I think this is the right place to post ride reports, if not, someone please let me know where to post and I'll do better next time!
My son and I rode our first ever Enduro this past weekend in Stillwater, OK. We've both only been riding since about May but all our riding buds said we should really try one!! So we did!! Even though the race started at 8:01am it was still hot! Afternoon temps were around 100 deg!! I entered the Beginners class and put my son (15) in the Jr. open. We both were on row 44. We started off and everything was going really good til about 10 miles into the trail. He's riding hard and his throttle sticks wide open! Finally get him going again and I'm coming around a sharp turn between 2 trees, I pull the clutch in and bam, the clutch level snaps! (Never buy cheap stuff!!) I was low on money so bought cheap plastic ones - That will never happen again! So, I'm in the middle of nowhere and no way to use the clutch. So I'm trying to roll the bike enough to get it into first without killing it. Going up hill, that is almost impossible!! So by the first check point I was worn out and mad. My son was still at the check point so I took his front brake lever off and used it for my clutch! Didn't quite fit right but it worked, so off I went! I was so tired already I didn't do very good in the first test section. Got into the second test section and I hit a tree and bam, there went my front brake lever!! No biggie there, but I like using it for sudden stops and turns!! I ended up dumping the bike at least 5 times during the race. Man was I worn out! I'm no spring chicken, I'll be 40 next month!! I was pretty proud of my first race. I didn't hang around much after I saw I wasn't going to win. I believe in my class I took 2nd place, but I was the ONLY pre-registered rider so they only bought one plaque!
I lost that by 1:45!! It was a good experience and a very tough track in my opinion. My son was doing really good. He had to do two laps (20 mile laps). I came out after my race was over and expected him to be getting ready to go on his second lap, when he flags me over and says look at my bike tire!! He must have hit something hard cause all but 2 or 3 spokes on his rear tire were broken and the wheel was just barely hanging on, plus the tube was punctured numerous times and the tire was eaten up pretty good!! we asked if he could finish on my bike, but they said you have to end on the same bike you started so he was finished and had to DNF!! He was upset, but learned alot also!! All in all it was a good race, and I learned alot, like always buy good levers and make sure EVERY aspect of your bike is in good shape and for sure buy handguards with alum. inserts!!! I personally thought 20 miles on that tough a trail for beginner class was a little hard, but I have no complaints. I learned alot and had fun!!! That's all!!!:)
My son and I rode our first ever Enduro this past weekend in Stillwater, OK. We've both only been riding since about May but all our riding buds said we should really try one!! So we did!! Even though the race started at 8:01am it was still hot! Afternoon temps were around 100 deg!! I entered the Beginners class and put my son (15) in the Jr. open. We both were on row 44. We started off and everything was going really good til about 10 miles into the trail. He's riding hard and his throttle sticks wide open! Finally get him going again and I'm coming around a sharp turn between 2 trees, I pull the clutch in and bam, the clutch level snaps! (Never buy cheap stuff!!) I was low on money so bought cheap plastic ones - That will never happen again! So, I'm in the middle of nowhere and no way to use the clutch. So I'm trying to roll the bike enough to get it into first without killing it. Going up hill, that is almost impossible!! So by the first check point I was worn out and mad. My son was still at the check point so I took his front brake lever off and used it for my clutch! Didn't quite fit right but it worked, so off I went! I was so tired already I didn't do very good in the first test section. Got into the second test section and I hit a tree and bam, there went my front brake lever!! No biggie there, but I like using it for sudden stops and turns!! I ended up dumping the bike at least 5 times during the race. Man was I worn out! I'm no spring chicken, I'll be 40 next month!! I was pretty proud of my first race. I didn't hang around much after I saw I wasn't going to win. I believe in my class I took 2nd place, but I was the ONLY pre-registered rider so they only bought one plaque!
I lost that by 1:45!! It was a good experience and a very tough track in my opinion. My son was doing really good. He had to do two laps (20 mile laps). I came out after my race was over and expected him to be getting ready to go on his second lap, when he flags me over and says look at my bike tire!! He must have hit something hard cause all but 2 or 3 spokes on his rear tire were broken and the wheel was just barely hanging on, plus the tube was punctured numerous times and the tire was eaten up pretty good!! we asked if he could finish on my bike, but they said you have to end on the same bike you started so he was finished and had to DNF!! He was upset, but learned alot also!! All in all it was a good race, and I learned alot, like always buy good levers and make sure EVERY aspect of your bike is in good shape and for sure buy handguards with alum. inserts!!! I personally thought 20 miles on that tough a trail for beginner class was a little hard, but I have no complaints. I learned alot and had fun!!! That's all!!!:)