A crowd of riders stand around , nervous anticipation hangs thick in the air , some shift their weight from one leg to the other , some wring their hands , others stare blankly into the distance . There ’ s a feeling of forebode , those that just want to get on with it , others that fear the unknown . It ’ s a weird scene that reminds of grainy old film of a century ago … are they waiting for a whistle ?
Many have no idea what is about to happen , most have never navigated by roadbook , a complete unknown , a ride to who knows where , following nothing more than a few basic diagrams pointing in differing directions as if a child was asked to show the way home . Yet , this is a science . This is navigation like the experts do , those that take on the world ’ s toughest rallies , those that take on Dakar .
The night before , James Ferguson , a Dakar finisher gave a balls and all account of what riding by Road Book ,
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