DAKAR 20??

For some reason I've been thinking about the Lisbon-Dakar Rally lately. For those of you don't know, it is a race from Lisbon, Portugal, racing south through Spain, hopping on a ferry boat across the strait of Gibraltar-Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and Eventually Dakar, Senegal. It lasts for around 2 weeks. Riding from dawn until late afternoon, on the wide openness of the African continent, stoping to sleep a few shy of a good night, whilst, mechanics that you hopefully have, do necessary repair to get you through the next days stage. Entrants, ride motorcycles, and Drive modified SUV types, and one of my favorite, 4x4 semi-trucks.

I got injured playing rugby the tuesday before Thanksgiving. I was a little laid up and I haven't been to work for the whole week. I could lift my arm at all. not separated but very sore. Anyway, the reason for saying that is while I've been home I started researching, what it takes to enter and finish the Dakar on a motorcycle. I happened upon a chap called Chris Jones. He made a website and diary covering his '07 Dakar entry and finish. Dakar has a 80% dropout rate. The chances for finishing are slim. But he did it. So I've been reading his extensive diary, trying to learn about this crazy race. I've watched the yearly race in awe and wonder since I was 16 or 17 on TV. And now I'm looking into really doing it. First off the costs are big to compete. The entry fee alone is $18,500. That covers race infrastructure. You have to provide the support truck and team, or buy services from official dealer support like KTM. (that's a motorcycle manufacturer based in Austria) Getting sponsors is helpful and key, unless you already have expendable funds. Guess what; that's not me. So I have been racking my brain on how I can raise money, start my own mini business, and save all that's sane to hopefully compete one day. If you have any ideas, generous or parsimonius donations or ideas on how to make some extra money, please let me know. My email is bangmika@gmail.com So that's what has been consuming me lately. Also I could use any help on finding sponsors for Dakar. Intellectual help and experience would be useful also. I have contacted this team called Rally Pan America. They put together a team and prep motorcycles for the race. They've already returned my mail and given me some helpful info according to my commitment and progress to Dakar. They also said they can prep a bike for me. I bet that won't be cheap! So here I am, Saturday night. Thnking about making a free or low cost way to make a website, to launch some of my ideas. If anyone can help with that I could use the direction.

Something else I would like to do is create a diary about my riding adventures on my current bike. I just have wanted to share the solitary enjoyment of being on the trail with others. I've told my family about some of the rides but it's never the same. I need a helmet camera to record it and share it. For now all I have is my cell-phone camera.

Tell your friends, help the cause, training for Dakar begins now... And don't forget to email me any ideas and help regarding anything I mentioned, along with your reaction. But I only want to hear encouragement. This is one of my dreams. Don't kill my dreams. Keep a look out for updates to my blog periodically. Cheers.

XR kills DUCATI!!!

Ok folks. In the latest news, I've killed the Ducati craze... It's just so impractical. During the last 2 weeks I tested 2 ducatis. In Salt Lake, I came to realize that 1. its too dang cold to ride. (It was about 45 degrees with a slight drizzle) I was wearing my winter ski jacket, pants, shoes, and I was shivering uncontrollably at only 45mph. Yesterday I tried another one here in st. george. I came to the conclusion that buying a Ducati is unrealistic. I wanted to get a motorcycle for the street to save on gas. I realized that to enjoy the Ducati I would get in serious trouble with the law, or get seriously injured/killed in the process. I did a little acceleration test and within 5 seconds or so, I could have gotten the book thrown at me. NO WAY AM I GOING TO GET A DUC! Plus I didn't like the different feel on the street bikes. I'm too accustomed to off-road bikes. On paper and watching youtube videos it looks fun. So what will I do?...I'm going to retain my off-road nature. I want to get a Honda XR 400, pictured here. It was originally made for enduro (dayand night long distance riding) riding. I can pick one up for a good price, and they have bullet proof reliability! It can also be fitted with lights to mke it street legal. That way I can save on gas (60-70 mpg!) and still ride off-road for fun like I do now (not possible with the Ducati). Insurance is a lot cheaper too than an italian motorcycle. By the way, I can pay a whole year's insurance for the honda with the gas savings I get in 2 months. Now the catch- I gotta sell my yamaha and vanagon, so if you know anyone send them my way.

DUCATISTI!!!

Well to start off with a little something. Our english professor revealed good news to us in class thursday. She met with the department, and long story short we are done with all of our writing assignments except for the final big research paper. It was a relief because we had a huge reading chunk every day after class and a 1-2 page summary of the reading due the next class day. So a big load was taken off there.

My lastest craze are DUCATIs again. I'm returning to this one for probably the 6th time. But I think I may follow through. I curently have both my motorcycle and vanagon up for sale. So if my craze lasts through the winter (it's too darn cold for bikes even if you bundle up) I will take the money from the two left over and buy myself a USED ducati monster. (I learned my lesson buying new, it's insanity! And more expensive being italian) Now I know you are all saying, "What's with Mike?" I just want to own a ducati, even if its for a short time. I'll still date and stuff so don't get worried about that. Since I can't just put my money in the bank to save it, I'll ride my money around town for a while. FYI I'm not going to be spending that much since the Monster model is the entry level Ducati (I've priced them around $4,000). If you like, take 40 seconds and watch this youtube(R) video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RieEOOKUbbQ to get a little taste in your belly for it. It's not the best one I've been watching but for some reason I can't find a cooler one. Oh wait I found another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTcJR5L8dQY
I was going to buy a honda accord but I'll wait a little bit for that one. I'll just drive grandpa's old grey chevy again through the winter.
Oh and if you're wondering when your wedding invitation will arrive, it's in the mail. ;)


P.S. Talk about a rush http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U6MtflyNFo

Hey! I'm on.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this blog thing. Actually it might not last long, but at at least I can say I'm hip, like everyone else. I'll be adding things shortly and it will consist of everthing and anything I wish to include: from me, my latest craze, to...Aawwwh Yeeaaah! Glenn Beck Stuff.