DAKAR COMING - British Privateers - Craig Bounds and Paul Jay

Off-topic
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Hi all,

The Dakar is coming - with the race starting properly on January 5th 2013. Its not everyone’s cup of tea, but over the past year I have developed a huge respect for these off-road experts, and been lucky to make friends with a couple of amazing Brits who are putting their all into this year’s Dakar. You may have seen write-ups of them in MCN, but I thought to add a bit more.

Craig Bounds

Craig is one of the friendliest, funny and talented bikers I’ve ever met. He’s had some amazing biking achievements, though not quite made it into the international “pro” league, so has had to fund his Dakar entries as a true privateer. This is his 4th Dakar - after completing the first, engine-failing on the 2nd, and a very nasty non-fault accident on the 3rd. Hopefully his 4th will be his best.

He’s won the UK Big Bike Rally Challenge, won Romaniacs prologues (and done top 3 at least overall), and recently came 13th in the Australassian rally - even though he was using an old DRZ400 “school” bikes from his Black Desert Training.

I’ve had some unforgettable days out in Wales (and Cambodia) with Craig (see LB write-up) , and taken bikers there who’ve had great weekends. I’d love to take more LondonBikers along next year if you’re up for a challenge and lots of fun :slight_smile: [e.g do some stunts on a bike before you know it, just as a warm up to a day’s off-road! ]

To get an idea of how tough the Romaniacs can be … check out this blog http://www.adventure-spec.com/default/blog/tag/red-bull-romaniacs/

This year, for the ultimate challenge, Craig is doing the Dakar as “malle moto” - on his own with no support team to help. So when he finishes a long day riding through the desert, he must change his own oil and service his bike every day - even if he’s come off and hurt himself. He is probably the first Brit ever to do the Dakar this way.

If you’d like to follow Craig on the Dakar take a look at the following websites. If you feel generous, Craig would love you to sponsor him per km through his page.

http://www.craigboundsdakar.com/
https://www.facebook.com/craigboundsdakar
http://www.blackdeserttraining.com/

Paul Jay

I met Paul in Cambodia, where he told of his passion for the Dakar. He’s put his life savings and more into this Dakar - his first and only - and I only learned this weekend almost gave up as he couldn’t get some of his savings released in time.

Paul is a good and fast rider, full of laughs and such a nice guy - though has spent much of his time helping underprivileged youngsters learn about motorbikes in recent years. If you’d like to know more about Paul, or even help him out somehow - please take a look at his websites

http://pauljaydakar.com/
https://twitter.com/pauljaydakar

Others

We seem to have a great turnout of Brits to the Dakar this year - though unfortunately Sam Sunderland is now out after an accident. If anyone else knows more about the riders involved, I’m sure it would be great to know about their progress and support them on the Dakar too.

The full rider list is on the Dakar website here - http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2013/us/rider/rider-list-bikes.html

Cheers

Alex

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PS - if you’d like to know how arduous the Dakar can be, check out Tamsin Jones’ blog. Somehow she completed her one and only Dakar, though it drove her to the edge. You can read it here

http://www.tamsinjonesdakar.co.uk/page10.htm

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Which UK TV channel is going to show Dakar?. I’ve tried Eurosport online last year ,but they showed highlights only.

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It’s always a bit patchy watching the Dakar, combination of various online sites to find feeds, mostly not with English commentary last time.

Another British privateer is Lyndon Poskitt http://www.lyndonposkittracing.com

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Good luck to them

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Mucho respect to them, good luck one and all.

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Hi,

The UK TV coverage was quite good last year, with late evening slots showing hilights and more detailed bits too.

I think it was Eurosport last year, and looks like they’ll be doing something similar from New Years day 10:45pm. Time to set Sky+ on series recording :slight_smile:

http://www.tvguide.co.uk/titlesearch.asp?title=Dakar%20Rally

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Just watching a Top Gear - with a British Amputee team hoping to do the Dakar in a Landrover - all the guys were soldiers who lost limbs in Afghanistan I think.

Anyone how they got on - as this was I think 2/3 years ago.
BL

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We saw a team at the Mercedes staff day. Loads of cars and stages around and the Dakar team. We got to sit in their bowler wildcat and have a chat. Defo armed forces but can’t reall if disabled or not. Was too busy making vroom vroom noises in the car :smiley:

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http://www.race2recovery.com/event-map/all-event-dates/icalrepeat.detail/2013/01/05/11/-/the-dakar

Just found it. This is their first Dakar I think. Land Rover vehicle. Amazing guys - inspirational stuff.

BL

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Yes Jaime, the one we were talking to had one leg!!! :smiley:

Great guys, I asked if I could go with but they weren’t having it!

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Claire, if the lad can’t notice a bloke missing a leg - go easy on him next time he misses you having your hair done :smiley:

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:blush::smiley:

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Awesome! I’m in the Dakar! … well … my name is anyway :smiley:

Just got some photos from Tamsin, and Craig’s got my name on his bike. It may not be too late to sponsor Craig a few quid to get yours on too :slight_smile:

http://www.craigboundsdakar.com/

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