Woodside whispers

Elginboxer · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject: Melville: Rd2 and 3 SEC

So who on the forum's doing Pathhead this weekend?

Info on the event so far:

Melville Motor Club 2nd and 3rd round Scottish Enduro Championship Pathhead

The 2nd and 3rd round of the Scottish Enduro Championship will take place at Pathhead Midlothian this weekend. The weather has been favourable during the build up to this event, which is usually fairly wet. If the weather holds up for the next few days it could prove a bonus as the Enduro was postponed two years ago due to a heavy snow fall at the start of the weekend.

Over 120 riders have entered with a large Sportsman entry complimenting the regular Scottish Championship contenders. The Expert class will be very competative between Murray Thomson, Derek Little and Dougie Kerr battling it out at the top of the Championship. Neil Chatham, Craig Jagla and Stuart Mowbray will be challenging for the Clubman honours. Hamish Kirkpatrick will be trying to repeat his success at Elgin in the sportsman class.

The event takes place over two farms with a mixture of open moors, a small wood and some bogs to keep things interesting. Kenny Donaldson has worked hard to try to make the course diverse and technical for all levels of riders. The closing date for entries is Wednesday 25th April. Details are available at www.melvillemc.co.uk or www.scottishenduros.co.uk

The Hooker · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 17 Karma: 0 (0) Location: Nairn

The Nairn boys are heading down to Pathhead this weekend, the bus is on the go again and is now sporting a nice set of blackout curtains compliments of myself & the bird, hopefully they will stop the light getting in and waking us at 4am (I don't think the other campers at Glengap last year were happy with us working on the bikes at that time in the morning)

old git · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:02 pm Post subject:

I'll be there...both days hopefully.

Going down on Friday night.

Little finger not quite sorted after right of way dispute with the tree at Lossie but otherwise ready to go.

Wink

stucinabog · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 71 Karma: 0 (0)

Not going to make either day this year as I am off on holiday.

Hope you boys have fun and take it easy*.

Stu

*Except on special test.
_________________
If it aint broke keep trying.

Wolfe · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:28 am Post subject:

Brian,

I'm also going down Friday night with the aim of completing Saturday, and hopefully, Sunday too!!!! Strangely enough the bogs don't appeal to me but I'm not near as experienced in the mud (bog) as you are!
I'm hoping the KLR and me with fare better than we did at Lossie - I've fitted new footpeg bracket bolts all round!
I intend being much cooler (brain and body heat) at Pathhead but we'll see how it pans out.
See you there, Brian.
Laughing

old git · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject:

Look forward to seeing you get a finish.

Glad Lossie didn't put you off.

I think you've got the bug.

Wink

Wolfe · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:28 am Post subject:

I noticed this morning, Friday, that my exhaust pipe has sheared so I'll have to repair that on Sat. morning if I get there!
My Land Rover lost all drive in the middle of a roundabout in Inverness at rush hour and is in the local garage at the moment so it depends if I get it back today or not.
Plus, I can't find my race license since I took it out of my jacket after Lossie - lucky white heather!

Wolfe · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

Land rover fixed - two new rear half shafts, ouch!
KLR exhaust fixed - Cola can and three Jubilee clips!
I'm ready!!!!
Very Happy

Elginboxer · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 2:07 pm Post subject:

Well boys the best of luck to you all, Wolfie hopefully you'll enjoy pathhead a bit more than Lossie and if the landy breaks down again you could tow it with the KLR Wink

Elginboxer · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

How did things go at Melville folks Question

old git · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 8:10 pm Post subject:

Pathhead back to back enduros made for a great weekend riding.

The weather couldn't have been better and as always the Melville club made a brilliant job of it.

Great to see the bus boys were there in force and as far as I'm aware all finished safely. The bravest man in Scottish enduros was also entered for both days on the KLR650 but unfortunately suffered from what I believe was a burst radiator early on day one. No luck Wolfe....keep plugging away, someday you'll get a finish.

The course was similar to last years and had all the right ingredients... very tight forest sections, a few deep boggy bits, flat out blasts a few steep climbs and one of the most spectator friendly spots on the Scottish enduro circuit. The bridge overlooking the wet, muddy and rutted railway line gave the spectators a few laughs particularly on the Sunday. The climb out of the railway line caused more than a few problems for all classes including some experts. Even the police on duty took time out to enjoy the spectacle of riders sliding around in the deep muddy water.

Last year I flipped the bike on every lap and was a bit apprehensive about doing the same this year. I was hoping to manage a full lap without crashing at some point over the weekend. To everyones surprise I managed both days without a single off though there were more than a few scary moments! My hands were starting to blister by the end of day one and were a real mess by the end of the weekend.

We all had a really good weekend and many thanks to all the people from Melville Motor Club who gave up their time. It is very much appreciated.

The news that Newton Stewart enduro has been cancelled saves me making the decision of whether to go or not. The word was that it was going to be a real hard event had it taken place. So next one is Little Clyde on 24th of June. Lets hope it goes ahead this year as it's along time till Selkirk.

Wink

Wolfe · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 7:51 am Post subject:

Respect to Old Git for finishing both days - well done!!!!
As you know I took out my radiator ( and all its contents) on the latter stages of stage 3 but before the muddy field crossing. I was crossing a nothing ditch and the front end tracked to the left but, unfortunately, keeled over on the left and impailed itself on the only large rocks sticking out of the side of the field anywhere I could see! Instant steam cloud told it all. I'd had a few hairy moments crossing ditches earlier, stayed on and kept going but this nothing crossing took me out!!!!
I continued on to stage 4 and the trees then took the direct route back to base. I was so disappointed and totally pissed off that, again, I DNF'd.
The weather was great, the organisation for the course brilliant and I was enjoying my ride too. A good mix of terrain.
I was also looking forward to another cold night in the tent after a chat with the Bus Boys from Nairn - I hope they all fared better than me.
I still haven't tracked down a good used radiator yet but I'm sure I will one day.
Pathhead was to be the KLR's swansong but I'd hoped it'd be a happy ending, next meeting I'm at will be with something different - I could always try using my army bike as it's lighter than the KLR but also with much less power!
Cool

old git · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject:

Here's a link to a bit of video from Pathhead.

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=18801380221485492&q=pathhead

Wink

Elginboxer · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject:

Cheers for that link to the vid Old Git, good to get your report of the day and to speak to you on Sunday. What is the other bike you have Wolfe ? I reckon virtually anything would be more managable than the KLR but good none the less to hear your still hooked Laughing

Wolfe · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:02 am Post subject:

My ex-army bike is a Harley (ex-Armstrong) MT350. You can't hurt it but neither does it have much power so in that respect it'd be worse than the KLR although lighter. One day I'll get an Enduro bike proper!
Cool