Adventure Challenge

How much fun can an organised riding event be? The Touratech Adventure Challenge pretty much sets the standard.

The 2016 Touratech Adventure Challenge had a curious effect on participants and onlookers. When asked, “How was it?” some would giggle and have trouble explaining the things they’d seen while others’ eyes would glaze over as they stared off into the distance, clearly enraptured with very intense and pleasant memories.

We ran the story in issue #15, but we hadn’t been there ourselves and there was clearly something about the experience that was having an impact on people who were. The second running of the Challenge was on the calendar and Adventure Rider Magazine decided it was high time we had a look.

We’re always after an opportunity to ride in the Victorian mountain region, and Bright is one of our favourite places to go, so we loaded up the bikes and crossed the Murray.

Basically

 The concept of the Touratech Adventure Challenge is pretty much covered in the name: it’s a challenge for adventure riders using the skills they need to successfully enjoy their sport.

In practice, competing is like a cross between orienteering and gymkhana on motorcycles. We’re not going to say ‘adventure bikes’ because just about any bike is suitable, but some ground clearance and knobbies does make things easier. We hooked up the new long-term Husky 701 Enduro and the editor’s Touratech-kitted KLR and felt ready for anything.

Runoff