RUST magazine: RUST#40

Chris Birch
in conversation with...
Birch
Chris
New Zealander Chris Birch was a big name in hard enduro: a
Romaniacs winner, multiple Roof of Africa winner and genuine
top-three in the sport. When family came along he stepped back,
or rather moved on… Now he’s a KTM ambassador, demonstrating
and teaching how to ride their adventure machines. He’s also one
of the nicest guys you could wish to meet.
Interview: Jon Bentman
Images: KTM / Red Bull Content Pool (see Contacts)
Chris Birch today
Two years ago we moved from Auckland down to Thames
(a small town situated about an hour or two south) – that
was the plan, to move down to where the good riding is.
Nothing’s been taken away yet as far as NW Auckland riding
territories go, but I prefer the riding down in Thames, there’s
more freedom, more exploring of jungle to do. You’re on the Coromandel
Peninsula and there’s so much amazing riding up the peninsula. If you
think, from Auckland you’re driving at least ¾ of an hour to your ride
location and it’s fairly limited. Almost from my doorstep here in Thames
you have limitless options, you wouldn’t know which way to turn next, it’s
been a really good move.
Whereas I used to be a hard enduro man these days I mix that with a
lot of adventure stuff. That’s not a conscious plan but I prioritise lifestyle
over most things, and what has been really good with doing more of this
adventure bike stuff – it’s like an ambassador role with KTM – is it’s given
me more variety. Probably four years ago I was really focusing on the
enduro schools, I’d been doing a lot of it, pretty much all EXC-based, but
it was starting to get like Groundhog Day. But now we’re doing a bit with
the tours, a bit with schools, a bit with events like this (the KTM Adventure
Rally in the UK) – promo stuff for KTM, essentially – it’s all based around
bikes but its always something different so it keeps life interesting.
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