Off Road Explorer Enews #1

Adventure Bike News

Gionata Nencini, an Italian born 24-year-old, is a photographer, writer and professional traveller who recently visited Honda Australia for some basic maintenance on his 1987 Transalp XL600V, that has already taken him through 23 countries and roughly 65,000 kms.
Gionata set out in 2005 to show that it is possible to tour the world on a budget. Gion wanted to prove you don't have to have the latest bike or be very experienced to take on such a challenge. He also found you don't need to be a professional mechanic. He knows only basic maintenance and has always found people to help with the bike, regardless of where he is.
Gion has not relied on a GPS, which has landed him in some very remote, inhospitable territory including getting stuck in the Russian desert for two days with no water, food or money. Different passerby, gave him supplies to keep him going before he eventually got a lift to the nearest town.
Gion is intending to cover 150,000 kms and 80 countries. In addition to maintaining a website with a travel blog, photographs and advice for other young people wanting to conquer adventure travel, he also contributes regularly to media outlets around the world, and performs charity work wherever he can.
For a full run down of Gionata's adventures, you can visit www.partireper.it

Husqvarna TE610
You normally associate Husqvarna with motocross and enduro bikes not to mention sewing machines but as far as Husqvarna Australia is concerned the Husky TE 610 is their adventure bike model. Due out next year will be the new fuel-injected TE610 alongside their other enduro models. This week we'll be at the 2008 media release for the 2008 Husky off-road line-up. Once the new 610 arrives we'll be able to see just how much difference the new fuel-injected system makes on the big bore Italian monster. For more information on the 2008 Husky line-up go to www.husqvarna.com.au

Ride Gear

For the last three months we've been using the DriRider Rallycross Evo jacket. For the price it’s a very good buy with rugged zippers and the stitching has so far held together. The reason I mentioned that is a cheaper jacket and pants I bought 12 months ago has stitching and seams coming apart and zippers breaking after just a couple of rides.
On the DriRider Rallycross Evo, I've used the inbuilt hydration system a couple of times but I did find that with a full bladder inside the lining of the back of the jacket did pull the collar back against the front of my throat which got a bit uncomfortable on long distances. The best part is that I haven't had a chance to test the high-impact elbow and shoulder guards. I'm sure my time will come.
If you're looking for a good enduro/adventure bike jacket then you have to enter TRAIL ZONE's DriRider Rallycross Evo Photo Competition. If you think you're a lousy photographer then you can call McLeod Accessories on 1300 300 191 for your nearest DriRider retailer.

Adventure Bike Accessories

Much of the new product that we receive at ORE is in the form digital images and a press release. But some manufacturers stand by the quality of their product and are not afraid for TRAIL ZONE and offroadexplorer.com to put their gear to the test.
We're currently testing Australian-made Andy Strapz designed specifically to hold your gear on the bike. Steve Wilson, who I met on the Snowy Ride, had a pair of Andy Strapz panniers on his BMW 1150 GS and he absolutely swears by them.
We'll let you know how the Andy Strapz shape up soon in issue #16 of TRAIL ZONE and the ORE product review page.

Travel

Cape York
Now from one-day rides to five-week epic rides. From some of the conversations I've had with riders there's a bunch of you still a bit green on adventure riding but still a bit damp around the crotch from watching the last episode of Long Way Round. If you're itchy for an epic but not confident enough for a solo adventure then Cape York Adventures has a new ride for you. Roy Kunda has released details of his 2008 Darwin Tours, which is divided into four sections. Cairns to Darwin leaving May 27, Darwin to Broome leaving June 6th, Broome to Darwin leaving June 17 and Darwin to Cairns leaving June 27. If the timings not quite right then a second tour will be leaving Cairns August 26. The retail price is $7,200 per leg and for their subscribers $5,700 per leg. There are discounts if you do more than one leg. For more details email renae@capeyorkadventures.com.au or ring 07 4059 0220.

BMW Safari

BMW has officially announced the GS Safari for 2008. After recent GS Safari rides to Cape York and northern NSW, this year's event will take place in the spectacular Victorian and New South Wales “High Country” from Sunday March 2 to Saturday March 8 2008.
After recently completing our High Country ride in TRAIL ZONE #15, we know the tracks and trails in this area will provide six days of excellent riding, and should suit most riders who have off-road riding experience or at the very least have attended one of BMW Motorrad’s off-road riding courses.
Immediately prior to the GS Safari, BMW Motorrad will hold a two day off-road riding course for around 30 participants wishing to hone their skills. Check out our story on the BMW Rider Training course in TRAIL ZONE Issue 15 due out December 19. The Stay Upright training is well worth it. To register for the GS Safari go to www.bmwsafari.com

Food, Fitness and Nutrition

by Stephen Gall
When riding long distances for hours on end, at sometimes very high speeds, it's extremely important to have a good level of fitness. As the day wears on fatigue can affect our motor skills. In the event of an emergency, where wildlife may jump out in front of you, or road conditions suddenly turn nasty, your fitness, level of hydration and proper food intake may be the only thing between crashing or maintaining control.
So starting with nutrition, you should be following a basic diet that is high in complex carbohydrates and low in fats. Your protein intake should be quite moderate. You're probably thinking that's all well and good and it's sometimes impossible to eat well on the open road in some remote locations. You're right, and we'll get to that. We realise its not easy to eat well on the road but first we're talking about sound nutrition before you set out that ultimately affects your performance.
Your regular diet should be made up of 55 to 65 percent carbohydrate, 20 to 30 percent fats and 12 to 15 percent protein. Of course this kind of diet flies in the face of the diets most of us grow up with, which are high in protein from animal meats. But you can rest assured that animal meats are not nearly as nutritious as many people believe, and can actually present health risks when consumed to excess.
Instead grains, vegetables and fruits should form the main sources of calories for a complete and nutritious diet for riders. A diet made up of these foods will provide you with all the nutrients needed for energy production, body growth and body repair.
Grains such as seeds, nuts, wholewheat breads, oatmeal and long-grain brown rice offer excellent sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fats and fibre. Vegetables are loaded with protein, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. Most vegetables should be eaten raw, however vegetables such as potatoes, corn, green beans, broccoli and brussel sprouts could be baked or lightly steamed. Boiling vegetables will often remove significant amounts of vitamins and minerals,
Loaded with vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates fruits help to ensure good digestion and provide the energy needed for training and touring. Fruits however will begin to lose their nutritional value after being picked, so should be eaten as fresh as possible. Tin food may travel well in your panniers but it isn't as good for you as fresh fruit.
In the next ORE Enews we'll look at the importance of hydration before and during the ride.

Rider Email

Hi Lance my name is Marc, I’m writing to say what a great ride (the Bridle Track) sounds. Some of my mates and I are hoping to do the same ride in December, and I was wondering if you would be able to forward your route information as it would be a great help to supplement the maps we have. If you have detailed information from the Zig Zag railway to Capertee and from Kelso back to the Zig Zag railway it would be an awesome help to us. We are having trouble getting details for this section and because we are trying to work out fuel consumption for our bikes it would really help us.  We will be leaving from Lithgow riding bikes as diverse as an XR 250 to a Husaberg 550.  I am hoping to get some good photos that we could send to the magazine. TRAIL ZONE is a great magazine and an awesome Fathers day present (subscription) and the inclusion of your articles have only made a great magazine even better.

Hi Marc

The first section of the Bridle Track ride from Zig Zag railway is a bit tricky where it crosses Wolgan Road. I suggest to everybody is use the Google Map on the Travel Page www.offroadexplorer.com/Travel/Bridle_Track.html and then cross reference that with a topographic map. You should be able to find the correct route that way.

Enjoy the ride.

Lance Turnley

In this issue

• Adventure Bike News
• Ride Gear
• Bike Accessories
• Travel
• Food and Fitness