|
Rally report
I was replacing another Swedish rider, Joakim Hultqvist, who
was supposed to race. Unfortunately he had to cancel and I asked
if I could ride his bike, a KTM 660 Rally (ex PG Lundmark bike),
which is the biggest race bike I've ever ridden. And this is why
I do it, I want to ride the "REAL DESERT BIKE".. Lucky
for me he said yes.
I had 3 days (!) to get my rally license, a new passport, race
entry and flights to Dubai... This is the "fastest"
race entry I've ever made.
The challenge for me was to ride the 200 kg bike to the end of
the 5 day desert race - which was not an easy task for a 50 kg
girl.
Sunday 10/10 - Prologue
I have barely got used to the big bike, so I took it easy. Too
easy - the track was 3km long of very soft sand and I was riding
a bit too slow coming round a corner going up a slight hill -
and I got stuck, the bike sank like a rock and wouldn't move!
Well, it weighs 4 times my weight. I got help from first time
rider Bejamin Daniels (#46) to push the bike on its side. Still
I couldn't get going so at last 2 spectators dragged me and the
bike backwards out of the soft spot. I lost 10 minutes and made
a bad result - last. Tomorrow I'll start last - hope I don't get
stuck, there will be no one to help me... I'll focus on keeping
the speed up and not get stuck again, the bike is too heavy to
push...
Monday 11/10 – Stage 1
This morning I was worried to get stuck in the dunes and not to
make it today. But the riding was okay, even if I tipped over
a few times. Lifting it up though was a big problem, and I managed
to brake the electricak switch to the roadbook, so i had to roll
it forwards manually. It was a bit tricky manuvering the bike
with one hand in the soft sand while scrolling the roadbook knob
with the left hand... I finished as 35 (of 68 bikes) and I felt
very pleased with riding. At the brifing asfter dinner I got a
prize "Spirit of the Stage" for my effort today, which
made me feel even happier.
Tuesday 12/10 – Stage 2
I'm riding better every day, today I advanced and finished 27th.
There were lots of super soft dunes and it was very hot out in
the desert. Riding feels good and I've caught up with quite a
few riders. But when I get stuck I sometimes tip over, and lifting
or pushing the heavy bike up again makes me loose time - and I
get overtaken again. Very annoying. But I try to ride with a cool
head and avoid big mistakes, gettinmg stuck and sometimes tip
over is just something I''ll have to accept, my legs are to short
to paddle with...
In the evening I decided I wanted to change the front sprocket
to a bigger ratio, and a crack in the swing arm was revealed.
I decided it had to be welded, so Gilles at MG Motorsports kindly
helped me out and did an excellent job.
Wednesday 13/10 - Stage 3
Today was the toughest day, sth stage was mostly endless dunes
and they were hot due to a 2 hour delay of the start. The first
part I rode very well, and I overtook several bikers, advanced
to 20th. But later I tipped over many times again and got stuck.
I sat in a sandhole for 15 min, and it was hot like hell! I had
dragged the bike around and got it up, but my legs were to short
so I couldn't padddle when I sat off and the bike dug down in
the hole. Many riders that I passed earlier overtook me again,
and since I now was up in the field it was harder to get anyone
to stop and help me. But finally Italians #28 and 29 stopped.
I finished 27th which was a good result considering I had to drag
and lift the bike a few times. But no crashes yet and the bike
runs very well.
Thursday 14/10 - Stage 4
Last race day. Started as 27, but got stuck and lost maybe 10
positions when I was sat in a hole. American #65 was also stuck
and helped me to get out of there, and he was pretty exhausted
too.. Caught one before refuelling. Before setting off after refuel,
I decided not to stop for anything or even try to touch ground
for the rest of the race. Made no more mistakes and overtook lots
of riders. Finished as 24nd, and made up a lot of lost time. At
the evening briefing I got a prize again - "Spirit of the
Race"! The motivation was I've struggled on the way too big
bike, in the hot desert every day, and despite my troubles I've
finished and made a good result..
So I finished 1st lady and 22nd overall.This is my best ever
rally, and I did it on a bike I've never even sat on before...
What a success!
|
