The training, equipment, language, events, and budget... where to start! Photo: KTM Factory Racing
What is Rally Raid? To keep this simple, remember when you would print out yahoo maps to get to a place you had never been before? OK, well, you are now ready for Dakar.... well, not really. Rally, or adequately known as Rally Raid, is a sport comprised of navigation and rider skills. Participants compete in "Cross Country Rallies" in other words, make sure you have a comfy seat on your bike or car. We are going LONG! Comprised of multiple days, entrants in a Cross Country Rally or Rally Raid will set out each day on a route created by the organization and provided to them in the form of a Roadbook. What is a Roadbook, you ask? Remember that printout from Google Maps? It's that! But with more detail, we will get more into that later. There are usually three main parts: Liaison, Special Stage, and Liaison. Only the Special Stage is timed, but all three carry penalties for not following directions! We will get into the anatomy later in this. Still, those three parts repeat for each day of competition, and your total time across the Special Stage (s) plus the penalties awarded (that sounds like a good thing, it is not) make up your Final time or Classification. The Rally Raid Mind Set Ok, so now that we know what Rally Raid (or at least my definition of it), what's the mindset? I am glad you asked! In my experience, there are two, and the third group is just the bounce between the two, much like when you leave one group of cars on the freeway to catch the faster group. Anyway, the first is the group that is looking to be competitive and wants a race but not an all-out sprint, there are a few in this group, but I think the bigger group is the ones that want an adventure. They are there for the chase and want to finish each stage, see the sights, and enjoy a good ride with the new and old friends. This group is the group that's taking breaks, making sure pictures are taken, and maybe a taco stand... or two. Where are we going with this? Time to be real with yourself and set your expectations; I want to run a class on Price, Walkner, and Short or finish the adventure that is the question... what is your choice?
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Like to get lost? Don't leave the house without these 10 essentials 1. Klim Arsenal VestWhy not, I have personally logged a couple thousand miles in Klim Arsenal Vest and not only use it for Adventure Rides but also for hiking. This think allows you to carry all the stuff you need and don't! Once on you and adjusted, even with an additional 40lbs. stuffed in it, you barely notice the weight. Highly recommended!  2. Leatherman Signal Camping Multi-ToolThere is no greater feeling than have the right tool for the job but, want to one up that? Have the right tool for the job when you are out in the middle of no where! Enter the Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool with 19 tools in 1 this is a must have in your adventure kit. You never know what you are going to be up against but you can better your chances by having more options. These have been part of my kits since the get go because of their versatility and compact design.  3. SOG Flint Survival & Defense Tool Safety Whistle, Fire Starter, Glass BreakerBut wait, the Leatherman Signal has some of the same tools! Correct, but this is a compact back up that will also come in handy. Yes, it will be ok! The SOG Flint Survival & Defense Tool is Great to carry with you anywhere and let us talk about fire starters.... they are considerably safer that using the spark from an ignition coil and a gasoline soaked rag, I PROMISE!  4. Gerber Swagger KnifeThe Gerber Swagger Knife is one of those things you alway want in your pocket. Several, like almost 8 years and I have yet to have to sharpen the blade. The overall weight is nice thanks to its fiberglass handle and the assisted opening makes deploying it with one hand easy and almost borderline bad a$$. These come in handy when you need to cut something quickly and reliably. It make fast work of pesky packing tape on boxes or that one zip tie thats hard to reach.  5. Tusk Motorcycle Tow StrapThe Tusk Motorcycle Tow Strap is one of those trail essentials that will never ever be used... ever! At least that the way the legend goes. No one wants to come home on a tow strap but then again having to push a bike back to civilization is a little worse. So long story short, worth having this strapped to the bike...  6. Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .5 Medical First Aid Kit The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .5 Medical First Aid Kit not a whole lot of explaining needs to be dong about this item as it should be in everyones kit. One pro-tip I can offer is look at the contents and make sure you know how to use everything that is in it... and if you know that there are certain things like heartburn and allergy medication that you prefer, throw those in there. These kits are really light weight and no reason why one of these or something similar should not be in your kit!  7. Go Time Gear Life Tent Emergency Survival ShelterThe Go Time Gear Life Tent Emergency Survival Shelter is probably one of the most compact Tent setups I have seen. With a little work this could probably be used more than just for emergency use. Either way when in the middle of nowhere have a way to block the wind and protect yourself from the elements is very important. Anything you can do to preserve energy and keep your self comfortable is going to pay dividends and then some! Packed down this can fit in the Klim Arsenal Vest and wont add much weight at all.  8. Back Country Discovery Route Map BundleThe Back Country Discovery Route Map Bundle is the ultimate gift to the person who refuses to stop and ask for directions! Paper maps are quickly becoming a thing of the past but what happens when your GPS bites the dust? Time to get creative and quick! If this is your first time hearing about this series of maps, you are in for a treat! These are some of the best back road rides out there! Not only that but they have a documentary for each one. Want to see more, check out the entire Back Country Discovery Route Series.  9. Plexus Spray Cleaner 7oz.Plexus Spray Cleaner is one for the most effective thing out there to clean windscreens and visors! I swear by it! Want to clean like a pro? Spray it on, wait a minute, take a clean Microfiber towel and wipe IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY. This avoids getting those swirl marks that make plastic look dull and worn out. This works, I have an almost three year old bike and I have been doing this since day one, windscreen still looks new!  10. Paracord 550Why 550 Paracord? Simple.... It's like duct tape but better, yes I said that. From tow ropes to tent lines to snare traps, 550 Paracord is a staple to survivalist and EDC fanatics. So many uses it would be like Buba telling you about shrimp recipes. Small enough to carry or wrap around the frame, this is something you should have in your kit!  Okay, ever been on an epic ride humming your favorite Tough Mix Jam or Yacht Rock banger? Wish you could hear it clearly and rock out with your throttle out? .... Check this out! Sena 10R Low Profile Helmet Communication The Sena 10R has proven to be reliable, I have personally logged over 20,000 miles on mine and its working like a champ battery life is still good and the elements have killed it yet! The best part is that it is not complicated, menu are easy and basic and it gets the job done! I have seen so many people go with the fancy and in the end not know how to even pair the thing! You can charge while on the go with a power bank you, the buttons are easy to find with gloves on, the audio quality is good especially with DIY ear buds that I run. So for comms on my helmet, I am going to pick this over my 10C Evo! But wait, there's more!Sena SR10 Bluetooth Two Way So what does it do? Why do I wan... NEED it? The SR10 from Sena He bridges the gap between you Two Way Radio and your Sena Bluetooth 10R. Why if the 10R is intercom capable? Well it is but it is EXTREMELY line of sight in other words if you can not see your riding partners license plate, you may experience break ups. It's not super bad, works well on road trips where you are out and alway close together. The reason you NEED the SR10 is your two radio, while still line of sight, can still penetrate further than the intercom feature on most if not all Bluetooth Helmet Comm kits. The SR10 has its own internal battery and comes with both a belt clip and handle bar mount. Battery life is awesome, 2 full days of riding and then some! You pair this to your Sena 10R and you are not married to your bike via a wire like most Helmet/ Two Way Radio Kits. I run this thing in my Klim Arsenal Vest and mount the Push to talk button on my right shoulder, radio stuffed in the same pocket and now in communication on or off the bike. The only downside I have found so far is that the round button on the top is also a Push to Talk, so you have to protect it from hitting things in your bag. I turn on the report on my radio so that it beeps at the end of transmission so I can here if it is being triggered inadvertently. Not trying to win the Richard Cranium award at the local Score Race... OK, one more thing....Rugged Radios V3 Dual Band (UHF/VHF) Handheld Radio Well we already talked about why you NEED one of these radios and well Rugged has been in the radio game for a minute. Yes there are alternatives to this but after having first hand experience with their customer support and how they are Johnny on the spot with there racers, I will support them. Enter the third version of the Rugged Radios Dual Band Two-Way Radio tried and true with tons of Baja miles to prove it. This with the longer antenna and you are ready to go! Can be programmed with custom frequencies and if needed you can key them in directly when on the go. The price is right incase it becomes part of the landscape, ever seen a grown man cry over a $400 handheld radio... yeah me neither but that would suck to set $400 on fire. What else you will probably need...Sena Kenwood Adapter for SR10
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