MI National Enduro - September 30th

[KTM Mike]

Mike Jr - see you on the sweep! Late minutes are the way to go - my first race I was on minute 8 - BAD minute for first race! I spent all my time letting everyone else pass me! Jackpine and Cherry pit was 42 and 36 - worked great - had a great trail ride!

Oh - it turns out the family wont be along on this one - even as enticing as the great spectator spots were - they are opting for the local Elk Fest here in Atlanta... oh well...

 

[jrccc20967]

I know this trip will be fun.Myself, Uncle Denny, & Iron man will be there.

Fred you might have to pipe some heat out of that RV and into our tent.Denny had more problems this past weekend but what the heck that is par for him this summer. Mike you come up with the DRN flag and I wil bring the stars and strips. See you all there.

Big Jim

 

[fatherandson]

Big Jim,

I just talked to Fred. Sounded like a wet ride...
He said that the three of you are planning to race the event. Sounds great!
You should make sure you all start on the same minute. Make the request on your preentry or at the sign up table. I will be around Saturday afternoon and evening to answer any questions to you enduro "rookies".:p
Is someone coming to run your gas truck? If not, no big deal. All of the gas stops are at the same place and we can work something out. I hope somebody is there to take pictures.

Mike Jr.

 

[jrccc20967]

Denny is bring Carrie with him to run gas. I might have some one to take photo's for us.Yea it rained. I got home and the 2 yr old was helping me clean out the gear bag and all she could say was "yucky daddy". I hope that it dries oout alittle before next weekend.See you there.
Big Jim

 

[ssuperbike]

Hey guys! I will be heading up for my first enduro also. What range of minute should I shoot for? I am no slouch, but I sure am not an A/AA rider. But I am probably as fast as Lafferty----If he had a cast on his leg, riding a Z50!;)
Seriosly, I think I can do ok I have been training pretty hard riding about 75 miles hard on saturdays, an easy 20-30 on sunday and a local moto track at least once during the week. Does my minute realy matter that much? I dont want to get ran over but I dont want to be riding bad ruts all day?
Should I pick up a scorecard holder, or should I just tape it on? Also there will be three gas stops? Will they be at checks? Is there a gas truck like I heard, or do I need some one to haul my can? I don't mean to drop so many questions but I want to be prepared! I may have to go by myself and want to figure it all out. I may have a buddy but he may be riding also. Yes I am GEEKED!
There will be a few of us riding at Higgins lake Thursday at 10:30 am If anyone wants to do some final riding/testing. Then friday to a Tighter trail yet to be determined. Feel free to drop me a line. Thanks again for all the info.

 

[fatherandson]

Superbike,

Welcome to the enduro crowd!!!

I would recommend a number of 40-50. A lot of the trail is new. I rode on number 50 last year and had a great time. Lafferty will be on 21 and most of the really fast guys will be between 20-40. This year I am helping with the event.

When I rode last year I taped the score card to my fender and had no problems. There will be three gas stops, but all of them are located at the same spot. A gas truck will be provided. If you use it, make sure you mark your can with your name and number.

I wish I could join you earlier in the week, but work prevents it. Fred T and I will be arriving about noon on Saturday. Look for a white motorhome and a maroon Ford Explorer with an assortment of Kawasakis and KTMS. We will probably have a black DRN t shirt on a flag pole. Stop and say "HI".

Good Luck!!

 

[ssuperbike]

Will you be staying at the lake? I will be in a white ford with my YZ 426 in the back. I will probably drive through, and see who is there. I am really exited.
Any Ideas for a guys first enduro that I should bring that I may not think of? Will there be anyplace to get water, at halfway maybe? I tend to drain the camelback! Thanks for the info guys this is a great post.
I will be able to ride tommorrow because of a temporary lay off. Any one need a machinist?:( At least I can ride! Thanks, Mike

 

[fatherandson]

Fred and I will be staying at the staging area (in a field). You could leave a bottle of water with your gas can with the gas truck. If you can find us Saturday night or early Sunday morning, we may be able to work something out for you.
You should check out another post on the Places to Ride Forum. We are planning a trail ride for October 13 and 14.

 

[xr600r]

is the staging area in the same place as last year ?

 

[fatherandson]

Yes, it is. We mowed the field a couple of weeks ago. It will look a lot different on Saturday with all of the race rigs, trailers, vans and tents.

 

[ssuperbike]

I just put on my lights, bike looks cool. I guess its a YR 426, because one of my moto buddys said " Y R you doing that to a good YZ?" I told him the facts, It is the only way you can go on a good ride!!!! (sorry, bad joke) I will look for you saturday. Can we go through tech sat. at sign up? I will come by and say hi. I am loaded for tomorrow getting in a little last minute training. Oh, can we check out the course at all on saturday? Thanks again, ---Mike

 

[fatherandson]

Yes and NO.

Yes, you can through tech on Saturday between 3:00 and 7:00.

No, you can not ride the trail on Saturday if you plan to race on Sunday. I will be spending Saturday afternoon checking some trail, but I will be back at staging area later in the afternoon (or early evening).

 

[WALKMAN]

fatherandson, it does'nt look like we will be up until saturday afternoon,we will not be staying at the staging area. ironman and digger are not coming, so we lost a bunch of hauling room and a big condo of a tent. big jim is wound right up, i hope he does'nt crash out due to excitement. we will see you saturday, any ideas on motels?

 

[ssuperbike]

I got 65 miles in today, fullblast. It was a hoot! I got a good workout. Since I am laid off, i get to fix the car and prep the bike tomorrow. Why is it I can spend a week working on a bike, but changing the oil and fixing the exaust on grama's car is such a drag. I am wound up myself, but not all that tight!;) -----Mike

 

[ssuperbike]

Walkman, I am staying at the Holiday Inn Express, Indian river. You can get somthing in Gaylod also. ----------Mike

 

[fatherandson]

Walkman, last year dad and I stay in Petoskey at the Apple Tree Inn. You have been to the staging area. It is in the middle of no where. Any hotel is going to be a 30 minute drive. I think the brochure at enduroeng.com has some other hotel suggestions.
I just got an email from Fred. Looking forward to meeting in Grayling and caravaning it to the staging area.

 

[fatherandson]

It is time to pack the truck, load the bikes and head north (early in the am).
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Wolverine!!!

Mike Jr.

 

[ssuperbike]

I did not see you guys up there. I looked for a shirt but did not see it. I will try to nake the trailfest. I entered B- 4stk and got 4th. I was worried I would burn out, so I took it a little easier than I should have. I am still pretty beat up! I had fun, saw some pretty bad crashes. Corey Parlins broke his arm pretty bad. I am hooked guys, thanks for the help. -------Mike

 

[Fred T]

We were there!

We were parked to the left of the sign up/ scoring tents at the end of that "roadway" in a small white motothome. Sorry we missed you but glad you made the whole ride and did well.

 

[jrccc20967]

Superbike what minute where you on. Walkman man and myself was on 50. I needed to relax alot more.What the heck on I had a ok time. I was one of the guys helping Parlins out on the trail.The kid can move on the trail. I am looking forward to Rose city and spode fest.See you all soon.

Big Jim

 

[ssuperbike]

I was on 51! You were the one with the black helmet. I was on the YZ 426. I stopped and asked if you had help on the way. I later asked how he was, and you told me he was on the way to the hospital. You said the bike was still in there and I said I thought I saw them load it up. I also pulled up before the race and talked to the gentleman on the 520. I am pretty sure that I know exactly who you are. That was so cool that you stayed with him. I wonder how it turned out. What bikes were you guys on?----------Mike

 

[fatherandson]

Big Jim, I have said it before, it is GREAT to go riding with an EMT (just in case). I am sure Corey was glad you were there. I am sorry it shortened your ride. See you at the Trailfest in two weeks.

MM Jr.

 

[WALKMAN]

ssuperbike, i was the guy on the kx250 that you kept passing! next time i hope i'm feeling 100% so i can stay ahead of you!! you looked like you were riding pretty good, except the endo in the tight stuff in 5th section. good job on your fourth place! do you know Jim Kelly he's a farmer in ovid, he was a good friend of mine when i lived in chesaning. fatherandson, i think i should have backed out, i am dying today! this cold is the worst i've had in years!! send your prayers for gabby she went in the hospital yesterday afternoon with pneumonia, sounds like she'll be there for a few days.i'm staying at work for a couple of hours then going home to dream of better days!

 

[fatherandson]

Walkman, I had no idea you were feeling bad. You were quiet on Sunday morning, but I thought it was nerves.
I had fun working the event. However, the highlights of the day were seeing you and Jim at the first road crossing and then seeing you come into the final check before the third gas. Finishing your first enduro is an accomplishment.

Ssuperbike, I wish we had met before the event. Congratulations on the 4th place!!! How many points did you drop? Lafferty was upset when he dropped one point at our check. Last year he zeroed that section.
Maybe you can make it to the Trailfest and give Walkman another chance to stay ahead of you. See the Places to Ride forum.

 

[Fred T]

Dennis

sorry to hear about Gabby, keep us posted. She seemed to be OK Sunday. Hope you don't have it too! :eek: