| Author | Message | ||
     Bud |
Come on guys..... the list still looks very empty http://pete2dakar.squarespace.com/351-400/ | ||
| Peter |
Thanks Hans  I've been a bit slack with the reports lately, but time has been lacking... Training is progressing. It started for real when we went to Greece for our holidays in July. I was swimming about 1km daily, and running up to 16km every second day. Mostly in temps between 30-40deg/c. Since we've been back I'm mixing running with aerobics. The dancer's have two classes per week for 1-1/4hrs each, so I'm joining them there. They think it's a great joke having a big fat bald technician trying to keep up with them... Also taking the KTM to the local mx track when it's not too wet to ride. After rain here, they close off half the track, and what's left is a quagmire. Most people don't bother taking their bikes off the trailer when it's like that. Last weekend was the same as it'd been raining all week. Guess I'll do some weights instead. I went in to Grizzly's work before the vacation and did a physical test. They told me that my physical shape was normal for a beer drinking, pizza eating 40+ year old, but I had to lose about 15 kilos by December... I've lost 5 so far, and those have been since we returned from Greece, so there's hope Severe change in diet is what's doing it. Following a book called "You are what you eat". It was recommended to me by a fellow driver that I was splitting a hotel room with on the recent U2 tour. This bloke had studied nutrition and had a lot of good advice. Seems to be working. I haven't started painting the bike yet. Once we start with performances I won't have time to scratch it at the mx track any more, so I'll paint it then. September is the time when stuff happens it seems. I get a copy of the official rules then, and I think all the Dutch competitors have a talk with RTL5(tv) to discuss costs of interviews and promotion etc. As I've only managed to get about 200 names of the hoped for 1000, I think I'll end up bighting the bullet, buying 5000euros worth of tv time, and crossing my fingers that I can recoop it by selling the advertising to local businesses. If I buy 10x30sec slots, then ask 1500euros for names on the clothing, I'll put 500 to tv and 1000(ie 25 name places) on the bike. I know another team that charges 10,000 for a business logo on their jacket, and they are using the same tv coverage system as me, so 1500 is probably way too cheap. I'm not much of an advertising salesman though, so.... See what happens. I was also contacted a few days ago by a company that are making a book and movie of the Dakar. They have two 4wd's following the race to film/photgraph competitors. Not sure what that will cost me though... I've actually got my finance bloke coming around to setup a remortgage of the house, just to make sure the funds are there if the sponsoring attempt falls short, as I think it probably will  I will be going though, one way or the other A lot of people watch this race and I reckon that covering a KTM in Buell stickers and "I'd be riding a Ulysses if it was allowed!"(unfortunately it's not, as the twin limit is 450cc) would certainly get people's attention! Wonder if Erik's interested in some 'Different in Every Sense' advertising?  Pete2 Dakar | ||
| Peter |
Went to a meeting with the RTL7 TV people a few days ago to find out prices for interviews during the TV coverage. After finding out what it cost, I picked myself up off the floor (after I'd fainted), and tentatively put my name down for 5 minutes... I need to let them know next week whether I want them for sure or not. So my question to you all is, do you think there is value for advertisers? If someone wanted to run an adv during the Dakar, it would cost them €6000 for 30secs. However, they then have 30 secs to sell their product, in their own way, so it's not really a fair comparison. The value calculated by RTL for "in program" advertising (like business names on a bike/clothing etc) is €2500 per minute. So 5 minutes of exposure split through the Dakar period, has a calculated value of €12,500. If I were to ask €2000 for a name/logo on the bike & clothing, does that sound like a realistic thing? €12,500 advertising for €2000? To me it does, but then I'm also silly enough to spend €40,000 to ride a bike from Lisbon to Dakar with no sleep Anyone know any businesses out there that might be interested..... ?? PS. Anyone want a good all-year-around bike? Pete2 Dakar | ||
| Peter |
All-year-around-bike is sold. Decided not to spend nearly 7000 euros to see my face for 5 mins on tv. I'm not a good enough salesman to sell the concept to businesses, so I passed on that deal. A few weeks ago information started arriving in the form of the motorcycle rule book. I've been going over it with a fine tooth comb to make sure I'm ok. The bike was entered last year, so there shouldn't be too much to check, but I am anyway. This week the papers for the visa applications arrived. It says that, as an Australian, I need a visa for Senegal, but there was no Senegal application form included. I rang the visa company and was told they're not sure yet for another couple of weeks whether I'll need it. I'll just keep .... It looks like we are going in style to Lisbon, and then across to the port in Spain! Euro Nightliner Facilities have said they will take the bike and I to Lisbon, in one of their limo vehicles ! I can already imagine the looks I'll get with the other competitors going down in their trucks We also have a new person on the team. So, that makes two of us... Marcel is a self proclaimed Dakar nut, who lives close by. He also wants to do the Dakar in the future, so he's using this attempt as a learning process for obtaining sponsorship etc. Started helping last week, and has already contributed a new name on the sponsors list. Rits van der Velde Autoschade are painting the bike. We dropped the parts off there today, and he asked what colour I'd like them. "Blue" I said. "Ok", he said, "I'll do it if I can choose the blue". I shut my eyes and said "Ok......." He said it will be very easy to see when it's finished. I'm very nervous. Next Sunday we are taking the bike to Heerde to show off it's new paint job, then the following Sunday it will be down at the KTM day in Veldhoven. Also, the second payment has gone in to the organisers. Just one more (the big one..) to go. Getting there. Pete2 Dakar Oh yeah. Guess what Grizzly has bought.... | ||
| Henrik |
Sounds like things are progressing and in general shaping up. Great news. Please post pictures of the bike when you get it back together. If I were a gambling man (I'm not - I hate loosing) I'd bet Grizzly bought a Uly?? Henrik | ||
| Paulinoz |
Good to here all is moving in the right dirrection mate. My guess on Grizzly he has moved up to an off-road motor home. "If I were a gambling man (I'm not - I hate loosing)" can understand how you would hate to lose your shorts!!!!! (could not resisit) | ||
| Blake |
Would that be "BadWeB Blue"? Did Griz snag himself a new Uly? Spill Griz! What ya got? | ||
| Peter |
Don't know if he's reading this, but no, not a Uly. He's still over on the dark side. Here he is getting ready to test ride one...  | ||
| Rocketman |
Grizz..................KTM Super Duke??? Rocket | ||
| Nutsosane |
BMW HP2 @ $20,000. That's an investment. NUTS | ||
| Henrik |
That's some pretty neat armor Grizzly's wearing. Anyone know brand/model? The new Beemer eh .... Henrik | ||
| Peter |
The armor is from UFO although there is another cheaper version from JOPA(?) which is identical. The HP2 it is. Can't see it being much of an investment. He's already entered the Alta Turia Rally in Spain with it for next year | ||
| Nutsosane |
Hey I'm all for someone who's actually going to USE that thing. How many ya think are sitting outside of Harrods? NUTS | ||
| Blake |
Excellent. | ||
| Peter |
It's not yellow anymore..... Rits has used an amazing blue and the picture really doesn't do the paint justice. It looks seriously cool!  | ||
| Henrik |
That's a sweet paint job Pete. Don't drop it  How are the preparations coming - both you and bike? Henrik | ||
| Road_thing |
Damn, that thing looks tall! Do you have to stand on a milk crate to saddle up? rt | ||
| Blake |
The new paint job reveals a bike with distinct facial features; it has a look of anxious determination. | ||
| Rocketman |
That's its rider Blake!!! Pete, can't wait to see it with all its sponsor livery etc. Rocket | ||
| Peter |
This gives a better look at the colour. Look how much weight I've lost! My head can't even support hair anymore.... It needs to be stickered up by December 10th. That's when we all go to Valkensward for the TV day. The crowd are all watching our Trials champ do crazy stuff on his bike.  | ||
| Tripper |
Peter; you anywhere near the Schipol Bastion Hotel? If so stop by for your beer. I'll be inside KLM base this morning. Available after 1400. 1 716 861 zero 324 | ||
| Peter |
Dave, I'll ring you after 14:00. You still around this evening? | ||
| Tripper |
Pete; Having lunch in the hotel now (1240). Might be connecting with a friend from KLM. Ring me when you can and we'll pick a meeting point. My flight out is Wednesday. | ||
| Peter |
I think the receptionist hung up your phone . Should be there before 18:00. My number is 06 46 272 303 if anything changes. | ||
| Tripper |
Groovy... see you then My phone is low on battery so I may not answer any more calls. Look for the grey haired overweight American in a green shirt, chatting with a 6' 10" Dutchman and his wife.  | ||
| Peter |
Dave, It was a pleasure to meet you and your friends. All I can say is, if you ever invite someone out for a beer and a feed, they'd be nuts not to take you up on it Many thanks, and a safe trip to you. Pete | ||
| Tripper |
Back in the US Back in the US Back in the USSA... Thanx for coming across town to join us. Always nice to meet the Badweb members around the world. Sorry I didn't bring the Kool Aid. Stay safe in that wild race, and here's to a strong finish. Even a finish! Cheers Mate! Pete dressing for dinner...  | ||
| Henrik |
Damn, you really have lost a ton of weight. No worries - you'll no doubt find it again after the race Henrik | ||
| Peter |
Aaaah, but will my  look fat when I do...?  | ||
| Blake |
Ask the oriental dude behind you in that pic above. He seems to be looking at it and pondering some peculiarity. Or... nah, I can't say it.  |
