Ola Chicos

 It's been full speed motorbiking lately with tons of things happening.   

First, I went racing on circuit with Furiosa Racing in Dubai.  Had wanted to do that in a while but never found the time

Book myself 3 sessions of 4hr racing with professional coaching.   If you gonna do things, do them right.   Have to admit was a bit anxious about trying out circuit racing.   Was I gonna lay the bike down like Rossi, or was I gonna stand up on it like a tree ?  My only experience on sports bike had actually been on Buell Cyclone, which I had purchased to keep the registration card for a build and sell it in part.   I drove it few time and it was very fun.  But you feel so powerful driving a sport bike that I quickly realize, my next journey would be 6 feet under if I kept going with it.  Doing it on a circuit solves that problem and brings another dimension.  

To start with I had a great bike. 

The session were built into five 25 min track session followed by 5 sessions of class coaching to analyze what went right, went wrong and what to focus on.   

First test was to change into the gears and feel comfortable.  That in itself is a challenge. 

And then off onto the track.  Being new to the scene, I set myself a the back of the pack, just to observe, gain confidence with the bike but mostly cause I didn't want to slow anyone down.  The first few laps are safety laps so everyone can get into the circuit design, and then we are left on our own with only instruction of not overtaking in corners.   The Coach stays in the back and analyzes everyone driving skills.  

Well, no bragging but did pretty well.  Check out my video on 2nd training session. 

So that was fun, and will continue for 2 more session.  Saturday was back at my usual desert riding camp of Motorzone for some dune bashing and KTM presentation of their 2023 models. 

Then, I went off to India for work, and why not coupled work and pleasure.   So after 2 days of work, I took off on a rented Royal Enfield Himalayan to explore the outscur of Mumbai with the intention of doing a 3 days tour around Mumbai.   

Day 1's aim was to reach Mashrej Ghat up.  A good 6h30 ride.  I had to leave early to get out of Mumbai rush hour before the sun rise.  So, with the help of my friend Kaizad from the Holiday Shoppe who gracefully managed to rent me a bike and offer to meet me at the Gateway on India and guide me out of Mumbai craziness.   I was out of Mumbai in 1h, which normally would have taken a minimum of 2h, even on motorbike.....

Then made my way through villages 

After spending the night, I took off to reach the coast with the objective to reach Murud.  Same here, another 6-7hr ride.  

To reach Murud in the evening in a fabulous guest house..

Day 3 was spent riding back to Mumbai following the coast to Alibag, and then Mumbai.   Best summary of my trip can be found on the below video.  

Riding in India has some particularity.  First, they drive on the left hand side.  Keep left and overtake right.   Taxi, and everyone else, hoot for no reason, swerve across entire roads to pick up passengers and do not follow any rules.  In some places, there are high concentration of pot holes.   Rules is slow down, and ride slowly.   Vehicle may be slowing down to turn right and then turn left.... go figure.....

After the Mumbai trip, no time for rest.  And immediately hopped on the Beamer to head out to the mountains of UAE for a 2 days clinic with Chris Birch for some maxi enduro training in the gravel and waddis.   Fabulous experience.   Chris is top class, very humble bloke, having won Romaniac and taken 2nd in the Dakar back in the days.   He is now KTM ambassador for big adventure bike.   The clinic was mostly based on improving your riding, but for me, bike setting and body positioning was what I got out of it.      

 

And to close the chapter, gave my beloved XT some TLC by changing new spring in the front fork, changing rear suspension and gave her the 6 days look.   

Saddly, after one hour of riding, I broke the clutch cable, so now awaiting to receive a new one from Europe.   This might take a while.   

That's all for now folks.... Next time for new adventure....