Wheels & Waves: Vintage Rally 2025!

Words and photography by Kati Dalek (Kayadaek Photography)

The Vintage Rally was a celebration of wild style and good fun. Maico 500s, BMW Six Days and Paris-Dakar legends, countless Rickmans and Yamaha IT two-strokes hammering away like a drumline as two-strokes tore through the forest.

Riders in Hawaiian shirts, 1990s motocross pants, and Bell helmets—a rolling tribute to the wild past of off-road racing, reminding everyone that this is about joy, not trophies.

The WAW Vintage Rally sends riders on a grueling off-road loop through the woods. Machines from the ’70s, ’80s, and even ’90s tackle tight trails, testing agility and endurance.

The track combines classic motocross sections with challenging enduro trails through the surrounding forest.

After I posted a photo of two-time MX World Champion Marvin Musquin on a vintage KTM, bike customizer and rally rider Bruno Belva from BG Garage reached out to me.

“I was really excited about the Vintage Rally last year,” Bruno told me. “I find those bikes super cool.” Over the winter, he decided to fully restore an old KTM that a friend had given him. “It was the first time I worked on that kind of bike, and it was also the first time I rode it on a track—right here, at the Vintage Rally. I absolutely loved it. A really great day.”

But the story didn’t end there. “One day I received a mail from Marvin. He had my address through the Wheels and Waves team. He asked me if I was the owner of the KTM he rode last year. I said no, but if he wanted, my bike was available for him. I sent him some photos, and he was okay with that plan—easy!”

When he told his friend about the email, it was almost hard to believe:

“Yes, when I said to my friend ‘A guy sent me a mail to ride my bike and his name is Marvin Musquin,’ they went crazy! I didn’t know Marvin’s level. It was a super cool experience.”

With the first part of 2025 already full of highlights, he has plans to keep the momentum going:

“Next week, I’ll buy an old and destroyed KTM to make a new one—to have two bikes next year at the rally…”

Maybe you still remember the story about my friend Serge aka Sand Rocks Makers and his Triumph Tiger. After his serious accident, we organized an amazing photoshoot on the beach two years ago for BikeBound, where he once again showed his incredible will to live.

Catching Freedom: Serge’s 1973 Triumph Tiger 750

Last year, he successfully competed with the “old lady” in the Vintage Rally. You all probably know how it feels when, just before an event, the bike suddenly refuses to cooperate.

Here’s his story: Racing the Spirit: Serge’s Wheels and Waves Swank Rally Experience

“This year, I set my sights on the legendary Vintage Rally. The weather? Blisteringly hot. The vibe? Even hotter. The paddock was filled with an incredible variety of riders and machines—rare, unique, and wildly customized.”

“The event was everything I hoped it would be in terms of camaraderie and atmosphere. Even though I wasn’t able to ride the way I had envisioned, the spirit of the rally more than made up for it.”

“Originally, I had planned to ride my old Triumph, but fate had other plans—it broke down just a month before the event. So began the race before the race: reviving an old 1978 Yamaha XT500 I had bought years ago.”

“I hadn’t realized what bad shape it was in until I got it up on the bench. The engine was tired, the electrical system was chaos, and the fork seals were corroded into oblivion. Time was ticking, and I made the call to convert the bike into a minimalist TT500-style machine: no lights, no speedo, just the essentials.”

“We swapped in an SR500 engine, which meant a full rewire—SRs run 12V electronic ignition, unlike the old-school 6V points setup of the XT. I even had to replace the entire front wheel due to rusted-out spokes. It was a massive undertaking, made even more challenging by my ongoing physical pain and disabilities.”

“But none of it would have been possible without my neighbor and good friend Steph, who rides a legendary Yamaha RDLC 350. Day by day, step by step, he was there to help make it happen. And we did it—we made it to the start line!”

“Just being there was an incredible feeling. Sure, I couldn’t ride at my best—the heat was brutal, and riding under pain isn’t exactly ideal. Since my crash, my riding ability has taken a hit, and this rally was a strong reminder that my present isn’t the same as my past. But still—I made it. And that means the world.”

“What mattered most was the spirit of the event: being surrounded by friends, fellow riders, and a shared desire to just enjoy the ride. The forest section brought its own muddy challenges—no one escaped without a few new paint marks on their bike—but it only added to the adventure.”

“One unexpected highlight? Wrenching on Dimitri’s vintage YZ with Brice, replacing a cylinder gasket at the very last minute. Three of us, sweating it out in the paddock, hunting for shade and working with whatever tools we had. Dimitri got to ride. Another win for teamwork, passion, and that unspoken rule: no one gets left behind.”

“That’s the beauty of the motorcycle world. It doesn’t matter what you ride, where you’re from, or what you’re dealing with. When we come together, it’s all about support, passion, and the shared thrill of the road. Moments like these are what make Wheels and Waves unforgettable. Every rider, every bike, every shared story becomes part of something bigger—a living tribute to creativity and community.”

…we love you Serge!!

More from the Vintage Rally

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Photography: Kati Dalek (@kayadaek_photography | Kayadaek Photography)

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