Step by Step

8/10/2010

It's almost always important to create smaller stepping stones when planning to accomplish a far off or large goal. So in this vein I would like to use this post as a place to lay out a few goals in my training plan towards preparing for Dakar.


(1/8/2011 Update) The AMA's District 37 chapter puts on races throughout the year.  The type of events range from Enduro, MX, Hare and Hound, Grand Prix, etc.  I have inserted this racing series into my step by step plan since I believe doing some local desert racing will prepare me for the more competitive Baja races.  I am changing the plan below by removing the Baja 250 and 500 for 2011 with D37 races.  If desert racing is something I find I love then the Baja 2012 races are definitely on the table.

I also was invited to race in the second annual Kings of the West race happening sometime in 2011.  This is a 5 day ~1500 mile event that bills itself as a Dakar-like ride around several of the western states.  We will ride a loop route in four days with one day off in the middle to relax and make any repairs or updates to our bikes.  This is probably the closest ride I'll find to the Dakar in this country and definitely something that should give me an idea if I am truly interested in riding the Dakar.  The Dakar is 14 days of riding with one day off.  If I suffer or have trouble with the KotW race then either I get better or I should probably let the dream go and look for my next adventure.
(End Update)

Here's the step by step plan with updates as time goes on.

* Build up from medium single track to hard single track (Big Bear, Hemet, Lake Arrowhead, etc.)
(Update 1/8/2010) Succeeded at some of the hard trails near Silverwood and Arrowhead Lakes.

* Ride with the D37 dual-sport crowd every month or two
* LA to Barstow to Vegas 2010 (Easy dual-sport course with a few A routes thrown in for fun)
(Update 1/8/2010) Done! (11/26/2010 - 11/27/2010)

* (Update 1/8/2010 - Added) AMA District 37 Racing 2011
* (Update 1/8/2010 - Deleted) Baja 250 2011
* (Update 1/8/2010 - Deleted) Baja 500 2011
* (Update 1/8/2010 - Added) 2011 Kings of the West 1500
* Big Bear Run 2011 (A Course)
* LA to Barstow to Vegas 2011 (A course all the way)
* (Update 1/8/2010 - Added) AMA District 37 Racing 2012
* Baja 250 2012 (solo)
* Baja 500 2012 (solo)
* Baja 1000 2012 (solo)

We'll see what's next if I make it this far.