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Welcome to my website! Enjoy and have a great ride....
The adventure will continue. That's one thing that's certain. My endeavors around the world have merely just begun! But every now and then, I've come to realize, I enjoy engaging in other motorcycle activities.
Racing a rally
After finishing my Patagonia to Alaska journey, I immediately started preparations for new solo adventures. Those preparations were mainly focused on fixing up my bike after all the abuse it had suffered on the way to Alaska. I decided to do all this work on my bike in Alaska, and then ship a brand-new rebuilt bike to my next destination. This had several advantages for me, but also one big disadvantage: it takes ages to get motorcycle parts to Alaska.
I didn't particularly want to wait for 6 weeks in Alaska for these parts, right during the onset of winter. So when I heard about a cross country rally that I could race (in a warm climate!), I didn't need much convincing! This would be the perfect opportunity to train, learn new motorcycle skills and gain experience on a light, enduro bike. Skills that will undoubtedly come in handy when I'm on my own again in the middle of nowhere.
Riding a new bike
The bike of choice for this rally was a Beta 500 RRS. Admittedly, it wasn't really a choice though. I knew I needed to rent a motorcycle for the race, and didn't really care what bike it was. Is it terrible to admit I'd never even heard of the motorcycle brand Beta before? So when the organizer of the rally told me I could rent this bike if I wanted, I agreed. Because I am not a sponsored rider, I am free to ride whatever motorcycle I want, and show the good, the bad and the ugly!
Knowing myself though, I tend to quickly fall in love with the motorcycles I ride, and it wasn't any different with the Beta. What an incredibly powerful beast and an absolute joy to ride. The sound, the handling, the power - I loved it. The love for the 500 RRS soon changed into a relationship in which trust was an issue. In the short time I rode the bike, I encountered several issues. I found myself stranded on the side of the road several times too.
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My feelings about the bike
Situations that had never happened with my Honda and they made me appreciate my Honda even more. The distrust in the bikes reliability made me not want to ride it on my own in the wilderness. I only felt comfortable when I had other riders near me. For me as a solo rider, this was a very strange notion and I'm glad I never have this feeling when I'm on my round-the-world travels!
But when there weren't any issues, the Beta was just flying. I've never tackled harder terrain with more ease than with this bike. Because it was so easy to handle, I could focus my attention on deciphering the roadbook. For the first time in my life, I was trying to navigate by reading a roadbook. That means either a digital display or a paper scroll mounted on your handlebar, with graphic depictions on where you are supposed to go. Quickly understanding which way to go, while also riding as fast as you can - it's a huge challenge. I think I need all the training I can get!
Your reply
That roadbook looks complicated good luck in the rally.
daveyrb
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Thanks!
Noraly
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I am an older rider and still absoluely love it.
Noraly you take it to a whole new level-a true adventerer.
May you continue to bring inspiration to us all
Pete Marsden
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Thanks for your lovely comment, Pete!
Noraly
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Really enjoyed the new videos, good to have you back on Youtube. Can't wait for the new solo adventure. Your videos will help me get through the cold English winter. I'm a tarmac riding, fair weather biker.
Dave Marriott
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I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the new videos!
Noraly
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As a rider, a racing & rallying fan, and father of two daughters, Noraly ticks so many boxes for me in how she presents herself in the biking as well as the social media world. I am so looking forward to this latest adventure. You rock so just keep doing what you are doing!
Chriscarrollsydney
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Thank you:)
Noraly
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I can almost see how you walk into a motorcycle dealer's showroom and give a Honda CRF 450 the same flirty sideways smirk you gave the Panigales when you entered at Goedhart Motoren when you got Alaska. 🤭 They probably combine the best of both worlds, good raceability paired with Honda-reliability.
I bet that you familiarized yourself with the roadbook in no time at all and zoomed through the stages like on warpdrive, maybe held back by Beta reliability of Alpha.
Too many angles resulted in squared legs? 🥳
I'd worry about the risk of clogged sinuses there as well! 🥳²
…yes, coat, and I take my nerdy jokes with me already.
P.S.: Gamma=60° 🤧
Zweispurmopped
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Hey Noraly, great to have you back. Loved your rally ride in SA, I’m sure this will be great too. I’d love your thoughts/more detail on the new RevIt gear you’re using for the rally, if that’s possible (blog maybe?). I know we’re behind real time, hope the rally goes well, cheers Deb :)
BabyBeemer
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Just love the picture of you sitting beside the road looking miffed while you wait for your support team to arrive to fix the Beta. And, I think it's brilliant that you are doing another rally, your yelps and whoops as you race down another hill training, says it all. Nothing like a new adventure to clear your cobwebs and rekindle the spirit.
Great to hear that Alaska is with the mechanical genius in Anchorage, where I am sure she will get all the attention she needs and more, although I cannot understand why Honda is not pulling their finger out and rushing you all the spares you need. Itchy boots have got to be Honda's best exposure and promotion out there and crazy that they do not see the value they are getting. and consider a bit of extra attention.
Stay safe and once again a huge thank you for taking us all along on your adventures.
Peter Craig-Jones
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Ha ha, glad you liked that photo!
Noraly
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As long as it’s you being you and doing something outside I will watch it.
Romke
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Noraly,
My husband and I are in constant awe of the inspiration you bring. Excited to see new episodes! We have been watching your episodes since Season 1 binge watching the past 4 months. Discovered your channel by accident and have brought dozens of my friends to your channel, they all agree - you got balls! More than most men I know :)
My husband was a rally guy and can only dream of Dakar at our age but he did adv across the Baja desert on his younger days and consider it the highlight of his riding life. He wishes you well and confident you will get better in no time. Practice, practice and practice. Because of you, I got my license a year ago, riding my own KTM 390 but only in short summer months in Canada. Thank you for doing what you do and stay safe!
SueH
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That's amazing that you got your license! Enjoy your KTM:)
Noraly
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Congratulations on taking on a new challenge! Rally riding with a road book for navigation is so demanding you did well to adapt your video recording. The drone shots with the assistance of your instructor were excellent. Thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to your return to Mexico and the next adventure!
Andy
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Thanks, Andy!
Noraly
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