Erzberg 2008 - food for thought

[Breeze]

Hello All,

the dates for the 2008 Erzberg are out:

ERZBERGRODEO XIV 23.5 - 25.5 2008

The Italian AT club has kept in touch with the Erzberg staff and they seem to be very pleased with our team effort in June this year.
We are currently trying to organize something really special for 2008.
Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the start of the Africa Twin Legend and we would like to celebrate fittingly.
Talks are going on with the Austrian staff and it seems we could stage a real AT show at the '08 event.

Since it would be great to have as many ATs as possible and from various countries, have a look at the calendar and check if you can make the trip to the Iron Mountain.
I think it could be worth it!

Anybody interested in creating a UK AT Erzberg Team and joining the Italian Team for the event, can keep in contact with Valerio from our club who took care of the logistics for us this year:

valerio.vaccarono@gmail.com

I am drooling at the thought of 30, 40 or even 50 Africa Twins lining up for the Konigsklasse in 2008... be there!

Ciao!

[Stormforce8]

So who's up for this from the UK - I think Annette and I would like to try and get to this event ESPECIALLY as it's the 20th anniversary.........and also to be able to ride with the nicest bunch of guys we've ridden with yet again..............

23rd - 25th May 2008 ErzbergRodeo

Looking at the map - it's around 780 miles from Calais if you take a direct route (closest village is Eisenerz, Austria)

Breeze has covered this years Italian XRV assault on the mountain here and here

(by the looks of it, you could fill your topbox with Boano & AQ goodies whilst you're there........ )

Mudwiz - are you still keen on going?

Enzo - could you explain a bit more detail of the Konigsklasse - what it is, format of the event, etc............

It would be fantastic to get a decent size group heading over together.......

[Whealie]

So who's up for this from the UK - I think Annette and I would like to try and get to this event ESPECIALLY as it's the 20th anniversary.........and also to be able to ride with the nicest bunch of guys we've ridden with yet again..............

23rd - 25th May 2008 ErzbergRodeo

Looking at the map - it's around 780 miles from Calais if you take a direct route (closest village is Eisenerz, Austria)

Breeze has covered this years Italian XRV assault on the mountain here and here

(by the looks of it, you could fill your topbox with Boano & AQ goodies whilst you're there........ )

Mudwiz - are you still keen on going?

Enzo - could you explain a bit more detail of the Konigsklasse - what it is, format of the event, etc............

It would be fantastic to get a decent size group heading over together.......

I feel a whole new T-Shirt may be in order.

[Sohoeasy]

Sadly for me this is "REAL" heavy duty race riding by the looks of earlier pics,and my poor old bones are no longer up to it ! Having said that I may well come as a spectator ! Nick

[Mudwiz]

VERY keen, but it runs a little in term time. Just after big SAT tests though, if race on Fri 25th (Konigsclasse (SP??)) then is it a ride or trailer over? Could leave as late as Wed eve, if its trailer and someone else could/would drive, or at least share it, how long to get there??

Could ask for 2 days leave of absence??

(Especially if there is an "invite" from a club to come and race with them, HINT HINT!!)

[Lord Vader]

Would not ride myself but as soho said i would like to watch.
Guess we looking at 2 days down and 2 days up.
So leaving wed,back next tuesday?

[Annette]

I'd absolutely love to. Breeze I can now join in . I've bought one of SohoEasy's Africa Twins. Looks great fun. We met Breeze and a group of his pals for a day's riding when we went down to the Stella this year and had such a fantastic day. I'd never been off road before and now can't get enough of it.

Especially if we can have special T-Shirts

So how many other ladies out there fancy it. Don't let me be the only one.

[Sohoeasy]

Would not ride myself but as soho said i would like to watch.
Guess we looking at 2 days down and 2 days up.
So leaving wed,back next tuesday?

2 days down ? yes, but who is talking about coming back ? not me ( It'll just maybe have to be an earlier start to a longer summer trip ! )

[Breeze]

Excellent, I was sure you guys (and gals!) would be interested!

First of all, let me make it clear that the Erzberg is an "extreme" offroad race only on sunday!!
For those of you who think this is a bit too much and are not confident about racing your AT, let me assure you that the Thursday/Friday/Saturday events are not difficult at all!!
The track is basically a wide trail on the side of the big Iron Mountain with no real difficulties, in fact I was surprised at how easy it really is!
You must simply complete the 13 km as quickly as possible and you start at around 20-30 seconds from the other riders.
If you are not concerned about your finish time, then simply ride at your own (racing) pace.

The Erzberg Rodeo is a competition event for sure, but also a 4 day offroad party!
The hard race is realistically out of reach for an AT, and you qualify by posting a finish time inside the first 500 riders on the previous days.
Thursday morning is reserved for signing up and in the afternoon the two Konigsklasse races take place; this event is reserved for twins and you get to race against the mighty works KTM SE and BMW HP2 bikes.
This is "our" race, there are only about 110 riders and the fun factor is sky high!
It's such a great experience to lign up and wait for your turn side by side with Paris Dakar winners and World Enduro champions... this is the magic of the Erzberg!!
On friday and saturday you can race again if you wish.
This is when the open class races take place, almost 1400 riders with any type of machine.
As mentioned before, the best 500 times of the previous days qualify for the hard enduro on sunday: best to sit and watch for us who ride a "whale"!

This year around 20 of us went racing and we got there on wednesday afternoon and left saturday afternoon.
Three of us rode their bikes to Austria, raced them and rode back... it really can be done!
In fact one of the three rode from Bologna all wednesday night, raced the next day (!) and on friday, then set off for Bologna on saturday...

The atmosphere is wonderful, the almost 1400 rider camp is always alive and for an offroad enthusiast I would describe the 4 days as a distillate of pure thrill and fun. Really.

To sum it up:
1. Whatever your riding skill, YOU CAN do the Erzberg! Are you reading Nick and Lord Vader?
2. It will not ruin your machine (if you stay upright! )
3. The atmosphere is magic
4. Start planning... it would be fantastic to see a big glorious group of Africa Twins lined up... not to mention the team shirts for each rider!

P.S. Annette, it would be great to see you race the Erzberg!!
We had a girl called Letizia in our group this year and there was a German lady with a 1150 BMW GS who also raced.
When she rode up the start ramp, the Italian team gave her a huge applause... just one of those memorable "Erzberg" moments!

[Sohoeasy]

I'm in then ! As you have had the experience Enzo, I may have a couple of questions down the line about little things like where to stay / registration info etc.I could bring my bike down in the truck,but I shall be continuing on around the area after the racing.So it's biking all the way for me ! Best wishes and happy riding Nick.