Guys...sorry to be away for so long. It looks like the forum is doing well. Lots of new members. Glad to see that you "Old guys" are still around to help them out...or to learn from them.

I have a bit of news for my old friends. Recent members, please bear with me as I explain.
Last Spring, I posted the results of the American Adventure Rider's Challenge, a big bike skills competition I was fortunate enough to have won back in May, see link below:

http://www.dirtrider.com/news/141_08...nge/index.html

As with most mind altering activities, that experience has lead to harder stuff. Since my last posting, I have been involved in a competition for BMW's prized GS Trophy. This year's event is to be held in Tunisia, October 15th-24th. Much like the Camel Trophy of days gone by, GS Trophy teams will travel over and through some of the roughest country in North Africa for nine days. Various skills tests will be staged and judged along the way.

I have been blessed by being chosen as one of six finalists to compete for the honor of representing the United States. Our last test before becoming one of the three is this Thursday, August 27th, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. BMW is flying us there to test our mettle. As the oldest of the finalists, it is an incredible honor to have been picked to try.

As fellow KLX riders and enthusiasts for this fine sport, I ask for you best wishes, blessings and prayers to do well. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get this far, not to mention possibly go to Tunisia under the banner of the Stars and Stripes.

Please take a moment to check out my blog at:http:

//www.bmwxplor.com/riders/Shadetree

If you would like to post a comment, please do so. It will require signing up to do so and you will need a BMW GS Vin# to qualify. You can use my Vin to get in. WB10185A75ZL41103


Thanks to all for your support!

Bill Dragoo
Norman, Oklahoma
Bike poor:
KLX 331
F650GS
F800GS (On order from BMW of Oklahoma)
Dyna Sport
Various BSA's, Norton,
Etc...One is just not enough...nor two...nor three...

 

Good luck. Hope you make it.

 

Awesome~! Good luck and my thoughts, support and prayers are with you!

 

Very cool, Bill! That's an heck of an honor! I wish you the best of luck and stay safe overseas. Take lots of pictures. (I know you will.)

We'll have to ride some more together. I'm pretty much semi-retired from my Engineering job so I have a lot more time to ride now.

 

Thanks, Guys. I really appreciate the support. It's been a long, but frantic haul so far.

Hey, Bill! yes, we do need to ride again. Keep an ear to the ground (watch www.rideok.com) for the upcoming Clayton Dual Sport Ride in Clayton Oklahoma in October! If I miss Tunisia, I plan to be there.

Bill Dragoo
Norman, Oklahoma
www.rideok.com
http://www.dualsportnews.com/

 

Good luck Bill, you need to send me a copy of Ride Oklahoma when you put the report in there.

 

oops! I mis-read the first time through. (that's what I get for doing five things at once.) Still, I have no doubt that you'll be overseas soon.

 

Congratulations, Bill! What an honor, you will have some amazing stories to tell when it's all through, regardless of how it turns out. Best of luck and do us proud! (no pressure )

Oh, and if you are presented with an especially tricky, technical, seemingly impossible skill test, just ask yourself the question - "What would Nobrakes do?", and do that. Or maybe the opposite, use your judgement.

 

You guys are awesome. Brian, you are no help at all. Some things just never change, do they? Let's see...Ok. I pick "do what Brian would do." It has worked for you, it'll work for me. I'll text you when I get in a pickle, Pal. Be ready...

Bill

 

That's awesome, Bill! Best of luck.

Just promise that once you are world champion you'll still come back and talk to us ordinary folks every once in a while.