The decision as to which bike I should ride is enormously important. Throughout my life I have ridden different brands: BMW, KTM, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and others. My approach is to ride the same kind of bike in training and racing. Now, this is where things get a little complicated… and yes this is where “there’s no one bike that can do it all” comes to light. A fully rally raid racing bike is a beast that is suitable for desert racing, however the setup, size and massive weight are not conducive to regular training. And especially in my situation where local rides are mainly in tight technical enduro trails and forestry roads. This is where you need a smaller enduro bike to hone your skills and navigate local terrain with some grace. So what should I do? First there’s the bike I currently own: 2005 KTM 450 EXC which right now is my only bike that I use for training and racing. This is the first bike I’ve ridden after I got my prosthetic leg and the one I have adjusted to my unique situation. At this stage I’m comfortable with it and feel reasonably competent riding it. The downside is that it’s an older, tired machine which has seen better days. There’s lots of wear and tear on older components (bearings, valves, suspension, engine, drivetrain etc.) and I find myself constantly replacing parts and fixing broken ones. Also, as my training volume increase so does the stress on the bike which will increase wear and tear. I am a pretty decent mechanic so doing the work myself right now is an added bonus as I get a chance to know the bike inside out.
Big news
I will not race Dakar in 2016… So many things have happened over past few weeks. Some doors were closed shut and others opened wide, some prosthetic legs and bones broke and several motorcycle parts died off. Each and every experience showed me how challenging this journey is and this is just the beginning… The good news is that I will race Dakar in 2017! 4 years ago at this time I was fighting for my life. I know how difficult it is to try and remember that every day is a gift so I wanted to share this with you. At least today tell your loved ones how much you love them, try to be present with them and remember that every moment you have here is precious and it is up to you to decide what to do with your gift. My heart is with all the souls out there that are fighting for their dear life right now. God bless us all. Your ever well wisher Erez The seed of life is in everything around us. take a break and appreciate it. You never know what the next moment will bring your way.
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