I Tried Chasing My Romaniacs Dream!

[@RobespierreHadItComing]

Incredible. Really great work showing what this event is for the average rider. The pros make it look achievable and the reality is that it is just brutal brutal riding. Well fought. Well done.

[@KRANKiT]

Cheers mate!

[@yglnvbrs]

he aint no average rider tho

[@TheRide_Adv]

Just saw your entire video, I barely comment on stuff but man you're an absolute legend! What a crazy race, your a brilliant rider and really wasn't expecting you to go so far and so fast after the terrible prologue.. but how was I wrong you did an epic race! Keep up and thanks for showing us how tough this race is from an "amateur" point of view!

[@KRANKiT]

Appreciate it! The prologue is like a completely different race, with a completely different skill set required. That being said, I really underestimated how important it could be for the next days.

[@TheRide_Adv]

@@KRANKiT That's called learning curve! your a great rider, now that you have a "weak" point time to practice and finish that brutal race next year!! Keep up with the content 🤘

[@vegardberve]

Always remember this; You beat everyone who was not there.

[@kinlochvanderspuy6281]

I tried to do the Roof of Africa In 2006, also hard endurance. It's the hardest thing I ever tried, didn't finish. Well done mate, you can be proud

[@jaycunagin8663]

The camaraderie is next level in this race, excellent video and description. I raced iron in 24 but was torn on my decision between the 2 classes. I chose right for my first time at Romaniacs and finished with no time penalties but 120 other riders in iron also timed out. I separated my shoulder( found out in X-ray after returning home) before service on first day and didn’t find the tracks too difficult except for the rain on day 2. I spent a lot of time training on trials to do well in prologue and it paid off with not time barring. My start time from prologue allowed me to get to service before the rain came on day 2 and missed the time out by :40 seconds. I am an iron rider and with some more training and healing I would like to try bronze in 26 or 7 or8. Do a tour with Trail Trips Romania or another outfit, but they will tell you what class you should race and prepare you for what is coming, trust the locals, they know! I see you were with Rob and Hugo, great guys, and yes Hugo I will race bronze, just not next year.

[@Mister-Hayashi]

Imagine doing this on a T7 like Poll Tarres did. Great video mate

[@KRANKiT]

I ... don’t even want to think about it :))

[@Mister-Hayashi]

@@KRANKiT 😂 🫡

[@ogasi1798]

until people go they will never know the pain and the difficulty - i tried bronze too - hahahaaaaaaaa the emotions and pain are immeasurable - BTW you were doing great on some of them uphills bud - be proud of yourself and skills, work on your descending and you got a good chance

[@KRANKiT]

Yeah, for me it’s mostly the endurance aspect that I feel like I was lacking. Lesson learned :)

[@patodegoma6187]

@@KRANKiT Your endurance lacking is due to: lack of race experience, technique and training.

[@sulevlipp]

Thank you. It takes some talent to show the real feeling of this race. You've done it very well. Thanks.

[@PlewsTyres]

That was the fastest 45 minutes of my life! Amazing watch. Well done, great effort 🎉

[@KRANKiT]

Cheers!

[@DanieleGrandi1]

Awesome content, thanks for sharing long sections and not chopping up the video every 2 seconds

[@Niki_Parvanov]

I congratulate you for making this video, thank you for showing us mortals what it looks like.

[@duncanrose9939]

One of the best romaniacs vids I have seen thanks 😊 well done 👏

[@ctheo13]

Another great video, and hats off for having the balls to show us your ride warts and all! And was that Corky Bucek you were humming in your helmet? “Bing bong bing bong bing” 😂

[@KRANKiT]

I think you're refering to Windrose - Diggy Diggy Hole :))

[@Mr2h294]

I love the history video essays, but videos like this and why you bought your new KTM are even better! I’d love to see more coverage of rallies and other things you do!

[@42z49]

Great video.! Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@veightdotveightdot940]

Amazing video man, can´t wait to see you make it next time💪

[@KRANKiT]

Let’s hope so :)

[@infrarosso]

You have been a hero! I've watched all the video till the end and went passionate with you. Doesn't matter how better others are. The matter is how much you have pushed your own boundaries and it does look like you did it fully!

[@Ridingpower_com]

If you want to try again contact us. We will be happy to help you finish bronze and also train you for it. This year out of our 13 riders 10 finished normally including silver class. Great videos anyway! Awesome work 🚀

[@KRANKiT]

Thank you!

[@TheGardenSnake]

Every time I watch someone do this race I think “wow… I never want to do that” 😂. Good luck next time.

[@KRANKiT]

I promise it’s fun, especially afterwards :))

[@ShawnBlais]

Isn't it crazy what happens when your confidence drops eh? You'll get it one day bro!

[@KRANKiT]

Everything you know goes out the window :))

[@chadelz]

When you're watching Mani Lettenbichler rip the xCross and you start getting it in your head, maybe I can do that... This is actually how it would go, lol. This was wholesome as heck, what a Gee for showing us how a normal fella would fair against these things.

[@craignicholson1788]

Well done for bull dogging it through two days man. Anyone who hasn't done and extreme enduro event, particularly one in the wet, will have no idea how exhausting it can be. You need to be even mentally tougher than you are physically tough. I've had my share of disappointments, trust me. Keep at it!

[@thassosenduro]

Thank you for this nice video. We have the opportunity to see the level of difficulty of the bronze class !!! Congratulations for what you have done up there !!!

[@probalance1321]

Dude, this was such a cool video. Seeing an actual average dude get out there and have a go. Makes me want to just go have a crack at it with the same goal in mind of just finishing. Absolute awesome job man 🎉

[@davesnowpros6785]

This video is amazing. Thanks for taking us with you.

[@LasseJOugaard]

It's easy to sit at home in your couch and point fingers... You got there, you actually took part and still did a solid job! I think few people know what it actually feels like, to be so tired that your muscles just refuse to do what you ask anymore. Racing gokarts once, my neck just completely quit working. I had to do the last 10 minutes of a race with my helmet on my shoulder through all of the right-hand corners😅

[@pauliewalnuts240]

Respect for entering the race. You really did a pretty good job. I know from experience when your that exhausted, riding kind of stops being fun. My only recommendation is to get bark busters. I cant imagine how many levers you go thru with those floppy sherco handgaurds.

[@KRANKiT]

Honestly, and most people would be surprised ... I’ve never broken a lever

[@mcBrapson]

'stopping is not gonna aaaargh' 🤣. Respect.

[@radekburkat1395]

Great video. We didnt finish silver 2 years ago almost exactly like your experience. We did finish bronze this year and you nailed it. Its a time issue. My take is that the level of riding has to be well into your base ability so you dont struggle and can move fairly quick the whole time. See you there next year!

[@KRANKiT]

See you there! And yes, you kinda nailed it

[@Steveman61]

Great riding mate! I could not have done the prologue with all this artificial logs. However, you are a young lad and you will finish next time. Bronze is probably too hard for the first time, maybe iron or atom is the class to go. It was not the track or trail that beat you, it was simply the weather. I have friends who finished bronze the year before but could not finish iron this year due to the darn rain. No need to tell you that the rain made some parts simply incredibly difficult. Thank you for taking me old (63) weekend warrior with you on that trip. Big thumbs up!

[@KRANKiT]

Yeah, weather did play a big part in it, but I don’t want to get hung up on ifs and maybes ... next time it’ll be better!

[@Danger_mouse]

Great to see your very real video and get some perspective on the average competitor, not just the top 10 heros! Also great to see you on a Sherco, I've had 3 now myself and help look after several Facebook pages for the bikes. Thanks for sharing 👍 David.

[@TodayJosh]

Just finished prologue. Awesome video so far grat video for those who dream of bronze class

[@astontoftero3404]

If you are willing to take a few tips, i would say you should carry more speed throughout the entire lap, the biggest thing that the pros do that you dont is carry momentum, and the key to that is speed, it will make getting over logs and the rails easier. Second you could probably use practicing wheelies, not because they're cool or for the sake of showing off, but for again getting over logs once you have lost the momentum and are standing in front of it. Popping the clutch and getting the front up high and also bringing a bit of speed will probably make things a good bit easier. Then thirdly, the thing nobody wants to hear, you're too scared of breaking your bike. The swingarm and skid plate are way strong so sending it over the logs in a wheelie, landing with your swingarm and rear bit of frame to get over in a second or two will not break the bike, it is scary, yes, but it's the best way to do it, at least from what i have found and been taught.

[@KRANKiT]

While normally I’d agree, these are good tips, in my case it’s a bit different. Thing is, I’m comfortable enough doing the necessary slow wheelies, be it standing up or sitting down. Also, trust me, I don’t care about my bike, I know the abuse it will take, not one second did I think of treating it “nicely”. Really, în hard enduro; you can’t. The one thing I did lack in the prologue was the confidence, for sure. Take any obstacle, in isolation, and it’s actually not that bad. But group them all together, with no practice at all, and it becomes a different ball game. And some of the obstacles ... while technically not that hard, can carry a lot of risk, which adds to the confidence issue. Plus, as one last thing ... doing one, two or three of such obstacles in a row in one thing ... but doing the entire track, there’s nowhere to practice something like that ... but anyway, lesson learned, I need to have way more confidence at the next year’s prologue since ... as I found out, it matters more than you’d think.

[@eduard_unruh]

Impressive ride, better luck next time! 💪

[@davidwhiteford4936]

Super endurance events require a much longer and more consistent training period beforehand than one would first consider. It's funny, but if you look at the people whom finish these extended races they are not all wiped out at the end, because it's actually much easier for them than the non-finishers. It's easier because their training base, full of completed difficult mini challenges, prevents them from experiencing lock up of their body and mind. Once we get fatigued, our bodies become stiff, then we experience fear, which causes more fatigue and lock up, on and on exponentially. The person who has been devoted to building an adequate base tends to flow through the course, expending far less energy. Instead of trying to survive the experience they are having fun facing the challenges, it's not easy for them, but then the event is not incredibly harder than some of their training rides, so they maintain their confidence and comfort level.

[@KRANKiT]

I think what you’re saying mostly applies to the top guys in each class ... but 95% of finishers, the amateurs, are properly wasted at the end, that I can guarantee :))

[@johnnywishbone831]

Great work. Best average Joe perspective I've seen in a while. Romaniacs - Sometimes I think "Yeah I could." Thanks for the sobering reminder :)

[@pavelshchors]

Great stuff, man, I feel your pain. Keep pushing!

[@yoramlavee]

Great video, great effort. Just some better preparation and you can make it!

[@Alphanecevitt]

WHAT !! Watching this from starks angel than this ??? Damn !! This nutss !! cangratss

[@Alphanecevitt]

meaning that race is crazy !! and u are nuts !! congratulations man !!

[@Enduroxoriates]

Hello from Greece 🇬🇷 brothers 🙏🙏🙏

[@xXRedEyedStrangerXx]

I could tell I was hmm bike sounds pretty rich in the low end doing the prologue. Then the fouled plug. Love 2 strokes!

[@chrisbaksa9148]

You should be proud. That looked like hell. Don’t be dissatisfied, just do it again. Love your work👍

[@StefaManuMoto]

Don’t go hard on u! Ur really good and you did well! Keep up the good work, the practice, the motivation and the good vibes. Vorba aia, binili invinge!

[@KRANKiT]

Haideeeee

[@tubeme4vr]

Well done buddy. I felt the same... At Hellas with the 990 Adv 😅. Great video. You are brave

[@KRANKiT]

Cheers! Hellas with the 990 ... I don’t envy you, especially on that long marathon stage

[@willfriar5163]

Good effort at least you had a go ! 🍻🏁

[@cam_3d]

You had me at "Chasing my dream" kudos dude!

[@mototrailz]

Good job you went for it & that’s big already 👌🔥

[@benibenben8653]

Good job bro! What a dream

[@Skatefishofficial]

The prologue looks terrifying 😮

[@KRANKiT]

It ... totally is, especially once you’re at the start line and had absolutely no practice time this on it.

[@Skatefishofficial]

@@KRANKiT how did you pass these logs without ever practicing it 😂 just the adrenaline I guess

[@KRANKiT]

@@Skatefishofficial I mean ... I know how to pass logs (mostly), and that’s one thing you can practice before. What I mean was that you can’t practice the full track, and doing that is different than any log practice I’ve ever done. But honestly, the tires are the evil actors here ... way worse than the logs :))

[@Skatefishofficial]

@@KRANKiT I hope you trained them for the next one 😁

[@SaiTorrKalFas]

I wondered when we'd see a video about your Romaniacs adventure!

[@chrisgilgen3774]

Great effort bloke, it sounds like you have good clutch/throttle control, unlike some 👌. Better luck next time

[@Zt3v3]

I only use wrap around handguards. They save those levers.

[@KRANKiT]

The problem is ... they don’t save your wrists if you go over the bars. I know which of those 2 I would rather break.

[@thatscrazy4487]

The sound at 17:10 was the emergency alert system sending a text message to alert for bear presence in the area.

[@KRANKiT]

That time it was for thunderstorms, but it can be used for bear sightings too

[@laosgpsmapmidnitemapper9411]

Wow - fantastic- Video..

[@thailandhardenduro]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@EddiNice]

Great video man! Did they allow you to use your GoPro, or did you have to give it to them to check the footage beforehand?

[@KRANKiT]

I think in the past they did that when anyone was allowed to film by paying a fee. Things changed and since only a small portion of people are allowed to run action cams, we were allowed to use our own.

[@GummeeH3]

...and the pros make it look SO easy too! Just goes to show why they're pros and the rest of us aren't

[@sebastianclausen9973]

You should get into trials. The skills you learn on the Small trials bike will very quickly be transferred to the big Enduro bike. It's no secret that most good Enduro riders have trained Trials 💪😁

[@Erwin-P]

I was considering to join in as my long time dream as well. Was guessing bronze or iron. I can now see i have no business in bronze. My only bike i would be maybe able to do all the obstacles is also the bike that won't finish due to battery range, but at least i could blame the bike.

[@dring83]

@ 32:21 man i know what you are going through, i was at a local event enduro and i have never been so exhausted and at that time i was 58 i think now at 60 it kind of scares me, but i am still drawn to it, is that weird? or what

[@KRANKiT]

I’d say not weird at all :))

[@laius6047]

Everything is much more difficult than appears. In any kind of sports most things aren't attainable for average person. As a beginner runner (I'm much more fit than average person) looking at elite runners and their speed and endurance you can accept the fact that never in my life I will have a slightest chance of getting close to them. Same with the motorcycles, we watch the videos of Manny, or Jarvis and we're like ok that's amazing there's a chance I can do something similar one day. But in reality this is unattainable,and things close to their skills are unattainable. Once you realise that then you can relax and do things at your pace. You did great. Yes it's tough, yes you failed, but next time you'll know what to expect and you'll have better chance at finishing it. Also the weather was making it more difficult and on top of that. The track is worse for slower riders and on to of all that slower riders need more endurance lol. Just like runners. Fast ones can run 5km in 15min so they're putting effor all that time. The slower runner putting as much effor for 25minutes lol that's just the way things are.

[@nickg2431]

Problem is you are not really Bronze class sorry,IRON (me too) but well done anyway.The prologue represents a common skill set enduro riders need to have.The fact that you struggled with this says a lot.I agree though that it is very difficult and there is a steep learning curve required.

[@tman21vdb]

Bike, sounded sick, those forks pulled through the clamps made your down hills extra fun! What tyre were you running on the back? You absolutely killed the climbscompared to the downhill!

[@KRANKiT]

The forks are so low in the clamps because my bike has a linkage lowering link at the back, so the clamp thing just brought the geometry back to normal. For tires, I used Plews rears and Michelin enduro medium fronts, with soft drilled mousses at the rear.

[@tman21vdb]

@@KRANKiT Also tested my first Plews soft rear and for not so wet conditions I think its on Par with the Michelin, still need to test it in super snotty conditions and I will try their front too once the Medium front is done. If all goes well Ill see you on the start line for Bronze next year! As for the forks pulled through in the clamps, Im not 100% convinced (seems excessive) but understand why you did it. Will be way too much science involved to measure how much exactly the front will need to be dropped by if measured externally. Best of luck for your training!

[@RedRupert64]

Did you say gumbies at the beginning!? 😂🇬🇧 It's a long time since I've heard that! Well done. Better luck next time.

[@KRANKiT]

Yep :) I caught that phrase from Barry from the cross training channel awhile ago

[@stacksmasher]

LUCKY!!!

[@OmegaYachtBroker]

Proper hard enduro! You’re a legend for trying. 🚀🔥🧨 What type of Sherco you used? Im gonna try to ettand next year. Need to sort out transport and other small details. Never give up amigo. Head up, next year try again

[@KRANKiT]

A 2024 Sherco 300 2 stroke ... love that bike!

[@rosucristi]

October 1st we signup for 2025, right? 🙋🤙🙉

[@mototrailz]

Maybe iron or atom then move up a class…👌

[@KRANKiT]

It’s gotta be done :))

[@KRANKiT]

Personally for me, I only care about finishing bronze. That’s my goal, so if I finished the lower classes I would still want to come again for bronze. That being said, for a lot of people, starting in a lower class might be better and working their way through it

[@hugobaert7737]

Here we go again 🎉

[@rosucristi]

@@mototrailzdef not atom, iron is pretty easy as well.

[@videosbruno]

Now you're better informed, you'll do better next time 👊🏻✊🏻

[@simonpoiret]

What's the reason for stalling the bike in every downhill? Genuine question, nerver tried going down such slopes.

[@KRANKiT]

Safety and control. By stalling the bike in first gear, you can basically brake the rear wheel by using your clutch, so if your foot slips or can't sit on the pegs to reach the back brake, you have a second back brake with your clutch lever.

[@AjackLee4]

Great try bro, next time you got it!

[@TimothyGreen-ko2vm]

First attempt, faced unknowns and rode really hard. Next video: riding tips with Graham Jarvis as part of a RR prep series ?

[@Alphanecevitt]

Wish u had stark ?

[@ctheo13]

Oh! I watched Manuel Letti and thought it was easy 😂😂😂

[@KRANKiT]

Same ... can’t be that hard

[@endurolegion]

Primul an este greu, pentru ca nu te aștepți la așa ceva. Am concurat anul trecut la silver și a fost groaznic de greu, deși am terminat binișor , dar anul ăsta a fost mai ușor pentru mine pentru ca am știut la ce să mă aștept și cum să mă pregătesc

[@KRANKiT]

Cu siguranță, orice ți-ar zice alții, până nu încerci nu poți realiza ce înseamnă cursa asta. Îs convins ca anul viitor va fi diferit, știind la ce să mă aștept acuma ... mai băgăm o fisa :)

[@williamcrotts7054]

I thought you did a great job. Hold your head high bro.

[@ree69248]

Amazing content

[@youreasnake4548]

Why do you turn the bike off going downhill? To save fuel and cool the engine? Does everybody do that? Feel like you lose a bit of control/engine braking by doing that?

[@KRANKiT]

No, it has nothing to do with cooling or fuel. On a 2 stroke, you basically don’t have engine breaking. On difficult downhills I usually stop the engine and leave it in 1st gear and use the clutch as another break. Basically, it’s for extra safety and control, since it allows me to effectively break the rear wheel even if my right foot comes off the pegs.

[@dring83]

did you pass those guys that wanted you to help them, and did you do most of the race in 2ng gear?

[@KRANKiT]

Yes, I got up right as they finished pulling the first guy up.

[@smiththers2]

i already know i wouldnt be able to compete in that... at 41 years old i dont know if id want to even try to learn some of the hardest stuff because i absolutely know i would get hurt. plenty other guys out there with more gumption than me though...

[@fuzzybloodpc9291]

17:18 lost media type audio lol

[@gadgetman_nz4092]

Someone had to make the seasoned riders look good. I think trials training would be more appropriate.

[@bas2137]

Did you do this with the support of a team you signed up to, or did it on your own? I'd love to try Iron Class with a race support but wouldn't know where to start looking for one

[@KRANKiT]

Yeah, I went with the Sherco Romania service team. Really good guys I must say!

[@analog4css]

Why TF do you guys have a condom in the bush during a race :D Well done for attempting it! Great content - your other videos too. Keep it up mate and get in touch if you end up in Australia and want to go riding!

[@robsonenduro3316]

I see they do this event tougher and tougher every year, good try!

[@2ndPrize]

Well I thought you did pretty well.

[@DmitriyAdv]

I wish I knew you were there, would have loved to say hi! Trying again in 2025?

[@KRANKiT]

Probably will, not 100% sure yet but probably will

[@DmitriyAdv]

@@KRANKiT do it! I raced Iron this year, did pretty well, actually had a good time. Will be entering Bronze for 2025 so I can suffer 😂

[@DmitriyAdv]

Also, 100% agree on the help thing. Romaniacs is different from other hard enduros because it’s so long. The advice we got from experienced Romaniacs racers is - If you stop to help everyone who is stuck, you will get time barred, so only stop for people who really need help, are injured, or if it will get everyone through faster (if there is only one line).

[@SiRedCat]

The only thing harder than to control a heavy fast moving object is to control a heavy slow moving object... Nice try hope you tackle the chalange again.

[@KRANKiT]

Probably will

[@wraith511802003]

F me, i try to do this on MTB trails an get wore out. I cannot image an actual enduro race.

[@strifex-suspension-works]

Hey! Just interested - did you requestion a permission to caputre on GoPro or where you just sneaky? :D Asking, cause, as I understand, by default it is prohibited apart from "the media".

[@KRANKiT]

Yes, I did, they allow a few external media outlets to apply to film on the track and I was accepted. I wouldn’t risk just sneaking by since that can disqualify you instantly

[@gdelarama4256]

you represent me (def well below average rider) and the rest of the guys that are average and well below average but still dream to join romaniacs. Just the fact that you JOINED is already something to be so PROUD of.

[@therealturbofanisme]

Thing is, though, he's not a below average rider. He's still well above average and it was this challenging.

[@gdelarama4256]

@@therealturbofanisme bet. I was actually referring to me and the rest of the average and below average guys

[@gdelarama4256]

@@therealturbofanisme most of the {average] guys will probably not survive the prologue

[@kptnkaoz2203]

so what was the point of not having wrap around handguards again ? not trying to be rude i just really dont know if it has a specific reason to run flag styles.

[@KRANKiT]

At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. For me, it’s mainly two things ... I prefer the lighter feel of the front end with flag guards, and yes, I can definitely feel that difference. Second, with wrap around guards you do run the risk of breaking your wrists if you go over the bars. Sure, my levers are more exposed ... but with the proper bike setup, they can take a lot of abuse. I mean, I never managed to break a lever. And even if I did, swapping it is a matter of minutes even on the track. That’s a trade off I’m willing to make.

[@andrewsoldan6050]

what was the total cost of this torture? BTW they make prolog every year more stupid, just for crowd enjoyment

[@hardendurorider]

Honestly, you just need a Fullcross KTM and you should be 2x better

[@kneedeep185]

Did nobody else think it strange that someone brought a condom to a bike race? I know the race is really "fucking hard" but damn.

[@KRANKiT]

Desperate times, desperate measures

[@bas2137]

Gosh I hate tree roots