Tuareg Rallye 18-26 March 2012 (entered 30 years to late)

nearly over

very well done, told you would remember the sore arse. it seem to be a lasting reminder of any bike trip!!!!! if only ktm made comfy seats:friday:friday dont blow it on the last day stay upright :rob
 
300 KM bact to the port

woke up to a foggy wet morning and set off for the start a 75KM timed stage through riverbeds and out on to open plains the weather was perfect for UK residents but putting on wet riding gear was not much fun. Once out of the riverbeds it was a high speed charge across the plains remember the route is on a roadbook and not actually marked by arrows with secert checkpoints that if missed incur a two hour penalty so it is important to follow the exact route. Really enjoyed this stage but many crashes I fell off in a riverbed where you are riding on pea shingle for about 5km only grazed my hip but the worst accident being a broken leg. Then on to navigation stages where you have to complete the section within a set time still with secret checkpoints and road liason sections this was great fast trail riding and one of my favorite days we arrived in Nador at 17:30 to catch the ferry and set sail at 9:00pm the ship was out of beer and spirits by midnight! great atmosphere on the boat and mix of sucees for some as this was the last real day of the rally and relief for those going home not broken.
 
My First Rally!

ok it was awesome, Did the Profi class of 100ish riders. I was 51st overall, best result day 4, 37th for the day, best special stage position was 22nd.

rally is very, very addictive. I was on a 530 from desert rose.

Have lots of gopro and pictures to come.
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Just had a call from Tony Harris who was driving a Bowler Wildcat for "Race to Recovery" (as featured on Top Gear, last series).

Tony was critically injured in Helmand and is part of the team of wounded servicemen planning to do the Dakar next year. The Tuareg was their first attempt and a club I am involved with helped them raise funds to be able to compete.

He had a blast and will send me a write up which I will share on here.
 
serge

well done you now look like a riding god. I shall have to look up to you even more. shame you did nt smile when on youtube on day 5. bet your glad its over and can go back to sitting on the train, have you booked for next year yet???:beerjug::beerjug:
 
Got my results

64th overall out of 100 pretty hopeless really but I know the pain that went in to acheiving that result and am really happy with it, the dunes were my Waterloo but I started to get the hang of sand riding on the last dune day when I got a 47th in the dune race, 3 laps completed out of four or 75km out of 100km in the sand.

Here are my positions for each day

Day 1 27th 7 hours 16 mins (piss of piss this rallying)

Day 2 30th 8 hours ( ok won't win but will have some cred)

Day3 56th 7 hours 58 ( stuck in dune 3 hours, why did mummy not come get me take me home :( )

Day4 78th 42! hours 30 minutes ( 42 hours for feck sake will someone tell them there are only 24 in a day)

Day5 47th 10 hours 59 ( ok at least I am back under 24 hours now)

Day 6 27th 8 Hours 45 minutes ( no sand today can you tell? )

Day 7 23rd 7 hours 27 minutes ( still no sand and foggy , can the conditions get any better!)
 
How is that pretty bike after the rally, any scars?



sergeuk said:
Its finished

lots of tie wraps required

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HXQa3pT-rrIzIdhxszAFzNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zyOnkr1lfNI/T1PCWsVlpWI/AAAAAAAAAU4/1zR-k6tVG1s/s800/IMAG0270.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a>

Fork upgrade

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_bwlyheDTt0CR9rcuoJ_OdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WE4lGTMvTGk/T1PDD6xQiCI/AAAAAAAAAVk/09vhP8LfRRg/s640/IMAG0290.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a>

water carrier built in to bash plate
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t5fEhb3fqCVX_AyxyR5A79MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lVzGTEvob5Y/T1PC5p46BrI/AAAAAAAAAVc/h06cH92zVqM/s640/IMAG0288.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a>


Torque racing navigation tower

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OqOfmljdr0bRSb_xL7mQStMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0fg56DJtLPI/T1PDQABMQdI/AAAAAAAAAVs/t1lCA3a8qTI/s800/IMAG0285.jpg" height="475" width="800" /></a>

Rear spring upgrade
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VbA-jqqroN1p8lrMC7DCT9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ttVTBVEZJak/T1PLkRuCJEI/AAAAAAAAAW4/yx8PJibrWf0/s640/IMAG0289.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a>


3 fuel tanks
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RvszDe32wcesUjlEqv5X79MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iK4BD5STT9Y/T1PDlyDUsOI/AAAAAAAAAV0/eUdhHvIIWBs/s640/IMAG0281.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a>

He says he is going to run the whole way but taking some pillion pegs and a bungy, just in case he tires out.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-wevVNzzIYIsWzsvSbAt-dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RzK1UH0CyuE/T1PECxFfloI/AAAAAAAAAWE/XSqkZTPvn_g/s640/IMAG0279.jpg" height="380" width="640" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/perZgSVn3atDwNvskRYv9dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UjS7hl7MjM4/T1PETJa5ugI/AAAAAAAAAWM/P6rDfkPs-gw/s640/IMAG0277.jpg" height="380" width="640" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NWjWjyRRT0AinrnIeg_VZNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vUVztAWX4DU/T1PJizXMBFI/AAAAAAAAAWw/m8I31Gpou70/s800/IMAG0293.jpg" height="475" width="800" /></a>

Hope you liked the pics, think it will be the last time it looks this good.

Have not had a chance to ride it yet, next week it gets shipped but my plan is to read the owner's manual on the plane to familiarise myself with the bike:D
Click to expand...
 
Clearandlock said:
How is that pretty bike after the rally, any scars?
Click to expand...

Hi Clearandlock, well the bike looks like a peice of s--t now in comparison to how it was 14 days ago but there you go. Sure a new set of stickers and a wash when the hose pipe ban ends will bring it back to life! Sorry i was a bit off with you at the CP that day, cheered up now. Anyhow hear you enjoyed yourself so much you bought a 450RR when you got home, lucky boy lots of people will be v jealous.

take care
 
Here is a cool vid from day 2 in the dunes, it is fecking mad and sums up the whole event, the tuareg is one of the great spectacles of life for petrol heads

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g4gEXW0K4J4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
sergeuk said:
Here is a cool vid from day 2 in the dunes, it is fecking mad and sums up the whole event, the tuareg is one of the great spectacles of life for petrol heads

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g4gEXW0K4J4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

the understatement of the year, "I have a horrible feeling..."
 
sergeuk said:
Hi Clearandlock, well the bike looks like a peice of s--t now in comparison to how it was 14 days ago but there you go. Sure a new set of stickers and a wash when the hose pipe ban ends will bring it back to life! Sorry i was a bit off with you at the CP that day, cheered up now. Anyhow hear you enjoyed yourself so much you bought a 450RR when you got home, lucky boy lots of people will be v jealous.

take care
Click to expand...

I had a ball, great riding, great people as for the food that came out of the red boxes every night everything but the texas salad was $hiT.

I dont remember the CP, but I am sure I deserved it, I got a bit carried away if it was a special.

As for the 450RR you only live once, i went and saw it tonight, it has a few battle scars from the dakar but it is awesome and judging by the noise Lyndon's one makes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX5_RhYgOZw&feature=player_embedded

I will be very happy.

Whats your next non UK rally?

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Thats a lovley bike probably most of the rally community in the UK could only dream of riding a bike like that, enjoy it and update us on your adventures. I'm only guessing but did you get much change out of twenty two thousand pounds ? :drool
 
These are my friends, they entered the Tuareg and are raising funds for "SoldierOn" the vehicles were supplied by Network rail and they entered the Car Class Amateur.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hBHyC_IdAB_gpvr4QgOfL9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D0NeA9i7QuA/T4ITs_C-uBI/AAAAAAAAAZs/88WhqWkFWYo/s800/1.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
 
We all had a bit of shock when we saw vehicles like this entered.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k0xX1GwEO4StS1PphkuKitMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7oJhOz0W1Ug/T4IUv4OpWII/AAAAAAAAAaE/4mwWloS5W8c/s800/2.JPG" height="505" width="800" /></a>
 
Plenty of orange equipment entered

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zoQW4-F4rS0XhR3jaFPBfdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hBEyBRZgt2c/T4IVj32bOFI/AAAAAAAAAaY/C0qZVbVI_uo/s800/3.JPG" height="602" width="800" /></a>

This is the first day of the rally at the port in Spain, we got in queues for everything you can imagine
1: Registration for the rally
2: Scrutineer
3: Hand out of road books and obligatory Liqui Moly stickers
4: ferry embarkation
5: ferry security
6: customs

then we were on the ferry at 9:30pm where we joined the queue for immigration to Moroco which we completed at 12;30am this was the most tiring day of the rally and at 1;00 am I have to admit I wondered why I entered.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SteJwL482oTmB2H9uX994dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GC-L5Pvoq4A/T4IZYa1fKcI/AAAAAAAAAa8/_N5Jvd5-Xfo/s800/5.JPG" height="595" width="800" /></a>
 
when you are loading on to a Ferry and the cargo looks like this you get a sense you are in for some fun!

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ysWRTzYoeHOWE16F_swMq9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_Psr7BCfXII/T4IadlqU3VI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/BKaCqhYGsEE/s800/6.JPG" height="418" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yBtCJbKfFjH_CxOH6maVdNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--cnh7yPNod8/T4IbNJ8pBzI/AAAAAAAAAbs/8_zZP0CW0yE/s800/7.JPG" height="800" width="601" /></a>
 
day 1 unloaded from ferry at 6.00am then rally started at 8:00am Consisted of tricky river bed crossings in the morning the purpose of these was to really check out who was in the right grouping, after the technical stuff it was out on to the plains, the fastest guy of the day on bikes clocked 112mph down these trails which most people can do for 5 mins but we started at 8:00 am and rolled into our first ovenight stop between 15:00 and 17;00 with little more than a couple of 5 min stops for fuel in between.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vq_6QX2shnfGVtkWjy76-tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LxD6X5lMk7g/T4IeuMTKBkI/AAAAAAAAAcA/89ZhT4ntyLw/s800/8.JPG" height="592" width="800" /></a>
 
Here are some pics from my friends cameras, i took a helmet cam but never really thought about switching it on too busy trying too stay alive, anyway on the fifth day i went over the bars in the sand and the mount broke so that was that.

My friends entered in 2 pick ups which they were advised would be fine for the ameteur class but really the vehicles lacked ground clearence and had too much overhang front and rear, They are thinking of entering next year but in more hard core vehicles, still they had a great time and were great fun to be with in the evenings when we could tell each other about our days.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fTr-5Rv7Uxw9wI_rgyyAkdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0rpswycG3Cs/T5RNjrvKWvI/AAAAAAAAAeo/ajQEXMfhEqw/s800/DSCF1257.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>

They helped get this guys bike out of the wash out in the road, washouts were marked in the roadbook but too be honest each one you went by you were glad that you did not end up in it.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5mKjyTah2bXUrjIYGPxz0dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KLVmXEkOjII/T5RNYS_uo_I/AAAAAAAAAeo/HFV8Rps8cfc/s800/DSCF1247.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>

This was the first overnight stop we slept in the white linen tent you can see on top of the hotel

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rZZZOfjsNPKXFux8DuE-g9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PQckiAXadlw/T5RRLAwHqRI/AAAAAAAAAeo/K1fSFljKv4s/s800/IMG_0916.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

View from roof of hotel

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L4akM1lhjWuupDoWbz-hPtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rbNvqKvMZdU/T5RVeGPeTCI/AAAAAAAAAeo/HmFIUqRtItM/s800/Picture-jd%252021mar12%2520082.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>

i loved that bike,
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0hQr2_c3r_E3qOrnBj27I9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u-gWJoZl8_Q/T5ROtBZFs4I/AAAAAAAAAeo/hWovxdmCht4/s800/DSCF1333.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>

I do not know who this is but it gives you an idea of the routes prior to the dunes, pretty heh?

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0hQr2_c3r_E3qOrnBj27I9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u-gWJoZl8_Q/T5ROtBZFs4I/AAAAAAAAAeo/hWovxdmCht4/s800/DSCF1333.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>

This is in the dunes

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I_83XLA95TwY0fjUQJcLWNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d88liNbpJQI/T5RPOx0jMDI/AAAAAAAAAeo/H3aHJsjLHOo/s800/IMAG0310.jpg" height="478" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Uf6bZKu1yxWNpEJNoccLyNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MivI80Ysrg8/T5RPZ1-0MeI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Nerrmqc85Rk/s800/IMAG0314.jpg" height="478" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_uswUXtLPhR32KYF09720tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VQgV5V_8R-s/T5RPuOYkm-I/AAAAAAAAAeo/BCkq72YrfV4/s800/IMAG0319.jpg" height="478" width="800" /></a>

This is a classic shot 1 guy possibly who can read the roadbook and 3-4 others who are lost, it happened too all of us and was often quite funny too stop when you had missed the correct turn too find that four bikes are following you they stop, then wait for you to make a decision then they follow your decision, bizarre really as most of the time it was luck if I was going the right way!

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hJsBvytM7PVbWpsbour0HtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6epXUCfFvSY/T5RSsxBPXZI/AAAAAAAAAeo/mwpFsnjUBQY/s800/IMG_1003.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

By the way 450 /530 is the perfect bike for this event. Saying that I would take the 690 again.

This is our tent in the dunes with us chilling at night, one of the guys bought a bottle of Gin, I hate gin but was v grateful of it in Morocco.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rqZRs5en8_Inyq9F4n8Cy9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_KyeI1CAKc/T5RRy7BHz4I/AAAAAAAAAeo/V5iI_Q0Birg/s800/IMG_0954.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

This guy had his work cut out, think it may of been a Help for Heroes car practising for the Dakar.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cxWouneBbnyrIuWPschCG9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lvUqoV0m2EE/T5RSFR3oYYI/AAAAAAAAAeo/uxiINVdukU8/s800/IMG_0972.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

The big trucks were awesome I would like one but not the fuel bill. 8mpg from Germany to Merzouga ouch

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TuDe9goNlG4a8PiM_GJ5S9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kKP-HZkom0Y/T5RS14gv1gI/AAAAAAAAAeo/rH1W7AahfJY/s800/IMG_1010.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Our tents at dawn, that fucker in the lorry behind ran his generator till at least midnight every night:blast

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rA905FtHJe6fJcMCTOnisNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6M6qTZHt11A/T5RWbkoKIhI/AAAAAAAAAeo/FPLPG--6VKs/s800/Picture-jd%252022%2520and%252023%2520mar12%2520031.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>

This was the end of the last stage on the last day I was a very tired puppy at this point,

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KgBJrc4YGOE5_m7DhMvzPtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZfXXfIAhVvI/T5ROctWh_RI/AAAAAAAAAeo/0iQYEVUgYvE/s800/DSCF1321.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>


one of my sons asked me if I would do it again? I said "probably not, as the rally is moving to Tunisia next year and a lot of the riders are worried about entering a country that is in the infancy of democracy with the risks associated, so perhaps it would be unwise for me to go"
My boy said "thats funny dad you booked me on a school trip to Tunisia with the Classics dept we go in October!"

"Did I !!"

Well if it is safe enough for him then I guess I should give it a go:)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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