Pavey steppes up - 17 June 2008
Stage number: 6
Stage date: 17/06/2008
Start and arrival city: BOGOTSE to ARKALIK
Special: Qaratubak to Torgai
Total distance (special) : 705km (328km)
Result on stage - TBC
Position overall - TBC
Today the riding is a real contrast from yesterday. It has just been flat-out with the throttle wide open! We're riding over the famous steppes. It's been 320km of vast open flat grassland. It's a bit unnerving as you just have the throttle wide open for ages. The grass is quite high so you can't really see the sandy soil beneath, so it's a bit of a an act of faith but you just keep it pinned - it has been pretty mad! The Xchallenge is quite quick, much quicker that the old F 650 GS, but it does lose out a bit in top end to some of the competition, but all I can do is keep it in top and keep it nailed.
I've even been a Good Samaritan today too. The terrain today is all flat and wide open grassland and of the whole 320km of the special there was one triple caution sign (signs the organises put out to warn of a hazard ahead). It's the funniest thing, this Dutch guy, who is one of the leaders, was belting along and was flying past the sign then managed to ride his bike into the only mud hole in over 300km! I went passed, laughed a bit, then turned round and helped pull his bike out. He was fine, so I hope I've got some help credits in the bank for later in the rally.
I've just finished the special and was going past a town and I saw a mobile phone mast so I thought I'd check in while I had a chance. Mobile reception is not guaranteed. It's also a good excuse to stop and get some coffee and RedBull down me. It's really hot and riding along for 300 odd kilometres on the liaisons makes you sleepy, so it's always good to stop for some caffeine and a chat!
We're on a Marathon section of the rally so we get no outside mechanical assistance for two days and we'll be in the bivouac without our support teams. So I won't see Linley for a while. I bet she's really sad I'm not there to look after her!
For more information, or to track Simon’s progress during the Transorientale Rally, please visit www.transorientale.com, Simon is riding number 5. The rally will also be screened daily on Motors TV.
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