Ciao Amigo

 
As the year is approaching to an end, just a quick last post to finish the year in style.  So, I picked up where I left off by doing a combination of off road and on track bike.   It normally goes, saturday morning desert and friday or sunday track.   

But November did not start with a regular 3 hours desert ride in Sharjah.  It started with UAE Desert Raid, organised by Karl from "What adventure".   Goal was to rally Motozone in Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah.  All together a good 8 hours ride with 5 refuelling stops.    

So we took off at sunset set and made our way to the first refuelling station. 

And then a quick stop for coffee and breakfast at some archeological site. 

and then we alternated a bit between sand and trail, riding next to mountains.   Pure pleasure, in spite of my weakening gear box.   

Call it what you want, I call it freedom.  

Then, the following day, had one full day at the Dubai "Autodrome" under International circuit configuration.   

The aim was to discover longer circuit configuration, and to improve technics.  Indeed, off road and on track motorcycle riding are completely two riding style.   On off road you use rear brake to slow down, on track you use front brake, on off road you lean the bike and keep the body in opposition to turn while sliding, on track you lean your body and keep the bike in opposition to keep as much grip as possible.   On off road gear goes from down to up, on track from up to down.  etc, etc....... 

5 x 25 min session really gets your pulse and cardio going.   

Then, thanks to my friend Abdulrahman who got me paddock VIP access, I flew to Qatar to watch the Motogp.  

What an experience to be in the paddock, and great opportunity to meet pilots and teams.  I even got the chance to take picture with the world champion and his bike 

And of course, also took picture with first french world champion.  

And to finish the year in style, I attended with my friends from "Get Out There", the 3rd annual Dubai Motorcycle Film Festival, which featured amongst many other film, Ismael a Uganda riders that rides with us in Dubai.  

 Oh and last but not least, I even organised a off road ride for people working in the same industry I work in.  

And I'll finish this post we my usual random shite stolen from the internet consisting of bikes I like, and one pics on Pink riding her bikes down in LA.  

Well, that's all for now folks.  Merry christmas and see you next year.   

ola chicos

 Nice to be back.  And since I have been back, it feels that I have spent more time on the track than in the desert.   To start, gave new lift the the Ducati.  Upgrade the front brake master cylinder and put some decal on the bike to make it look more like a racing bike rather than a street bike. 

Then did a couple of track day.  It was a blast.  

But also did a bit of desert. 

Off the track and desert, not much happening.  Have not taken part in any adventure ride due to time limitation, but participated in presentation from GOT of Vendetta Racing, a Dubai amateur team that did TT in Isle of Man and Dakar on multiple occasion.   Great evening to chat about what to do and not to do if you do Dakar. 

And finally, in anticipation of changing my GS, I went and tryout the 701 and the Tenere. 

701 is good for enduro and not so much for combination of road and off road, while the tenere is just too close to the GS, so haven't made up my mind yet.  

Not much time to look for bikes or girl on the net this time thought did find one that I really liked. 

that's all for now folks.   

Ola Amigos

 Well, well, well, it's been a while hasn't it ?  Really need to retire and focus on me and my hobbies rather then spending so much of my time and energy on work..... 

So, what has happened since April ??  not much really.   I carried on doing saturday rides in the desert with Motozones and on the last one, nearly before the summer break, I had a bit of a crash with a novice rider (he actually hit me) which damaged some of my spokes and rear caliper.   So that was that !!!  and considering it takes months to get part in the middle east, I left the bike in the good hand of Motozone Mechanic....  We'll pick up desert riding again after summer break.  There were discussion about starting some navigation classes at motozone, so will have to see if that takes place but it would be good if I register for the Emirates Baja that will take place in December.  

Took a short trip to France early may and seize the opportunity to tune up the Dyna and the Vespa in preparation for the summer.   

Took the Dyna for a ride to see my parents and unfortunately but two in one exhaust made my me gave up.  

so much for my welding skills (did last 20 years though).   Considering lack of time to re-weld and desire to change, I ordered a Vance and Hince short stops which I mounted immy after receiving it. 

I will need to work on them but they'll do for the summer.  

During my short stay there, I contacted Tuto la Vespa to bring my VBB back to life considering it had not run for more than 7-8 years.   As it turned out, just few consumables needed to be changed (and the rear suspension) and it was good to go.  

When I got back to Dubai, Oldtimer organised a function for the whole adventure bike community which I attended with my XT which drew lots of attention.  

There was great food, great bikes and loads of people. 

Then before the real heat wave hit the middle East, I participated in the last track day of the season at Yas Island Circuit.  The same one they use for F1 (but in shorter version).  

And actually ended up buying the bike I was riding 

A Ducati Paningale 959 track ready which I immy send for painting.   

And since I bought the bike, I also ordered a taylor made race suit to go with it.  

Now am ready for next season......

Considering the weather was becoming too hot to ride, GOT MC organised an off road night ride for maxi enduro.   It was my first time at night and have to admit, it was quite fun, though many crashes.  

Well that was it for the summer, though must mentioned that I did not spend much time of the big twin but mostly navigating in my village with the Vespa.  Even took my son to his wedding on it.  

Now eagerly waiting for new off road and on circuit season to start.  But before I leave I will post one of  the last picture I have on my self built shovel, just few pics stolen from the net, and as usual some good looking stars.