| Author | Message | ||
     Peter |
....I just bought my first real step towards Dakar 2006        Looks a little lost in suburbia... (Message edited by peter on March 27, 2005) | ||
| Doughnut |
 | ||
| Brad_buell |
 I think that I'm missing something. | ||
| Smokedaddy |
Stealth looking too. -SD:>  | ||
| Peter |
Jim, Yeah, it's pretty subtle huh  When I organise a big sponsor, I'll paint it in their colours. If that doesn't work, I'll paint it in something I like. Yellow just doesn't do it for me..... | ||
| Road_thing |
Go, Peter, go! | ||
| Vegasbueller |
I think it is just funny as hell to see the big Chevy van parked in the yard! All the way over there in Aussie land, you can still drive an American gas guzzler!  | ||
| Cerbero |
beautiful bike... it looks like you stole that instrument cluster out of the space shuttle! and what is the carrier on the handlebars for? it looks like it would be perfect for a 6-pack mini cooler. <grin> | ||
| Cataract2 |
Whoa What in the world? Now that IS very different. So, um, what's the big screen for? What's it tell you? | ||
| Rocketman |
When are you recruiting crew members Pete? Back up vehicle\team etc? What do you have? Rocket | ||
| Firemanjim |
Vegas,he's not in Australia,he's in Amsterdam---- | ||
| Stevep |
Peter, What Rocket said. ;> SteveP | ||
| Peter |
The carrier on the handlebars is for the GPS system that the organisers supply. When you finish a day, they can take the GPS off, plug it into their computer, and see if you've been speeding through villages or taking shortcuts etc. The big screen is the roadbook. It holds a routesheet with directions, notes, warnings etc about the condition of the route you'd be on. The one in there now is from this year's Dakar. I bought the bike from the Spanish Correos team. When I asked them why it had only completed four stages, the email reply was "For a fall, it plows of a finger of the hand." I'm guessing the routesheet is still stopped at the place where it happened I can't afford to use a backup vehicle or mechanics. This will have to be one of the old traditional type of attempts. I ride, I wrench and I sleep whenever it's possible. Will be buying a support package from KTM though, which gives me access to their spares truck, and advice from their mechanics. It's hugely expensive race to compete in, and I'm just a normal working bloke with a mortgage, wife and two kids. I'm going to have to sell my Buell and my BMW, and raise sponsorship, just to get a chance to drink that glass of champagne on the finishers podium I've been dreaming of it for about 25 years. My son starts school this year, and my daughter's not far behind. They're going to be expensive, so there's probably only couple of years left in my life when it's even remotely possible. Gotta try. | ||
| Peter |
Steve, I missed your post. Sure be nice to have someone to talk to in the European sections | ||
| Court |
>>>This will have to be one of the old traditional type of attempts. Well, not precisely. You have friends who are willing to be anywhere and do anything they can to help you. Think about snagging someone like SteveP as "European Manager of Support". You just tell him the things that need to be done that you lack the time/money for. He could communicate to Elves and we could start to put pieces in place and let you concentrate on the bike. I can think of about 62 folks who'd be eager and willing to help. Look, if I have to spend a month in Europe to keep you from whining..... Court FMJH: I'll call today, fell asleep, spent, yesterday. | ||
| Smoke |
peter, i concur with court. even if some of us can't donate time, we can still donate to the cause to make it happen. only question-i guess the buell wouldn't be competitive? tim | ||
| Peter |
Tim, Originally I bought this BMW to use daily, but also convert into a Dakar bike. After speaking with previous competitors, they convinced me that as a first-timer / amateur, I really would be smarter to buy a KTM, so that I could then buy and use KTM's support package. Not getting enough rest is what knocks out most unsupported attempts. That's the reason I bought it. Truth be known, once I've done this one, and have some experience with it, I'd love to do an *oddball* attempt, like a Blast powered bike or something. That would be seriously cool! But please don't tell my wife I said that..... Court, I've sent you an email.  | ||
| Rageonthedl |
I like how it has 4 gas tanks, so if you run outa gas its your own darn fault!! | ||
| Mikej |
"Looks a little lost in suburbia..." Nah, it looks right at home. Have a good race, and keep us posted on your preparation progress. The occasional wheelie pic on a dirt road would be nice too, fully airborn even better - got to test that suspension. | ||
| Henrik |
Peter; let me offer up again. If there is anything we can do to help, let's know. I'm guessing from other Dakar descriptions, that any support crew would have to either provide own transportation to the different stops, or buy a "seat" in one of the trucks going - right? Henrik | ||
| Court |
Peter: Let's start this way......I'm seeing light in this tunnel. Can you provide a synopsis of the event. What is is, when it starts, how long it lasts, when/where it ends. Also a descirption of the type of along the way support. It sounds like we will need to pop for the KTM factory support package. Do we, would it be a good idea, to have Elves stationed along the route. This is a terribly doable thing. Court | ||
| Bobup |
do some reading here....it will enlighten you!  http://charliedakar.com/ | ||
| Reepicheep |
Shall we start with rigging up a fake GPS signal for the race supplied GPS rig (Just kidding). | ||
| Peter |
Henrik, That's pretty much how I understand it too. 2005 fees are here for assistance vehicles and personel. http://www.dakar.com/2005/presentationus/r3_tarifs_03.html Court, They haven't released the route, or fees, for 2006 yet. http://www.dakar.com is the official site with details from 2005, if that's any help. This is the competitor information page for 2005. http://www.dakar.com/2005/presentationus/r3_index.html (Message edited by peter on March 28, 2005) | ||
| Davegess |
Peter, you are in for the full ELves treatment. Just hang on. Ask for anything the Elves may be able to do it. They like this stuff. Between Blake and Reep I bet we cold arrange for everyone else to get lost | ||
| Chainsaw |
That will be one EPIC RIDE Peter! Good luck! | ||
| Peter |
Dave, I'm not sure whether to feel excited, or scared / | ||
| Firemanjim |
Be afraid,be VERY afraid--- We have had Dave and Charlie Rauseo come to several of our A.S.B.N. meetings and talk about their Dakar exploits.Might be a good source of insight for you,Pete.I can always get their info from Woz or Rex for you. | ||
| Peter |
Jim, That would be great! Yes please. I've been in contact with Bob Bergman from Canada who also did it unsupported this year. He's also one of the reason's I bought the KTM... I think he was mentioned in either Dave or Charlie's account in the link from Bobup. The comment being how nice it was to be able to hand their bike over to someone else when they came into the bivouac at night, when Bob was doing his own maintenance | ||
| Rocketman |
Pete, let me know if I can help with support, support vehicle, tools, whatever. I might have what you could use. Incidentally, I'm not looking for a free ride. Might be a nice opportunity to put the past behind us too? Are you familiar with the 'Adventure Motorcyclists Handbook'  Rocket |
