Heroes Legend Rallye 2009
18/07/08 15:44 Filed in:
General
News | SportRegistration is
now open for the 2009 Heroes Legend - one of the best motorcycle
adventures available on two wheels. If the challenge of riding
6,500 kilometres from Paris to Dakar appeals, taking in France,
Spain, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal along the way, then maybe
2009 will be the year you take part in your own legendary
'Paris-Dakar' rally.
In
March this year, it was two BMW-riding Dutchmen who won this
classic off-road rally from Paris to Dakar, organised by former BMW
factory rider and two-times Paris-Dakar Rally winner Hubert Auriol.
Jos Bourgondien and Harrie Jacobi beat all challengers to win the
tough 'rallye-raid' event that began under the Eiffel Tower in
Paris, and finished two weeks later at the Lac Rose in Dakar,
Senegal.
Jos rode a
classic converted 860cc BMW R 65 GS, and Harrie competed on a new G
650 Xchallenge with Touratech Dakar kit, but for 2009 there is an
ever-increasing line-up of BMWs expected in the starting line-up in
Paris, including the F 800 GS and the soon-to-be-released G 450
X.
The
Heroes Legend has been adapted for 2009 to ensure that everyone can
enjoy the experience of an African desert rally at their own pace
and riding level. The goal remains the same - to make it all the
way to Dakar - but there are several ways in which to achieve this,
that are summarised below:
New for the 2009
rally are two levels of difficulty. If you are a beginner with
little or no off-road experience, then at the daily briefings you
can choose your level of difficulty and plan your route
accordingly. If you are an experienced rider, you can participate
in all of the designated stages and enjoy them at your own rhythm
and speed.
Furthermore, it
is even possible to share the riding with a partner, so that if you
are unable to get the full two weeks off work, you can do half the
rally each - we'll leave it to you to argue over which half you
want to do!
There are also
several categories available this year. The 'Classic' category
includes all motorcycles built before 1996 and has a €1000 discount
on the entry fee; the 'Open' category is for any machine from 1996
to the present day (such as the R 1150 GS/Adventure, R 1200
GS/Adventure, F 650 GS/Dakar, G 650 Xchallenge, F 800 GS, G 450 X,
HP2 Enduro etc.). There is also a 'Bivouac to Bivouac'
non-classification category for those who just want to experience
the route and the scenery on tarmac roads. This is available for
all road motorcycles, and riders - equipped with GPS and road book
- will join the rally participants at the end of each day at the
Bivouac.
With
the possibility to enter the rally as a solo or team rider, there
are options for everyone. Special prices are available to those who
register before 30 September, and comprehensive pricing examples
can be found by visiting the www.heroeslegend.com website. This
year, there were 68 motorcycle teams and 46 teams of 4x4 drivers
who encountered all types of terrain and scenery, and tested
themselves and their machines to the limit. Why not make 2009 an
unforgettable year of experience and take on an African adventure
on your BMW?
Need more information? Our own Lorna has completed the Rallye in
2006 and 2007 -- drop her an email or visit the
Rainbow Raiders web
site
