Dakar Podcasts

I've done a few podcasts about the Dakar Rally in the last few years. They are all here. There will be more to come as the race ends this weekend. When people get back to the states I expect to talk to a few of them and once again we'll get some crazy stories.

"A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind." Thierry Sabine, Dakar Rally founder.

The Dakar Rally is one of the great adventures on the planet. It is right up there with climbing Everest and sailing around the world. For many years it was called Paris-Dakar, now it starts in Lisbon and ends 15 days and 5000 miles later in Dakar, Senegal.

As a kid I would read stories on it in car magazines it is the kind of adventure that always fascinated me. The change in countries and cultures and geography mixed with the brave riders and drivers in the race always made for real adventure stories.

A few years ago I was riding dirt bikes with a group of friends down in Hollister at the popular off road park. One of our group, Charlie Rauseo, was riding this big KTM. Now Charlie wasn't the fastest of the group but he loved to ride big heavy bikes, and could really hang it out on the trails. He was and is a "quiet fast" type rider that can hold a quick pace for hours, all day long.

So Charlie tells me he is going to ride "around the world." I don't think he meant in a big circle, but really ride around in the world. Go places, ride a bike, check things out. I thought that was cool, but asked how do you do that? I mean don't you have a job? or pay rent? or I don't know something? Charlie smiled with his goofy grin and said, "you just decide to do it." Charlie is a really smart guy, and I had no doubt he would do fine in any culture. Something about riding a motorcycle in a far away land, sounds like a good idea. As he would say "Fun Fun Fun." Charlie has some inner Buddha or something when he talks about riding. You can just tell.

So indeed he did ride around in the world. Yes the bike broke a few times. Yes he was able to find a welder in Turkey. Yes he came back with lots of stories.

So Charlie tell us he is going to rent a bike, buy support and race the Dakar Rally. He does. He comes back with stories. He goes again with his brother and friend Mike Krynock as a mechanic. More stories. He goes again with Mike as a rider and fast guy Jonah Street. Charlie comes home early. Mike finishes the last 10 days riding with a broken hand and has to talk the doctors at the race to let him continue. Jonah does really well. Every year Charlie's story spread. Like Hemingway, or Robert Peary, or Edmund Hillary, his stories of adventure got passed around. The internet and digital camera helped greatly in convincing many around the world that an entry to something like Dakar is possible and could be fun.

Charlie decides for the 2007 race he can build his own bikes, get his own team together, find 2 go fast guys to ride, and take a shot at winning the whole damn thing! Just a few years ago no US riders had even been in the race.

I think it is fair to say that San Francisco guy, former coffee shop owner, Mr. "Fun Fun Fun" changed how many around the world think about the greatest race in the world.

So this was a big year for the San Francisco based team called Team Rally Panamerica. They sent 2 riders this year, Jonah Street and Casey McCoy. Jonah was doing really well, but had a motor give up on stage 4, Casey is still in the race and has a good shot at a top 30 finish in his first race there. That's pretty good. The race starts in Lisbon, and heads down the west coast of Africa. It is 16 days and over 5000 miles. Crazy. Listen to some of these podcasts and you will see. Click the links to listen.

Jonah Street talks about the 2007 race, coming home early and the crazy way he got from Africa to Paris. It is like Casablanca! "Papers", airplane tickets, and waiting for it to all come together in the real Casablanca. Did he have a drink at Rick's bar? I don't know! You can also hear Jonah talk about the plans for 2008.

Before I talked to Jonah, I talked to April Street, his wife. She gives some really good insight to what the race is like for her at home and what Jonah is like apart from the racer we know.

Mike Krynock talks about the Dakar early in the 2007 race. Mike was been to Dakar as a mechanic and as a rider, finishing in his first race there last year. He has raced at a pro level in AMA Superbike, AMA Supermoto, World Superbike, and more. He has also raced some local District 36 events in the past and plans to do some this year as well.

In the interview Mike gives insight on the early stages in Europe, the help from local motorcycle riders, the terrain in the northern Africa stages and how it is like riding in Baja with one big difference. He also talks about the speed limit rule change and what the riders and team can do about it, and more.

Team Rally Panamerica riders Jonah Street and Casey McCoy talked about the 2007 race in Dec. 2006, just before they left.

Charlie Rauseo, mechanic Niles Follin, and assistant manager Robb McElroy talk about the planning for the 2007 Dakar rally.


Charlie talks about riding in the 2006 Dakar rally. He came home early with a separated shoulder. It was so bad the doctors brought in other doctors to have a look!

Charlie and Mike Krynock talk about the plan to race the 2006 Dakar Rally.

Post 2005 Dakar race interview with Jerry Bernardo, OLN tv host, and Charlie Rauseo, (rider) and Mike Krynock (mechanic.) This was Mike's first year there, and this was the year Charlie rode with his brother who finished the last week with a broken foot! Amazing stories from all!