I took part in the Raid moto de la Gibraltar race 2023 - time for a review!

And there you have it: I've taken up the challenge of the Gibraltar Race! After 12 days of highs and lows, more than 6,000km covered and a few good scratches, I proudly crossed the finish line. Mission accomplished! Was my preparation sufficient? Was it wise to opt for the T700? Is it a good idea to ride with a fractured shoulder? I'll look back on this wonderful adventure with a critical review, followed by some modest advice if you'd like to try your hand at this motorcycle raid.

My goal was to push my limits

Seeking to surpass oneself opens up a world of possibilities. Of course, this doesn't happen without breaking eggs (or a helmet). For me, it took a few days to properly establish these limits. It was difficult, but I had to accept that my level of riding was well below that of the others. From then on, the real competition came from within. What objectives should I set myself? Where to draw the line between challenge and pointless obstinacy? Is this self-inflicted pressure positive? These were the questions that kept me busy during the first few days. So, the hardest part was to combine pushing myself and having fun. And yes, the idea is not to spend these 12 days in constant suffering. That would be hell.

The big fall on day 3 was a real blow.

I think I set my waffle record on Day 1. It was very muddy and slippery,... After 15 falls, I stopped counting. But on the whole, all the competitors went down in a heap. In fact, the most painful, both physically and mentally, was the fall on day 3. That was a real blow. My helmet hit the handlebars so hard that it cracked. It left me haggard, stunned, lost for the whole day. In fact, it stopped me riding on the 4th day. That was tough.

You also have to bear in mind that these events take place on open roads. So you can't "unplug your brain" and put the handle in the corner. There's always the risk of running into a car, cyclist or animal. The difficulty? Managing to ride safely at all times, despite the pressure of the stopwatch.

Personally, I found it very difficult to cope with the pressure.

Pressure I put on myself... Between the crash on day 3, the physical difficulty and the gap with the other competitors, I had a hard time managing this emotional yo-yo. The positive side? Having to look at myself, analyze myself and take a step back. And yes, there may be 30 competitors, but the real battle takes place in your own head, and it's not easy to fight. I have to try and let go more. It's funny, actually, because the lesson I learnt from the Gibraltar Race also applies to my daily life. A good lesson, then.

Let's be honest, despite intense physical preparation, it wasn't enough. You'd really have to prepare months or even a year in advance. Riding 500km a day, with over 50% off-road, requires extreme endurance. A good physical condition avoids the vicious circle of bodily fatigue leading to a loss of lucidity, which in turn leads to crashes and extra effort. If I had to do it all over again? I'd take out a gym membership. I also didn't take enough time to rest before the Gibraltar. And then taking a big bowl 3 weeks before the race and fracturing my shoulder wasn't the best of things either... In the end, everything went well. I must admit I was really worried before the start. I was really uncomfortable for the first few days, but the infiltrations were really effective. The last straw? After a week's racing, I wasn't even worrying about it anymore.

Equipment-wise, it was perfect. By the way, taking along a second helmet turned out to be a smart move. In terms of tools and spare parts, it was also perfect. I had what I needed to fix everyday odds and ends, and above all, I was able to get rid of my puncture on the last day. A lesson to be learned? Puncture-proof spray is not a miracle product.

Some logistics!

The organization of the days, the communication, the mechanics, the hotels and the meals, everything was well oiled. The support team really looked after us. The follow-up was also very good. In addition to tracking our whereabouts remotely, a broom wagon was present at each stage exit to ensure that all bikers got out unscathed. If anything went wrong, they were always there, even in complicated situations. The best example? When Bruno got stuck at the bottom of the death trap on day 6. The assistance pick-up managed to make its way to this remote area and pull him out. An ambulance specializing in rallies followed us and was prepared to tackle any terrain. After that, it's hard to imagine how to deal with a serious accident, especially if a motorcyclist ends up in a ravine...

The big change from previous editions?

The traditional GPS trackers have been replaced by telephones. There has been a lot of discussion on this subject. In particular, it seems that location is less precise than with a simple beacon. For example, some waypoints were not validated even though I had passed within 16 meters of them. What's more, these devices sometimes simply lost our position. The organization had to call us to ask us to turn the phones off and on again. These little worries raise questions in terms of safety.

What I really loved? The cohesion that was created

There were only 30 of us taking part in this year's event. And although we didn't know each other at the start, we finished the race as a family. So, inevitably, the final moments were rich in emotion.

First of all, it's an adventure worth living. And as with any big challenge, preparation is essential, particularly in 3 major areas: physical fitness, off-road and on-road driving technique, and navigation. You need to be in top physical shape (weight training), with stamina and rest before the race. The body is put to the test every day, and you need to be able to recover quickly. Technically, you need to be well equipped, otherwise you'll burn out on the special stages or be unable to keep up with the times (average 60 - 70km/h on the track). Then there's the navigation part. Knowing how to plot the stages, manage your stopwatch and manipulate your tablet are decisive factors. It's easy to lose precious time if you haven't mastered all these tools.

Beforehand, you need to take the time to list your tools and spare parts. Tires (some changed every two days), inner tubes and puncture repair kit (very likely to happen), etc... You'll also need to pack all your motorcycling gear, whatever the weather (heatwave, rain, cold).

It was very useful for me to establish a routine and set myself a rhythm. It may sound old-fashioned, but these daily routines have one advantage: they free up your mind to focus entirely on riding. Wake-up, breakfast, warm-up, navigation preparation, etc... By day 2, my daily schedule was set.

As this race is psychologically difficult, the mind is constantly under pressure and I advise against setting off alone. Then again, being part of a team is a major morale booster. Not so much on the road, but in the evenings, when we can discuss our difficulties, give each other advice and support each other. Being accompanied by a 4x4 is no luxury either.

And let's not forget the financial side. Taking part in this race represents a substantial investment (registration, equipment, bike preparation before the race and repairs afterwards). In short, the Gibraltar race represents quite a budget.

Am I ready to do it again? No, even though I found the experience extremely rewarding. I really enjoyed having to push myself and my limits, and the whole psychological battle. But 12 days of off-road trials, averaging 500km a day, is extreme. In the future, I'll prefer shorter raids like the Rallye de Sardaigne, for example. 3, 4 or 5 days is good too, isn't it?

----> You can find the 7 day-by-day episodes of my participation in the Gibraltar race on the Ixtem Moto blog: Les Aventures de Michel.

* The photos in this article were taken by the Gibraltar race team.