Mototips

Winners Announced From The Adventure Rider's Challenge Sponsored By BikeBandit.com
Bill Dragoo in the Moto class and Kevan Harder in the Dual-Sport division took wins in the 70 rider field at the 2nd annual Adventure Rider's Challenge; the ultimate test of dual-sporting skills in North America, on May 15-18. The event was hosted by RawHyde Adventures at their 40-acre headquarters in Castaic, California and sponsored by BikeBandit.com. The three-day event is designed to put off-road skills on a big bike to the test for both event competitors and enduro enthusiasts who were able to ride the course without competing.
The Adventure Rider's Challenge competitors endured water crossings, log jumps and a swinging suspension bridge on 300-500 pound adventure bikes. After three days of competition, the points were tallied and three winners were announced in two classes.
In the Moto division, comprised of more hardcore off-road style bikes, Oklahoma's Bill Dragoo took first place on a KTM 950 Super Enduro. Second went to BikeBandit.com sponsored Chris Martin on a BMW HP2 and Roger Eggers, also on an HP2, took third.
The Dual-Sport category included more street oriented bikes like the BMW GS models, the Triumph Tigers and the Suzuki V-Stroms. The classes were changed from engine size designations in 2007 because, as RawHyde Adventure's owner Jim Hyde concluded, "It wasn't the bike. It was the rider."
The victor in the Dual-Sport division was Kevan Harder on a BMW 1200 GS, followed by Kieth Falerios on a KTM 990 Adventure and Jeff Irvin riding a 1994 BMW R 100 GS Paris-Dakar to round out the podium. BikeBandit.com's CEO, Ken Wahlster, took 6th on his KTM 990 Adventure.
"The event was a lot of fun," said Wahlster. "Challenging riding, but the best part was meeting people from all over the U.S. (and the world) that share a passion for riding big bikes off-road!"
The Adventure Rider's Challenge was also attended by a few dual-sporting legends, including AMA Hall of Famer and 6-time gold medalist in the International Six Day Enduro, Jack Penton and multi-time Baja 1000 winner and Paris Dakar competitor, Paul Krause.
"We were privileged to have two legends from off-roading," said Hyde. "They spoke with us and told stories about their life and their career."
But according to both Hyde and Wahlster, it was the fellow enthusiasts that were the biggest treat at the 2008 Adventure Rider's Challenge.
"The overwhelmingly positive and cool thing is that the people are just amazing; the camaraderie and the helpfulness," said Hyde. "We had spectators racing from the sidelines to help people when they dumped their bikes."
The 2009 Adventure Rider's Challenge will again be sponsored by BikeBandit.com and will take place in early May. Stay tuned to http://www.adventureriderchallenge.com for details.
RawHyde Adventures is a rally guide and dual-sport training school that BikeBandit.com has also partnered with for Bandit's Ultimate Experience sweepstakes, where enthusiasts can enter to win a RawHyde Adventures Camp experience through August 31, 2008 at http://www.BikeBandit.com/Ultimate.

Photo Gallery: Winners Announced From The Adventure Rider's Challenge Sponsored By BikeBandit.com - Dirt Rider Magazine Online



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