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Welcome to Dirt Bike Stories for Kids with me, Mitch, a podcast where I take you on exciting dirt bike adventures every episode. If you want to join the fun and maybe even be a part of one of our stories, get in contact with me at mitch. lees at adbmag. com. au. We love meeting the awesome families who ride along with us. So what crazy adventures are going to happen on today's ride? There's only one way to find out. Alright, let's hit the track. Jackson Bonny's Rally Adventure with 2025 Dakar Rally Champion, Daniel Chucky Sanders. The sun rose over the endless red dunes of the Australian Outback, turning the sky into a canvas of orange and gold. Jackson Bonny could barely contain their excitement. Today wasn't just another derp bike ride. They were meeting their rally hero, Daniel Chucky Sanders, the Aussie Dakar Rally legend. Mitch, their dad, had told them about Chucky's incredible rides across deserts halfway around the world, tackling dunes, rocks, and impossible distances. Today, though, Chucky was back in Australia, next big event, and Mitch had arranged for Jax and Bonnie to ride with him. This is gonna be epic! Jax said, strapping on his dusty blue and green helmet. Bonnie grinned as she clipped her pink and black helmet into place, I hope we can keep up with him, he's the fastest rider in the world! Mitz chuckled as he tightened the straps on his gloves. Just stick to his advice and you'll be fine. He's not just fast, he knows how to ride smart. As they pulled up to the meeting spot, a massive stretch of sand dunes surrounded by rocky outcrops just like a ducker. The unmistakable rumble of a rally bike reached their ears. Jackson Bonny stopped in awe as Chucky rode up, gleaming in the sunlight. The bike looked huge, its fuel tanks bulging like it was ready to take on an entire desert. G'day team, Chucky called out, pulling off his helmet. You guys ready to send it today? Jax's jaw dropped. That bike looks so big and fast! Chucky laughed. She's a beast alright. This isn't your normal dirt bike. Rally bikes are made for long days. Thousands of k's across desert stages. Bigger fuel tanks, navigation equipment and suspension that can handle anything the desert throws at you. He pointed to the dashboard on his handlebars. You see this kids? It's the road book. I use it to navigate during the race. No signs, no trail markers. Just my eyes, this book, and some GPS telling me where to go. And there's lots of buttons here to control stuff like fuel settings, road book scrolling, and trip meters. It's all on my handlebars. Bonnie's eyes widened. How do you ride so fast while reading all that stuff? Chucky shrugged, flashing a grin. It's a bit like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time, but at 140 kilometers an hour. Mitch laughed. Alright kids, listen to Chucky out here. The dunes can be tricky and will need to carry momentum to get through. Momentum is key, Chucky said, mounting his rally bike. Sand will eat you up if you go too slow. Keep the throttle steady, lean back and let the bike float. With engines roaring, the four riders charged into the sand. Jax was at the front, following Chucky, his bike sending rooster tails of red sand into the air. Bonnie followed close behind, her bike bouncing as she learned how to float over the soft ground. Keep it smooth, Bonnie! Mitch called out. Don't fight the bike, just go with it! Yeah, got it, Dad! Bonnie shouted back. Jax's heart raced as they reached their first big dune. It was massive, like a sand mountain rising up into the blue sky. Chucky stopped at the base and waved them over. Alright, here's the deal, team. Chucky explained, you need to hit this dune with enough speed to carry you up to the top. No speed, no climb, but don't panic at the crest. Some of these dunes drop right off the other side. Stand up, lean back and keep the throttle on. You kids ready to send it? Ready! Jackson Bonnie shouted. Chucky blasted up the dune first. His rally bike roaring as he climbed the sandy slope. The rear tyre spitting out a wave of red sand. At the top he floated over the crest like it was nothing. Whoa! Jack said, eyes wide open. That was awesome! Your turn, mate! Chucky called back, waving. Jax twisted the throttle and charged the dune, his bike roaring. He stood up on his pegs, leaned back, and powered through the sand, his tyres digging in but carrying him higher. As he hit the crest, his front wheel lifted slightly, and for a moment, he felt like he was flying! Yee haw! Jax shouted as he sailed over the top and landed on the other side. Bonnie followed, her bike struggling for grip at first. Come on, she muttered, twisting the throttle harder. The engine screamed and she made it to the top with a huge grin. I did it, she said. Great work, Chucky said. You two are natural sand riders. For hours they tackled dune after dune, some of them so steep that the bikes felt like they were climbing walls. Other times the dunes dropped off unexpectedly. forcing them to stand up and control their descent as they skidded down the slopes, just like Chucky had taught them. At one point they hit a rocky creek bed, a maze of stones, uneven ground, and little water crossings. Easy does it here, Chucky said. Stand up, knees bent, and let the bike bounce underneath you. We come across these all the time out in Dakar. Jack's focused hard, his bike bouncing and jolting over the rocks. This is harder than the sand! Bonnie's tyres slipped a little on the wet stones, but she gripped the handlebars and kept steady. I think I'm getting the hang of it! watched, nodding. You two are legends! Keep looking ahead. Not at your front wheel. That's how you pick the best line. After a long stretch of riding at high speeds, their bikes suddenly spluttered and slowed. Oh no! Jack said, pulling to a stop. I think I'm out of fuel! Me too! Bonnie added, looking worried. Mitch stopped and laughed. I reckon you've been riding too fast! Lucky for you, I've got plenty to spare, Chucky said, pulling his bike and grabbing a fuel siphon. This big girl's got enough in the fuel tank for all of us! He carefully siphoned fuel from his rally bike into Jack's and Bonnie's tanks. That's why we carry so much fuel in rally racing. Can't exactly stop at a servo in the middle of the desert, can you? Chucky said. Thanks, Chucky! Jack said, grinning. Anytime, mate. Now, let's get back to riding. As they continued, Chucky pushed them to go faster. Rally riders need speed, but you've got to keep your head straight. Watch for dips and holes. You don't want to hit them at full throttle, Chucky told the kids. Jacks and Bonnie practiced keeping their speed up while still looking ahead and scanning the terrain. The wind whipped past their helmets and the roar of the bikes echoed across the dunes. When the sun started to dip toward the horizon, Chucky led them to a flat stretch of sand. One last blast, kids. Let's race to the top of that last dune. Jackson Brody grinned, You're on! The three bikes roared across the sand, engines screaming as they charged for the final climb. Jax leaned back, twisting the throttle as hard as he could, sand spraying out behind him. Bonnie was right beside him, her bike staying on top of the sand. Chucky pulled ahead with his rally bike, reaching the top first. Nice try, team! he called, laughing as Jax and Bonnie skidded to a stop next to him. That was amazing, Bonnie said. You kids did great, Chucky said, patting them on the back. You've got rally racing in your blood, I reckon. As the sun set over the outback, the sky turning pink and orange, Jax looked at Bonnie. That was the best day ever, Jax said. Definitely, Bonnie agreed. Thanks for riding with us, Chucky. Chucky grinned. Anytime, Legends. Remember, it's not just about speed, it's about riding smart and enjoying the adventure. Maybe one day, I'll see you at Dakar, he said. And with that, Chucky roared off into the desert. Once back at the car, Mitch put a hand on Jax's shoulder. Riding with Chucky, hey mate? I bet you're going to remember this for a long time. Jax smiled, staring out at the endless dunes. Yeah, Dad. But remember, any day on a dirt bike is a good day.