Dakar fundraiser ride for Chris Birch

**chrisktm** · 9th November 2011, 16:48

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** · 9th November 2011, 16:59

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** · 9th November 2011, 17:18

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** · 9th November 2011, 17:44

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

**cooneyr** · 9th November 2011, 20:05

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** · 9th November 2011, 20:19

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** · 9th November 2011, 20:49

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 9th November 2011, 20:54

Originally Posted by k14

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** · 9th November 2011, 21:13

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

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

**monchopper** · 9th November 2011, 21:53

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/?c...-intro-outside

**shafty** · 9th November 2011, 21:58

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** · 9th November 2011, 22:23

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** · 10th November 2011, 07:00

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

**peadub** · 10th November 2011, 07:04

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** · 10th November 2011, 17:07

OK guys! For the people who cant make the ride but would like to help out annyway (aka bloody legends!

) we now have a nice easy way to do it. Just go to http://www.chrisbirch.co.nz/content/...aising-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.