Photo: The desert awaits the Rally
Daily Updates From David on Patricia's progress in the Dakar Rally.
FROM DAVID - Thursday January 04 2007
2 DAYS TO GO
Today (Thursday) was Scrutineering day, so the first pressure was on the participants to ensure they had their paperwork in order and on the mechanics to sort any technical issues. Patricia' paperwork was fine and her bike needed no adjustments. Therefore there was plenty of time to enjoy coffee (decaf) and cakes..... and talk to everyone who came within 5 metres (the Schek's are very famous in these parts!).
Contrast this organised and calm passage through scrutineering to poor Werner (Patricia's team-mate), who thought he was as organised and ready, but had to rewire his Iritrack system (involving, for the non-mechanical observer, an apparent rebuild of the entire bike - three times !). By the end of scutineering, Werner had passed, but was looking emotionally dishevelled - life is not always fair for organised people. Then the zip broke on his new, state of the art, BMW jacket. As bad luck comes in three parts, I decided to force him to buy me a beer, before something else significant happened to him or his bike.
The "characters" of the Rally are now arriving - an interesting asemblage of keen "first-timers" and the hardy, committed enthusiasts who return each year for the adventure, punishment and fun that it involves.
It is interesting to watch the "mind-games" between the commercial teams - Mitsubishi and Volkswagen are in our hotel and there is a continuous battle for who can have the best briefing notices in the lobby (Mitsubishi were ahead last evening, but VW installed an even better one in the dead of night), the best team uniform (close tie) and who can dominate the parking area of the hotel - a massive victory by Mitsubishi who lined their fleet up overnight - 10 shiny, red and pristine cars/trucks. VW came back this morning however and paraded their 15 strong convoy along the seafront..
Contrast this organised and calm passage through scrutineering to poor Werner (Patricia's team-mate), who thought he was as organised and ready, but had to rewire his Iritrack system (involving, for the non-mechanical observer, an apparent rebuild of the entire bike - three times !). By the end of scutineering, Werner had passed, but was looking emotionally dishevelled - life is not always fair for organised people. Then the zip broke on his new, state of the art, BMW jacket. As bad luck comes in three parts, I decided to force him to buy me a beer, before something else significant happened to him or his bike.
The "characters" of the Rally are now arriving - an interesting asemblage of keen "first-timers" and the hardy, committed enthusiasts who return each year for the adventure, punishment and fun that it involves.
It is interesting to watch the "mind-games" between the commercial teams - Mitsubishi and Volkswagen are in our hotel and there is a continuous battle for who can have the best briefing notices in the lobby (Mitsubishi were ahead last evening, but VW installed an even better one in the dead of night), the best team uniform (close tie) and who can dominate the parking area of the hotel - a massive victory by Mitsubishi who lined their fleet up overnight - 10 shiny, red and pristine cars/trucks. VW came back this morning however and paraded their 15 strong convoy along the seafront..
Patricia is raising money for Kidscape as she undertakes the Rally. Kidscape is a charity committed to keeping children safe from abuse. If you would like to make a donation, please go to Patricia's Just Giving website at www.justgiving.com/PatriciaWatson-Miller
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