TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

TRAGIC DEAN IS HOME SAFE & SOUND

I don't know where to begin except to say the whole Ténéré Tragics experience was LIFE CHANGING. One week on and my mind is still there. It would have to be one of the greatest things I have ever done. I've been riding road bikes for 25 years. So as you know, this type of riding is relatively new to me. The whole experience from start to finish has been amazing. I have learnt so much with the greatest bunch of people anyone could ask for.

My hat goes of to all the people invoved with organising this event. I will move heaven and earth to be on every Tragics run in the future.

Between now and the next run I have much to learn, so I hope Yamaha runs a good adventure riding course.

Thank-you all so much and stay safe.

-- Dean, Ténéré Tragic #49

Great words, Deano, thanks for reporting in. For a first-timer in the dirt, you did unreal, so be proud of your achievement. Start racking up plenty more miles in the bush between now and next year's Tragics ride and you'll be roosting it up with the best of them. We look forward to seeing you there!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

TRAGIC DAVE BLOGS ON!

Gidday Clubby & Tania: Here is my blog but I’m not sure if I have posted it in the correct place.

http://teneretragicsruntotherocks2011.blogspot.com/

Can you have a look and see if you can get it on the TT blogspot? Cheers!

Dave, Ténéré Tragic #35

Too easy, Dave: we've put the link here so the Tragics can hit it (or copy it into their browser) and take a look at your words and photos. Thanks again for coming along on the ride, and congrats once more for taking out the Best Presented/Prepared XT1200Z Super Ténéré award. Look forward to seeing you at next year’s Tragics event.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

TRAGIC CURTIS REPORTS IN

Hi Clubby & Tania: Thanks for a great trip that was organised so well by you both. It was good to meet a group of great blokes. After leaving Arkaroola we went to the bike museum at Peterbourgh then moved on to Renmark and followed the Murray River back to Corryong and Khancoban. We then travelled over the mountains through to Thredbo, Jindabyne and Cooma, then on to Braidwood, arriving home Wednesday. Thanks again for a great trip; hope to see everyone next time.

-- Curtis, Ténéré Tragic #9

Sounds like a great ride home from the Flinders, Curtis. Thanks for coming along and we look forward to seeing you next year.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS NEW PRODUCTS:

ATTENTION ALL XT1200Z RIDERS: ALTRIDER PARTS ON THE WAY!

Ténéré Tragic, ride sponsor and all-round awesome motorcycle industry mover and shaker, Steve 'Wolfman' Smith has just announced Australian pricing details for the fast-approaching range of Altrider accessories from the USA for the new Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré.

The Wolfman has played an integral part in the development of these new Altrider goodies, as it was his own XT1200Z that was air-freighted across to Altrider HQ late last year for the crew there to use as their R&D test mule.

When they were done, the bike was then shipped back to OZ in time for Wolfy to join us on the Ténéré Tragics ride last week -- along with a sprinkling of pre-production Altrider parts that were used on both Steve's (pictured) and my XT1200Zs on the ride.

Steve advises that Altrider's production parts for the XT1200Z Super Ténéré will go on-sale in Aussie next month (April), although full product details and images can be viewed now on the www.altrider.com web site.

The Altrider range of parts and their local Australian pricing (inc GST) via Steve's www.adventuremoto.com.au emporium are as follows:

Engine protection bars - $469.95

Engine sump guard - $449.95

Rear luggage rack - $249.95

Exhaust header guard - $69.95

Sidestand foot - $69.95 (available now)

Rear brake cylinder cover - $89.95

Uni joint cover - $89.95

I ran the Altrider rear luggage rack (it’s a ripper, real strong, and with a handy 'cubby-hole' storage spot below the main rack), exhaust header guard, sidestand foot, rear brake master cylinder cover and universal joint cover on my 1200, while Steve ran the full complement on his bike. When we were hammering the rock farm, I sure was wishing I had an Altrider sump guard on my bike: as it's a strong and fully protective piece of hardware that has a whole lot more 'meat' to it than the Yamaha sump guard Yamaha had fitted to my bike.

For more details, check out the Altrider web site and then give Steve a yell at AdventureMoto.com.au on 1300 GO MOTO and give your Super Ténéré the protection it deserves.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

TRAGIC RICHARD REPORTS IN

Hi Clubby & Tania: Thanks for a wonderful time at Arkaroola. It was my first big solo ride and it was a blast. The trip had everything.

Some of the highlights for me were:

+ Almost being hit by an old lady pulling out of her driveway in Hawker. She followed me into the servo where I was re-fuelling and apologised for not seeing me. How sweet.

+ I lost my number plate at Copley (not the rock farm), so I informed the Leigh Creek police (so I did not get booked on my way home) and an older local at the police station offered to create a homemade number plate at his place. He did not want me to get into strife with the police.

+ Meeting a smart bunch of riders who chose the Ténéré as their bike of choice. All I can say is, what a great bunch of guys! So many wonderful characters and I learnt a great deal.

+ Tassie Pete and myself buddied up on Saturday. We rode hard and fast and thankfully had no bike damage or drops for option 2 -- no latte stops for us! Apart from almost getting lost, the rock farm section was a challenge but we had a ball. Saturday was one of the best rides I have done. Thanks Tassie Pete!

+ Destroying a brand new rear D606 tyre in 200km of use from Broken Hill to Yunta – meaning an emergency tyre change at Port Augusta.

+ My chain coming off on the Arkaroola/Yunta road doing a smidge over the speed limit. Is there a speed limit on that road? In hindsight, it was quite scary.

+ Watching a rear tyre bead popping go wrong at Yunta petrol station (see photos).

For those that had injuries getting there or over the weekend, I hope you have a speedy recovery and I am looking forward to catching up with Ténéré Tragics #1 to #50 next year and any new ones.

Again, a big thank-you to TRAIL ZONE, Adventure Moto, Offroad Explorer and Yamaha Australia.

-- Richard, Ténéré Tragic #5

Thanks for your report, Richard. Yep, I reckon we all have plenty of memorable moments from what proved to be a mighty ride ... but by crikey! What happened with that rear tyre at Yunta on the way home? Looks like a little too much pressure trying to pop the bead had some unexpected consequences?! Thanks again for being part of the inaugural Ténéré Tragics run, we look forward to seeing you next year.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS NEWS:

YAMAHA NEWS BULLETIN

As the Tragics on the Getting There Ride will know, Yamaha Motor Australia's Communications Manager, Sean Goldhawk, joined us for the first three days of the Ténéré Tragics Run to the Rocks ride from Goulburn to Hillston to Broken Hill to Hawker, before having to turn around the next morning and return to Broken Hill and fly home to Sydney. Earlier this week Sean (pictured) distributed an official Yamaha news bulletin about the Tragics event, which is reproduced below:

Ténéré Tragics Run to the Rocks

50 Yamaha Ténéré owners have showed their enthusiasm for the legendary model by tackling a dirt bike adventure to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. The Ténéré Tragics Run to the Rocks was the first event of its kind for owners of all kinds of Ténéré from the original 1983 XT600ZL to the latest XTZ1200 Super Ténéré. The event was the brainchild of trail boss and Ténéré Tragic #1 Andrew Clubb (Clubby), editor of Trail Zone magazine and owner of an original 1983 model.

"What a blast of an event. It certainly was an action-packed ride and it appears all the Tragics have gone home well satisfied with the event," says Clubby who is now busy planning next year’s ride.

There were 27 Tragics on the official getting there ride which started from Hillston in NSW and took in Ivanhoe and Menindee on a variety of sealed and unsealed roads before rolling into Broken Hill. From there the plan was to head to Cameron Corner before turning south-west down the famed Strezlecki Track to Arkaroola for a for a day’s ride in the scenic Flinders Ranges.

Unfortunately bizarre weather patterns put a stop to the northbound fun because the road from Cameron Corner was closed due to rain. So the Tragics headed west to Yunta and then north on the dirt to the SA village of Hawker. The detour took the group across some water-covered sections, numerous sand wash-aways, dry rocky riverbeds and endless miles of Ténéré Tragics en route to Arkaroola Village in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges remote station tracks. But despite the challenging terrain, the Tragics made it through with minimum drama.

Having arrived at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, the Tragics were offered a choice of three loops of varying distances to choose from. Fortunately Steve Wolfman Smith from Adventure Moto was on hand to act as sweep on the ride and his good mate Big Pete provided a support vehicle with trailer.

Some minor incidents meant they were called into action on several occasions.

However, the Tragics returned to Arkaroola for a bivouac BBQ dinner on Sat 5 March where Clubby presented event merchandise and the much anticipated Ténéré Tragic awards to the well travelled group.

The major category winners were:

Best Presented/Prepared First Generation XT600/660 Ténéré: Michael Tucker (SA)

Best Presented/Prepared First Generation XTZ750 Super Ténéré: Paul Sitar (WA)

Best Presented Current XTZ660 Ténéré: Colin Hayden (NSW)

Best Presented Current XTZ1200 Super Ténéré: Dave Smith (Qld)

Oldest Ténéré: Neil Asplin, ‘83 XT600ZL Ténéré

Oldest Super Ténéré: Paul Sitar ‘91 XTZ750 Super Ténéré

Oldest Rider: Harley Drew, 64, XTZ1200 Super Ténére´

Youngest Rider: Luke Partridge, 16 (on L plates!), XTZ660 Ténéré

Most Kilometres Ridden to Event: John Wheeler, from Darwin River, NT, approx 3600km

Hard Luck Award: Chris Zakelj, cracked ankle

Most Truly Tragic Ténéré Tragic: This was a four-way tie. All four rode their original '83 XT600ZL Ténérés to the event and home again. That's the true Ténéré spirit! They are: Colin Jay (SA) Mike Haysom (Vic) Neil Asplin (Qld) Dave Bottomley (Qld)

"The inaugural Ténéré Tragics event was a huge success," says YMA Communications Manager and event participant Sean Goldhawk. "The numbers were capped at 50 and the organisers ended up turning away 25 owners who did not register in time. The high level of participation was mirrored with an equally strong appreciation of the Ténéré model and the Yamaha brand. These guys are all passionate about their motorcycles.

"Everyone enjoyed the ride, and there was a great spirit of cameradie among the riders -- the Ténéré spirit you could call it," explains Goldhawk.

The Ténéré Tragics ride is now set to be an annual event and with the increased support of YMA, the anticipation is for increased numbers in the future. Many thanks to organisers Tania and Andrew Clubb, Steve 'Wolfman' Smith and Big Pete. And well done to Yamaha dealers Dave Readford (Readford's MC Centre), Dave Wilson (Lithgow Bike Stop) and Craig Hartley (Dalby Moto) for participating in the event and supporting the product they sell.

Visit here to find out more:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/

http://www.facebook.com/YamahaMotorAus

http://www.trailzone.com.au/

http://www.offroadexplorer.com/

TÉNÉRÉ TRAGICS TRAIL MAIL:

TRAGIC COLIN & HIS MIGHTY '83 XT-Z JUST KEEPS THUMPING ON

G'day Clubby & Tania: I would like to thank both of you, Steve, Big Pete, Lance and Yamaha for putting on an absolutely great event. I would also like to thank all the other Tragics for their part in making the event what it was.

In the lead-up to the ride, I did have some doubts about it being a latte rider's run, but after meeting up with you at Hawker, these doubts rapidly faded. The ride out through the rock farm on Saturday morning was the final proof I needed to convince me that no one was looking for either a latte or baguette.

As a rider with 35 years of off-road riding experience, both trail and competition, my hat goes off to those riders with little dirt experience that took on the challenge of the rock farm and conquered it, and more so for those who rode 1200s through it.

I had a good trip home. After leaving the main group of Tragics at Yunta, I rode down the tar 17km to Paratoo, then took back to the dirt on the old Orraroo Road. I ventured down to Dawson (another virtual ghost town), then picked up some more dirt tracks to get me down to the old Kidman stock route, which got me down to where I work at North Brown Hill wind farm and then home via Boobarowie and Farrell Flat.

I probably rode the shortest distance of any Tragic, some 1,560km, and have been inspired by how well the old 'pig' handled it. I am now considering riding this year’s SA Reliability Trial series on it (Class M – pre 1990), including the 24 Hour (though only the Rally class).

As soon as I got home my Ténéré Tragics name tag went straight to the 'pool room' and now hangs with some of my other prized motorcycling treasures.

I will always be proud to be able to call myself one of the original Ténéré Tragics and would happily send you the entry fee tomorrow for next year's ride, no matter where it is heading.

-- Colin Jay, Ténéré Tragic #6

Now Colin, rest assured we, too, will be proud to call you an original Ténéré Tragic! I will never forget your arrival to join the group in Hawker. There we were, all us Tragics on the Getting There Ride, almost ready to leave the servo at Hawker, when I turned and looked south back down the main street and saw this big white/red/black lump of classic adventure bike history turn the corner and come thump-thump-thumping up to us. I knew right away it was an '83 and a tear welled up in the corner of my eye: another truly tragic Tragic! And then, as you pulled up in a flurry of emu feathers (after hitting a bird on the run up) and a massive cloud of pungent fumes after melting your right sideplate against the muffler, well, I just dropped to the floor and knew I was in the presence of Tragics greatness. And to think just a few days before your bike had been in a zillion pieces and you had sent us a photo of your fully loaded machine ... with just one part missing: the motor! Unreal! Now, after all the fun and games of the event (and, yes, the rock farm!), you and I must have gone so close to crossing paths on Sunday arvo. I left Arkaroola early Sunday morning to follow Tania out to Leigh Creek to make sure she got the dirt kays done okay before she started humming down to Adelaide to fly home to Sydney. I decided to get in a couple of bonus dirt sections on my way home and snuck through Beltana and Glass Gorge again on the way to Blinman, then zapped down to Hawker and decided to explore some dirt back roads south of Hawker on the way across to Yunta and then Broken Hill overnight. I ended up putting in a 760km day, and my wanderings took me right through Dawson, too! There's some good back-road riding to be had down there, which I've filed for future use. Thanks for coming along and we all look forward to seeing you at next year's ride.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1