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Enduro6 2008

Pulling up in the car at Catton Park it looked like the site was ready for the Sleepless in the Saddle not the Enduro6. Surely this event gets bigger and bigger each year. A great one for the diary.

Following Saturdays burst of sun shine the forecast was dismal with rain expected all day. Not the ideal weather for a big bike event with 500 odd riders tearing up the route leaving behind a slow trudging muddy trail to sap the last bit of strength from those already tired legs. However the rain hadn’t started and it even seemed to be brightening.

The usual running around happened between 8 and 9.30. Lugging all your gear into the pits to be locked in for the 6 hour duration. Items ranged from small plastic bags of food, boxes of tools and bike parts to full blown gazebos and tents. Not sure what the rules say about covering two pits with the tent but it happened. Everyone seemed to be settling down by 9.40 ready for the start.

From the team Mick was on his own ready to trudge through 6 hours of biking. The last in take of fuel was swallowed before the start run began. The plan was not to rush. However half way into the run and 2nd last the plan changed and the pace was increased.

Once on the bike the first lap was frustrating. Being at the back of the field a blockage occurred on the first climb meaning a slow 10/15 minutes was wasted walking very slowly before being able to get on the bike. Once on the bike it was easy to pass a large number of people through the lap.

The first 2.5 hours went quick and apart from the start it was going well. Then at the last third of the 3rd lap disaster struck. At the bottom of the only steep technical downhill was a switchback to a steep uphill climb. The right gear was selected but as the corner was turned there was a cluck and snap, the chain broke in two. Having the right trail equipment didn’t seem to help as the chain tool lodged during the repair. Unable to release the tool the chain came off and it was a slow run around the rest of the course and back to the pits. Following a further 20 minutes struggle and a lot of WD40 the chain was fixed and Mick was on his fourth lap disheartened by the lost time.

The next two laps passed in a bizarre blur. Remembered that you have to eat to keep going after the fifth lap it was time for a proper feed and a stretch of the legs. By the end of the break the decision was made to meander around a lap to reach the finish line just after the 6 hours were up. Not the usual chicken skin handbag philosophy but there wasn’t time to pull back a large number of places. Mick finished at 16:02, two minutes after the horn. Great for getting packed up and off before the suspected downpour arrived.

Even though the result was poor the event was thoroughly enjoyed again. It always makes it better cruising around in the sun.

For the full list of results click here.

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