Thursday, December 21, 2023

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.