This time next week I’ll be at a massive and muddy (and probably muddy) forest in Wales, doing my last preparations for the 10 hours night time motorcycle endure race.

The Dawn 2 Dusk is the hardest motorcycle enduro race in the UK and attracts the best riders from all over the world, including many Dakar Rally legends. Racers in the past include Charley Boorman ( Star of “Long Way Round” “Long Way Down” “Race To Dakar” and the “By any Means” series),Simon Pavey (8 times Dakar racer, taught Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman to ride off road before the “long way round” and the “long way down”. He also trained and raced with Charley Boorman when he made his 2006 Dakar attempt), Nick Plumb (4times Dakar racer, Owner out Touratech UK and featured in “Race to Dakar”), Patsy Quick (The first UK woman to finish the Dakar Rally), Ross Noble (Comedian and avid motorcyclist). The race has many different categories with bikes under 500cc being able to compete in a 24 hour, 12 hours or 6 hour races. For larger bikes like mine, a 640cc the only option is a 10 hour race (as the heavy bike are harder work and 24 hours would be too dangerous). The race may only be 10 hours but it’s a fully off road 5mile circuit including river crossings and large hill climbs, and all this at night! The race starts at 8pm and runs through the night with the finish at 6am.

                This is my first experience of off road racing, and it may have been more sensible to start with a 4 hour day endure, but I have never been very sensible! I have done a bit of training, doing some off road riding with Nick Plumb and I had some experience when I was out in Africa riding to Gambia for Scooters in the Sahara, but that was sand, a little different to soft mud.

                My aim is simply to finish, which only tends to be 50% of the starters, so a finish would be great!

                My bike is almost ready, I ride a KTM Adventure 640, a great bike and a Dakar winner (not mine actual one but the same type). Currently the front is in pieces as I’m replacing the front forks and installing some super bright lights. (see my profile for pictures) I will also be fitting full endure tyres the day before the race. I will also be having some moral support as Cotswold is having a trade stand at the event as Cotswold is now supporting adventure motorcycling is a big way, including a store in store at Touratech and Sponsoring both Simon Pavey and Globebusters.

                So fingers crossed I can at least finish and I’ll let you all know how it goes!

Tom, Store Manager, Cotswold Outdoor Carmarthen

Touratech liaison