Got some respect for the enduro....

[BrandonW]

This weekend was a real eye opener.

Rode in my first "two" enduros this weekend. They will not be my last, but I did not do as hoped.

I attended a short class that went over the basics (chart, timing, check points, fuel stops, ect) and then they sent us out on the course for a short 30 mile event. This was over the exact same area that we had earlier in the year rode in a Poker Run. The pace was casual, we had 2 sections of the race that we had to sit and wait about 10 minutes, not too many riders, and the time keeping aspect of the event was not nearly as difficult as first anticipated.

I did loose major points though for arriving at a check point 12 minutes early. (Simple mistake that will not be repeated again)

So, we felt pretty good about the event on Sunday. They were running two races, 50 miles and 100, so we felt that we needed to make our presence felt with the big boys. Before we could do that though, we headed down to the local bar. Got way liquored up. Very dumb.

We wake up Sunday at about 6, and register for the event at 6:30, then we head back to the campsite. There, I tell my buddy Nick that I don't feel up to driving home, let alone riding in the race. We both felt like crap, but we had some business to take care off....

So, 8:27 comes, and I am off.....

The pace was MUCH quicker than the day before. Before I got to the 2.9 ODO check, I swear that I about bit it 2 or three times (Thanks alot Mr. Redhook) but I keep thinking that I will get my game back. I was really impressed with the speeds that they were requesting. I felt on the verge of disaster most of the time, but I knew that my beverage consumption from the night before was making major impacts on my skills...

Well, all went pretty well until about the 45 mile mark. I was consistently running about 1-2 minutes late on my minutes, but there was carnage all over the course, and none of it was me, so I was content. At around the 45 mile time, I was just about to go over a bridge that had been constructed (about 3 feet up) to keep the bikes off of a prestine meadow that the course went through. Right before I got on the bridge, I swear that I heard somebody yell behind me, but I had not heard the engine of the bike. So, I sneak a quick peak behind me to see what was there, and I see a dude on a KTM. So I turn back around to see where the heck I am going, and I have drifted over to the right side of the bridge. There was a 4"x4" on the "sides" of the bridge, and my tire was right up against it. I was doing about 20-25 at the time, and I was trying to lean back to the inside, but I just could not do it. So, I had to bail off the bike, off of a bridge. It must have looked pretty good from his perspective. (I kinda thought he should have stopped to see if I was ok, but he did not)

So, I picked myself off the ground, and went over to the bike. Handlebars were bent, mirrors broke, roll chart smashed. I guess I had had it. So, I continued to ride, but the first loop was done at the 53 mile mark. There were only 29 (I was on minute 27, and there was only 2 bikes behind me) riders in the event, and I think less than 15 were signed up to do the 100 mile event.

It was alot of fun, and I will definately be doing more of them in the future. I WILL NOT be getting trashed the night before.

Brandon

[MOmilkman]

LOL

Hard lesson learned.

I have never gotten liquored up before a race. One of the first races I ever rode in was the morning after the annual banquet. Two guys that were camping right next to us was still sleeping when we were getting ready to head to the start line.

I knew they had been out all night drinking so I shook their tent and said "wake up!" They stumbled out of their tent and started scrambling to get ready as quick as they could. Then one of them stopped and chucked all over the place.

That was great.

I cant even imagine how many times he chucked on the trail. If he made it that far.

Glad to hear you had a adventuresome ride Brandon. Trust me, they will get better.

12 minutes early!!! Wow! Now thats what you call burning one.

[Merfman]

Brandon, if it's any consolation, I've been known to get likkerd up before an event as well. Used to do it all the time as C riders. When I started racing in the B division, it became very clear that I couldn't continue to do that. Now, a couple beers is my limit and if I'm suspecting a killer race, NO beers is my limit.

Congrats on even entering your first enduro. They're like crack, you can't seem to put hide the pipe well enough. There's always a challenge.

And, BTW, points accumulated from burned checks are known as "stupid points" ?

Merf

[Dan_from_HB]

I am an old desert racer. Many years ago we used to make fun of enduro guys for not riding WFO all the time like we did. But before we are old and wise, we must first be young and stupid. I learned there is much more to enduros than meets the eye. This is a great part of our sport that is perfect for those of us that don't need to ride quite as fast as Ty Davis all the time. It requires that you really concentrate on what you are doing, and that you become proficient in all types of terrain. Glad you had fun.

Dan

PS: I had a friend 23 years ago that is now paraplegic due to drinking and riding, so I decided to never swing a leg over the iron horse after drinking.

[Merfman]

Originally posted by Dan from HB:

PS: I had a friend 23 years ago that is now paraplegic due to drinking and riding, so I decided to never swing a leg over the iron horse after drinking.

Dan, sorry to hear about your friend. I had a similar experience myself. Had 1 beer at lunch one day of riding. Went back out and to make a long story short, I was on the trail, airborne, and coming down on a wet root section. I was going warp 2. For a *split* second I didn't know what to do. The results of my momentary confusion caused me to almost hit a pine tree that was 2' in diameter. I literally thought "Oh sh*t, this is where I cash in" I hit the left foot peg, my left shoulder and left hand.

From that day on, if I've had so much as a beer, I won't remount.

Merf

[endozen]

Merf,

Was this before or after the tree fell over and knocked you off your bike at Calamity??

[racemile]

I really think Merf's tree story is one the all time dirt riding greats. I still laugh when I think of that one. And, I didnt even see it. All i did was read it on this board.

Race

[Merfman]

Originally posted by endozen:

Merf,

Was this before or after the tree fell over and knocked you off your bike at Calamity??

LOL.. before!

The irony of the tree story is that I wasn't even drinking! I'm just glad there were witnesses. Can you imagine if I'd hobbled back to camp with that story and nobody saw it?

Merf

[BrandonW]

Well, I did not drink any the DAY of the race, but I am pretty sure that I would have still registered on a BAC.

The eunduro was fun, but I think that was just the tip of the iceberg. We are racing in a hare scramble on October 6, Rimrock Grand Prix (this race is cool. They lower the level of the lake, and we race around the lake, with the "track" being the difference between low and high water marks) and we are working our way up to the Vantage 100. That is the premier desert race in Washington state.

I learned the "No Beer Prior to Racing" rule, as well as the "Don't Look Back While Crossing a Binge, er, Bridge" one. What is next???

Brandon

[endurodog]

Brandon what part of the state was that race in?

[Merfman]

Originally posted by BrandonW:

I learned the "No Beer Prior to Racing" rule, as well as the "Don't Look Back While Crossing a Binge, er, Bridge" one. What is next???

Brandon

Very simple, never look where you DON'T want to go.

Merf

BTW, thanks for the follow-up. I enjoy reading enduro tales..

[BrandonW]

The enduro last weekend was near Cliffdell, Washington, which is on Chinook Pass. This is on the foothills of Mt. Rainier. If ever you find yourself in the area, find Raven's Roost, and ride there. You BORDER wilderness area, and you have one of the most spectacular views of Mt. Rainier.

The Rimrock hare scramble is about 50 miles south of there.

The ride I am really looking forward to is vantage. That race is awesome! They don't tell you were the start line is, and after the riders meeting they take all of the participants out on the course where they will draw a line and line everybody up. Then, they start a countdown, and at the end of the countdown, somebody on the horizon will let off a smoke bomb. It is then a mad scramble to the spot of the smoke. Once you get there, you bust a right hand turn, and you are on the trail. Then, it is a 100 mile race. I was going to ride in it this year, but I busted my left wrist about 1 month before the ride.

Brandon

[endozen]

When your wife told me about it at the 2nd gas, I thought it was something minor like a tree branch cleared you off your bike. After the concern for your well-being was satisfied, the humor and irony of that incident hit like a freight train!

[Dan_from_HB]

Let's see...

1. No drinking before riding (likely trip to the hospital).

2. Don't look back just before the bridge (we don't need to tell you why).

3. Thanks to Merfman: Don't look where you don't want to go (a phenomenon called Target Fixation...he's not kidding).

How about:

4. Don't follow too close to a lunatic on a YZ/WR 400/426/450 with a new tire (or wear good body armor).

5. Don't ride over dirt mounds in the desert when you don't know what's on the other side (see On Any Sunday).

6. Always take toilet paper on a long ride (leaves work, but can you tell poison ivy from other leaves?).

7. If you want to race long races, do it in Nevada with Dan Lorenze. Not in Mexico (Mexican Hospitals use cheap tequila for anesthesia).

Anyone have any others to round out the Top Ten??

Dan

PS: my old friend is now a wheelchair gynecologist and living happily ever after in Atlanta, Georgia. Seriously.

[Merfman]

Originally posted by Dan from HB:

Let's see...

7. If you want to race long races, do it in Nevada with Dan Lorenze. Not in Mexico (Mexican Hospitals use cheap tequila for anesthesia).

8. Never try to duck under that "leafy" limb. Broken necks/backs may result when you find that the leafy limb is actually hiding a 4" baseball bat. (Roesler)

9. Never try to roost through that little bush/high grass. Same reason, only rocks/holes.

Merf

[Dan_from_HB]

And the final rule of thumb while dirt bike riding is......

Anyone?

10. Don't tie the tow rope to the towed bike, just wrap it between the handlebar clamps then hold it against the grip (unless you want your bike and body dragged when you fall).

I haven't had to use this for quite some time, but I learned the lesson about 30 years ago the hard way.

Dan