My Journey Through Motocross Rallies: Speed, Navigation, and Unforgettable Adventures

Combining technical navigation, physical endurance, and the thrill of racing alongside a community that shares the same passion.

Qatar Baja Rally start line

Over the past few years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to participate in some of the most exciting motocross rallies in the world, in particular the Qatar Baja Rally, the Hellas Rally in Greece, and the KSA Hail Baja Rally in Saudi Arabia.

These events have pushed my limits, tested my skills, and given me memories I’ll carry for a lifetime.

For those unfamiliar, motocross rallies like these are a thrilling mix of speed and navigation. Unlike typical track races where the path is clearly laid out, rally racing challenges you to find your way across wild and rugged terrain. It’s not just about how fast you can ride — it's about your ability to navigate correctly while maintaining high speeds. One small mistake in reading the course can cost you precious time, or worse, force you out of the race altogether.

Navigation is done through a "roadbook," a kind of paper scroll mounted on your bike that you manually advance during the race. The roadbook is filled with a series of symbols and notes that indicate directions, hazards, distances, and landmarks. Learning to quickly interpret the roadbook while barreling across a desert or rocky hillside at high speed is an art — and a science — all its own. It demands focus, quick decision-making, and a constant ability to adapt to whatever the terrain throws at you.

Paper Roadbook in Hellas Rally at the race start line.

Each day in a rally is a serious undertaking. Race stages can last several hours, often 5 to 8 hours per day, depending on the event and conditions. Breaks are minimal — usually just enough time to refuel your bike, hydrate, and mentally reset for the next leg. There’s little margin for error, and fatigue becomes a very real part of the challenge.

To survive — and more importantly, to enjoy — these rallies, both physical and technical preparation are critical. Physical endurance is key: you need strong core muscles, powerful legs and arms, and a back and neck that can withstand constant jolts and impacts. On the technical side, bike handling skills, mechanical know-how, and the ability to manage navigation equipment under pressure are just as important. Months of training and bike prep go into getting rally-ready, and even then, you have to expect the unexpected.

Despite the intensity, there’s an enormous sense of excitement that makes it all worthwhile. Racing full throttle across open landscapes, navigating through foreign lands, and spending days (and nights) with a group of likeminded people who share the same passion creates an atmosphere that's hard to describe. Everyone is there because they love it — the speed, the challenge, the adventure. It's a mix of camaraderie, competition, and shared respect for the sport that brings riders together, whether you're a seasoned veteran or a first-timer.

Looking back at my experiences in Qatar, Greece, and Saudi Arabia, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. Each rally taught me something new — about riding, about resilience, and about myself. And while the terrain changes, the spirit of rally racing stays the same: it’s about pushing beyond limits, embracing the unknown, and living the adventure to the fullest.