Paul Carlyle is first Brit home at Dakar Rally
SYMINGTON man Paul Carlyle managed the achievement of a lifetime — finishing as first Briton home in the gruelling 15 day, 5600-mile Dakar Rally.
Paul (38), a lawyer based in Edinburgh, reached speeds of up to 75mph on his KGM 525 bike in temperatures of up to 42 degrees celcius, on a route which started and finished in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
And the experience had a happy ending as he received a bronze paperweight medal for completing the 14 stages 71st overall in the two wheel section.
"Being the first Brit home means a lot to me," said Paul, who wore a helmet, goggles, carbon fibre neck brace, body armour, knee braces and boots while coping with the demands of world sport's hardest race.
"Riding a motorbike instead of a four-wheeled vehicle is the hardest way to do the Dakar but it was brilliant fun."
For more information on this article, see this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.
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Weather for Carluke
Sunday 05 February 2012
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