It is hard to say what the best part of the 2012 BMW GS Trophy was. Maybe it was getting to know the amazing group of people assembled for this, the third edition of the GS Trophy, held this year in South America. It could have been the spectacular riding in the Andes mountain range, but mostly likely, it was the feeling of camaraderie and sportsmanship that we experienced among the 45 competitors, 15 invited journalists and the many BMW support team members. It seemed everyone shared the responsibility to buoy the general mood at every opportunity. Either way, the GS Trophy was the trip of a lifetime for all who attended.
The planned route took us through a couple thousand kilometres of Patagonia in seven days, and along the route were special tests on which each team would be scored. The riding varied, from some twisty paved roads to long, smooth gravel roads to two-track forest roads. Judging by the sensation of riding the 2013 F800GS in Patagonia, it seemed obvious the route was chosen for its panoramic views of the many breathtaking landscapes, and it was the prefect environment for riding GS-type bikes.
The GS Trophy route took us to different overnight stops, each location more beautiful and awe inspiring than the last. Bivouac locations varied from lakeside campgrounds to improvised and rustic pampas-like pastures where waiters served cold beer as we arrived.
Heiner Faust, head of sales and marketing at BMW Motorrad, described the GS Trophy as an opportunity for the average GS rider to compete in a safe manner, in an environment that GS motorcycles were primarily designed for.
The competition element of the GS Trophy was more important to some teams than others, and the results of each day were highly anticipated each evening, though I found that being wrapped up in the winning or losing side of the event detracted somewhat from the actual ride and experience of it. Nonetheless, the Canadian team was up for the challenge; the three-man team comprised of Adrian Tobler of Camrose, Alberta, Darius Rylander from Edmonton and Marc-André Octeau out of Montreal, Quebec. Each of the three qualified and won their trip to South America during three GS Challenge events held across Canada.
There were 15 teams made up of riders from 19 countries, and some teams were international, like Team Alps, which included riders from Switzerland and Austria.
From the first day to the last, the points-paying special tests were varied and physically demanding. Hot temperatures played a part in the results as well – one challenge saw each team push their bikes along a short course through a creek bed. Some riders were exhausted by the third lap; in this case, strategy and physical fitness played a part in the overall results.
The Canadians started out strong in the first two days, scoring as high as fifth place; however, disaster struck on the fourth day in the morning, when Octeau hit the ground hard in the enduro test, injuring himself and putting himself out of the event. Regulations allowed for the team journalist – me – to replace an injured rider, so I slotted into his place on the team. My cushy job as photographer and media liaison changed to a more official position of contributing team member.
Fortunately, the challenges were a little less physical after that point – save for the geo-caching, hour-and-a-half run through a forest in pouring rain. Team Canada excelled in a beach race challenge when Tobler peeled off with a well-executed run, posting one the fastest times in the short hill climb.
Ultimately, Team Germany (256 points) prevailed over Team France (238), while our team waged a close, weeklong battle with Team Alps (202) and Team USA (201), the latter beating us out by just four points and relegating us to a very respectable seventh place with 197 points.
Although a better placing would have been welcome, we made the trip because it was the seven-day adventure ride of a lifetime. It was truly breathtaking to ride in such varied conditions with so many other good riders. Each day, we were assigned to ride with a different country and with a different guide. One special day for me, we were assigned to ride with South African guide Jan Du Toit. Du Toit is an exceptionally capable rider who likes to wick up the throttle on his R1200GS, not an easy task on that day considering he was carrying a massive backpack. Du Toit and I rode a nice stretch of gravel road out of a valley and had some fun turning it on; it was a memorable ride and infinitely fun.
I was left with an incredible sense of good fortune to have been able to participate in the 2012 GS Trophy, both as a media representative and ultimately as a competitor. Meals at our nightly encampments were gourmet-level and typical of the region, and the care BMW staff took to ensure everyone had the time of their lives was unprecedented, in my book. I enjoyed hanging out with my teammates, and most of all, I enjoyed making many new friends.
If you want to try your hand at the Canadian GS Challenge qualifying events, keep an eye on BMW’s website (bmw-motorrad.ca), where info will be posted as soon as it’s available. BMW were guarded about where the next GS Trophy will be held, though they did say it will be somewhere in the northern hemisphere. If previous locations are any indication, it will be an exotic, adventuresome and spectacular location. Canada is on the list, but don’t tell anyone you read that here.
