Get Your Taste of Dakar in the Mojave Desert and Feel Like a Pro
AltRider Taste of Dakar is back with new routes and a top 10 Dakar finisher.

The Dakar Rally is the ultimate test of man and machine over endless miles of treacherous desert. While us mere mortals won’t probably ever feel what those racers experience, Taste of Dakar attempts to give ADVers a little taste in the Mojave Desert — with a fun twist.
Back for another round, AltRider has teamed up with Top Ten Dakar Finisher Skyler Howes and Rawhyde Adventures to create an epic weekend of adventure riding and more. This year’s Taste of Dakar will feature brand new routes. From sand dunes to stretches of cracked sandbeds, dirt trails winding around valleys and everything in between — the desert offers unique riding opportunities for ADV enthusiasts. This desert adventure includes GPS-led routes, meals and snacks for the weekend, adult beverages, and nightly entertainment.

Skyler Howes with Garrett Off-Road Racing will be on-site to share his experiences from his 2019 and 2020 Dakar Races. A true American privateer racer and all-around good guy, Skyler has had a less-than-conventional road to racing, but his never say quit attitude and speed, has gotten him to an elite status in Rally Racing. He’s also going to be tearing up the trails with riders on his Dakar Rally Bike.
More Riding For All Levels
This year TOD will include an additional day of riding to make sure that you get more than just a taste of the adventure. Three nights of camping under the desert sky and two epic days of adventure riding, are just the beginning of what TOD has grown into over the last 7 years. There are a few RV spots and cabins for those who would prefer not to ‘rough it’. All new routes have been scouted and pre-run including an easy route through Death Valley that starts with Titus Canyon! The more experienced ADV rider will enjoy the hard routes and sand dunes. For the in-between riders, we have a new intermediate route that gets you all the challenging sections of trails but leaves the sand out of the equation if you choose.

AltiRider is also excited to include a team of medics into this year’s TOD. MOTO MEDICS will be bringing four riders as support medics and two support rigs. Both vehicles will be identifiable with a MOTO MEDICS logo, bikes will have decals and red medical saddlebags. In the bivouac, there will be a 10×10 pop up with an identifiable banner, tent, folding table and both support vehicles.
Build Your Own Adventure

AltRider will supply the GPS files for each of the routes for attendees to navigate with the use of a handlebar-mounted cell phone or their dedicated GPS unit. TOD goers match up with like-minded and like-skilled riders; don’t know who to ride with? Let AltRider’s staff know and they’ll set you up with a group and route that best suits you. Should you feel that your group has bitten off a little too much (or too little) to chew on, you can adjust your course on the fly as most of the routes intersect with others and can be changed as the group sees fit. Think of it as a build your own adventure!

Hone Your Skills
For the ADV rider looking to improve their skills before heading out on the trail, RawHyde Adventure Training School will be on-site giving level 1 and level 2 clinics on Friday or Saturday. Each class will finish the day on a shorter guided ride further solidifying those skills a little deeper and putting them to use outside the training area. Maybe you’re a little too excited to take the class on Friday? Perfect, show up and do the easy route Friday morning to burn off some of that excess energy and fall back into a training course on Saturday. You’ll leave TOD feeling like a pro.

The Taste of Dakar registration includes:
- 3 nights of camping
- GPS led routes for every skill level
- 5 catered meals
- Beer and adult beverages
- Exclusive AltRider Taste of Dakar t-shirt
- Exciting prize giveaways from event sponsors
Taste of Dakar will take place in Gold Point, Nevada on April 16-19th. Ticket prices start at $250. For more details and registration go to altrider.com
Photos by Spencer Hill and Altrider
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