Cap to Cape with the HP2 Enduro
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Since its launch in September 2005 BMW Motorrad's HP2 Enduro has caught the imagination of off-road fans all over the globe. The world's most powerful production enduro bike has already been in action in legendary races such as the Baja 1000 and Erzberg Rodeo, but it has also just completed an assignment that even its designers couldn't have envisaged.
Dakar rally veteran and off-road riding expert PG Lundmark has just ridden his HP2 Enduro from the Nordkap in Norway all the way to Cape Horn on the tip of South Africa.
The trip took the Swede over seven weeks and not only showed his determination and riding ability but also gave a fantastic example of just what the HP2 Enduro is really capable of in tough, hostile terrain. BMW's 105 hp enduro bike may have competed successfully in off-road competitions across the world but few people would have considered it as a first choice to take on the challenge of a 22,000 km ride across two continents.
"I rode a HPN-based BMW in the Dakar and it was very similar to a HP2 Enduro," said Lundmark. "This was a trip I'd always dreamed of doing and I decided it would be a great challenge to do it on an HP2 and show just what the bike could do."
Lundmark left his home in Fjällbonas, Sweden on December 21 2005 and the next day his journey really started as he left Nordkap, the most northerly point of Europe. The only modifications PG made to the BMW were a small screen for enhanced weather protection and a bracket on the rear seat to hold a spare fuel canister. Additionally, because most of the initial section of the trip would be ridden in snowy conditions, studded tires were used in Europe.
"We really didn't have any problems with the bikes," said PG. "They went from the freezing snow of northern Europe to the baking heat of central Africa and never once let us down. They were as reliable as an atomic clock." PG didn't ride the whole trip alone though, he had a two-man support team following him and was also joined in Egypt by his good friends Lukas and Ian Lundin. The two brothers also rode HP2 Enduros and are the owners of Lundin Oil. The goal of the expedition was to raise one million dollars (US) for the funding of orphanages and fresh water supplies in Africa, and so far it has raised $900,000.
The trip took PG from Norway to Finland, then Sweden and on to Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, where he was joined by Ian and Lukas. The trio then rode through Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Botswana before finishing in South Africa.
As you may expect from a journey of this enormity PG has plenty of fascinating tales to tell, like the night he slept in a garage in Prague instead of the hotel room he had booked. He wasn't happy with the security provided for the bikes so decided to keep an eye on everything himself.
"It's strange but when asked it's very hard to remember all the different things that happened. It's only when I'm lying in bed at night that all the memories drift back. There are so many highlights, such as when we passed through Jordan. We rode alongside the Dead Sea for a while and couldn't resist going for a swim - or should I say 'float', as the water certainly is salty. Another unbelievable sight was the stunning Victoria Falls. At more than a mile wide and 100 metres high they are simply beyond belief, you really need to see them to believe them.
"Africa was a real adventure too. At one point we stopped for a break and this huge elephant crossed the road in front of us. Lukas was trying to get closer to it so I could get a picture of the two of them when it charged at him, flattening two trees in the process. Needless to say that cured any thoughts of a photo."
The 52-day marathon ended with the riders arriving at Cape Horn (the most southerly point of Africa) on February 12, exhausted, but elated, as PG explains: "It's impossible to describe my feelings in just a few words. I sat on a rock on the last bit of land before the South Pole and it was incredible. To me the world has become a much smaller place in just 52 days but it has been a fantastic trip and lived up to my expectations - as has the HP2 Enduro." |
See BMW's international site www.bmw-motorrad.com to navigate to the HP2 pages for all up-to-date race reports and results. Last years results may also be viewed here.
