By the time the event started I was getting a bit concerned. There were over 150 riders, most with decent off-road bikes and all the gear. Trailers arriving with bikes on, full on race vans for teams with gazebos. I was beginning to wonder what I’d let myself in for!

A couple of guys tried to put me off the night stage, saying you couldn’t see anything and would get hopelessly lost in the woods. They weren’t going as they thought it was dangerous, the main reason for running it was just to keep the lads out of the pub the night before.

But Brian and the younger fellas talked me into it and I’m really glad I went. What a blast!! I couldn’t believe the Kerry boy with no lights went out, how he managed not to die was beyond me. I sandwiched him between me and James on another KLR with our main beams on.

No photos from the night stage, but here’s one of the hills we tried (and failed) to get up. In the dark!! Mental 🙂

I should add that I didn’t even attempt it the night before. I couldn’t get up in the daytime either! Hey ho.