Dakar fundraiser ride for Chris Birch

[chrisktm]

Hi Guys

Please forgive the advertising, I hope that it doesnt offend but its probably the best way for me to get word out.

On January the first 2012 I will start the toughest adventure of my life, the Dakar Rally. It’s something I have dreamed of doing for many years. As well as being the biggest off road race in the world it’s also the most expensive. I’m running as a private entrant with no factory support, just the help of sponsors and some generous individuals.

To raise some funds for Dakar (there are a lot of expenses not covered as yet) I am running a ride day on Sunday the 18th of December, starting from Waimauku in North West Auckland. Everyone with a road legal adventure bike is welcome and the entry fee is a donation of your choice towards my Dakar bill, it’s a big bill...

It will be a lead adventure type ride along one of my favourite loops, taking in gravel roads, farm land, clay tracks and a blast up Muriwai beach. We will stop for lunch along the way and have a good day out on the bikes. There will be harder options for the more adventurous, I will lead these on my KTM 950 so they won’t be anything too crazy.

There will be trailer back up/rescue if needed.
If you would like to join me please register by emailing chris@chrisbirch.co.nz

[.chris]

Hi Chris,

I am definitely keen.

I also think this is a great idea for a fundraiser, I think many of us kb'ers would be keen to help you along to the Dakar. I reckon you should have a method for people not able to make it to the ride so they can also donate.

[buggsubique]

Mate, a little far north for me, but I'm very envious of anyone heading to Dakar. I'll happily make a cash donation if you have an appropriate account.

Represent!

Buggs

[Shewolf]

be very cool to ride with Chris and support him for Dakar :Punk:

[cooneyr]

Too far from home for me to attend.

What about some sort of basic supporters pack? T-shirt we could swan about in?

Cheers R

[chrisktm]

Thanks for the interest and support guys! Really cool.

I like the idea of T Shirts, things are pretty crazy at the moment but when I get back to New Zealand in December (cant wait) I will try and get something together.

To the people who have asked about account details to help out, you my friends are legends! If you would like to email me I can give you the details, I'm a but shy to put up on here.

Currently I am in a sea of camping gear, motorbike kit and spare parts as I pack my kit to be sent to Argentina.

[k14]

Too far from home for me to attend.

What about some sort of basic supporters pack? T-shirt we could swan about in?

Cheers R
Heck yeah, get something together. Great to see a Kiwi on the Dakar!

Are you going to have a blog or anything of the like documenting your preparation/progress in the build up to the race?

[NordieBoy]

Heck yeah, get something together. Great to see a Kiwi on the Dakar!

Are you going to have a blog or anything of the like documenting your preparation/progress in the build up to the race?

Or even better. Road to Romania type vids...

[CrazyFrog]

You can follow Birchy here for latest race/ride updates and twitter etc.

http://www.chrisbirch.co.nz/

No doubt Chris will be doing some Dakar updates, the more info the better :niceone:

BTW Birchy, love the scooter racing, most excellent form.

[monchopper]

Chris you should (or have someone) put a 'Donate' button on your website that gives the user options for contributing to your mission (Paypal, Credit Card, Bank transfer etc)

That way you don't have to individually give out your Bank Details, plus it's easier for us Kiwis based overseas to help you out.

Not sure if Paypal is widely known in NZ but elsewhere (Places where ebay doesn't have homegrown competitors!) it is.

Setting a Donate Button for Paypal is a piece of piss.
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_donate-intro-outside

[shafty]

Ill donate or buy a T shirt so long as I am allowed to say I know ya - as in pub talk, OK?

All the very best Mate - you're a legend!

Awaiting $$ details

Shafty

ps, you can say ya know me as well, no probs

[Baldyman]

I have been fortunate enough to meet Chris twice (Albiet very briefly at Desert Storm & Auckland City Enduro) Top bloke.

If anyone can do the Dakar, it would be him. (It is a dream of mine as well to do the Dakar, but I have nowhere near enough riding ability)

I will be in for the fundraiser ride and help any other way I can.

All the best. Keep us up to date on your progress.

[NordieBoy]

So Chris, are you doing it on the DR or copying everyone else and using a KTM?

[peadub]

KTM’s Enduro Factory Team rider Johnny Aubert of France will also make his Dakar debut in January 2012 riding a series model KTM 450 Rally bike and supported by KTM’s Service Package as offered to privateer riders. More than half of the competing bikes in the Dakar Rally are KTMs. Aubert is considered one of the best riders in the Enduro World Championships. He is a double world champion and joined the KTM Factory Team in 2010. Johnny was unable to ride in the second half of the 2011 season following injuries at the GP of Greece but is now fully recovered and in training for the Dakar challenge.

Another prominent KTM rider making his Dakar debut in 2012 is New Zealander Chris Birch, three-times winner of the Roof of Africa and winner of the 2010 edition of the Red Bull Romaniacs. Birch, who specializes in Extreme Enduro events, was also second in the inaugural Red Bull Sea to Sky in Turkey in 2011. He is based in South Africa and has won both the New Zealand and South African National Enduro titles.

[chrisktm]

OK guys! For the people who cant make the ride but would like to help out annyway (aka bloody legends! :woohoo:) we now have a nice easy way to do it. Just go to http://www.chrisbirch.co.nz/content/dakar-fundraising-ride-nz and click on the pay pal button at the bottom. You do not need a pay pal account to donate.

Of course I would rather see you at the ride! But a massive thanks to anyone helping out, big or small.

I have looked into T Shirts and to be honest its not really a good option as I wont be in NZ long enough. Im going to get some "I helped chris get to dakar" type stickers made up.

[NordieBoy]

Donated.

I'd do more but I'm already in the Riff Raff.

[buggsubique]

Yep, me too, would like to have donated more but gotta get work done on the old Africa Twin! Will be following for sure. :Punk:

[Cary]

Always good to see a Kiwi name on the leader board. Will be in for the ride :Punk:

[vegeman]

nice work on the website, ya gotta give this guys some bucks...he's darn good on the machine... the vid's on his site are great and almost seem worth paying for. Defineitely seems like a good kiwi bloke that we should support.

watching some of the footage...makes me want to get a lighter MX style machine again, as man handling the big thumper just isn't the same as throwing a 250 around...BUT, bench racing with a bourbon in my hand makes everything seem doable :Punk:

[chrisktm]

Thanks so much for your support guys it really is appreciated and is helping greatly with the pre event "oh god how am I going to pay for that!" dramas that have been plauging me of late.

I wil do my best to make sure that the money is spent wisely, you guys have helped me to get to Argentina and Ill get myself to Peru in one piece! :niceone:

[Devil]

Good luck man. Just fired through $100 to the paypal thingy.

Matt (from the Superbike School).

[vegeman]

I checked my paypal account, and saw that I had $35 in there.- yay..so it's now on its way to the birchy fund...while it never seems enough, every bit helps... :-)

get sum!:headbang:

[.chris]

Do you want the guys & gals coming on the ride to do the payments via paypal or do you want us to bring some cash on the day?

...and a bump back to the firstpage.

[Crisis management]

And another bump, I don't know if Chris has space for any more but my email today makes this sound like a ride not to be missed...... I also need people capable of lifting my bike off me as required!:crazy:



New rear tyre, bike serviced, me fit, what more can I need?

[Shewolf]

I'm capable of filming you pinned under you bike :shifty:


...... I also need people capable of lifting my bike off me as required!:crazy:

[.chris]

And another bump, I don't know if Chris has space for any more but my email today makes this sound like a ride not to be missed...... I also need people capable of lifting my bike off me as required!:crazy:
New rear tyre, bike serviced, me fit, what more can I need?

New rear tyre, does a 8000km old e-07 count?
bike serviced, CHECK
I think that means I am ready.

I do need to pop to a cash machine and get some funds to help Chris on his way.

[Crisis management]

New rear tyre, does a 8000km old e-07 count?

I recall some mention of clay tracks.... not that there has been a lot of rain so far!


Having said that, my new rear seems impregnated with slippery stuff, I'm suffering lurid slides on any sort of damp road surface, it better be better in muddy bits.

[.chris]

I recall some mention of clay tracks.... not that there has been a lot of rain so far!

I can't afford a new tire and a donation, so donation it is.
I will just endure some hardship (read fun-times) in solidarity of Chris' effort at Dakar.

[NordieBoy]

Go Chris!

252837

[Shewolf]

I'm out today - have paypal'd ya Birchy

Have a great ride everyone! :yes:

[Crisis management]

I'm out today - have paypal'd ya Birchy

Have a great ride everyone! :yes:

Your absence was noted, you missed several chances of recording unusual parking manouvers by myself....

Was a brilliant ride, the weather changed plans a bit so we didn't go into Riverhead, just played in the mud on the edges of the forest and there was lots of it, my new knobblie turned into a slick within minutes, it's very adhesive mud! Next a short wander through a couple of farms with challenge bits to sort the posers (me) from the capable, before up to Woodhill and onto Muriwai beach to travel north to meet Mr Sandpit (Tony Beuth) who lead us through a lot of tracks in the northern blocks of Woodhill forest. That was brilliant, it's the first chance I have had to ride the 640 on enduro tracks and proved very entertaining :facepalm:

Off to a cafe on the Kaipara harbour at Shelly beach for a late lunch then back to Mr Birchs for a BBQ via Muriwai beach again.. unfortunately the tide was in so it was hard riding in very soft sand which wasn't a lot of fun, lots of throttle and weaving all over the place. I would like to point out that the stream at Muriwai village is deeper than it looks but it is a good way to cleanse your sinus'.

Lots of thanks to the Birchs', Vege and his cronies, the sandpit staff and all the helpers that made it work so well, all Chris has to do is win some little race!

[Shewolf]

good write up - hope someone recorded the moments for posterity :yes:

[BMWST?]

had 44 pounds in my paypal account from some mountain bike business years ago...its on the way Chris

[Crisis management]

good write up - hope someone recorded the moments for posterity :yes:

I think I'm safe this time, Cary was looking a bit green after a Xmas party the evening before so he wasn't waving his camera around and Chris was too busy looking for traction on his "economy" model knobblies.

[chrisktm]

A huge thanks to everyone who braved the drizzle and pitched up today. I was pretty blown away by how many people came along, I was origionally thinking that about 10-15 riders would be great but we had over thirty! This did throw out my "organisation" a bit but I think we held it all together thanks to General Pete.

So with all the support and donations I have recieved before the ride and from today the adventure and enduro riders of NZ have donated enough to cover most of the "on race" expenses I expect to come up against. That is of course as long as I keep the KTM off the ground and the parts bill stays in check!

So thank you doesnt really cover it but thats all I can say really. I know I am not going to win Dakar, that is not the plan but I will make sure that no matter what happens me and that bike are getting to Lima!

Thanks again, you guys are legends! :rockon:

[vegeman]

...
I know I am not going to win Dakar, that is not the plan


what the!...I'm telling everyone that you are going win, so you just have to now :-) ...well, perhaps a podium, ok...a finish time

Seriously though, why you think you can't/won't - what else is required. Clearly, your an excellent rider, and KTM machines rool...what the missing incredient?

[CrazyFrog]

what the!...I'm telling everyone that you are going win, so you just have to now :-) ...well, perhaps a podium, ok...a finish time

Seriously though, why you think you can't/won't - what else is required. Clearly, your an excellent rider, and KTM machines rool...what the missing incredient?

Nothing wrong with Chris's riding ability and race pedigree, and the team he has behind him, but this race is huge. In every sense. Racing up to 900km a day, full factory teams out there competing to win, while others just want to finish. Many have died trying.
Failure to complete one stage in 3 weeks of racing means you are out, no second chances.
Everything has to run well for a competitor just to finish. Jake Smith (2 x winner of Australian Safari )who raced last year, said this race is insane, such high speeds, bad visibility in dust, and high fatigue levels, it's no wonder so many crash out.
The bike has to last the 3 weeks of constant full throttle racing. If you exceed the 3 engine rule, race over.

Of course we all want Chris to do well, it'll be fantactic seeing a Kiwi finish well and get some publicity, but I believe his goal is to finish well in 2014.
We're just proud to see our local lad over there for now :Punk:

[cold comfort]

donation made

[gordons]

Thanks for a great ride Chris! I was looking for a spaceship on your property because those riding skills portrait yesterday in the given conditions on a 950 surely aren't obtained from this planet. :not:

BTW, what is the legal amount of sand one can take home from a public beach? Maybe need to return some to Muriwai after sunset judging on the amount on my driveway after the big clean. I have an extra few chain links to spare now as well if Chris wants to take them with. :laugh:

After a short chat it was clear that Chris has pre-race goals which I think is applying pressure rather than putting pressure on himself i.e. a podium finish given that this is his first Dakar.

Chris, all the best of luck, you have talent, heaps of it, supporting you all the way. And most importantly, enjoy!

[Cary]

Good ride that. Beach was fun, no problems on the XR......

Managed to keep up with Chris on the way in to beach on Wilson Rd, only had to use the bank as a berm a couple of times trying to watch and keep up! Fun watching a 950 get thrown around like that :Punk:

Couple of vids of Chris playing on Muriwai Beach, missed him low siding the 950, damit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/jeb441/video/th_donut.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v496/jeb441/video/?action=view&current=donut.mp4)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/jeb441/video/th_donut2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v496/jeb441/video/?action=view&current=donut2.mp4)

253154
Working for his money!

Cheers Chris and thanks for the scones :)

Best of luck.

[vegeman]

Nothing wrong with Chris's riding ability and race pedigree, and the team he has behind him, but this race is huge. In every sense. Racing up to 900km a day, full factory teams out there competing to win, while others just want to finish. Many have died trying.
Failure to complete one stage in 3 weeks of racing means you are out, no second chances.
Everything has to run well for a competitor just to finish. Jake Smith (2 x winner of Australian Safari )who raced last year, said this race is insane, such high speeds, bad visibility in dust, and high fatigue levels, it's no wonder so many crash out.
The bike has to last the 3 weeks of constant full throttle racing. If you exceed the 3 engine rule, race over.

Of course we all want Chris to do well, it'll be fantactic seeing a Kiwi finish well and get some publicity, but I believe his goal is to finish well in 2014.
We're just proud to see our local lad over there for now :Punk:

thanks for the headsup...
yeah man...its cool to have one NZL competiing for sure. It sure is a crazy long ride, for some reason...I thought it was about a week to 10 days, but hey...its tough, brutal and adventure-an-a-half. No harm in hoping for amazing things...and drawing parallels to Amercias cup, Everest and other events were kiwis surprised the world. (I purposely didn't mention Rugby...)

Looking forward to the coverage, from the comfort of my outdoor furniture.

Go birchy, thanks for the sticker!

=V=

[gordons]

thanks for the headsup...
yeah man...its cool to have one NZL competiing for sure. It sure is a crazy long ride, for some reason...I thought it was about a week to 10 days, but hey...its tough, brutal and adventure-an-a-half. No harm in hoping for amazing things...and drawing parallels to Amercias cup, Everest and other events were kiwis surprised the world. (I purposely didn't mention Rugby...)
Looking forward to the coverage, from the comfort of my outdoor furniture.

Go birchy, thanks for the sticker!

=V=

Ouch, don't go there :weep::violin:...wait, need to go, think I see Bryce Lawrence:laugh:

[topo]

Chris,

I hear from other sources that the other guys for SA are having issues with their shipping container getting to BA in time for scrutinereing, is your bike in with theirs or coming from france on the ASO boat?

When do you fly out?

Cheers,
Ben

[NordieBoy]

Do you know how much it cost to get those containers re-routed to Nelson?


Wanna buy a bike?

[Waihou Thumper]

Do you know how much it cost to get those containers re-routed to Nelson?


Wanna buy a bike?


Just make sure they don't go via Tauranga :)
Remember the container ship that ran aground off the coast of Cornwall? Forklift trucks on the beach unloading BMW Motorbikes bound for the EU..lol

[NordieBoy]

Oh crap!

See what bike Chris is going to be riding?

Cyril Despres'sss from last year!


Only ridden to church on Sundays...

[cromagnon]

For torrents of dakar 2012, see this thread on the photo friendly site: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=751533

<a href="http://imgur.com/ZZ9Jk"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ZZ9Jks.gif" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

[Waihou Thumper]

If you are interested, set this up, I will be adding to it over time....I also let the others know on that OTHER site :)

http://vimeo.com/channels/dakar :msn-wink:

[vegeman]

If you are interested, set this up, I will be adding to it over time....I also let the others know on that OTHER site :)

http://vimeo.com/channels/dakar :msn-wink:

thanks for the uploads...I've been going through them all, nice to recall some of the history. :-)

[Waihou Thumper]

Chris did very brilliantly, early days I know, but didn't get carried away with the excitement....p.s thanks for the comment vegeman, more have been posted and will be over time.

http://gaps.dakar.com/2012/dakar/stage-01/aso/ukie.php


(http://gaps.dakar.com/2012/dakar/stage-01/aso/ukie.php)

(http://gaps.dakar.com/2012/dakar/stage-01/aso/ukie.php)