Loose Moose and Mini-Moose Info

[team bulldog]

I'd like to start off by saying, thanks, to the UP Sandstormers for putting on a first rate enduro, and I am not just saying that because I took first place in B Vet!! In my opinion, it was the most technical and challenging in the District 14 series. I am sure there was a lot of whining from a lot of different class of riders, that just goes to show you that being well prepared and well hydrated makes all the difference(good job Don Marsh). I hope everybody felt as proud as I did crossing that finish line! Those who did not finish, there is always next year. I would like to thank Nick Zambon and the UP Sandstormers for all of their hard work (and the helmet cam!!), thanks Napper for all the help at gas, to my lovely wife for everything that she did on that nasty day, last but not least, Steve Hatch for being so cool and being a real person and not just a pro. See ya'll at Roselawn.

 

[TeamFrog]

I am glad to hear others talk about how difficult and challenging this course was as this was only my second enduro and I don't have much to go on. I thought the course rocked!!! (Literally) What a blast! I could have done without all the heat though. The thermometer over at the Camp Chaos/Camp KTM area was reading 103/104 degrees for a high. Don't know for sure if it was that hot (the forecast wasn't even close) but judging by all the overheated bikes/bodies on the trail, I'd say it was accurate. I know that I've never fell that much heat pouring off of my engine.

I am proud to say I finished and somehow, did quite well in my class considering how slow I am. I don't think I stood up at all for the entire last 9 mile section. Had to go into survival mode a lug it all the way to the finish, and that was in the C class. I don't know how the other classes were able to go on after we were done. You guys are hard core!


Hats off to the UP Sandstormers for setting up a great National.

Jeff

 

[PoeBrian]

Team Bulldog,
Congrats on your win in B vet!!! Great Ride. My buddy and I finished in a non competitive 3rd and 4th against your score and also well behind your excellent score at the 2 day. I think we are very ready for you to move on to the A class! I noticed that you dropped a 17 in section 1. We were trying to figure out where you might have had trouble?

You are very correct about Steve Hatch. He seems to be one of the most down to earth pro's out there! He welcomes talking with anyone no matter who you are!

This was my first LM and only 3rd enduro ever! I am very glad they had the restart method! The thing I love the most is being able to ride with your buddies all day long!!!
I realize that for most of you who are really into the points and competition part of enduros restarts are a let down. But the trade off is all of us newbies that become more interested in racing in some of these events because we feel we may have more of a chance to be competitive! There are pro's and cons to everything! I am curious, as difficult as the LM is, can you be early if you scored it the "traditional method"?

If I heard these stats correct, there were approx. 240 entries and approx. 112 entries DNF'd. That means 46% DNF'd!!! I am also estimating that if you just finished the race you had a 75% chance of getting a trophy! To me that is a true test of endurance!

Magoo and co.--great job with everything!!! It was everything I expected and more. I am very glad I ran B class instead of C. That Section 2 was INTENSE!!!
I am sure that I speak for many in asking why it does take so long to post the results?
Is this normal? I noticed at the 2 day they had the results whipped up much quicker!
Just Curious!

 

[wolverine]

Ya I too thought Steve Hatch & his parents were pretty down to earth people!

Even though I got lost then got back only to find my self start all over again at the starting line.... {Don't ask.} then in the end to run outa gas & having to walk 5 miles in the blazing heat {Long story...if anything could go wrong Sunday it DID!} Then to be brought back to life by Paul Yell at a check point... Then to be put to work by Paul Yell!...LoL. My son Cody & I are absolutly with out a doubt going back to Marquette next year! Thanks UP Sandstormers for a great event!.

Ps. Paul if you read this form make sure you call me on that bill.

Yes thanks to mrs B for slinging gas for Cody & I on such a hot dusty humid muggy sand fly eating day! Paul & Mark give me a call and come up to ride some single track real soon!

Dewayne

 

[team bulldog]

I almost forgot to congratulate the new 17 yr.old C rider, that never complained the hole race,( even when his camelback broke down!!). Way to go Cody on that 2nd place finish. Don't beat your dad up to bad at Roselawn.

p.s : I'll drop an e mail soon.

 

[Magoo]

I am sure that I speak for many in asking why it does take so long to post the results?
Is this normal? I noticed at the 2 day they had the results whipped up much quicker!
Just Curious!

I know you didn't mean to, but you've struck a nerve with that question.

Scoring is a PERPETUAL PROBLEM for enduros. I thought we did an excellent job this year:

1) The race ended at 2.30, by the route sheet. You gotta allow an hour for all riders to finish (and we had riders on Row 60), so now it's 4.30. Next, you've got 240 riders entered, and less than 100 scorecards turned in, with numerous reports of riders still out on the trail -- stranded, tired, broken, whatever. (The club members that are sweeping are bringing in bikes in pairs, and sweep still isn't done at 5. I put on close to 200 miles from Friday afternoon to Sunday. Since I helped with scoring, I was spared -- some club members put on 300 plus miles pushing, lifting, pulling, towing.) Scorecards trickled in.
2) Meanwhile, the scorers are entering and calculating scores. Oftentimes an entry is illegible, so the backup books need to be used to determine the proper score. This is more time consuming. (And of course, we were missing a backup book for a while because the check crew was assisting several riders -- they did bring it in as soon as they got back)
3) At 5.30, we posted scores. And gee, here come some riders with more scorecards!
4)You have to allow a protest period, which we did until 6 pm. We had several questions/concerns/corrections, and one slightly nasty encounter/protest. All was resolved, and final scores were posted at 6 pm. Trophies and prize money was distributed promptly.
5) Technically, we had the entire event scored in one hour. Probably about the same as Harrison. Might have seemed longer to you since at the LM the B riders were done an hour and a half before the A riders.
6) Go to more enduros. We had a major scoring cluster-mess last year, and scoring took forever (like 4+ hours). Kalkaska had some issues. Enduros have complicated rules, and everyone has an opinion on what they mean (eg. just take a poll of "when is a rider scored coming into a check?" -- or read the rule and try to figure it out for yourself).
7) Put on an enduro. I'll go. And so will many others. All of us will have lots of suggestions on what you screwed up and that you should fix it; just don't expect us to actually DO anything or even give you any constructive ideas -- we just wanna ride.
8) Now that its over, we still have to pull all the arrows. Any volunteers? It's only in the high 80's this week....

I am not directing this at you, Brian. I am letting off a little steam since I can't believe how demanding/stupid/mean/childish some people can be. The MTR's I know are ALL awesome people: generous with their time, effort, experience and humor!
I do challenge all of you, though, to work an enduro. Give something back to the sport you love. Build some trail. Take a kid to one of the Family events. Don't be selfish -- give some of your time and effort to help make the sport better.
[/RANT]

 

[INCA]

Jeff has hit many nails on the head in his answer. Utopia doesn't exist and no matter what is done throughout the enduro, something will go wrong and someone will complain. There are other nails to hit also. Working an enduro is one. The current rules make it hard for riders to work an event. Taking this further, there are fewer that know what it is to work and thereby more complaints.

The Trouble Maker has said enough.

 

[woodsracer369]

Loose Moose

Today is the first chance I've had to get back on line

I just wanted to add my comments and offer a up a big "Thank You" to the sandstormers, volunters, sponsors, and anyone else that contributed to putting on this event.

As far as the event itself; I am a "C" rider and was spared the early A/B sections that seem to have garnered some of the more negative comments. With regard to the rest of the course, it was the most technical riding I have ever attempted. The sense of accomplishment I have from just completing the course is imense. In retrospect, the heat took more of a toll on me than the course.

Again thanks to everyone involved with making this event happen.

 

[Don Marsh]

Now that I can stand upright again with out hurting, I would like to thank the Sandstormers for all of their hard work putting on the enduro I know there is allot invoved. It is the most challenging enduro I have ever rode both physically & mentally.

Jeff, just take my negative comments with "a grain of salt" I really do appreciate the amount of work at all levels involved.

Also thanks to the club for putting on the Mini-moose, I enjoyed working the MTR checks. This is the future of enduros.

Don

 

[nzambon]

Hey don no we do not try to hurt people.

 

[wolverine]

LOL, Easy Bulldog...Its comming but Cody can't take me yet!!!.. After the long 7hr trip to the house with a 17yr old that placed 2nd {ear full..}at our first LM.... I vowed to myself that I'll be riding these enduro's with the ut-most mental finesse humanly possible!....And I'm going to start by packing a chainsaw on my KTM for Roselawn!....

I'm really proud of Cody just for finishing the LM!. Before the race he was a little worried about the A&B spliting off the C but I told him its no biggie I'll see him back on our minute...Well....And then not showing up at the gas stop ta boot...I know this played on his mind all day..This test of courage and determination & stamina that the Loose Moose demanded on Sunday has really opened my eyes as to what kinda young man Cody is becoming! Regardless of all the hardships that I had endured both mentally & physically I would'nt take back or change a thing in exchange for one of life's many steping stone's shared between father & son that I experienced with Cody on Sunday! I did'nt finish the Loose Moose...But I feel like a winner!

Dewayne

 

[UP Magoo]

Jeff, just take my negative comments with "a grain of salt" I really do appreciate the amount of work at all levels involved.

Don, I did take your comment as tongue in cheek. It was a tough race, and we intended it to be. We worked hard to make it a real test; and it is imperitive for everyone to know that we do not like to see anyone injured!

Be assured my rant in my previous post isn't/wasn't directed at anyone in particular, it is really just my venting some of the stuff that gets under your skin at these events.
As I said, just about all of the MTR's are good people that do qute a bit to help the sport. I know you are one, Don, with the work you did with the Arbor Day deal (as did many others). My point is, there's lots of other riders that need to learn how to give back, not just take all the time.

 

[UP Magoo]

Results posted on Website

HERE

 

[CR250R@WINTERS]

Wow

All I can say about the Loose Moose is, Wow! The Moose beat me this year, but I'll be back next year and he better watch out. It it hard to prepare for that kind of trail and heat. This being my first enduro, I really didn't know what to expect, but now I do.

Hats off to all who finished and to all that put on the event.

Special congrats to "Team Frog"....it was nice to meat you and your buddy Mike.

Congrats to Trevor M. too...didn't get much of a chance to talk to you, but now I have a face with a name.

Camp KTM......see you guys sometime soon to pick up my gas and maybe do a little riding too.

Moose.........you better watch out next year!

 

[bbarel]

Well for what it's worth it sounds like Tom's incident could have happened anywhere. Being a B rider I think that was the first time I've rode 'the mountain' and it was an experience to say the least. They did the right thing letting the C riders off the hook. I wish I was a C rider (not really). There were a few spots that really got my attention :yikes: but I didn't encounter anything I thought was way too sick.

You could have routed us around that first hill that everyone got stuck and backed up on. There were about 5 bikes lined up in front of me waiting and about another 3 or so stuck on the hill. That is just no fun to get jammed up behind 8 or so other riders. I know there was an easier way around it (to the right) because that is how I got through that mess.

Most of the other nasty spots had enough room for the demoralized riders to get off to the side or a way around. There was a spot with an uphill jagged rock, and then another steep rock face to the left that you did not have a good run at. I had to take a break after fighting over those obstacles and I watched about 10+ guys come through. I did not see even one rider make it through clean without dumping or launching the bike over the first rock. :ohmy:

 

[fatherandson]

I almost forgot to THANK the Team MTR Check crew (Don, Tom, Chad, Tom, Freddie and me) who handled both of the emergency checks at the Mini Moose. Thanks guys!!

I echo comments made by Magoo...get involved..bring a newbie to an event or work at an event. Don deserves an award for bringing two new riders to Marquette and then working two checks.
After volunteering your time marking the course, doing the mileage, getting other volunteers to work checks/road crossings and then scoring the event (everyone's favorite), you get a new perspective into the amount of time and effort required. My attituide as I approach a check in a race changed dramatically after I had worked an event behind the flag. DO NOT scream and yell at them and always say thank you (and remember that you need to make sure your scorecard gets marked - right Dad?).

DeWayne - 20 years ago I was in Cody's shoes. My first two years of racing I had to stay behind my dad - even when he fell (of course, I was not legal to drive a car). I still remember the day when he said "go ahead, I'll catch you later....and he didn't"

This past weekend was another chapter in the Maurer version of FATHERANDSON book. My dad raced on Saturday and ran gas for Team PTP on Sunday.

ENJOY the Enduro experience!!

 

[Smit-Dog]

Some Stats to Ponder…

According to the results posted on the Sandstormer’s site, here’s the breakdown of class size and who finished….

Class Breakdown
A/AA – 40%
B – 31%
C – 22%
SS/M – 7%

All Riders
Entered: 219
Finished: 95
Percent: 43%

‘A/AA’ Riders
Entered: 88
Finished: 49
Percent: 56%

‘B’ Riders
Entered: 67
Finished: 27
Percent: 40%

‘C’ Riders
Entered: 48
Finished: 15
Percent: 31%

Super Senior / Masters Riders
Entered: 16
Finished: 4
Percent: 25%

FWIW, I'm sure the percent who finished would have been quite a bit higher had it been normal temperatures, i.e. 15-20° cooler.

In my case it was a bike / brain-fart DNF.

 

[PoeBrian]

Smit-dog--great work! That's cool! Would anyone know what a normal DNF % would be?

You could have routed us around that first hill that everyone got stuck and backed up on. There were about 5 bikes lined up in front of me waiting and about another 3 or so stuck on the hill. That is just no fun to get jammed up behind 8 or so other riders. I know there was an easier way around it (to the right) because that is how I got through that mess.

Most of the other nasty spots had enough room for the demoralized riders to get off to the side or a way around. There was a spot with an uphill jagged rock, and then another steep rock face to the left that you did not have a good run at. I had to take a break after fighting over those obstacles and I watched about 10+ guys come through. I did not see even one rider make it through clean without dumping or launching the bike over the first rock.

[/QU

OTE] BBarel--Those sections were painful but very very fun!!! Are you saying they weren't?

 

[bbarel]

Now where did I say it was not fun?

Most hills had room to get out of the way or around and that was great, but there was one tough hill with only one line that got jammed up with many stuck riders and guys were waiting a long time. I took a big chance and cut through the woods and got up the right side. It was still tough going, but there were more lines, so it might have been better to route the trail that way to avoid a big traffic jam. Heinsite is 2/20. Just a suggestion...

 

[wolverine]

Now you didnt go beyond 20 yrds off the beat'n path did you?..lol that would be called cut'n the course..lol

DW

 

[barkbuster67]

20yards is cuttin? And here I always thought is was 200yards

 

[wolverine]

No... 200 yrds is for hare scramblers. lol

 

[Fred T]

20yards is cuttin? And here I always thought is was 200yards

Walt, I thought you said that if you can see their helmet go by then you can cut to that point, or is that what you said you do? I can't remember. :nod: The fastest line is a straight line right?

 

[team bulldog]

I'm with you DW, I went up that son of a b--ch(super man style). Good thing he d.n.f.ed or he could of been d.q.ed.

 

[Smit-Dog]

I came around the bend leading up to that hill with the step-up... there were 5 guys stopped or stuck in front of me, with 2 other guys pushing/dragging their bikes up on either side of the step-up section. By minute 40 there was deep rut in the center of the step-up.

I said screw it, let's get this over with, and started charging up the hill. The 2 guys were still attempting to drag, push, or ghost ride their bikes up the step up. By the time I hit it, the only open spot was in the middle with the rut. Now it was 3 guys attempting to drag, push, and ghost ride their bike up it. After much cursing and feeling that my heart was going to explode out of my chest, got the bike up and over. Pulled off the trail about 40' past the top to rest for a few minutes. Next thing I see is this guy on a shiny blue Yamaha coming out of the woods on the right and ahead of me... the same guy I passed about 10 minutes ago. He looks at me with this "what's all the fuss about", and takes off. I'm still panting and foaming at the mouth like ol' Yeller. I wait a few more minutes, somewhat demoralized, only to ride another 1/8 mile to a checkpoint!