Fransua Rachmann: Sean is finally back in the saddle and we did a short training ride on one of our oldest and easiest training routes. Darryn and I went on this route last weekend for his first ride back after his Achilles tendon injury. Even though he is not going to do the Challenge, he just couldn’t wait to ride again!

We decided on this route again today for Sean’s first ride back after his broken collarbone. White Villas to Fossil Rock is the route you want when you want to try out a new bike, ride for the first time after an injury or want to take an inexperienced rider out on a ride.

So the “original” UAE Charity Challenge Team went for a ride to see how Sean’s shoulder is handling the jolting and impact of a gentle ride. Paul and Sean took out fully prepared bikes with all the bells and whistles for the Desert Challenge. My bike is still with Gecko to get a gearbox problem fixed so I had to borrow Sean’s old CRF 450 X. Darryn rode his bike that he wanted to get ready for the race until he sustained his injury.

We took it easy and kept to tracks most of the time. Sean said his shoulder felt fine halfway through the ride and we arrived at Fossil Rock petrol station without incident.

After a small break we set out over the dunes back to White Villas. With Sean finding his rhythm better now by this time, we picked up the pace a little bit once we reached tracks again. Darryn definitely has his confidence back after last week and today’s ride and his foot is almost back to full strength. He still won’t be able to compete in the Challenge as his fitness levels deteriorated with the tendon being torn and he was not able train. He also wants to play it safe rather and make sure it is 100% healed before he takes on something as grueling as the Desert Challenge. There is always next year….

Sean, Paul and I also wanted to ride at a comfortable pace today and not take any risks. It’s so close to the race now and it would be a disaster to come this far and have an injury or bike damage prevent you from being on the starting grid on March 27!

One week to go! On Saturday the 26th we ride the prolog in Abu Dhabi and then it’s off to Liwa through the desert the next day! All our preparation and efforts will pay off during one week of tough riding. We’ve worked hard to get this far and it’s the final details that need to get sorted out this week before we race in one of the most difficult endurance races in the world.