cota kid

I know this going a little of track but I came across this website. Much more in the spirit of adventure. A Road Less Travelled.

KTM also won Dakar in 2008 & 2009 which makes 8. I would love to see BMW back with the big cc Rally Bikes and the Dakar would have been the ideal launch pad and surely to beat KTM would have been the ultimate test of any factory. I think that the event organisers have shot themselves in the foot. To be honest I do have a problem with the luvvie actors but its not because they stole KTM's glory. For a start it wasn't really a solo attempt was it, they had support vehicles, a team to plan the route and arrange visas, a doctor, a security advisor and the film crew. Lets not forget the bikes were also transported by train for some of the journey in Siberia. It doesn't bother me in the slightest they were on BMW and not KTM, in fact the pair of them would still get on my tits even if they were riding 2 Montesa 4RT's. Now Ted Simon, who features in the LWR, if you haven't already read his book 'Jupiter's Travels' do, its how real adventure biking should be, not by two priviledged, pampered, actoorss.

There should be.

If you recall, in the Long Way Round, it wasn't the bike KTM thought wouldn't make it but the riders. They didn't choose BMW, with KTM pulling out they had no other option. I don't think there was any doubt from any parties that the KTM wouldn't make it. The KTM has been weapon of choice in the Dakar for sometime, as well as dominating the World Rally Championship and UAE Desert Challenge. Given the huge success KTM have with enduro bikes in the WEC, I would have thought that they would have been a major challenge to other factories in the Dakar, but given the way they are been treat by the organisers, ASO, I don't blame them for pulling out. Big shame for all the privateers who ride the bigger bikes as well, as their plans for 2010 will have been thrown into disarray. At least without KTM entering the Dakar it may give BMW a chance at winning it, perhaps if Charley Boorman isn't acting in one of his Dad's films he could get a factory ride. He could even get his luvvie mate McGregor to come along, as long as he doesn't bring his wife..... Yes they did increase BMW's sales around the globe, even the hairy bikes have them, so yes that was a success but I don't think KTM would we too bothered. 8 Dakars wins against two actors riding 'solo - lol' around the globe. Mind you growth in sales is not without its problems. BMW Quality

The Dakar Rally will be in South America for 2010. Be interesting to see what bike factories make a show, after all it is a long way to travel. I think we will find that KTM and the Rally Bikes will instead turn their attention to the Africa Race, an FIM sanctioned Rally, which runs December 2009 into January 2010. The race follows a very similar route to Dakar rally and ends in the capital of Senegal........which by coincidence is Dakar. Africa Race

The most British riders in the WTC for a few years, Lampkin, Dibs and Browny. Wiggy and Jack doing well in the junior and Jonathon Richardson in the Youth. Things are looking bright for British trials.

Although you can get some high speeds out of the 450's, fourth place overall in the Open Class of the UAE Desert Challenge was won on a specially prepared 450 CRF, it will be interersting to see how the smaller capacity bikes perform in such a demanding and lengthy event.

More like gross stupidity from the organisers. The loss of KTM will be to the detriment of the event. If no other team can beat them, change the rules.

Enduro News It is reported on the Enduro News website that KTM are pulling out of the Paris - Dakar, due to the new rules limiting the engine sizes to a max 450cc. Seems a very strange decision for the organisers, after all the image that springs to mind for the Dakar is Comas and Despres on the KTM 690 Rally Bikes.

Do you not fancy a return visit? You could even throw your leg over a trials bike!!!!!! One of the funniest things ever at the Trial School was James Whitham. Who at the end of the day announced, in front of everyone. ''I'd just like to thank that bloke for bringing his wife!'' and then proceeded to give the startled young lady and big hug.

There's a link to the trial school on the main page of the Trials Central website. Its pretty much as Tom describes, one group will spend the morning with Doug and Jake and then swap and spend the afternoon with Dibs and Martin Lampkin, lots of rivalry between instructors. As you would expect the sections getting more difficult as the rider gains more confidence but there is never anything stupid. It genuinely caters for all abilities. Your not going to be hopping the bike around on the back wheel, unless you can already, but you will pick up some good advice and you will have a great fun day out. I'm going.

Not the type of blowing off he was expecting.

I know a rider, in a world round Nigran, Spain get a lift back to the paddock some 15km away, due to a flat, with the bike hanging out of the back of a fiat panda.

Dougie's Trials School is from 7th to 9th August and is around the Silsden area. Regardless of ability its always a great day out and above all fun. I've seen all levels of riders from total beginners to World Superbike riders. and not only do you get Doug teaching you also get his Dad, Martin and James Dabill. There is an advert for it on the front page of this website.

I hope it works out for him. A good lad helped me when I got my KTM, giving me advice on running it in etc. When I spoke to him the business had work on but no one was paying, which seems to be par of the course these days.

I haven't see him since the Baja event that was cancelled a few months back. Is he back there for good?

What the title of this posting? However your are right, I'm a big fan of both Dibs and Browny and its great to see them doing well.

great result for Doug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If he is competing then there is always a chance of winning, it may be slim but you have got to believe it is possible, makes life more interesting. Bit like supporting Middlesbrough.....

I'll second that. No doubt the crowd will get behind him and all the other British riders.

Is it true he watched them for over half an hour just to be sure they were?

DP did really well and his antics have certainly attracted a lot of interest.

Big John certainly has the face for radio. lol

I've been watching his excellent progress over the week, best of luck for the last day.

What a first class report, sometimes its so refreshing to hear a real fans perspective. How many sausages and pieces of bacon did you get with the breakfast?