. A bit of research and introducing Smokey, a KTM 200 2-stroke at only 95kg. I’ve fallen in love with the fiery power and such ease of maintenance of a 2-stroke. Fast forward three years and I’ve managed about 5 months riding with 3 hip surgeries in between. The EXC was swapped for a newer model with the ‘hip saver’ button AKA electric start.
I’m now riding a Husqvarna 2-stroke and loving it. The improvement on the 2020 models is incredible.
The Girl On A Bike and Husqvarna 2020 TE 250i
Then came trials
Having had my forth hip surgery, a full reconstruction, I was on a the mend and desperate to get back riding. I was yearning for enduro but I couldn’t take the risk with my hip so decided to work on the foundations – trials. Picking up a Beta Evo 125, an ideal first trials bike, it all started in the garage.
Long before I could even think about riding it I was working on my balance. Much of my physio was core strength and stability so track standing was ideal. I would spend lots of time in the garage just balancing. Working towards taking my hands off the bars and eventually worked up to being able to hold a track stand for 15 minutes. Once able I then got outside and started low risk figures of 8 and slow maneuvers, before eventually ramping things up with a trip to Andorra.
The Girl On A Bike trials riding
And ADV
ADV started with a mega adventure with The Girl On A Bike going to Bolivia riding Triumph Tiger 800s with Novo Adventures. There theory here was big comfortable bikes, low risk for the hip given the sort of terrain we would hit. I quickly fell for ADV due to the incredible mileage you can cover, the capability of the bikes and the culture you can absorb. More on Bolivia here: Death Road, Salar de Uyuni and videos over on my YouTube.
The Girl On A Bike ADV riding in Bolivia
The magic mix
The combination of all these bike types gives so much freedom. On the Harley-Davidson, you have the open road, the distance and the ability to strap a bag on the back and disappear for the weekend. The adv adds some mud and serious distance. It’s all about the freedom and the adventure. However, it’s rather sedating, and with my inner thirst for adrenaline, it doesn’t fully satisfy me. This is where the dirt bikes come in! On the KTM you can travel across epic terrain and explore the countryside in a totally new way. It’s fast, technically demanding and physically exhausting, whether it’s green laning or entering enduro races.
But, all of these types of riding have one great thing in common, and that is the ability to travel. I’ve now ridden in Texas, UK, Wales, Scotland, Ukraine, Sardinia, Spain, Andorra, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Croatia, Italy, Germany, Switzerland…the list goes on. The scenery you can explore on two wheels is incredible. I’m looking forward to making many more adventures, most likely in countries I wouldn’t have landed in if it wasn’t for the bikes.
The adrenaline seeker was back
With my rehabilitation seeing my back to strength, still very much aware of my slightly reconstructed body, but able to push on, my inner thirst for adrenaline was screaming. I’ve always been use to putting myself outside my comfort zone with extreme sports such as snowboarding and kite surfing so now it was time to up my game. Introducing hard enduro. It started with small terrain, building the skills and now I’m riding the British Extreme Enduro Championship. I’m now riding a 2020 Husqvarna 250i and I’ve entered the RedBull Romaniacs in the IRideWess hard enduro series.
Check out how my first ever hard enduro event, Valley’s Xtreme, came about and how it went here.
The TE 150i is a pocket rocket not to be underestimated
Where the road ahead will take me is something I look forward to finding out!
I 100% put me being at Valley’s Xtreme on Mr Paul Bolton! I
was training with Paul at Toro Trail
in Spain and after two days riding he told me I should enter Valley’s Xtreme. My response was laughter
– “like I’d manage that”. But with persistent persuasions Paul had me sign up
for the practice day.
Valley’s Xtreme has a great set up where they open a
portion of the track up on the Saturday allowing riders to either ‘have a taste’
of the race or a practice pre-race. We had nothing to lose trying it, so my
husband and I rocked up with the goal of making just one lap. Valley’s, based
at Walters Arena in south Wales is known for it’s gnarly terrain and challenging
obstacles so a lap would be an achievement in our minds.
What we didn’t expect was to make three laps and finish
feeling absolutely buzzing… Let’s just say after a little chat with other
riders…we jumped in and signed up to the AM race the following day. Yikes, I
didn’t sleep too well thinking about the obstacles I’d be trying to navigate in
the morning.
What have I gotten myself into!
Valley’s Xtreme
This is a solo event to find the ‘King or Queen of the
Valleys’ in a gruelling battle around a ten mile track at Walters Areana. Riders
quality for their starting position in a 1-mile prologue on the Saturday
afternoon. This prologue is a series of man-made obstacles from huge metal
skips, large plastic waste pipes, boulder beds and tyre pits. This course then
becomes the start of the main race, forcing riders to tackle them all again. There
is an AM race followed by a PM race where the afternoon adds tougher sections
for the expert and pro riders. This year saw Paul Bolton taking home PM “King
of the Valley’s”
As my first hard enduro event I was expecting to be among a
small handful of women. However, to my surprise I was the only one. It saddened
me that more women were not out there enjoying it. The buzz from the crowed
when they see a blonde ponytail is mega. With the body weight and strength to
bike ratio hard enduro is certainly more of a challenge for a small lady than a
big guy but it’s still achievable. I also think the Husqvarna
TE 150i is such an ideal bike for us smaller riders that I hope more will
start to join in. [see my YouTube
review]
Valley’s Xtreme in a few words
Gnarly, wet, snotty and tough but in all the right ways. If
you’re looking for a challenge to push yourself to the next level…this is it! I
finished with such a high of satisfaction it was like I was on drugs. Happiness
drugs!
Did I finish?
My goal was to make Bronze [see below on how finishing
works]. I rode steady and within my capabilities, I didn’t race. Looking back,
I wish I had raced as I think I could have given a lot more, but in my first
ever hard enduro I did not want to burn out. I was chuffed to make 1.5 laps,
placing me into Silver. I’m blinking proud of myself completing silver and
taking on all the challenges. And I didn’t come last! A respectable 48th of 81.
Finish definitions: Bronze = 1 lap, Silver = 1.5 laps,
Gold = 2 laps. To put it in perspective, only 19 riders finished Gold in the AM
race.
Finish line feeling
I was like a bubble of ecstatic energy on the finish line! I could barely believe I made it around. I even described it as the best day of my life [bar our wedding of course…but I have to say that]. There is a level of satisfaction that extreme enduro gives like nothing else. It’s so physically and mentally demanding. You’re riding with 100% focus on such tough terrain. It’s like nothing I’ve done before. I was buzzing like a bee! I was also covered in sweat and mud, and massively graving a big burger from the burger van to refuel.
The TE 150i is a pocket rocket not to be underestimated
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.
WilTech lift
