See the posts below to get the background on my friends in West Africa riding KTM motorcycles in the 2005 Dakar Rally.
After 13 of 16 stages Charlie Rauseo (116) remains in the race and doing well. He is 67th overall and finished stage 13 in 78th. His brother David (117) finished stage 13 in 85th and stands in 101st overall. From here the finish to Dakar gets shorter and relatively easier.
Charlie and Mike Krynock the mechanic somewhere in west Africa.
Not to say this is at all easy. This event is very much the Mt. Everest of riding. It is long, expensive, and very difficult. Some don't make it back home. No doubt the 2005 Dakar will be remembered for the death of 2 riders, The "Lion" of Dakar the great Italian rider Fabrizio Meoni, and Spanish rider Jose Manuel Perez. For the individual riders the Dakar is a personal experience. They carry on concerned with the daily miles and getting to the end of each stage. There will be time to relive the good and bad moments when it is over.
Here is a quote from Alfie Cox KTM rider about stage 13:
"To race in Mali isn't very nice. There are too many people. Today, all we did is just go from one village to the other with the cruising control, I think 18 riders controlled today. It wasn't a nice day, because you couldn't overtake on the very small and dusty paths. In fact, it wasn't really a race today but just a little training session... It also wasn't a good day because it was too stressful for me as for all other the riders I believe. With what happened to Fabrizio, we hadn't any motivation for racing and even for riding. I wasn't good on the bike, and I think it'll take time before we attack again. With all the thoughts that came to mind during the stage, it was impossible to ride properly, and stay focused. It was hard to take the bike this morning, but we took a decision and we had to follow it. There's no more pressure, because nobody really wants to change the overall classification, the race is over. Now the main thing is to get to Dakar. Everybody has a strange taste in the mouth and the most important is to get to Dakar and see what should be changed for the future."
Here are some words from Charlie's Rally Raid team.
Martin writes:
"There seems to be a bit of a problem with 2005 KTM's we have had battery problems and carburettor issues and all sorts of other niggles, Patsy Quick is out because of bike issues, and that was a 2005 KTM, whilst the chap she sold her 2004 bike to is up there at 17th or so.
The Rauseo brothers continue to go 'dirt bike riding' every day and whilst they wanted new bikes I think they made the right choice with the 2002 and 2004 bikes. It's amazing but every time I see them they are both full of enthusiasm even after a hard days riding."
"Charlie arrived at Kayes with a rather destroyed front lights, clocks and navigation system, Sid's helping Mike out as you read with getting the bike straight for the morning. Charlie is doing his road book right now other side of the service area sitting in the luxury Rally Raid camping chairs, he say's 'Now I've broken the back of the Rally and the last marathon stage is out the way I'm just after finishing now - looking forward to a beer at Dakar !'"
"Dave also rocked up with a bike in slightly better condition and complaining about his brother - I think they are always trying to beat each other... They will both be off to bed soon to get some sleep and be ready for the morning."
Zoli writes:
"Charlie came in around 11:00 at night and Dave did not show up until 2 am. Both are extremely exhausted and are wearing down. It's tough on the riders that are out there so long because it gives them that much less time to relax. The dunes have been treacherous to them. Dave showed me a picture of his bike that was half way engulfed in sand. Mind you this is not from a crash, just dry sand swallowing the bike. He crashed about 30 times on that leg and was just worn out. Charlie said he did about a half a dozen end-overs that hurt. The next day was cancelled because of Meoni's death, all of the bikes and the riders were put on a plane and sent to Bamakoe for today's special."
"Some thoughts and observations. I mentioned that the villages in Mauritania were pathetic and poor. So I'm driving a couple days ago (because that's what I do) and we're going through one of these villages and hundreds of kids in rags are yelling and screaming for gifts, some dude dressed in his blue toga is pointing is camera-phone at my truck as we pass by. I noticed this a couple more times."
"My drive off road was spectacular. It's how I imagined Africa. Rambling mesas with trees and clump grass. The villages were awesome to pass through. The villages were not Muslim villages. Everyone was happy and waved to us as we passed. The girls and the women were all dressed in stunning dresses all with vibrant colors. Much like you would imagine a Jamaican women dressed. The girls and ladies were so beautiful. Such a change compared to the Muslim women who hid all with the exception of their eyes. I am refreshed by seeing happy people."
"Dakar is getting close. I am getting very excited to finish this adventure. I miss home so much. We are all hoping that the 4 riders make it the distance. This travelling road show has dwindled considerably. More than half of the bikes are gone and many cars and truck have expired."
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