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16 May 2011 11:45:16
Racing 2,100km through the desert on a motorcycle in soaring temperatures is a tough challenge, especially if you are the youngest and only female bike rider in the competition.
Twenty-year-old University of Bedfordshire student, Brittany Erasmus, has just completed the gruelling Abhu Dhabi Desert Challenge, and is already training for next year’s challenge.
The five-day race in April was Brittany’s first international off-road rally and she spent up to 11 hours a day on her bike competing against other motorbikes, rally cars and trucks.
Brittany is in her second year studying Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Bedfordshire’s Bedford campus. She is South African but has lived in Dubai for 13 years and took up motorcycling when she was just 14.
“There is a huge biking community in Dubai and this race seemed like an amazing thing to do. It was a huge challenge, both physically and emotionally, and I had to dig deep into myself to get though it,” explained Brittany, who raced on a Honda CRF 450 X supported by Gecko Motorcycles of Dubai.
Racing through the desert provided some harsh challenges for Brittany, who experienced dehydration, sunburn, a suspected cracked nose and low blood sugar. Her bike suffered as well, with the sand and heat causing punctures and gearbox failures that led to delays and riding challenges.
“I learnt what I’m capable of. I ran into so many problems that emotionally I was a wreck,” she added.
Brittany suffered a major setback in her motorcycling career in 2007 when she broke her leg on a desert ride. She needed nine months off and had to undergo two operations.
“When I broke my leg it did put me off to start with, but as I got better and better I itched to get back on a bike. It’s my life and I know there are risks, but I had to get back on,” she added.
Brittany is able to link her passion for motorcycles into her university studies: “I’m looking at what the body does in the heat and at high altitudes which is proving interesting.”
Practical preparation for the 2012 desert challenge is limited to trips home to Dubai, but Brittany has just returned from a fortnight’s training in Wales to keep in shape.
Latest news» 2011» May» Brittany makes history in the Abu Dhabi Desert
