New to all of this...

neverenough74 · Feb 26, 2007

Hi!
I'm a new member, mostly on here for some guidance and advice on getting my son into racing Enduros and how/what I can do to support him in his quest. He is 7 years old and has recently went from a little Suzuki 50cc to a Yamaha TTR 90. He's excited and can't wait for spring to break!!
Being in Southeast Michigan, I don't have any idea of where I can take him to ride. I do take him to Northern Michigan for some experience but he needs to ride with other kids his age to get some more exprience. My hope is for him to develop friends and a mentor/mentors to ride with.
Any help, advice, web sites, info., other's experience, would be so much help and so greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Shash a.k.a mom :p

tdunn976 · Feb 26, 2007

Welcome!
Your 7 yr old may enjoy the Family Enduro series, you can get info at www.d14enduro.org

We are all about family come join us. :)

Thomas Dunn
AMA D-14
enduro chairman
1-517-896-9757

neverenough74 · Feb 26, 2007

Thank you!

Thank you so much!
I really appreciate the help!

Shash

KTM Mike · Feb 26, 2007

Shash - I second Tom's suggestion of the FES series. A ton of fun for the kids, young and old. One neat thing, is the parents ability to ride along with their kid to help with time keeping etc. I have one son that has done these for 3 years, and another will start this year. A great time.

duckboy · Feb 27, 2007

Looks like like might be joining in this year with my nine year old.

KTM Mike · Feb 27, 2007

Hey Duckboy - I got a email notice of your post here, but you had more questions - gas stops, how the events proceed, equipment needs etc. You musta deleted or edited the post? Those were all great questions though, and I thought Shash (and others) might appreciate them.

Sign up - at event (I dont think any had pre registration in the past?). No AMA or D-14 membership needed.

Gas stops - some come back to the starting area, other events do have gas stop on the trail. If you dont have someone with you to run gas there ALWAYS is someone at the event that would be willing to help you out (at one event a couple years ago, my wife ran gas for 10 riders). Just ask someone and they will likely help, or can point you to someone who can.

Very briefly - how do these work? Groups of 4 riders leave on one minute intervals. Based on the time when they leave, the goal is to arrive at checkpoints at the exactly right time based on the defined speed average. (for these, either 12 or 18 mph) Penalty points are assessed for being early or late. You are given a route sheet to help with the time keeping. Arrows are posted along the trail to follow.

Equipment needs beyond bike and gear - you can have a total blast with nothing else! A odo and watch is needed to attempt to keep time however. Best bet on a first event is to try to hook up with someone who is familiar with time keeping and learn from them. First event or so - dont even worry about time keeping - simply go for the experience!

Z-8 · Feb 27, 2007

:cool: Family Enduro Series!
If you can't have fun at one of these, then you just can't have fun!
There should be plenty of people here to answer any specific questions you might have.

neverenough74 · Feb 27, 2007

Thank you for the break down!

Thank you Mike for the break down! :)
Rock on... this is the info. I'm looking for!
I have no idea how to get him started or what I need to do from the asking question stand point so your info. is awesome. At least I have an idea of what exactly I'm looking at. I take him up north and we ride the trails, he's on his bike and I'm on a Grizzly, so he can't really "follow my lead" so-to-speak. I'm kinda hoping to get him involved with other kids his age as well doing the same so he has an idea of what all is involved. Me on a Enduro :yikes: Although, I think it would be a blast-I am a dare-devil :p lol
Thank you!
Shash

fatherandson · Feb 27, 2007

The family enduro series has a number of classes for riders from age 4 to 64 (all based on their age). Most of the events run a loop program. The loops range from 10-18 miles long. The first loop is ran at the slower speed - 12mph.
Shash, your son would only ride the first loop as all riders age 8 and younger would be done at that time. The older riders will make additional loops at the higher speed - 18 mph. The trails will be tighter than he may be used to as your Grizzly would not fit. No quad jokes.
My suggestion for the son of Shash would be to partner up with other experienced riders and ask someone to follow him on his trail ride. Treat the event as a trail ride and not a race. Enjoy the day and always attend the awards ceremony.
These events typically have about 100 participants, but I am hoping that our advertising efforts will increase attendance in 2007.
You will find me at all of the events. My club promotes two of them and I will be running a check at the other ones.

70 marlin · Feb 28, 2007

neverenough74 said:
Hi!
I'm a new member, mostly on here for some guidance and advice on getting my son into racing Enduros and how/what I can do to support him in his quest. He is 7 years old and has recently went from a little Suzuki 50cc to a Yamaha TTR 90. He's excited and can't wait for spring to break!!
Being in Southeast Michigan, I don't have any idea of where I can take him to ride. I do take him to Northern Michigan for some experience but he needs to ride with other kids his age to get some more exprience. My hope is for him to develop friends and a mentor/mentors to ride with.
Any help, advice, web sites, info., other's experience, would be so much help and so greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Shash a.k.a mom :p

The FES is a great way to show a young one some trail time! Also don't forget about the "CCC" They have a training program for young and old alike. Also they have a trail ride every other weekend almost all summer. It's not racing but it's a lot of fun!

duckboy · Feb 28, 2007

Thanks for the info. I did call and speak directly with Thomas Dunn. Now I just need to get the kid his ORV certificate.

The only question I have left is, what"s the schedule for the day. Do we ride from nine to noon and play cards the rest of the day? Or can we ride the trails for the rest of the day?

tdunn976 · Feb 28, 2007

duckboy said:
Thanks for the info. I did call and speak directly with Thomas Dunn. Now I just need to get the kid his ORV certificate.

The only question I have left is, what"s the schedule for the day. Do we ride from nine to noon and play cards the rest of the day? Or can we ride the trails for the rest of the day?[/QUOTE
Thanks for calling :nod:
You can call any time or e-mail tdunn976@yahoo.com
All of this is for the children!

The days are generally full and fun filled for the kids and after the event is trophy presentations.I have rarely found anyone bored.
At the April event in Kalkaska if possible spend the night and help Plant Trees on Sunday for Arbor Day weekend
I put on one heck of a tree planting. :cool:

If you go to www.michigan.gov/dnr in the right column you can find the contact and info for the safty certificates.
Or call The Cycle Conservation Club's Jon Booth@ 248-660-4273 He trained and certified my twins. :laugh:

fatherandson · Feb 28, 2007

Most of these events have a later start time (10:00 or 11:00) to allow for travel and sign up. The riding takes 2-3 hours and scoring may be another hour (hopefully) and then award presentations. It makes for a rather full day.
Jon Booth has been a regular attendee at the Family Enduros and has provided the training for the safety certificates.

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