The time has come... Neduro DID Dakar!

neduro · 07-15-2011, 07:31 AM

My Fundraising Site

I've decided to race Dakar in 2012. This race has been a dream since the first time I saw it, many years ago on a dorm room TV. The shot was from a helicopter and pulled back to reveal several motorcycles chasing each other across an endless desert, deep in the Sahara. I was absolutely gobsmacked. This year, the race runs from January 1-15, from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Lima, Peru.

At the time, it never occurred to me that the path my life took could lead me into that shot. Later, as I raced in the US and Mexico, a part of me was thinking about the Dakar, comparing what I was doing with what it would be like to participate. By that point, I'd researched enough to know the budget, and come to the conclusion that I simply couldn't afford it. The price for a minimal Dakar effort is something like $50,000, and quickly stretches to $75-80,000 with a few of the things that make finishing more likely (spare parts, mechanic assistance, etc).

Watching this year, I decided that I needed to go. I've thought about it too much for too long not to try.

I was worried that my interest was founded on what I imagined it would be like and how I imagined myself to be, and I thought I'd better test that before I committed myself. So, in April of this year, I completed an 8 day stage rally in North Africa.

It was a phenomenal experience- not only did I enjoy the event, I was good at it. I finished 8th out of 140 competitors, and my skills were exactly where I wanted them to be. With that confirmation in hand, I sent a year of mortgage payments to France for the downpayment on the entry fee, and set foot on the path to Dakar.

What I like best about this kind of challenge is that it provides a lens that helps me focus my whole life. When I am exercising, I know why. When I'm riding, it feels like part of a bigger plan, a bigger mission. When I'm eating Ramen noodles, that is part of a bigger plan too. I find that I'm at my happiest when there's something concrete in front of me to work toward, and the Dakar will be the most satisfying challenge so far.

Ultimately, what drove the decision is the idea that I don't want to back off from my goals and my dreams, even if they are a little selfish and shortsighted. Today, the only barrier to Dakar is money. My riding skills are sharp and while I will be spending more time in the gym this year, my physical condition is where it needs to be as well. In the future, money may become less of a problem, but the opportunity may be lost for other reasons. It's not curing cancer, and I'm not going to be competitive for the win, but it's a heck of a thing to take on and it fascinates me. So, what the heck!

neduro · 07-15-2011, 07:36 AM

Of course, I can't look at this race without the budget dominating my thoughts. So, I've come up with a scheme to help raise some money that will be a win all around, I hope.

First, of course I'm selling T-shirts and stickers and the usual schwag.

In addition, some great companies have come forward to help make an even better proposition for you if you are able to send a few $$ my way. Klim, MX1West, Motonation (Sidi Boots), Wolfman, BRP, Adventure Spec (for Europeans), Outrider Journal and Butler Maps are all stepping up with awesome special offers for my supporters.

I'm also going to keep a private blog for supporters, that details what it's like to be working on this project, the budget, what steps I'm taking to prepare- essentially, giving you a window into everything that happens around the race effort. The first couple of posts are up, more are coming soon.

Support Ned

wrk2surf · 07-15-2011, 07:55 AM

Go get em Ned... Finish that thing!

BTW.. the deals offered by the manufacturer/distributors are near what a "sponsored" rider discount is and the companies are all top notch!

Good luck brother!

pilo · 07-15-2011, 07:55 AM

Go Ned. Watching closely...

Tbone · 07-15-2011, 08:14 AM

JeffS77 · 07-15-2011, 08:17 AM

right on brother...living the dream

terry.mc · 07-15-2011, 08:18 AM

Awesome

Flood · 07-15-2011, 08:21 AM

Here we go! I don't have anything to do with this unless habitually clicking into the same internet forum - and still I'm proud!

I'm also looking forward to my first Dakar team t-shirt.

Region Riley · 07-15-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS77

right on brother...living the dream

+1

Can't wait to live vicariously!

AceRph · 07-15-2011, 08:34 AM

WhooHoo!!

This is very cool, Ned!

Jurgen · 07-15-2011, 08:38 AM

Completely totally Awesome.

zenjen · 07-15-2011, 08:39 AM

Rallye On Ned! --

DaveRMS · 07-15-2011, 08:42 AM

Iron Horse · 07-15-2011, 08:44 AM

Gobsmacked.

My winter is planned.

WaterWheel · 07-15-2011, 08:45 AM

Go Ned, go!

07-15-2011, 07:31 AM	#1
neduro ^OP Tuareg 2013 Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Oddometer: 11,336	The time has come... Neduro DID Dakar! My Fundraising Site I've decided to race Dakar in 2012. This race has been a dream since the first time I saw it, many years ago on a dorm room TV. The shot was from a helicopter and pulled back to reveal several motorcycles chasing each other across an endless desert, deep in the Sahara. I was absolutely gobsmacked. This year, the race runs from January 1-15, from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Lima, Peru. At the time, it never occurred to me that the path my life took could lead me into that shot. Later, as I raced in the US and Mexico, a part of me was thinking about the Dakar, comparing what I was doing with what it would be like to participate. By that point, I'd researched enough to know the budget, and come to the conclusion that I simply couldn't afford it. The price for a minimal Dakar effort is something like $50,000, and quickly stretches to $75-80,000 with a few of the things that make finishing more likely (spare parts, mechanic assistance, etc). Watching this year, I decided that I needed to go. I've thought about it too much for too long not to try. I was worried that my interest was founded on what I imagined it would be like and how I imagined myself to be, and I thought I'd better test that before I committed myself. So, in April of this year, I completed an 8 day stage rally in North Africa. It was a phenomenal experience- not only did I enjoy the event, I was good at it. I finished 8th out of 140 competitors, and my skills were exactly where I wanted them to be. With that confirmation in hand, I sent a year of mortgage payments to France for the downpayment on the entry fee, and set foot on the path to Dakar. What I like best about this kind of challenge is that it provides a lens that helps me focus my whole life. When I am exercising, I know why. When I'm riding, it feels like part of a bigger plan, a bigger mission. When I'm eating Ramen noodles, that is part of a bigger plan too. I find that I'm at my happiest when there's something concrete in front of me to work toward, and the Dakar will be the most satisfying challenge so far. Ultimately, what drove the decision is the idea that I don't want to back off from my goals and my dreams, even if they are a little selfish and shortsighted. Today, the only barrier to Dakar is money. My riding skills are sharp and while I will be spending more time in the gym this year, my physical condition is where it needs to be as well. In the future, money may become less of a problem, but the opportunity may be lost for other reasons. It's not curing cancer, and I'm not going to be competitive for the win, but it's a heck of a thing to take on and it fascinates me. So, what the heck! __________________ For Sale: FJ60, Defender 90, Superduke Doubletake Mirrors- Folding D/S mirror that is both useful and indestructible. Dual Sport Riding Techniques DVDs: Clear instructional DVDs to improve off-road skills. neduro screwed with this post 07-18-2011 at 11:25 AM

07-15-2011, 07:36 AM	#2
neduro ^OP Tuareg 2013 Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Oddometer: 11,336	Of course, I can't look at this race without the budget dominating my thoughts. So, I've come up with a scheme to help raise some money that will be a win all around, I hope. First, of course I'm selling T-shirts and stickers and the usual schwag. In addition, some great companies have come forward to help make an even better proposition for you if you are able to send a few $$ my way. Klim, MX1West, Motonation (Sidi Boots), Wolfman, BRP, Adventure Spec (for Europeans), Outrider Journal and Butler Maps are all stepping up with awesome special offers for my supporters. I'm also going to keep a private blog for supporters, that details what it's like to be working on this project, the budget, what steps I'm taking to prepare- essentially, giving you a window into everything that happens around the race effort. The first couple of posts are up, more are coming soon. Support Ned __________________ For Sale: FJ60, Defender 90, Superduke Doubletake Mirrors- Folding D/S mirror that is both useful and indestructible. Dual Sport Riding Techniques DVDs: Clear instructional DVDs to improve off-road skills. neduro screwed with this post 09-03-2011 at 05:03 AM

07-15-2011, 07:55 AM	#3
wrk2surf BITD/Rallye Joined: Dec 2007 Location: THE exact center of California/Bass lake/Yosemite Oddometer: 5,305	Go get em Ned... Finish that thing! BTW.. the deals offered by the manufacturer/distributors are near what a "sponsored" rider discount is and the companies are all top notch! Good luck brother! __________________ Thanks for the 2013 support: DUNLOP, BELL HELMETS, Kriega USA, Carbon-pro.com, Ride 100% Goggles, Renazco Racing, Sidi/Motonation, Acerbis USA,KLeN, FMF, Mx1west,,Masters paint and body, Magura , motolab ,and Freedom Cycle

07-15-2011, 07:55 AM	#4
pilo Rhymes with below Joined: Feb 2005 Location: SLC, UT Oddometer: 747	Fantastic Go Ned. Watching closely... __________________ Adventure S, 450X "It seemed like such a good idea at the time..." - Solo Baja 1000 My motorcycle adventure book-ADV Discount www.fishwrites.com

07-15-2011, 08:17 AM	#6
JeffS77 cheap bastard Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Riverside , CA Oddometer: 2,996	right on brother...living the dream __________________ A n00b Races Hell on Wheels Vintage Scrambles A n00b Races Elsinore Grand Prix For a Cause A n00b Goes Flat Track Racing

07-15-2011, 08:14 AM	#5
Tbone off-ramp slayer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Tampa Oddometer: 4,025

07-15-2011, 08:18 AM	#7
terry.mc Stop ruining my vacation Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 4,800	Awesome __________________ Terry Mc 2010 KTM 530 Six Days

07-15-2011, 08:21 AM	#8
Flood F5lood. Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Austria Oddometer: 9,338	Here we go! I don't have anything to do with this unless habitually clicking into the same internet forum - and still I'm proud! I'm also looking forward to my first Dakar team t-shirt. __________________ TEAM F5 RallyRAIDio on Twitter RallyRAIDio on Facebook

07-15-2011, 08:34 AM	#10
AceRph Stossel for POTUS Joined: Jan 2003 Location: Where the stupidest people on earth run things Oddometer: 23,760	WhooHoo!! This is very cool, Ned! __________________ Equal to all of you of roads and good luck! - krokodil al-kashi “We are turning into a nation of whimpering slaves to Fear—fear of war, fear of poverty, fear of random terrorism, fear of getting down-sized or fired because of the plunging economy, fear of getting evicted for bad debts or suddenly getting locked up in a military detention camp on vague charges of being a Terrorist sympathizer.” —”Extreme Behavior in Aspen,” February 3, 2003

07-15-2011, 08:38 AM	#11
Jurgen Trolljegeren Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Sandoval, Nuevo Mexico Oddometer: 32,341	Completely totally Awesome. __________________ They're nihilists, Donny, nothing to be afraid of. Moderator:CSM/JoMomma/ShinyThings/Sports

07-15-2011, 08:39 AM	#12
zenjen Go Outside Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Quartz Mtn. West end of the Wichitas Oddometer: 2,387	Rallye On Ned! --

07-15-2011, 08:42 AM	#13
DaveRMS (formerly GSNorCal) Joined: Jul 2005 Location: San Rafael, CA Oddometer: 832	__________________ Rally Management Services is the source for Dakar-proven rally parts, bike builds, assistance, and training. Rally Navigator - Roadbook Navigation powered by Google Earth. Create. Print. Share.

07-15-2011, 08:44 AM	#14
Iron Horse I Make Shit Up Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Centennial, CO Oddometer: 8,448	Gobsmacked. My winter is planned. __________________ Wandering Wapiti

07-15-2011, 08:45 AM	#15
WaterWheel Multi Talentless Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Green Bay, WI Oddometer: 15,134	Go Ned, go! __________________ Every single bike I've ever owned.

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