View Full Version : To keep the Fisher name straight I gotta race
kezzafish
16th February 2009, 12:59
my Dad co-drove Vallis Pete to second in the NZ rally championship in 1976(?) and was highly ranked in british championship before that. But he soon realised that he couldn't drive for shit! lol. so he started co-driving and was very good.
My brother (Adam Fisher) was NZ enduro champ in 1995.
I've done fuck all except crash in gravel sprints etc so i'm letting the fisher name down with racing pedigree. Cars became too expensive and dangerous (had a nasty near deather) (you may have seen tthe profile pic a while ago of my corolla)
So i decided i'd get into dirt bikes (3 years ago) and i can't get enough. I'm spending way to much on this (i'm sure you all know about this!) and have decided to enter something where i actually get timed for my efforts.
Thinking of entering the 1st round of lower North island TTR series (enduro) this Saturday. It's a 150km loop and i'm packin myself. my mates aren't too keen on jumping in the deep end with me. And i'm interested to hear any advice anyone has to give me (Don't do it!?) also, i smoke 25 cigarettes a day! should i quit? am i gonna get shat on? etc etc blah blah blah
Hemex
16th February 2009, 13:10
Go for it mate... Might get shat on...Might even die smoking that much...but honestly GO FOR IT!!!
Smoking...I have a mate who runs and constantly wins half marathons and the only time he doesnt smoke his pack of 20's is the day he runs the marathon..BUT... hypthetically speaking..had he quit smoking a while ago...he might be winning the FULL marathon? In the end it surely does make a difference to your fitness...but how much...would go down to individuals... i can't run 2k if Ive been smoking... a week off and I can do maybe around 4k's..
Considering its on saturday...no point quitting now coz you'll go sideways from withdrawals rather than the smoking itself...
RUN FISHER RUN!!
barty5
16th February 2009, 13:14
Drink lots a water between now and race day
I found moutain biking was a great help for race fitness for the gncc
pit crew helps
Race your own race and pace yourself seen heaps a people on the gncc fly off at the start by the second half of lap 2 your passin them as they start to faulter all ova the place.
Make sure bike is all sweet pre race.
chop
16th February 2009, 13:26
Pace yourself! Hydrate the week before and no i dont mean piss i mean water! every opertunity you get in trail sections drink! take some lollies(not pills) and eat some at checks. ride your own race. Ride at a steady smooth race in the trail sections so you dont run out of puff before terrain tests. Take note of the times at sign on and try to keep to them, if you loose trail minutes its not the end of the world but it does suck. i write them on the back of my card. Dont loose your card! Yes quit smoking.Think smart look for fresh clean lines the well used line might not be the fastest or the smoothest. And most of all make sure you have FUN! Dont panic
kezzafish
16th February 2009, 14:15
cool, cheers bros. some good stuff in there. RE pit crew: do i have to have one or can i just stop at my van and gas up myself. Also... am i allowed anyone to help if i can rope em in?
Also... chop. what speeds do you get up to? my bike is so wrong for enduro as 1st is tall as fuck and top (4th) is low. I change sprockets constantly depending on where i'm riding and my normal technical riding ratio doesn't allow me to do more than about 80 maybe 90 kph (although i don't wanna hold it at these kinda revs for long periods) i'm thinkin of going slightly taller for the enduro but am a bit worried about any techy stuff. We bumped into rory mead on a knarly track in karapoti a few weeks back and he reconed there wasn't anything as hard (as what we were doing) in enduros these days so i may be ok to go taller?
The simple answer would be to buy the right bike but i love silly power and want to enter a few MXs this year too to figure out what i wanna focus on. I think GNCC style racing sounds the most attractive but i'm only aware of ones held in wairarapa (2 hours drive) how far do you travel for your series Barty?
scott411
16th February 2009, 14:27
i can not beleive you brought motorbikes because you thought cars were to dangerous, i went the other way because i was sick of hurting myself in MX,
but all that aside, prep your body as well as your bike, drink plenty of water, make sure you eat during the day.
and have fun,
takitimu
16th February 2009, 14:34
I'd agree with Rory on the technical difficulty, but then the trick with the enduro is you don't pick when to break & you'll be riding for 4-5 hours with 4-5 stops at a decent pace, which is why Chop's advice is so good :).
I'd add that Banana's are good for lot's of mineral's & an Isotonic mix in your camelbak is a good thing.
Always remember to refuel, even if you are behind on time.
Quitting smoking makes a big difference, I was pack a day & knocking it off has done wonders for my endurance.
I reckon go for it, just remember to relax, ride intermediate & don't try & win it in the 1st special test :).
Oh, you're allowed pit crew, but only in the pit area & they can refuel you & the bike.
kezzafish
16th February 2009, 14:35
i can not beleive you brought motorbikes because you thought cars were to dangerous, i went the other way because i was sick of hurting myself in MX,
but all that aside, prep your body as well as your bike, drink plenty of water, make sure you eat during the day.
and have fun,
Hah, yeah i thought someone might say that. I was too poor to race so ended up doing stupid shit on the road... this is where the danger came in. I figured it would be much easier for me to find somewhere i could ride a dirt bike without paying an entry fee, being at a warrantable standard etc etc. I also never find myself doing more than 100kph on a bike and the bonus is bikes feel faster so you get the same speed fix with less death risk!
But i guess a lot of it was just timing and life situation etc
barty5
16th February 2009, 14:36
cool, cheers bros. some good stuff in there. RE pit crew: do i have to have one or can i just stop at my van and gas up myself. Also... am i allowed anyone to help if i can rope em in?
Also... chop. what speeds do you get up to? my bike is so wrong for enduro as 1st is tall as fuck and top (4th) is low. I change sprockets constantly depending on where i'm riding and my normal technical riding ratio doesn't allow me to do more than about 80 maybe 90 kph (although i don't wanna hold it at these kinda revs for long periods) i'm thinkin of going slightly taller for the enduro but am a bit worried about any techy stuff. We bumped into rory mead on a knarly track in karapoti a few weeks back and he reconed there wasn't anything as hard (as what we were doing) in enduros these days so i may be ok to go taller?
The simple answer would be to buy the right bike but i love silly power and want to enter a few MXs this year too to figure out what i wanna focus on. I think GNCC style racing sounds the most attractive but i'm only aware of ones held in wairarapa (2 hours drive) how far do you travel for your series Barty?
Woodhill 120km round trip
maramarua 200km
Matata 750km
Waimiha 700 plus
Maddix Park 600km
All but woodhill was done with my SS-V 6L V8 so at todays prices bout $500 odd in fuel thats just getting there then theres bike fuel gets costly rupe went halfs in it all though so not quite as bad.
As far as pits go there will be a pit area that you place your fuel in that you pass through.
chop
16th February 2009, 15:20
Also... chop. what speeds do you get up to? my bike is so wrong for enduro as 1st is tall as fuck and top (4th) is low. I change sprockets constantly depending on where i'm riding and my normal technical riding ratio doesn't allow me to do more than about 80 maybe 90 kph (although i don't wanna hold it at these kinda revs for long periods) i'm thinkin of going slightly taller for the enduro but am a bit worried about any techy stuff. We bumped into rory mead on a knarly track in karapoti a few weeks back and he reconed there wasn't anything as hard (as what we were doing) in enduros these days so i may be ok to go taller?
After testing the 09 sxf450 the other day id def go taller and run the suspenders soft in the front of that bike as it tends to ride high in the stroke. Top speeds a trick one but what ever it may be youll need to be able to ride it at a smooth comfortable pace for you and the bike. Remember to ride to conserve your energy on trail time so your not buggered come the tests.
kezzafish
16th February 2009, 16:25
RUN FISHER RUN!!
cheers bro, gonna quit tomorrow. fuck it
I'd agree with Rory on the technical difficulty, but then the trick with the enduro is you don't pick when to break & you'll be riding for 4-5 hours with 4-5 stops at a decent pace, which is why Chop's advice is so good :).
I'd add that Banana's are good for lot's of mineral's & an Isotonic mix in your camelbak is a good thing.
Always remember to refuel, even if you are behind on time.
Quitting smoking makes a big difference, I was pack a day & knocking it off has done wonders for my endurance.
I reckon go for it, just remember to relax, ride intermediate & don't try & win it in the 1st special test :).
Oh, you're allowed pit crew, but only in the pit area & they can refuel you & the bike.
yeah i figure it'd be smarter to just chill and try to take it all in and suss it out, cos i think the timing is gonna fuck with my head a bit. I'm not worried about a placing but i really don't wanna make some retarded mistake or get lost or something and look like a total twat. My goal will be to finnish! (loosers words) lol
Woodhill 120km round trip
maramarua 200km
Matata 750km
Waimiha 700 plus
Maddix Park 600km
All but woodhill was done with my SS-V 6L V8 so at todays prices bout $500 odd in fuel thats just getting there then theres bike fuel gets costly rupe went halfs in it all though so not quite as bad.
As far as pits go there will be a pit area that you place your fuel in that you pass through.
wow those are fair distances, maybe i should head over the rimutakas a bit more
After testing the 09 sxf450 the other day id def go taller and run the suspenders soft in the front of that bike as it tends to ride high in the stroke. Top speeds a trick one but what ever it may be youll need to be able to ride it at a smooth comfortable pace for you and the bike. Remember to ride to conserve your energy on trail time so your not buggered come the tests.
yeah i'm at full soft on the front. it's a bit of an ass. Yeah, it's gonna be hard not to go nuts when people start flynig past me lol, i'll try to keep the wise words of KBers in my mind rather than go hard and fuck out after 15 mins
secondfield
16th February 2009, 18:25
You'll be sweet... was out riding the area on saturday and spoke to the guy's marking it out. Its basically last years in reverse... (oop's! <_<). A few deadly downhills apparently (which you love). No prob's.
I think I mentioned it when we were at the mx track sunday. Had a yarn to a few club guys who are riding the post enduro trailride next sunday.. should be a good day. Still tossing up wether to ride or help out with the club doing timings etc... Dave or Darryl not keen to ride? you guy's will be ok..
There is a x-country series down here .. its called the middleton cup, round two is being held around haywards hill on the Judd's property early march.. Ill cc you the info..
Tie a watch to your handlebars ...
kezzafish
16th February 2009, 20:25
Dave's a bitch (says he'll do pit crew) and Darryl i haven't asked. Why don't you do it with me?
Also. Is it particularly necessary to wear goggles? Moreso than a busy trail ride (say desert storm for arguments sake)? i don't normally wear em cos i hate not being able to see perfectly and they aid in my overheating problem
secondfield
16th February 2009, 20:40
Hell yeah Im keen.... First timer too :baby:.
They put you in groups of three and start you off a minute apart, probably do a lap of the mx track first then aways...
Phew.. got a touch of the ole' butterflies already.
Be a bloody good day though!
Its not a mob start so I guess the goggles wont be much of an issue...
:2thumbsup
flyingcr250
16th February 2009, 20:44
if i had known about this enduro i would have been more than keen, its about time i started doing some events.
Fryin Finn
17th February 2009, 06:24
I'm helping out at the enduro this weekend.
My tips -
Gear your bike down it's a fairly tight course.
Make sure your tyres and brakes are tip top - theres a couple of steep down hills.
Run higher tyre pressures to avoid punctures as it's pretty rocky in places. Last weeks rain has rutted the track out a little in some places and exposed a few rocks.
Have Fun
kezzafish
17th February 2009, 07:38
if i had known about this enduro i would have been more than keen, its about time i started doing some events.
Yeah mate, bugger you missed this but i guess you'll just have to come down for the next karapoti hardcore loop, lol, the most prestigious of all the races
I'm helping out at the enduro this weekend.
My tips -
Gear your bike down it's a fairly tight course.
Make sure your tyres and brakes are tip top - theres a couple of steep down hills.
Run higher tyre pressures to avoid punctures as it's pretty rocky in places. Last weeks rain has rutted the track out a little in some places and exposed a few rocks.
Have Fun
Choice, insider info. Pretty similar to karapoti terrain? i've ridden some of the stuff in puketiro forrest with Justin from KMMC when he was markin out the last one. Much in the way of boggage?
secondfield
17th February 2009, 11:14
I'm helping out at the enduro this weekend
That must've been you guy's (Murray and co) I bumped into last saturday marking out the track then? .. I recognised the gasser.
Jason W of KMMC told us at moonshine sunday you'd seen me and a couple of mates who found our way onto the course from the maungatouk's side. We though it was christmas when we found our way over to the battle hill side... :whistle:
Fryin Finn
18th February 2009, 06:16
Wasn't me on Saturday - I was helping mark the track on Sunday on the KLX. Not much in the way of bogs the track has been marked to avoid the worst of them. The terrain tests are within sight of the carpark - Invite your mates to watch
Starky307
18th February 2009, 06:37
Is it particularly necessary to wear goggles? Moreso than a busy trail ride (say desert storm for arguments sake)? i don't normally wear em cos i hate not being able to see perfectly and they aid in my overheating problem
Are you serious??????
How hard is it too see when you have a stick in your eye?
Or a rock?
Or a bee?
Or some mud?
Or any foreign object for that matter?
Your goggles wont be adding to heating issues, it will be your choice of helmet and clothing.
kezzafish
18th February 2009, 06:41
Are you serious??????
How hard is it too see when you have a stick in your eye?
Or a rock?
Or a bee?
Or some mud?
Or any foreign object for that matter?
Your goggles wont be adding to heating issues, it will be your choice of helmet and clothing.
I'm pretty good at seeing wtih mud in my eye and haven't had the stick thing happen yet... probably cos i can see exactly what's in front of me without a dusty, glarey and often sweaty piece of plastic right in front of my eyes.... i hate them!
Ktmboy
18th February 2009, 07:01
I'm pretty good at seeing wtih mud in my eye and haven't had the stick thing happen yet... probably cos i can see exactly what's in front of me without a dusty, glarey and often sweaty piece of plastic right in front of my eyes.... i hate them!
Kezza, I highly recommend you wear them in a race situation. If you want to get past somebody you have to put yourself into a close position behind them to do so. How can you do this if they are throwing softball size rocks at you. nOt to mention the stick thing. Remember these are not wide open tracks all the time, quite often they are fresh unpruned trails that have alot of foliage.
I know the over heating thing as I too get it..but its just something you have to live with.
chop
18th February 2009, 07:14
Ktmboy, you dont overheat do you?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ktmboy
18th February 2009, 07:56
Ktmboy, you dont overheat do you?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only a litre every 1/2 hour....
Starky307
18th February 2009, 09:09
I'm pretty good at seeing wtih mud in my eye and haven't had the stick thing happen yet... probably cos i can see exactly what's in front of me without a dusty, glarey and often sweaty piece of plastic right in front of my eyes.... i hate them!
Your only given one set of eyes, don't risk loosing your sight.
xxblackbirdxx
18th February 2009, 09:34
Dave's a bitch (says he'll do pit crew) and Darryl i haven't asked. Why don't you do it with me?
Also. Is it particularly necessary to wear goggles? Moreso than a busy trail ride (say desert storm for arguments sake)? i don't normally wear em cos i hate not being able to see perfectly and they aid in my overheating problem
Hey Kezza,
I ve had similar issues with goggles, but then i also had the experience of having debris thrown up from the bike in front plus someone has made a valid point of the tracks having foilage very close to you and they do happen to hit your face when you cut it close on corners. sometimes you dont even need to cut a corner tight and still have leaves and branches smacking your face. I ve had one major off in to a tree when i got blinded due to little branch striking me straight in the eye.
It took me a few go's to get used to wearing goggles, now i wont ride without them (till they get covered in muck and i cant see through them).
while racing i realised im no bubba or birch and cant dive in to a corner braking late from 5 metres back , i have to be close enough to just marginally out brake some one in to a corner , which then requires me to be very close to the bike in front to make a pass stick.
Personal preference at the end of the day.. but from the experiences ive had i'd wear goggles, especially in race situations.
barty5
18th February 2009, 10:10
i use the light sensitive ones hate riding with out them yes gets hot but havin to stop cause you have shit in your eyes costs time and even more if your gloves etc are also covered in mud you anit ever going to get the stuff out of your eyes. Take them and wear them for as long as you can then clean them when you pit.
As said hard to sit on someones tail if you cant see if you sit close enough theyll make a mistake you can take advantage of.
kezzafish
18th February 2009, 12:14
yeah, fair enough, thanks all. I'll put em on in the morning and see how long i can bear it. As for passing anyone i don't think that's gonna be an issue, lol. The last (and only) time i got a light sensitive lens it got wet and started to delaminate from the clear lens they're stuck too. Was really hard to see through the big bubbles so i canned that idea
cheese
18th February 2009, 12:37
just wear some saftey glasses
kezzafish
18th February 2009, 16:51
just wear some saftey glasses
Mate, i'm gonna look like enough of a dick as it is, ha haaa. Not a bad idea tho. May one day find the money to buy some sunnies, my last pair is doing loops of the Tokyo underground
Oper8r
18th February 2009, 18:20
good luck man, we all have to start somewhere, let us know how you go
secondfield
18th February 2009, 18:39
Well'
It seems there is a severe weather warning out for friday / saturday...
Could be a case of.. 'hands off bitch, that's a mans hairspray!' type ride...
:rolleyes:
kezzafish
18th February 2009, 19:12
don't start backing out cunt. Get your adhesive tampax sorted and lets do it. rain will be good. means i can take my goggles off earlier lol
Oh and cheers open8
secondfield
18th February 2009, 23:06
don't start backing out cunt
hey, dont call me that .. cunts are useful. :banana:
kezzafish
19th February 2009, 19:27
i have no money and managed to fuck both of my ankles at long gully mx track this arvo. But i'm still gonna do it... maybe
secondfield
19th February 2009, 22:39
Jeez mate, your a funny bugger. Knocking off smoking and deciding to start going to the gym hard out and running two days before the event and now mx'ing it today... classic.
Tried to give you a ring before but no answer.. Im heading over moonshine Pm tommorow to walk the terrain tests prior, hopefully the forecast cyclone dregs will have pissed off by sat morning ...
Let us know what your doing.. Im in. We could get drunk tommorow night and watch Shane Watts enduro tips video before the big day!! :woohoo: helmet chunders on! ..
Just kidding ... :eek5:
kezzafish
20th February 2009, 06:57
my right ancle isn't too bad, kinda stiff and a bit sore. My left ancle is knakkered, hurts like fuck to walk. It's come up nice and fat. Not going to work today, can't be arsed walking up and down that homo ass machine. I think if i warm it up slowly it'll be useable tomorrow.
Jumping is silly shit. I see what Scott411 was saying about constant injuries riding MX, Soooo fun tho, my first time on a track and it just kept getting sillyer, i'm addicted
rossrc
20th February 2009, 07:56
You'll be sweet... was out riding the area on saturday and spoke to the guy's marking it out. Its basically last years in reverse... (oop's! <_<). A few deadly downhills apparently (which you love). No prob's.
Last years in reverse???!!!! Didn't they go down the Staircase and up the Rock garden???? Does that mean we're going up the Staircase???
Re A few deadly downhills... after this rain it sure as hell won't take long to get to the bottom!
Feck, I was quite calm about trying this, now I might get "lost" on the way there... haven't been to Staglands for a while ;)
secondfield
20th February 2009, 10:10
hehe, Im pretty sure they wont be going up the case' no one will finish apart from Merriman and Birchy..
Kez and I are going to walk (ill probably piggyback him) the terrain test's this arvo, ive got the day off work, will let you know what its like. It is absolutely pissing down out side!!:woohoo:
We will probably end up at staglands! hheheh
secondfield
20th February 2009, 18:43
Well, we had a stroll through a couple of the terrain tests..
The first one is fairly straight forward, a long winding climb (1000m) up a semi graded forestry track. It ducks in and out of singletrack / pineforest here and there, nothing to worry about too much. Just the usual roots/stumps and a couple of off camber drops that will get progressively greasy as the day goes on.
The second one is a bit more technical... a fairly steep climb of about 3-400 meters which will rut up and has a couple of step ups and a log or two to hop over. This may be a bit tricky as its off camber also.
The first river crossing may be one to watch for also. We couldn't even walk through it due to the brisk current as it was in semi flood. If its like that tommorow there will be drowned bikes. Probably even a few taken downstream! but by all accounts the water level and current should drop overnight if theres no more rain.
While we were there Birchy was having a gander, the Power boys from aucks showed up, Rory Meade was offering advice to the organisers about track marking and I got to yarn to Stephan Merrimans dad while his son was walking the TT's.
Itll be a bloody good ride tommorow! hey Kez, we have to go in the intermediates! we shouldnt be riding novice just because we haven't raced before... its not as if either of us really are novices.
No Staircase this time round..
kezzafish
20th February 2009, 18:52
yeah looks good aye, super wet, soft and loamy on top with a slick clay underneath that will show up all over the place once a bike or two has been over it. Can't wait now. It's gonna be coool.
We're as novice as they get bro. We've never done an enduro.
Ktmboy
20th February 2009, 19:07
yeah looks good aye, super wet, soft and loamy on top with a slick clay underneath that will show up all over the place once a bike or two has been over it. Can't wait now. It's gonna be coool.
We're as novice as they get bro. We've never done an enduro.
Yep, if you ain't done it you is novice. Hey theres less pressure on you for the first time as well. Good luck guys. I'm looking forward to the report. Should be a good wind up with bragging rights included.
rossrc
20th February 2009, 19:31
Thanks for the info on the tests secondfield. Well I've got the bike loaded, so I guess I'm going... runs to the toilet again... :shit:
Anyone know if the novice class will be too easy/boring e.g. no single track
kezzafish
20th February 2009, 20:33
Thanks for the info on the tests secondfield. Well I've got the bike loaded, so I guess I'm going... runs to the toilet again... :shit:
Anyone know if the novice class will be too easy/boring e.g. no single track
we were told today that it is a slightly different track to the intermediate which is slightly different to the expert. But not much difference over the whole lot they said. The terrein tests we had a look at today don't look hard but they'll probably get quite bad cos it's all we and mushy and there's plenty of tree roots etc to be exposed. I'm getting yelled at to "get off the fucking computer you fucking nerd" so on that note... nighty night
secondfield
20th February 2009, 21:29
Just got everything sorted out in the shed. Bike fired first kick so thats gotta be a good sign. Keep an eye out rossrc I be driving a black nissan navara with my green machine on the back and kez is a big tall ginge with a limp, come say hi..:rockon:
rossrc
21st February 2009, 17:10
Anyone know if the novice class will be too easy/boring e.g. no single track
LOL... Nope... I certainly wasn't bored... more like completely fecked!
Had a good time though and nice to meet up with Kezza and Secondfield
BTW Secondfield what the hell were you thinking going for a second lap (good on ya tho) and did you ever finish?
kezzafish
21st February 2009, 19:39
ha haaa, twas awesome. Man that was some difficult riding big hills up and down and super super duper slick. I DNF'd within the first twenty minutes. Broke rear brake lever off on a tree stump, cutting too close. Went back to pits and got one off a mates bike (he was marshalling) and did the rest of the trail.
For all those that told me to wear goggles... i didn't (cos of the mud) and ten minutes in copped a wicked branch to the face that split my eyebrow open, ha haaa, kinda swollen and sore now. My ankle was mint tho. Pissed off i DNF'd cos i would've won Novice going by my times except i didn't complete TT1 (cos' of lever) therefore DNF'd bugger. Back next time for sure. Stoked i did it
Ross mate, good to meet ya. Top dude. You should've donne the second loop. Everyone in Novice dropped out except the winner (DR250), me (DNF TT1), secondfield (houred out) So the one finnisher won. little trophy and all. He was sloooow, you could've killed him. Abot 7 or 8 dropped out after the first loop
I'm going to the shower to wash the matted blood out of my eyebrow and dig the gorse out of my arms
Merriman won, then it went power, mead, someone, birch... i think
chop
21st February 2009, 20:01
just spoke to a few of the biys aprantly was a bit damp :eek5: said ony merriman didnt loose time..1st Merriman,2nd Karl Power,3rd Rory Mead,4th Chris Birch... Musta been hard!
kezzafish
21st February 2009, 20:05
fuck yeah, it was wicked tho. Super challenging had a good boil over on the SX... man i've gotta get an exc
4stroke
21st February 2009, 20:57
fuck yeah, it was wicked tho. Super challenging had a good boil over on the SX... man i've gotta get an exc
get a husky if ya wana go fast ,,,, lol
secondfield
22nd February 2009, 11:49
Man, that was a tough ride. All in all about 130k's or so of two loops. My poor fitness let me down unfortunately and a boiled bike mean't I had to stop every 5-6 k's to let her cool down on the second loop. Ran out of camelback water so in the fuel stop had to put kezzas raro in the radiator to keep going. :Oops: Was thinking of piddling into it but couldnt get my balance right due to my legs shaking like a dog shitting razor blades.. :yes:
We weren't allowed to do anything to the bike or any assistance while refuelling. Gonna carry a bit more water next time. Was making good time around the first loop, pacing right behind the novice leader on his tin tank dr250. Consistency is the key, he was riding real smooth.
The terrain was super tough, logs, roots, very steep descents, rocks n deep mud, river runs you name it.. The second loop was a bit different from the first as now unrideable sections were taken out and new challenges were implemented (a really cool river run that had you on your toes, plus raw forestry deadfall with no discernable route through).
Ive learnt enduro's are great places to let off steam! (apart from the radiator sort!!). I heard more swearing and cursing out there than a month of sundays.. hehe great stuff.
Attacking the timed terrain test's after riding 60k's of hell boggles the mind. got off to a good start on the second one only to get caught up in a steep gulley sucked down in quicksand. 15 minutes later barely managed to get out. It pays to look for alternate routes within the riding boudaries. Especially after 100 or so riders have been through already and minced everything up.
Ever been on one of those rides where you feel your never gonna get out alive? you get cramp, start yelling like a madman, even thumped my bike once :crybaby:(hurt my damn hand haha) that was my first enduro...
A few times out actually questioned my sanity at tackling such a endeavour but somewhere in the back of my dim mind have got the urge to do it again... roll on the next round!
:rockon:
rossrc
22nd February 2009, 14:01
Damn mate, I should have given you the plastic bag I carry for those occasions - that way you can fill your radiator from any creek, river, etc... one thing to add to your bumbag
BTW I heard of people using their helmets to carry water as well
secondfield
22nd February 2009, 17:18
No worries' Ross have just sorted out something to do exactly that.. got a wee funnel type thing and an open ended wine bladder ... how'd you find your gasser in the end? first proper ride and all..
Ha, was talking to Chris Birch just before leaving, and he said the guy's in africa just piss in their radiator when she boils too often..
rossrc
22nd February 2009, 18:00
Gasser was easier than expected on the uphills (i.e. you could torque it)... kept on forgetting I needed to use brakes to slow up... beat me up on the rocky downhills, which I hadn't expected... but for some unknown reason, it kept on frickin crashing! (Can't have been my fault ;))
I never got to give it a real test as I was riding like sh1t... too shagged right from the start, so never really stood up... but hey, in those conditions, I'd probably have been the same on any bike.
Maybe if I'd softened the suspension, I could have floated over it all... yeah right
Haha... still loving that I rolled past you with a stalled engine, only to block you on the next uphill... that's class that is :)
Ktmboy
22nd February 2009, 21:24
Theres something about enduro's and X country races.
You feel absolutely phucked but its the "I'll never give up attitude":headbang:
And when you do finish its "man I could have done better". It just breeds competition.
Well, I suppose thats what its all about really.
marks
23rd February 2009, 17:37
good reading guys - thanks for posting
My oldest boy and I have been thinking about having a go at one of these and went and had a look on Saturday for a few hours and then went back on Sunday for the trail ride to try as much of the terrain as we could. It was very slick but heaps of fun however after 2 laps of the main track and one loop through all of the available novice/intermediate loops we were rooted beyond belief - and we got to stop in the middle for a BBQ!!!
Both my son and I emptied our 3 litre bladders by the time we were half way through the 2nd loop. I dropped my bike on a slippery bit of single track and had to wait for about 5 minutes before I had the energy to pick it up. You get to a point where you wonder if you are going to heave in your helmet. Awesome Fun
My hat (helmet?) is off to you guys who did the race :Punk:
kezzafish
23rd February 2009, 22:17
ha haaaaa, we were beaten by someone named "grace" riding a crf230 on TT1. Uh oh. I know a guy called kelly, please tell me this is the same deal?
marks
24th February 2009, 06:38
ha haaaaa, we were beaten by someone named "grace" riding a crf230 on TT1. Uh oh. I know a guy called kelly, please tell me this is the same deal?
definitely saw a female riding a crf230 in the enduro so its not looking good.....
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