Tiger 900 and Vanessa Ruck take on the 1000 Dunas
The 1000 Dunas is a high-intensity cross-terrain race that requires the highest determination, skills and confidence to complete. This ride is based on the values of off-road riding, where navigation is key and great motorcycle control is compulsory. All terrains and routes require the strongest of souls and an unmistakable amount of bravery. The raid has recently been completed by none other than Vanessa Ruck, aka ‘Girl on a Bike’ (@thegirlonabike) on a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro. Showing off her skills as a rider and how well the bike can perform in heats of immense pressure.
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THE CHALLENGE
THE RIDER
Vanessa Ruck (The Girl on a Bike)
Born and raised in England, Vanessa is a go-getter with all sorts of dreams she wants to accomplish. After a car hit her on her bicycle in 2014 she was hospitalised and in need of some serious medical attention. Over the course of 13 months, 7 operations, full shoulder reconstruction, 6 hip surgeries and countless steroid injections she was undergoing training to progressively work back to where she was before. Six years on, she's back on the bike but this time with a motor too! Now an advocate for motorcycling, she rides all sorts of bikes. A testament to the strength of a determined woman, Vanessa is a role model for millions worldwide.
THE BIKE
Tiger 900 Rally Pro
The perfect bike selected for this journey was the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro. A bike built for the occasion, Triumph has dedicated time, resources and effort to make this the ideal bike for off-road adventure. Packed with a class-leading specification the bike was designed to withstand the toughest of riding conditions off-road or on the tarmac. Powered by the powerful 900cc triple engine and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the bike exceeds expectations in all areas. Not only does the bike come good to go as standard but there is a fantastic range of accessories and parts available within the Triumph genuine product catalogue and third-party alternatives too.
THE COURSE
During this maximum intensity week, you'll make a start from Granada (Spain) and make your way across the Mediterranean Sea via ferry from Motril to Nador. After that, you'll ride through the land of the Berbers within the picturesque Atlas Mountains where you might even encounter snowfalls and flurries - perhaps even the first of the season. Once you've worked your way through the blizzard you're descending down the mountain southbound into the desert terrain of Morocco to arrive at the peaks of the great dunes of Erg Chebbi. On the way back, you venture into more unexplored lands of the Morocco desert and into Merzouga, then Nador. It is here that your endurance and riding skill will be tested most.
KEY POINTS
Stamina
Training your physical and mental stamina can be one of the most important things. This is by no means going to be an easy breeze ride through the hills - you'll need to be ready for anything you encounter from punctures to dehydration. Be prepared for everything the environment and the human body can throw at you, it'll be sure to swing your way.
Navigation
In order to complete the race within the parameters of the competition you'll need to follow a precise route through the raid. This means planning your route through the areas where cars & trucks will not be passing you. You're on your own! There are numerous challenges available varying in the difficulty of terrain and navigation.
Bravery
Whether you're riding as part of a group or in a duo, bravery is crucial. If you haven't worked out already, anything can happen - if your partner's clutch burns out, you are left to ride the remainder of the day alone. That means riding over countless mirror-like sand dunes until you get to your destination if you've mapped your journey correctly.
Know your gear
It is naturally a good idea to know your motorcycle and riding gear before setting off however when you're in the Dunas 1000 it is beyond crucial to know exactly what you've got with you. You need to be prepared for motorcycle faults, natural hazards, dehydration, fatigue and everything else.
Confident riding
Whether you're riding a small CRF300L or in this case a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, you need to be fully confident behind the cockpit. There’s no learning to ride off-road, you need to be fully confident in various riding situations whatever they may be.
SEE THIS TIGER POUNCE
MORE ABOUT THIS BIKE
The Tiger 900 Rally Pro
An exceptional piece of machinery
The Tiger 900 Rally Pro is equipped with everything you could possibly need for an off-road adventure. With an extensive backlog of accessories and add-ons, you'll be ready for whatever life throws at you. Are you ready to earn your Tiger stripes?
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