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

Originally Posted by scott411

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

Originally Posted by kezzafish

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

Originally Posted by MXheman

RUN FISHER RUN!!

cheers bro, gonna quit tomorrow. fuck it

Originally Posted by takitimu

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

Originally Posted by barty5

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

Originally Posted by chop

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

.

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...