DAKAR Rally. Two words that evoke a strong visceral reaction for adventure for some riders, and will be seeing around 40 explorers with a penchant for nostalgia hosted by Bespoke Rallies in early 2022.
Known as an iconic endurance event that has become almost synonymous with high-octane adventures, the Dakar rally is marked as the birthplace for some of the most exceptional adventure motorcycles on our roads today, often bookended by the Yamaha Tenere & Honda Africa Twin.
Why not bring them back to where it all began?
Watch: KTM 890 Adventure & 890 Adventure R review
It’ll be four of those legendary adventure models that will be setting off amongst 20 other motorcyles, the notable models here being:
A 1988 Honda Africa Twin XRV 650 Marathon piloted by Harry Metcalfe (Evo Magazine founder, Harry’s Garage YouTuber), Mark Morris on the 1989 Yamaha XTZ Super Tenere, Hans Ladegaard on a 1984 BMW ST800 & David Ward on the 1990 Cagiva Elefant 900ie.
Departing from Brooklands racetrack in Surrey on the 28th of February with around 20 other motorcyclists and 20 cars (including a 1965 Ford Mustang to be driven by Alec Hammond), the three-week-long adventure is the first of its kind to officially take on the original Dakar rally route since 2008 when it moved to South America.
London to Dakar Bespoke Rallies Event 2022
Four of the bikers and their classic motorcycles met for a briefing & practice session in the Oxfordshire hills, a plush alternative to the harsh desert planes they may well find themselves on early next year.
Covering over 4030 miles over the course of three weeks, adventurers will head south from Surrey into France and onwards to Spain, with Day 5 of the tour giving the first chance to prepare for a ride on the original route on the African continent, travelling south-west towards Dakar for the remainder of the 21-day trip.
Following in the tyre treads of some truly classic adventure bikes, this route will encompass easy tarmac miles to dusty desert dunes - with the set route following the original tracks where possible.
Classic adventure motorcycles return to where it all began...
What a fantastic recipe - a truly classic route with some of the most iconic adventure motorcycles ever manufactured.
In all honesty, this sounds like an absolutely incredible opportunity, stopping at some truly unique locations for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m not jealous at all!
Best of luck to those embarking on the trip, but most importantly, enjoy.
All images from Rod Kirkpatrick, F Stop Press.
Find out more, including the full route with all stops, at Bespoke Rallies.
