KTM NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE RALLYE
P72
Feature
New
BY RUSSELL
PHOTOS
T
here are certain opportunities that arise which im-
mediately spark a feeling of—I have to do this! While
attending the North American KTM Adventure Rally
in Park City, Utah earlier this year, I received an invitation to
take part in the KTM New Zealand Rallye.
Ding, ding, ding! Yes, please! Explore all of Northland?
As soon as those words entered my brain, I was sold and
began putting plans into motion to get down there.
The last time I was in New Zealand was in 2006 for the
International Six Days Enduro. The ISDE took place on the
Northland, as well, based in Lake Taupo, which served as
one of my favorite events I have ever raced. I loved racing
in New Zealand. It didn't hurt that we won the ISDE Junior
Trophy and I got to take it back to USA, either!
Rosie Lalonde was heading up the NZ event and, as we
communicated before the ride, it was clear she dialed in ev-
ery last detail, making this Rallye (yep, with an "e") sure to be
one to remember. With over 40 private properties and farms
making up the bulk of the riding terrain, this was shaping up
like a multi-day enduro on big, badass bikes. There would be
no other way to have access to the places we were riding un-
less you attended this event. This just keeps getting better!
The week before departing for the event I received a
dossier with an overview and my excitement went through
the roof.
Unlike the U.S. rally, where
we cloverleaf out of the same
location for loops, NZ would
be a point-to-point ride with a
chase vehicle to carry our bags.
This took some serious logistics
and it was impressive to see the
staff manage the 101 riders, and
all their gear.
Six days and over 1200
miles of adventure riding were
on the schedule. Several
breakouts from the main route
were graded with variable
difficulty so that there was
something to suit all levels of
ability. The breakouts were
color coded and rated with
chili peppers for their difficulty.
One chili would take you off
the tarmac and onto some
gravel with a soft spot or some
Bobbitt knows a thing or two about
riding dirt bikes—even big ones.
FIVE-TIME AMA
NATIONAL ENDURO
CHAMPION
RUSSELL BOBBITT
TALKS ABOUT
HIS EXPERIENCE
RIDING THE KTM
NEW ZEALAND
ADVENTURE RALLYE
