Australasian Safari Adventure Tour

It’s being billed as the ultimate extreme ‘Mancation’ – an off-road motorcycle tour which takes in part of the route for this year’s Australasian Safari, but all in a non-competitive and stress-free environment.

To join the adrenalin-packed Adventure Tour, which will travel from Perth through the remote northern goldfields to historic Kalgoorlie, all you need is to be a competent trail bike rider.

Tour members get to experience the best of the Australasian Safari course and stay in the same overnight bivouac camps in outback WA, rubbing shoulders with the likes of V8 supercar legend Craig Lowndes and multi title-winning motorcycle rider Ben Grabham.

“We have some guys returning on the Tour this year from around Australia, and others who came with us last year have taken a step up and are competing now having built their confidence,” said Adventure Tour Road Director Andy van Kann. “There’s no doubt it’s a serious ride, with up to 400km on the bikes each day, but the difference with the Adventure Tour is that we finish riding in the early afternoon most days and generally end up at a spectacular and secluded spot that isn’t accessible to anyone else.

“Because we plan the course for the competition and the Adventure Tour months in advance, we have the opportunity to pick out some of the most stunning spots in the remotest of places in the WA outback to take the riders.

“The experience is as much about the ride as it is being part of an international motorsport event. We’re a pretty unique tour in that our riders get to mix with the Australasian Safari competitors who come from around the globe and around the country to test their skills against the best. Some of these guys use Safari as a testing ground and practice for Dakar, so it’s a big deal.”

Details of bike requirements are available on the event website.

The Adventure Tour costs $2800, which includes an experienced tour director, guide and itinerary, Motorcycling Australia license, fees and insurance, access to the safari bivouac and overnight facilities, campsite fees, tourism inclusions, all fuel from bowsers or containers, transport of limited gear between overnight stops, water and emergency supplies, catering, a merchandise pack, and a ticket to the prize presentation dinner.

Participants are responsible for their own bike, camping equipment (accommodation packages are available) and bike consumables.

For riders coming from further afield, bike leasing and on-event servicing can be arranged through Magnus Eriksson at Outback Adventure Treks, email info@outbackadventuretreks.com.au.

For safety and logistical reasons, the Adventure Tour is strictly limited in rider numbers so it’s advisable to send in an expression of interest, available on www.australasiansafari.com.au, to secure a place. The 2011 Australasian Safari will be held from September 22-30.

For more information on the event and to find out more about this full on extreme endurance experience, visit www.australasiansafari.com.au or follow the updates on Facebook and Twitter at @austsafari.