Living the Dos Sertoes Dream: Racing 4,500km across Brazil

[zetman]

Thanx BB reading this rallyreport was the highligt of the year hope you have a go at the dakar 2012

[GStry]

I've done nothing for two days, just as well I'm on holiday

What a fantastic read Neil, what a story, really awesome pics and so well done, a huge effort, many thanks, only sorry I missed this until now but had the benefit of not having to wait.  
So many of us know what the rest of the world looks like but to me, South American countries seem to miss out on exposure and it's an eye opener to see the real countryside, people, and landscapes, something the Dakar and Dos Sertoes have helped change.
One thing that stuck me was how crystal the rivers are,  really really clean, not something we are used to in SA, unless you live in Dullstroom or somewhere in the Berg, probably because there are no Mondi, Sappi or Hulletts tearing up the countryside.
From a rally point of view, your penalties cost you big time in comparison to Dave and as you acknowledged, faster is not always better. It seems to me one area we tend to neglect is more training in navigation, use of the Road Book and discipline.
Regarding your bike blowing oil out the breather, was this a general problem with this bike, were others having the same problem? I've had a number of WR's from 200 to 450 and never seen that much of a mess. An over full situation will blow out oil but normally it shouldn't, or maybe its the wrung neck for hours on end, either way don't think Yamaha would be happy if this is a general problem.
So many questions, bike related, financial implications, etc would love for you to come to Durban for a talk and slide show, I'm sure there are many KZN Dogs and others who would support it. Maybe a way of drumming up some support for your Dakar dream, and it could be capped off with a ride.
 

[BlueBull2007]

Thanks for the comments, they're really appreciated. I will consider a trip to Durbs when we are back, probably in the middle of the year sometime (that could change!).

Regarding your bike blowing oil out the breather, was this a general problem with this bike, were others having the same problem? I've had a number of WR's from 200 to 450 and never seen that much of a mess. An over full situation will blow out oil but normally it shouldn't, or maybe its the wrung neck for hours on end, either way don't think Yamaha would be happy if this is a general problem.

Yeah it is a thing with the WR's if you wring it's neck (read abuse) for more than 20 minutes you get oil blowing up out of the breather. Normally you dont see it because its situated in the air box! Actually it not really a problem unless you really push the engine. Of course if you do on a standard bike you eventually risk having oil getting back into the carb through the ait intake, and that would be bad, obviously.

I remember Fretigne talking about this oil thing in the 2009 Dakar.  Interestingly in both his and my case the bike still ran the whole day on around half a litre of oil! He was going on about how bulletproof those engines are, and I agree, though he also changed his engine at the end of the day;  I did not. My airbox has moved forward due to the rear tank (read subframe), and my oil breather was hooked up near the radiator. We thought having it higher than in the original position might help but this proved not to be the case. Worse, oil ended up all over the outside of the bike, and even on my visor until we repositioned it.

Really it would be quite easy to build a little reservoir to collect it as it blows out and let it drain back ino the the engine once things have calmed down a bit, that is something we will be addressing this coming month.

Although I had no problems with the engine, something recently has come up. Jonah Street's mechanic Niles went through my bike about a week ago to familiarise himself with the Yamaha's in preparation for the Dakar, and he found water in the cylinder! So we are sending the engine into Yamaha to have a look and see.

From a rally point of view, your penalties cost you big time in comparison to Dave and as you acknowledged, faster is not always better. It seems to me one area we tend to neglect is more training in navigation, use of the Road Book and discipline.

Yes that is a good observation. I learnt the hard way obviously. Still Im very happy with my preformance as a rookie. Next time I know it will go much better.

One thing that stuck me was how crystal the rivers are...

I also noticed this, but not all of those rivers are that clean. We were warned not to drink any river water, people have been sick in the past from it. The smaller stream do seem fine to me though, certainly in comparison to Africa. This continent has so much more rain though, I think that helps to a large extent.

[Ektoknbike]

Gister aand tot laat toe gelees om alles op een slag in te kry. Ek leef myself so in dat ek op 'n stadium glad uitasem uit was

Sekerlik een van die beste RR, trips of avonture wat ek nog gelees het. Die manier wat jy skryf en dinge verduidelik laat mens deel voel van alles.
Dis seker meeste van die bikers of DS manne se droom om eendag so 'n avontuur aan te pak maar mens besef baie vinnig dat dit net beskore is vir 'n klein hoeveelheid manne en vroue. Dis nie soseer die geld nie maar die deursettingsvermoë en die  wil om deur te druk al lyk dinge hoe sleg.
Voorspoed met jou beplanning vir die Dakar en ek glo daar sal nog hier en daar 'n ander race ook wees wat jy aan gaan deelneem. Laat weet ons asb van alles, "die groot opbou na die Dakar".

Respek

[MadDog]

WOW, what an inspirational RR.... Well done to you sir.

[Mzee]

Simply awesome!

[Crossed-up]

Last Saturday I rode in our new "mini-Dakar", The Amageza Run, in the Western Cape.  550km, almost all dirt, some of it slightly technical.  There were no timed stages and navigation was made much easier because I knew most of the roads quite well.  Nevertheless, I did get lost, and nearly missed the cut-off time.  My pace was thoroughly pedestrian except at the very end when it quickly became a mad flat-out race against the clock.   

I know that what I did was piddling compared to you, BB, but it made me realise all over again what an astonishing achievement your race was.  I realised, too, just how much of it is in your head.  The ability to stay calm and concentrate for hour after hour is what brings one home.  As long as the bike works the greatest part is mental.

That said, I was poked.    (I'm an old toppie.) If you'd told me to do the same thing again on Sunday I'm not sure if I would have been able to.  Just the ride on the N7 home from Clanwilliam to Cape Town was more than enough, thank you.

Well done, Neil!  I salute you. 

[terminator1]

Neil legend dude. Just read this whole fred again.

4580km is a VERY long way at race speeds.

I was moertoe after just a few hours in the Winterberg.

This is an official hero bump. 

[MOGGIE]

Dear Niel.
I followed your experiance some time ago.
I have not had any contact with this thread for quite a while.
Have you enrolled in the DAkar this year?
I sopose if you did some of your buddies can tell me.

[zetman]

Nope he is our main spy and info man this year he will attempt the dakar in 2013 go and read the dakar thread you wil love it

[killboy]

This is absolutely legendary! You sir, are a hero, and as of now my biggest inspiration!

I thank you for taking the time to write this, and is so much detail. Ride reports of pictures and places are one thing, but putting your mental thoughts in such vivid and often suspenseful fashion is outstanding to read. I'd get the hi res pics, and make a coffee table book. I'd want one.

[BlueBull2007]

Hey Guys - Thanks for all your replies, they're most appreciated!

For the record, I am planning to do the Dakar in 2013.

I'm also planning a coffee table book on the Dos Sertoes, announcement coming soon

[killboy]

Hey Guys - Thanks for all your replies, they're most appreciated!

For the record, I am planning to do the Dakar in 2013.

I'm also planning a coffee table book on the Dos Sertoes, announcement coming soon

Awesome. As of now, I am setting my targets on the Sertoes in 2014. Time to save.

Have you mentioned the breakdown of costs anywhere? I understand if its a sensitive topic, but if not, I'd love to get an idea to start planning.  

[Hinksding]

Sub, gaan later lees as ek kans kry, lyk baie naaais

[Puddles]

Hey Guys - Thanks for all your replies, they're most appreciated!

For the record, I am planning to do the Dakar in 2013.

I'm also planning a coffee table book on the Dos Sertoes, announcement coming soon

Good for you ... for both of the above "projects" !!!    

[DirtyHarry]

  What a great RR Neil. Shame on me that I only saw your RR now.
Truly amazing how you did finish the race.
I really like if people go out of their comfort zone to achieve a dream.
And thanks for your great effort to let us be part of the race 
Good luck for your future rallies.

[Camelman]

This is a epic journey Neil. Very well ridden and written!

[washer6]

Only read this now, as i have only found it now.
Standing Ovation Neil.

i also picked up a few things that i'm putting down on my list for things to do in the Amageza!!
Cheers Neil, was a great read!!!

[BlueBull2007]

Fanks hey guys. I got the pictures working again, they went away for some reason

[gser]

Hey Guys - Thanks for all your replies, they're most appreciated!

For the record, I am planning to do the Dakar in 2013.

I'm also planning a coffee table book on the Dos Sertoes, announcement coming soon

 BB Neil,
 Die koffie in my beker is  al koud, maar moenie warrie nie, ek gaan nou weer die ketel aansit vir nog ene.