Thought I would update you all on what we are up to.<\/p>\n
Rally Raid Canada has had a challenging 2011- 2012 between the economic downturn and injuries, things did not quite go as planned.<\/p>\n
We were accepted in the 2011Dakar Rally but unfortunately lost some of our financial support so we had to withdraw.<\/p>\n
2012 we were ready to go when I had a freak incident on my farm just two weeks before I was scheduled to fly out to the start of the Rally. As a result I was unable to race.<\/p>\n
Moving on to 2013:<\/p>\n
I have again been accepted in the Dakar Rally for the 2013 event, I am teamed with Simon Pavey from the UK. Of course as in the past, until I am actually on the plane destined for Lima I am never sure if we will be in the race.<\/p>\n
There are a couple of factors always that stand between our team and the Dakar:<\/p>\n
1- The number one factor always is money, we are always seeking sponsors and supporters to work with us to get to the Dakar.<\/p>\n
2- Next is bikes, we are scheduled to ride Husqvarna TE 449 however I am having some difficulty locating Canadian bikes. Being a Canadian rider it is much easier to transport the bikes in out of Canada when they are Canadian speced and registered.<\/p>\n
3- Is planning, building and Logistics: everything from building the bikes to transportation , accommodations, and, flights arranging all licensing .Arranging tires and mousse all, spares . Support crew organized. Shipping of bikes and equipment. Carnets and Visas arranged.<\/p>\n
As you can see there is a lot to do before you even spin a wheel in the Dakar.<\/p>\n
While arranging all of the above you have to find time for training and riding, (no small task). I am very fortunate I have a lot of support from my Family and friends and of course local riders. Lately I have been riding West Shore Motocross track in Victoria, its great cardio session, although I must admit I am not fast and regularly get my but kicked.( I am an endurance rider not a sprinter)<\/p>\n
I have also been doing a lot of mountain biking this year, even took up downhill mountain biking, what great fun that is.<\/p>\n
In addition to all of the above Natalie and I have opened a new Insurance brokerage , as most business owners will attest a startup operation takes a lot of time and effort.<\/p>\n
I had been planning on doing some off-road schools this year, however the late summer delayed the start dates, as a result I have not yet hosted any riding schools or clinics yet this year. I realize time is fast slipping away, I am hoping to hold at least two before the weather turns bad ,if I can fit them into my schedule.<\/p>\n
For now the priority is the Dakar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thought I would update you all on what we are up to.<\/p>\n
Rally Raid Canada has had a challenging 2011- 2012 between the economic downturn and injuries, things did not quite go as planned.<\/p>\n
We were accepted in the 2011Dakar Rally but unfortunately lost some of our financial support so we had to withdraw.<\/p>\n
2012 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=435"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":437,"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435\/revisions\/437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rallyraidcanada.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}