Category: Other

1. Lima's big party!

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 16th Jan 2012

   The 34th edition of the Dakar and the fourth in South America, comes to its end. After 8400 kilometers, riders have finally crossed the finish line in Lima, and so has Alain Duclos. The Aprilia RXV was the only “factory” rider to complete the Dakar without changing the engine.

   LIMA - The Plaza de Armas of Lima was decorated for the celebration of the Dakar´s finish after two weeks of race. Three countries were crossed, 8400 kilometers, and mostly one of the hardest Dakar ever. The marathon rally in South America confirmed once again to be the toughest race for bikes in the world, and only 100 from the 186 riders that started in Mar del Plata on January 1st made it to the end.

   And finally Alain Duclos was able to cross the podium of the finish line. For him, things were not easy during the race, electrical problems pushed him far behind at stage seventh, but the French-Malian rider showed from the first days that he had the skills to take the Aprilia RXV to the best positions.

   The expectations of Duclos changed in the rest day, and the main goal was reinvented to finish the Dakar with only one engine, with only the engine he started the race in Argentina. The reliability of the v-twin of Aprilia was proved and Duclos completed the Dakar as the only “factory” rider to use just one engine.

   There are still regrets for the incident of Francisco López. “Chaleco” also showed his talent during the first half of the race, and it was the only rider that shined behind Coma and Despres. Even if his health condition after the recovery from his fall in Tunisia was not at 100%, he was able to sign a stage win, the sixth victory of his career.

   Alain Duclos: “Another Dakar is over. I am glad I crossed the finish line and of course, I expected a better result. The Dakar is always a great life experience and a passionate adventure. And I am also glad to have discovered another country that gives us a warm welcome. Tomorrow I will start thinking about the Dakar 2013.”
    

2. Africa or Perù?

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 13th Jan 2012

   Alain Duclos reaches the 15th place in stage 12th. Peru is the 27th country crossed by the Dakar, and tests the skills of the riders with its difficulties.

   NASCA –It was expected that the Dakar difficulties were growing with its stages, as it was shown today with its 12th special between Arequipa and Nasca, known by its lines only visible from the sky.

   It was the second part of the marathon stage, with a 245 kilometers special stage, which contained all possible kind of grounds. It started in the beach, followed by road tracks, canyon and the terrible dunes of Tacana, with a sand so softened that was almost a sacrifice for the engines.

   The lands looked like Mauritania, a strong point of the Dakar in Africa, with lots of “camel grass”. It was a special where Alain Duclos had lots of fun on his Aprilia, and proved it with the 15th position of the day. Alain thought lots of the friction of the engine and took extremely care of it. He is one of the few riders that have not changed the engine yet, which demonstrates the liability of the v-twin engine of the Aprilia.

   As the overall position is no longer a matter since stage seven, the French-Malian rider keeps rolling to acquire more experience and test the bike performance.

   Alain Duclos: “I think this was the most beautiful stage of all Dakar. There were so many different kind of ground in only 250 kilometers! It seemed like if we were in Mauritania. I felt well and my Aprilia worked perfectly. I took care of the engine in the dunes; they were very soft, so soft that I needed to get out of them in 1st gear with the engine giving all of its power!”

3. Last day in Chile

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 12th Jan 2012

   The Dakar arrives to Arica, the last stage in Chile. Tomorrow the race will cross the border to Peru. Alain Duclos finishes the stage in the 23 position.

   ARICA – The last city in the North of Chile, Arica, greeted the Dakar´s tenth stage, the last one in Chile. Tomorrow the race waves good-bye to go to Peru, to make its first stop in Arequipa.

   Today stage was not so noisy. It was the Spanish rider Joan Barreda who marked his first stage win in the Dakar after this 377 km in the Atacama Desert, the most arid of the planet, and a place where riders found many navigation difficulties.

   Started nineteenth this morning, Alain Duclos had a navigation problem at kilometer 138. The dust did not let him read his navigation instruments and made a mistake. Once he was able to get back to the right track after five kilometers, Alain fought to take back his position and finished the stage 23rd.

   Alain Duclos: “Today it was such a beautiful stage, with steering, dunes, off road sections. I was in the dust and I couldn´t read my road-book so I followed some other riders… and I did five kilometers until I saw I was not on the right track, and I got back but I had to overtake many riders that went through while I wasn´t there…. I lost the right pace and it is harder to find it back when you have problems than when everything is fine.”
    

4. A short guide to Quad Bike Insurance

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 27th Dec 2011

   If you are looking to purchase a quad bike or already have one ready to take out, it is important to make sure that you have appropriate quad bike insurance from a provider such as MCE Insurance. There are many different levels of cover available, so seeking out insurance from such a reputable specialist provider will help to ensure that you have an appropriate level of cover for your activities. The quad bike insurance cover that you need depends on how you will be using your quad bike, so it is important to know the different options that are available to you.

   What Are You Planning to Use Your Quad Bike For?

   Before you seek out quad bike insurance, think about how you are likely to use your quad bike. With so many options and levels of cover available you need to consider your own circumstances. For example, will you use your quad bike on road? Do you plan on travelling abroad? Do you need cover for more than one rider? Answering these questions will help you avoid paying for extras that you don't need while staying covered for the activities you will be undertaking.

   What Are the Basic Elements of Quad Bike Insurance?

   Typically, the options available to you for quad bike insurance include off road cover, on road cover, options for multiple riders, and cover for accessories. You will almost always want off road cover - after all, that is what a quad bike is for! However, don't discount the benefits of on road cover. Will you ever need to ride on road in order to get to your destination? You may want to take advantage of a policy that offers a certain distance of 'commuting cover' within a defined area around your home.

   Extra Cover for Businesses

   If you are using your quad bike as part of a business you may also wish to obtain extra elements of cover as well. Such elements could include public liability cover, employers' liability cover and legal expenses cover.

   What About Extra Cover for Sporting Events?

   Liability insurance is not only needed if you run a business. Liability insurance covers you in the event that your actions cause an injury to another person. If you wish to take part in sporting events with your quad bike, the organisers will likely require you to have liability cover in case you injure spectators or other attendees.

   Do You Need European Cover?

   A standard policy will likely not cover you for using your quad bike overseas. You may wish to take parts in European events or just bring your quad bike with you on holiday for some fun on the continent. If this is the case you will need European cover. Typically, this extra cover is offered for a certain number of days from your preferred start date. Make sure that your policy will gives the level of cover that you require, and extend your cover if your trip runs over.

   Get a free quote here... 

5. BMF in Back Off Brusells Protest

   Posted on 8:54am Friday 25th Nov 2011

   Despite the unseasonable time of year, Tuesday saw the BMF amongst the hundreds of riders from all over Europe who converged on the European Parliament building in Brussels to protest at the latest raft of motorcycle related Type Approval Regulations emanating from the European Commission.

   Organised by Motor Cycle News, about 200 riders, mostly from the UK, assembled at the Parc du Cinquantenaire to take part in the ‘Back Off EU’ protest ride. Before the start of the ride they were addressed by MCN’s Senior Reporter Steve Farrell, the British Motorcyclists Federation’s Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder, British MP Mike Weatherly and the Motorcycle Action Group’s President, Ian Mutch.

   A ride-past the European Commission offices ended at the European Parliament at the Place du Luxembourg where UKIP MEP Marta Andreason also addressed the riders, emphasising that she had been previously campaigning with bikers across the UK and with MCN to ensure that ‘this needless legislation is thrown on the scrap heap.’

   Although there are a number of issues of concern say the BMF, the principle one is of the anti-tampering regulations. These have the effect of preventing any changes to a machine from its standard specification which, given the independence and individuality of owners, is an anathema to many motorcyclists say the BMF.

   Speaking afterwards MCN’s Steve Farrell said: "People can question whether protests like this make a difference, but we can be certain that nothing will be achieved by sitting at home. 

   Supporting this line, Chris Hodder of the BMF said: “At times it’s important to visibly show solidarity and demonstrate the strength of feeling there is when debating items like this with politicians and civil servants.”

   The BMF’s EU Type Approval Briefing document