Dakar fundraiser ride for Chris Birch

[Crisis management]

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

Have a great ride everyone!

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

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

[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

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!

[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

[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.

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.

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

Couple of vids of Chris playing on Muriwai Beach, missed him low siding the 950, damit.






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

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 ...wait, need to go, think I see Bryce Lawrence

[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