Rallye Training Day at Desert Rose

Having booked to take part in the Hellas Rallye in late May 2022 with our sister company Desert Rose Racing, 4 riders joined us at the Riding Academy to start their preparation in earnest. None of the riders were new to off road riding, but this would be the first rallye they have taken part in. One of the distinctions between a rallye and a raid is that the rallye is a competitive, timed race where podium positions are up for grabs. Having opted for a rallye, the riders knew that their riding would need to be dialed in, so that they could concentrate on navigation, using road books for the very first time. Riding skills were honed through the day with all 4 tackling everything from body positioning exercises, bike handling, hill ascents, stream crossings and everyone’s favourite titanic moment, not for the faint hearted, followed by a little towing exercise.

The day was broken down into a number of elements that would help riders new to the rallye and rallye raid world. The bike handling skills would be a recurring theme running through the day and thrown into the mix was some basic fault diagnosis and bike maintenance. Bike won’t start 120 KM into a special stage and what do you do, call the Desert Rose Racing mechanics back at the bivouac, but you will still need some knowledge and to get hands on. Whether it’s a blown fuse, stuck kill switch or something more tricky to find, it’s good to know what to check. There was cause for some actual track-side mechanical knowledge with a drowned bike part way through the afternoon, but what happens on tour stays on tour – no names!

Paul King
10th February, 2022

05/08/2024

CampVC 2024

Wow!!!!!! CampVC never fails to deliver. What a great weekend. Super cool to meet up with so many riders who were with us at previous Camps and to meet new riders. Everyone threw themselves into the enduro school sessions we put on over the 3 days and they all went away with new skills and a love of riding off road motorcycles.

4 minute read

22/07/2024

Malle Mile ’24

2024 saw the 10th Edition of the incomparable Malle Mile. Set in the grounds of the beautiful Grimsthorpe Castle this is a one of a kind event. Inappropriate motorcycles being raced across the castle lawns and down the castle driveway, with fire eaters, world renowned wall of death show, art exhibition, live music, fire works, moto polo and 1500 motorcycles on a scramble around the grounds each morning. Harry yet again spending a weekend mainly on the back wheel of one of our Beta enduro bikes, all in the name of his role as Marshal of course.

4 Minute Read

30/06/2024

ABR Festival 2024

This event just keeps getting bigger and better. For 2024 there were 17,500 attendees. Motorcycle manufacturers managed 10,000 test rides on the latest adventure bikes. We were delighted to have been invited again to host the daily trail briefings, giving riders essential tips and hints as to how to safely ride the trails.

3 minute read

10/06/2024

The EM Escape XR has arrived

As part of the all new Desert Rose Ebike Xperience we have a fleet of the new EM Escape XR motorcycles. Designed with a specific goal in mind, this motorcycle offers limitless riding possibilities and ease of handling for all levels and riding styles. Equipped with a hydraulic diaphragm clutch, this version is more cross-country oriented than ever, able of welcoming new riders to the world of hard enduro, as well as providing plenty of satisfaction for more experienced riders. With 700NM of torque, the Escape XR is the most powerful motorcycle in the EM range, so you’re sitting on the ultimate in power-to-weight ratio. To make the pleasure last, the Escape XR is also equipped with our latest 3.5 kWh battery. Made in France, the Escape X comes with the very latest EM technology: TFT screen, EM Connect, TKO, Anti Reverse, FRB (Fixed Regenerative Brake).