Event Reports

My first Yorkshire based Enduro of the year, and it was a good one.

Just four of us went up for the Langdale. The first one of the two is usually a bit wetter and the very swollen rivers we crossed on the way up gave us a clue.

In fairness the course was in good condition pretty much all of the way around. The forest road to the parc ferme was bone dry and dusty. Once off it though and you could feel and see the softness of the ground after the recent rain. Still, with 24 miles to go at I was sure there'd be a bit of everything.

Three of us were riding in Clubman and in his first event Tim was in Sportsman. I was on the same minute as Andy C and Matt Ellis was six minutes ahead of us. The start was delayed for about 45 minutes as the Ambulance was late, but as soon as it arrived the organisers got the experts away.

Queing up I watched Matt set off and as my minute clicked over I fired my bike up, then it died! Lots of kicking failed to fire it back up so I pushed it to the side and set about changing the plug. Once changed it fired straight up with huge amounts of smoke billowing out, it soon cleared and I was finally off, 3 minutes late. Now I was slightly miffed at this and rode at a fair pace, and it's a good job I did. I got to the check on my minute, helpfully identified by the fact Andy C was sat there getting his card marked, so it was straight in for me. A bit close for comfort maybe?

There were three laps for the Clubmen. Two checks in each lap. A short one and a long one with the test and refuelling. The short one started at 30 minutes, then was 19, then back up to 24. Riding at a good pace had taken me 27 so the other two laps were going to be interesting. The long check had some good going in it and the test. Now this must have been one of the longest tests I've ever done. Tight, actually very tight and snotty for the first half, then it opened up a little with a bit of fast stuff an then back into tight and very snotty going to finish. One section even got cut out after the first lap it was so rutted and wet. Two left hand corners in particular had just the one huge rut which was getting deeper all the time.

I finshed the first lap with thirteen minutes to spare to refuel and grab a bite to eat. The course was going to get harder by the minute in places. The soft going really was soft. Ruts making the riding harder and slowing your pace down as leg work was needed. The next check was the really tight one. I made sure I was first into the check and first one away. This was going to be as fast as possible till I reached the check. With Andy behind me I took some good lines and we were soon passing the riders in front. Just the one spill in some soft ground and I made it to the check on 23 minutes, result. I waited for Andy who made it in 24. We set off on the long check together.

I decided to conserve a bit of energy and took it steady. Arriving at a forest road there were no markers, however the track opposite had seen plenty of traffic so I opted for that one. Four riders coming the other way soon stopped me though. They'd also done the same as me but turned round when stopped by a marshal. It was Andy so this problem had only just happened. Sure enough, the log with the arrows on had been hit and rolled into the verge, with us pointed in the right direction we soon picked up the course again.

My first test went ok if not very fast. Keeping going at a fair pace and not falling seemed like a good idea with it being so tight and easy to come a cropper. It all went well and seemed a fair test. A few minutes later I'm back at the pits. Matts dad tells me he dropped 5 minutes on the tight check and says he'll be gutted when he finds out I only dropped 4. Having said that it's the tight check again now. If I can ride at the same pace again I'll make the time. But in truth that's not likely to happen, the course is going to be rough now and even more snotty and rutted. Just keep pushing and do your best I tell myself. No falls but another minute lost, damn! It's getting pretty quiet on the course now, no-one else on my minute or even around as I leave the check. Just the long check and a test to go now. Still riding at a fair pace I decide to slow it down and save my energy for the test. I've plenty of time for the check so there's no need to rush. A couple of riders pass me but I'm riding to try and get rid of the cramps that keep wanting to grab hold of my leg muscles. I take a bad line on a small climb and get wedged in a rut. Andy comes past me with another rider but I'm not stuck for long. I carry on and get to the test hoping to be able to chase someone (Andy) but there's no-one there. It's straight in for me and time to use the last of my energy. I pass a couple of very late sportsmen and get to the first bad left hander. A new line has been made which just misses it, great. As I approach the second I pass another sportsman and see two more wedged in the rut. I'm forced to stop and look for the best line. It's a gamble to launch at an angle from where I am to miss the deepest part and end up in the rut on the other side of the worst bit. It works a charm but I still have to get off and manhandle it out the other side it's so crappy. I push on and get to the end without any more troubles. A few more minutes riding and I'm back in the pits. Time card handed in, I'm done.

Andy comes in just after me which is slightly confusing. It seems a bit of the course was cut out and I was fortunate enough to be one of the riders who got an advantage from it. Only a few minutes but I'll not complain. As yet there's no results out but for me it's more about the enjoyment. This Langdale was a slightly tougher one than usual with a bit more time actually riding. I'll not complain at either of those things as it makes the event a bit more challenging and you know you've done an event. Another quality event with what looked like a good turn out for the organisers and well worth the drive. I'd be surprised if I didn't do the second one later in the year, and  as ever I'll try and get a few more lads to join me.