[dsn_klr650] paris-dakar for dummies-nklr
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2000 10:00 am
InWoods13@... writes:> guymanbro@... writes: > > ride in 5 years time? How about similar events in the U.S. > > dat "new to the sport but ready to rock" brooklyn bum >>
Hey Bum, At first I thought you were *crazy* to set your sights on Dakar, but after sensing your zeal for the sport - why not; GO FOR IT. (My zeal these days is to ride 100-200 miles a day with plenty of stops, check in the motel, hit the hot tub, eat a plate of greasy BBQ, go to sleep, wake-up and repeat for as many days as Honey will allow......I aint got the get-up-an-go for Dakar ....... but you CAN do it) The Knot 5 year plan for success (success = finish Dakar) Ride a few organized DS events and hook up with some local enduro guys for advise on bikes, increase mechanical and riding skills. Buy 200cc enduro bike and start riding some local enduros.End year 1. When skills improve to "B" level, start riding some hare scrambles to pick up speed. Ride all the enduros you can. End year 2. Ride all you can, enduros, hare scrambles, mx, develop serious conditioning program. Step up to 250-open class Ride 2-Day qualifier series. End year 3. Qualify for and ride ISDE. Ride west coast desert events, maybe Baja for a taste of what its is like for one day in North Africa. Secure sponsorship. End year 4. Year 5 --- The prize: ride Dakar and FINISH!!!!!! Knot - who raced as kid and now just tries to ride without hurting himself. ps: How tough is Dakar? 7000 miles over 17 days, less than half finish. These ain't no sissy's. If you finished Dakar this year, you beat many former National and World Champs - purty gud braggin' rites!> > Assuming you're in decent shape right now, & can go to working part time > to > afford more time for training/riding, & of course if you can show them the > money (much), you can do Dakar easily in 5 years time. > > Don't listen to anybody that tells you otherwise. >