Conversely though, it may only have 43 horsepower, but it is a strong torque that’ ll get you out of trouble as easily as it gets you into it, and the upgraded bars and grips have made a genuine difference to control when things get technical. It’ s a different discipline to riding a purpose-built enduro bike and I had to change my way of riding to get the best out of it. Standing is my new best friend.
WHAT’ S ACTUALLY AT STAKE That’ s the real headline of this whole build. It’ s not really about the bike, or the gear, or even the injury. It’ s about going somewhere that will humble me completely, against riders who are genuinely some of the best enduro competitors alive, and making peace with the fact that just being there, being part of the pack, surviving each stage, getting to the finish … that’ s the win. Heck, I’ m going to the Red Bull Romaniacs- I’ ve already won!
If you’ re building toward your own version of this, whatever that looks like for you, I think the lesson’ s the same: know what you’ re actually there to achieve before you arrive, because the terrain, the competition, and your own head will all try to convince you otherwise on the day. Well, if you’ re anything like me. But, even after having said all of that, as I sit in my hotel room, two-days out from the start of the hardest race of my life- I’ m still going to try to win my class. No one is expecting me to win and I don’ t think that was the goal when this opportunity came together. But I’ m still gonna try! For CFMOTO who is sponsoring this campaign. For all the supporters who are sending me all their love and support. For my family and for my friends. But most importantly, for myself. And hey, if I don’ t win, at least I’ ll learn something, right? Wish me luck. I’ m going to need it.
KIWI RIDER 101