Everything you need to know about Red Bull Romaniacs

Red Bull Romaniacs 2021 Finisher – here’s the full behind the scenes low down & lots of info you might not know on the vertical madness

I did it!!! I’m officially a Red Bull Romaniacs finisher…or should I say survivor? That was epic. I loved every second of it. Here is my behind the scenes low down on the whole event. I hope it enables you to learn a little more about how Romaniacs runs and some of the behind the scenes fun of becoming a Romaniacs finisher!

There is a lot to know about Romaniacs so I hope you enjoy. Let me know in the video comments:

My body…saying I’m proud of it would be an understatement. While I did have to push through some pain management for my hip it held up. Each morning, with good nutrition overnight, as much shut eye as possible, Compex deep tissue support and active collagen, my body felt ready for the day ahead [discounts below]. Day four was the biggest mind game for me as the hip pain was more intense but I wasn’t going to let it hold me back. See why this was so tough for me with my accident story here:

I used all the Jarvis tips learned the week before and I just focused on riding smoothly and consistently. I had very few falls but definitely a few heart skipping a beat moments of fear (particularly on the ridiculous finish line crowd pleasing obstacles 😱).

I wasn’t fast but I’m insanely delighted to say I actually ranked!! 57th place of 91 riders with a total riding time of 18h23m20s following the Garmin GPS route of vertical madness!

Time to plot a new ridiculous challenge 🤪

Red Bull Romaniacs topics covered in this video:

• Different classes available
• Qualifier time trial
• Sign on
• Event format with paddock and race days
• Garmin navigation set up with eTrex 22x and eTrex 32x
• Food and race nutrition
• My make up for off road riding
• Hydration and Leatt mouth piece
• Bivouac marathon stage setup, tent hire and packing
• Bike hygiene
• Fuel stops in the mountains
• Health with my reconstructed hip
• Finish line madness

Romaniacs finisher 💪🏼

Please note that due to Red Bull Media licencing there is no race footage in this video – they send me a legal threat if I recorded anything – all riding footage was captures on ‘similar’ terrain the week before with Jarvis Signature Tours Romania.

For more information on details shared in the video:

• Revolution Race 15% discount [August 2021 only]:  use THEGIRLONABIKE15 https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk
• 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
• Garmin eTrex 32x https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/669215
• Compex UK discount 30% off VRCOMPEX https://www.compex.com/uk/

Here’s more on how I trained for Red Bull Romaniacs the week before with Jarvis Signature Tours Romania:

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.

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

The Ultimate International Travel Checklist 

Many countries are finally opening up their borders and allowing travel after more than a year of strict restrictions. So, like most of us travelers, you’re itching to hop on a plane or sit on your bike to explore the world. However, if you’re planning to leave your country, you need to pack well no matter how long you’re staying abroad. Here is what you’ll need on your trip: 

Check your passport and visa

Don’t even start planning your international trip without a passport. Check whether is up to date and doesn’t expire during your trip. Also, look up visa requirements for your destination. Most visas today can be acquired electronically, but sometimes you need to mail in your passport to get it printed. Do these things in advance to have everything ready and make plenty of copies of your electronic files and important documents. 

Invest in travel insurance

You should never leave for a trip without travel insurance. In case you get sick or injured abroad, this document will give you the best care for less money. Picking a plan is not easy, so do your research and choose something that will fit your lifestyle and type of travel. 

Do your research 

Picking a destination is probably the hardest part of any trip since you have so many choices. When you book your trip, make sure to do your research on the destination by going through travel blogs and local information websites. If you need some inspiration, check out Big Booty Fish and what they say about different destinations and experiences you can have there. It’s always nice to get info from personal blogs since they offer the most sincere reviews. 

Get a good travel bag

Depending on your travel style, your transportation and the length of the trip, you need to pick a good travel bag. While suitcases offer plenty of space, they are not the most practical when you need to go exploring. For that, you need an old-fashioned backpack. Today, these are made very light yet very spacious so you can basically have everything you need right on your back. If you prefer a rolling suitcase, get something extra sturdy since they are known for their wheels that give up or zippers that break. 

Keep up with your hygiene routine

Just because you’re not at home, it doesn’t mean you can completely throw your beauty and hygiene routine out the window. While you can minimize your skincare routine, you will still need to properly cleanse and moisturize—you want to look good in your travel photos, don’t you? Also, don’t forget to pack sunscreen and all your regular hygiene products in convenient travel packages. 

Don’t forget your reusable bottle

When traveling anywhere in the world, you need to be mindful of the waste and pollution you leave behind. Since traveling is already not the best for the environment, you need to reduce your waste by bringing your reusable water bottle. This will ensure you always have water with you without leaving a ton of plastic behind. If you’re hitting wilderness, a model with a built-in filter might be helpful. 

Pack a universal adaptor

Traveling internationally can bring some less-expected issues like not being able to charge your devices due to a different electrical outlet. Luckily, you can buy an adaptor so you can charge away without issues. If you travel frequently, grab one of those universal travel adaptors so you can adjust to all outlet types wherever you go. 

Traveling is super fun, but only when you pack and prepare appropriately. Luckily, you’ll be set with these tips and trips and have an amazing holiday full of adventure and exploration. And you’ll be able to do all that in comfort and safety. 

Top tips to starting motorcycle mechanics

As a home learned dabbling mechanic I know how intimidating getting started on bike maintenance can be. However, doing our own work on the bikes can be in every ones reach! Here is some of my thoughts on starting motorcycle mechanics, some tips on how to make it easier, where to start, and ultimately just giving it ago. I really hope this gives you a little more confidence to try working on your motorbike yourself.

These are of course some of my ideas on how to get started but I’d love to hear from you on your advice for others? Also, what was the first job you ever did on your bike?

You can see the full video on starting motorcycle mechanics on my YouTube:

A few things to think about

1. Realising that it’s okay not to know it all but the first step in learning is trying
2. Key benefit for me is money saving but even more so when you do your maintenance you start to understand your bike, learning how it works and so when you’re out on the trail or road and have a failure, you’re more likely to be able to fix it yourself road side and get home
3. Identify the first task, such as
   • Oil change
   • Fuel filter
   • Wheel bearings
   • Chain cleaning
   • Air filter
4. Find your bike manual and see what info it gives
5. Do you research, get online and google it, find YouTube how tos, look for instructions on how to
6. Make some notes as you go through the above and have them with you
7. If you have a friend or loved one who knows how to do it, ask if they can supervise you [not essential]
8. Give it a go, take it slow and follow the steps you’ve read

Tips

• Keep your work surfaces clear and tidy. Organisation
• Work out ahead what tools you might need, or might not have. Such as specialty clutch plate holding tool or torque values
• Dedicated enough time to the task without distractions, less likely to forget a sequence or procedure.
• Labels / making carboard frames for remembering where things go
• Take photos of the process as you go so you can remember, such as wire looms and hoses, helps you appreciate / remember what they’re rooted through
• Get into a good routine of washing your bike after a ride, gives you time to visually check your bike over and spot issue before they arise. Lose bolts, play in places it shouldn’t be, damage from the ride.

Remember, you have a few scenarios…but the bike maintenance needs doing, that’s a fact

1. You pay a garage to do it – costs money
2. You try yourself and fail, you take to a garage – cost money but you’ve learned something in the progress and no damage done – try again next time
3. Do nothing…bike breaks – costs money
4. You try yourself and success – saves money and you learn

Don’t be afraid to give it ago. You won’t learning it over night but it’s a journey.

If I can do it, you can do it.

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, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.

Solo female Atlantic rower – Emma Wolstenholme

Who’s that bad ass blonde I hear you ask? I’d like to introduce Emma Wolstenholme – my best friend and the most capable female I know. But why?

Emma is gearing up to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean on a mission to raise money for the Royal Air Force Air Cadets while beating the Guinness World Records for a female solo cross Atlantic row.

Yes you read that right! Solo…Atlantic…and row!

She’s on a mission to show that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and given my history with the accident I 100% align to her kick ass energy.

If you want to support Emma with her adventure please do head to her JustGiving page – if you’re a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports and getting to know people then you’d absolutely love the Air Cadets and what they do [100% of donations go to them].

Her goal is to raise £80k to celebrate the 80th Anniversary for Air Cadets. If you can spare the change in your pocket or something more it would mean the world to me. And I hope you know that I do not make a habit to ask for money, this really is something from my heart and Emma is a total bad ass who’s going to make this happen!

Stay tuned as Emma is going to be taking me rowing too… #thegirlonaboat anyone?

If you think I’m a little crazy you should follow Emma – Atlantic Roar

Please donate here to support Emma the female Atlantic rower:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/soloatlanticrow…

Current big sponsors: Lockheed Martin

Top ten must have tools as a motorcycle rider and mechanic

As a home-taught dabbling mechanic I’ve picked up knowledge and tricks as I’ve gone along, including my favourite top ten tools. 5 years ago I wouldn’t have been able to change my oil, do wheel bearings, change cams and rods on my Harley or even change a tyre – let alone change it in 4m22seconds. But with my post accident discovery of bikes I’ve been on a mission to learn and grow my mind and capabilities.

Being quite honest, we would not be able to do the riding we do without putting in the time to do the maintenance ourselves. It’s just a bit too expensive for us to pay a garage.

So as time’s gone on I’ve learned what my top ten must have favourite tools are. Here’s the list. Let me know what you think and what tools are in your must have list? Anything you swear by I’ve missed?

This is just a list – to understand why I love each of these head to my YouTube for the full video – my top ten tools:
1. T bar
2. Speed brace
3. Torque wench [details here + video here + buy here ]
4. Rabaconda
5. Wire lock pliers
6. CTEK Battery Chargers [available here]
7. Multi-meter
8. Ratchet spanners [available here]
9. Socket adapters [available here]
10. Bearing puller [available here]

See this list on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thegirlonabike

This is part of my Garage Life mini series:

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, LinkedIn and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.