Why I put myself through all of this By Dimitrios Tournas #194982


AS I’M RETURNING HOME FROM Bixby, Missouri, and heading toward my connecting flight in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, my mind is running back over the last 18 months. From my introduction to


off-road riding to two BMW GS Trophy qualifiers where I finished in 9th and 5th places. What have I done? What have I accomplished after all of my effort and money spent? Why did I make all of these sacri- fices? For what? For a trophy? For a place in the BMW GS hall of fame? Am I overthink- ing it? Am I overreacting? Just as I’m about to begin


regretting something for the first time in my life my stride syncs with a tune on my phone and my steps become stronger and powerful. My mind clears and a smile enlightens my face. The GS Trophy has been and


remains a dream of mine. And pursuing my dreams is what motivates me. My bucket list is my drug and I am addicted. At the dealer where I bought


my first BMW, a 2013 R1200GS, I remember a brochure about a group calling themselves “GS Giants”. That was when the seed was planted. “Can I can ride this thing off-


road?” I wondered. It was that day that my journey to the GS Trophy began continuing 18 months ago in at the BMW U.S. Rider Academy in Greer, South Carolina, where our instructor asked everyone in the class to say a few words about themselves. “This is my first time riding off-


road and I want to represent the Team USA in the next GS Trophy” I


58 BMW OWNERS NEWS December 2015


said. The instructor failed to hid a hint of disbelief under the smile on his face while saying that I was certainly on the right track.


you what I did accomplish in these last 18 months! I stood on the pegs making a 180 degree turn on a 600 pound bike while riding down a hill. I climbed a nearly verti- cal hill covered in loose rocks. I steered in sand, loose gravel, water and mud. I balanced an adventure bike for a whole minute while trying to decide my line. I followed the dirt bikes on the sand trail and the single tracks. I lost 25 pounds and got into the best physical condition I’ve have in years. I demonstrated a panic brake on a dry lake bed for the entire class getting a “that was perfect” from my instructor. I balanced a bike on a wooden beam. I climbed concrete steps with a motorcycle. I navigated through the desert with nothing but a map and a compass. I swept for my riding instructor’s group. I rode side by side with professional racers. I learned how to change tires with just the tools I had on the bike while on the trail. I’ve learned how to navigate with a road book. I’ve won an award just for having a great attitude. I safely led a group of eight riders to our destination without losing any of them. I provided 1st aid to an injured fellow rider. My picture made it into a notable magazine. I helped run an off-road riding clinic. I climbed a 45


I then started riding and falling down


standing up after each fall and picking up the bike. I never stopped. I never said no to any of the “challenge by choice” drills no matter how intimidating they looked. As the class was coming to an end, I knew I was getting myself into something excit- ing, painful, challenging and unknown. But yet, rewarding. I continued to train. Eighteen months of hard training and


what? 5th overall? Is that the best I could do? “NO!” I yelled out loud disturbing the older lady sitting next to me. Let me tell


degree hill from a complete stop. I climbed and then jumped over a 3 foot wide log. I rode a dry creek bed full of rocks, logs and debris. I conquered mountain passes I was told I couldn’t. That is what I accomplished and there is


not one moment in those past 18 months that doesn’t bring a smile to my face. But most importantly, I’ve made friends


for life. This is the award we have won while competing for a spot on the US Team for the GS Trophy. Friends I’ll ride to hell and back with who would lend me


discovery


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124