Woodside whispers

stucinabog · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 60

Nick

Welcome to the wonderful world of Enduro!!

I'm afraid it's quite hard to describe an enduro. It's something you can only learn by experience!!

If you have never entered an enduro (or hare and hound) before then I would suggest sportsman class, although it depends how much off road riding you have done in the past and how bike-fit you are. Either way if you find it's too easy then you can move to Clubman B or Clubman (or Expert!!) at your next event.

I rode both days at Pathead in 2006 and found it to be pretty good. It was quite dry that weekend tho. Not too many hills that I recall, but there are a few bogs here and there. Most enduro's in Scotland tend to be about a 15 mile lap. I vaguely recall it taking about 50 minutes to complete a lap (I can't quite remember).

Not sure why it is a 2 day event. Probably because it takes a lot of effort and work to set one up then it makes sense to try and make the most of it when the organisers can. They are classed as individual enduros tho so you can cheerfully enter just one day and still be classed as a finisher - providing you complete the course on the day. The second day is generally run in the reverse direction.

Don't think you will have any bother with your bike but you might want to soften your suspension a touch. It tends to get a bit bumpy as tiredness sets in. A camelbak is a must in my opinion, few pairs of gloves and a few pairs of goggles to change when you get back to the pits. Goggles in my experience tend to either get wet from the outside (rain) or wet from the inside (bucket loads of sweat).

Don't think it will matter which day you enter if you just ride one day. 2 days might not be very enjoyable for you if you have never ridden an enduro before - I can garauntee that your body will be pretty tired and sore after one day... Saturday might be your best bet as you can get all your stuff cleaned up on the Sunday.

Hope to see you there.

Stu
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If it aint broke keep trying.

Elginboxer · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

2 day I think is for a few reasons one being Grampian weren't able to run round one at Lossie as usual as we had the British Wink

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Dax · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

You can get the entry forms and read the regs on Charlies web page www.scottishenduros.co.uk Theres a lot of other good enduro info on this site.

Your bike will be fine, the flywheel weight will help. Theres no mega hills at Pathhead, but it might be a bit boggy with all the recent rain. Thats what your powerband is for Cool

Take spare gloves, spare goggles, plenty water and few easy to eat snacks such as energy bars etc for between laps.

Dont melt it the first lap, its a long event and you wont win it in the first 100 yards. You will hear people say this over and over but it really is some of the best advice I got. Particularly in sportsman class you have plenty time, so save the red mist for the special test.

gasser100 · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 52

Best to do saturday Nick.You can imagine what the course will be like after 150+ bikes have been on it.Just try and relax and keep a steady pace.Get a Camelback.You will enjoy it.start at sportsman and you can always work your way up.

old git · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 227 Location: Aberdeenshire

Ok, I'll say it...........you'll need some vaseline. Use your imagination regarding where to put it. Embarassed

Why do I always get left with the difficult replies? Laughing

Best of luck Wink

Nick · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

Thanks for the bundle of advice lads, need to give it some thought.

What about the licence, does anyone know if the motox one will do?

Where, when do you refuel the bike, or can you get round one lap on a tank ?

stucinabog · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 60

With regard to License I think a wee email to Charlie @ scottish enduro website will clear that up.

Closing date for applications to Pathead is 21st of April.

At pathead you will easily get round on a tank of fuel. Just make sure you fill it to the brim first. It's not like riding a MX track where the bike is screaming all the time so you generally use less fuel.

You will get a set amount of time to do each lap and if riding in sportsman it should be enough for you to get round and have 15 mins to spare before you have to go back out. In that time you can refuel your bike, fill your camelbak and get something to eat. Sportsman usually do 3 laps. Somewhere within the lap is the special test which generally decides your position. You get penalised 1 point for every second you are on the test so it is your best interests to get round as quickly as possible. The lowest score at the end of the day wins.

I wouldn't treat your first enduro too seriously, just enter and ride it. You will pick it up as you go along. Ask anybody that is there and you will get help. Everyone has to have a first event!
_________________
If it aint broke keep trying.

Nick · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

Sorted, entry is in! looking forward to it, I've entered the Saturday.

If you see the scottishmotocross livery YZ, give me a shout, hopefully I won't be stuck in a bog Laughing

Any advice of camelpaks? best place to get one?

Elginboxer · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject:

Good on you Nick can't wait to hear how you get on Wink

Let us know your number when you get it and i'll see if I can get a pic of you Twisted Evil

_________________
Never argue with a fool. They will lower you to their level and then beat you with experience...
GMCC

old git · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 227 Location: Aberdeenshire

Dax · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 29

Probably the easiest place to get a camel bak is one of the cycling shops. Alpine bikes, or Edinburgh Cycles in Aberdeen will have them. Either that or online, though delivery might be getting tight for next weekend by now.

Nick · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

Cheers guys, will check out Halfords during the week...

Crap weekend for me, choked with cold, was hoping to get in some practice Sad

only up side is the bikes prepped and ready to go Wink

Nick · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

Number has arrived 195, i take it this is the number we go in 123 and so on, how many go at one time and what intervals?

Nick · Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

old git · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 227 Location: Aberdeenshire

Probably start 3 or 4 at a time if there's a big entry, a minute between starts.

Fill up after every lap. Worst nightmare would be running out on the course. Probably the most fuel thirsty enduro on the Scottish circuit is Selkirk with laps over 25 miles, long flat out moorland and big climbs. Even crossers with relatively small tanks manage a lap. Pathhead has some fairly fast bits but wouldn't think fuel consumption will be OTT.

Start with a full tank and have at least 10 litres for refueling.

For 2 days I'll start with a full (enduro) tank and have 30 litres spare, assuming there's any petrol left with this panic buying.

Wink