2020 GS Trophy Qualifications

The GS Trophy Challenge is one of the most complex motorcycle-specific off-road course challenges held in an international spotlight. Riding the venerable BMW F850GS, contestants from all over the U.S. descended upon Rawhyde’s BMW Off Road Training Academy near Castaic Lake, CA, to qualify for next year’s event. The 2020 GS Trophy Challenge will be held in New Zealand in February 2020 where those who make the cut will compete against other international teams.

Both men and women competed in this elimination round to represent the U.S. At the end of the day, two men were chosen to travel to Oceana for the event and the top few women where selected to move onto the next round of elimination where they’ll hopefully find a place on the national and international teams.



Skills such as axe throwing, fire starting, and archery, along with motorcycle-specific obstacles were the focus of and used to determine which participants had what it takes to take on the challenge in Oceana. Challenges such as coming in fast and stopping within a specific chalk outlined box; deploying the kick stand and having it land within a small diameter puck, then dismounting while shutting off the engine; another required knocking over a small cone with the rear tire only while riding in fast, locking up the rear tire and coming in at a slanted skid so that only the rear tire has access to hitting the target.

Then there was the rope around the barrel event: While slowly riding the bike, the rider has to wrap a fifteen-meter rope around a stationary barrel without it touching the ground over uneven terrain. One hand holding the rope, the other on the handlebar circling the barrel in an ever-diminishing radius. The closer you make it to the barrel, the more points you earn. Yet another was the dreaded 100-yard-deep sand slalom: Front tire wash-outs seemed to be the norm but a few were able to make it across unscathed using a combination of talent and luck.



And my favorite, “The Garage” as it was coined. Here, the contestants had a series of sharp U-turns in a confined garage-like course. Points were deducted if you tapped the ground to regain your balance or if you would hit one of the course-defining wooden planks or barrels. To get this right, you had to be stellar at throttle control, balance, and super tight slow turns.

And let’s not forget the narrow telephone pole you had to ride over without falling off the edge. There were too many challenges to name them all. Bike carnage seemed omnipresent during the course of the day, especially in the sand slalom. A true testament of the worthiness of the two bikes that were on hand for the 30 some-odd participants to ride. Basically, the challenges were designed to test each rider’s agility, balance and ultimately command of the bike. The contagious camaraderie of the men and women challengers was very present throughout the day’s event.



Rawhyde, as usual, did things first class all the way by serving plenty of hot meals and cold drinks during the specific meal breaks. They even provided a clean sun-shaded tent for all to dine in. One of the issues that all the event goers had to deal with was the mosquitoes. Rawhyde was kind enough to provide repellant for everyone. There was even live music from the likes of E&O Medicine Show and The Mary White Band during dinner and after the event—that’s the Rawhyde way.

Overall, it was a top notch, excitement filled event for all to watch. This BMW Motorrad sponsored event began in 2008 and happens every two years with a new destination each time. Past events have taken place in in Mongolia, Canada, Thailand, Tunisia, Patagonia, and South Africa.

For more information and to follow the event: www.Brand.BMW-Motorrad.com/en/experience/stories/adventure/gs-trophy-2020.html

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Located in the western Mojave Desert is an annual event known as “Adventure Days.” It’s put on by RawHyde Adventures and held at their compound-like outpost called “Zakar,” filled with vendors, instructors and participants all sharing one common activity/lifestyle: ADVenture travel via two wheels.

This year’s event was held on March 12–15, 2020, a few weeks later than last year’s aiming for warmer weather. Though it was a bit warmer than last year, event goers still experienced Mother Nature’s wrath of cold, wind and rain in the majestic Mojave. Participants chalked the climate up as “part of the adventure” as we typically do in the spirit things.

To get our bodies moving in the morning, coffee/tea were served at 6:30 a.m. After which was a filling hot breakfast in the semi-permanent mess hall with LP heaters that kept everyone warm during any of the three-square daily meals being served. There was also the “Adventure Bar” featuring live music, which opened nightly. Outside was a large wood-burning firepit for those looking to gather, chew the cud and to get a reprieve from the weather.

On Saturday night, David Lindahl, from Long Beach BMW Motorcycles shared some kegs of micro-brewery beer with anyone. It’s always a delight witnessing the camaraderie among so many adventure travelers from all over North America. But what else would you expect from this group of about 300 like-minded enthusiasts?

Those who attended the 2019 event couldn’t help but notice the many of the improvements Jim Hyde has made to Zakar. Bathrooms, showers, and sleeping quarters, were just some of the new additions. Six bathroom/shower rooms were fabricated from repurposed Conex shipping containers, each private and fully functional with endless hot water to cleanse the masses. There were also plenty of well-maintained porta potties throughout the compound.

For sleeping quarters, several more repurposed Conex containers served that duty as well as the few standalone hard-walled and floored bunk houses Jimhad built. If you weren’t overnighting in one of the provided shelters, there was plenty of space to dry camp either inside or outside the compound with ample level ground to pitch a tent or park an RV. There was also a standalone mini theatre for presentations such as the latest BDR on Saturday night. And as a humorous touch, Jim even commissioned a mural on a couple of the container walls with a zombie post-apocalyptic theme.

One of the main attractions to Adventure Days were the seminars which included such topics as: “How to pack lightly on an ADVenture bike,” “GPS Operations,” “Trail First Aid,” and “Bike repair essentials for the unexpected trailside fix.” In addition to the classes, there were over 50 sponsors/vendors available to meet with including: Mosko Moto, Black Dog Cycle Works, Wolfman, Clearwater Lights and ALTrider. Most vendors had event specials at reduced pricing for those looking for deals. Between lunch and dinner, participants typically either went on group self-guided on road/off-road rides or chatted with the vendors about their often innovative gear. You could even have your seat reupholstered right on the spot by BMS Custom Saddles.

Given the inclement weather and the mounting COVID-19 situation, all seemed to have a wonderful experience. Kudos to Jim, Stephanie and all the hard-working staff at RawHyde Adventures for hosting another successful event!

By the way, Jim told me that his plans for Zakar are not only as a training facility, but that he’ll make it available for product launches or adventure-styled events.

I look forward to next year’s event and perhaps “three times a charm” in the weather dept.

RawHyde-Offroad.com