2017 KTM Australia Adventure Rallye
In 2016, KTM Australia hosed their first ever Adventure Rallye, which attracted 121 participants on a five-day journey through Victoria’s high country. Following that successful event, many asked, ‘Could it get any better?’. Well, at the conclusion of the second KTM Australia Adventure Rallye this past March, it seems the answer to that question is an emphatic ‘Yes!’.
The Concept
KTM’s Adventure Rallies are a worldwide initiative, with multi-day events held in various countries, exclusively for owners of KTM adventure bikes.
Each rally is designed to offer opportunities for riders to put themselves and their orange machines to the test, but it’s not just for those with tons of adventure riding experience.
KTM understands that not everyone is at Toby Price level, so the routes and trails selected for this year’s Adventure Rallye through the Blue Mountains were created to cater to all skill levels and allowed riders to tackle each day’s route at their own pace, with some more challenging options – the Breakout Routes - included for those wanting to unleash their inner Price!
The Stars
Speaking of Price, he tagged along for last year’s rally and joined in the fun with the orange riders this year, too. Still recovering from the broken leg he sustained at the Dakar rally back in January, the 2017 KTM Australia Adventure Rallye represented the Dakar champion’s first serious riding since that accident.
Also on board for this year’s rally was Ricky Johnson from the USA. A superstar and multiple champion in AMA MX and SX competition in the 1980s, injury ended Johnson’s two-wheel racing career in 1989, after which he turned to four wheel racing. He’s been a star in off-road Trophy Trucks and recently took that concept onto snow to win the first ‘Frozen Rush’ title in 2014.
While still handy behind the handlebars, Johnson proved just as adept behind the microphone, keeping this year’s rally participants entertained at the evening bivouacs and engaging in some good-natured verbal sparring with KTM’s head honcho, Jeff Leisk, who raced against the AMA champ back in the ’80s.
Peter Ziegler, from KTM headquarters in Austria, was another special guest, who came down to see how the Aussies do it before he hosts the KTM European Adventure Rally in Italy this July.
Blues and Oranges
After last year’s debut in Victoria, the KTM Australia Adventure Rallye moved to the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales for 2017.
With the hub at Wisemans Ferry, the route took in the Jenolan Caves, Dashville, Walcha and Dungog, taking on familiar off-road trails like Sunny Corner and Barrington Tops, as well as other less-familiar tracks, over the event’s five days before returning to Wisemans.
The route, co-ordinated by rally partners Maschine, covered around 250km each day and featured a mix of forest trails, gravel roads, water crossings, paddocks, dirt tracks and tarmac, all surrounded by some truly stunning scenery.
KTM Australia provided full back-up support, including medical, technical, luggage and tyres, as well as providing dinner each night of the rally and presenting entrants with goodies and giveaways.
The success of last year’s debut KTM Australia Adventure Rallye meant there was plenty of interest when registrations for the 2017 event opened last October. The 170-rider cap was soon reached, with a few more squeezed in to see 194 orange adventure riders congregate at Wisemans Ferry on 5 March for the rider’s briefing and welcome dinner. Amongst that bunch were ten riders who came from overseas for the event.
Orange Explorers
As you can see from some of the images, the rally wasn’t a doddle, with the Breakout Routes providing truly challenging riding for those that dared take them on.
Dense bush and forest in some areas gave way to open hills, then rough and rugged bush trails that’d challenge even the most adept off-roaders.
With lead and sweep riders, the routes were well marked and supported, with points of interest, as well as breakfast and lunch stops, out on each day’s route sheet.
No doubt each rider had their own highlight, but picking through the rocky trails and fern forests was a favourite with many. Riding with Toby Price and Ricky Johnson was an absolute buzz for all participants, with a select few receiving specially-commissioned trophies at the end of the rally, handed out by the Dakar champion himself.
The camaraderie of KTM riders saw plenty of new friends made, and no doubt a number of those are already pencilling in the 2018 Adventure Rallye into their calendars.
Find out more about the KTM Adventure Rallies worldwide at the dedicated microsite: ktm-adventure-rally.com, while further details on the 2018 Australian event will be released on ridektm.com.au as it draws nearer.
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