DeeBart
Posts : 137 Join date : 2009-08-12 Age : 48 Location : Hoover
| Subject: ENDUROS AREN'T JUST DIRTBIKES WITH HEADLIGHTS Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:45 pm | |
| Another good article I found... The BeginningBack in 1971 when I first started riding motorcycles, my Honda SL70 was referred to by my friends as an enduro type minibike. I was told by someone of more wisdom than my 10 years that because it had a headlight it surely wasn't a motocrosser.In the early 70's I lived in what was in retrospect a trail rider's paradise, Oil City, PA. This little town nestled in the Allegheny Mountains had more pristine, undeveloped land than this young man could ride in a lifetime. I would wake up on weekends and summer days and ride my bike through the alleys to an old baseball field that served as my gateway to endless miles of deer trails. During those early years I developed a love for the deep woods that were only reachable on my dirt bike.Like many of us 40-somethings, circumstances created situations and opportunities that took us away from our riding days. For me, it was a driver's license and my first car that caused me to stop riding. Back in the SaddleIt wasn't until 1990 that I had a chance to buy an old 76 KX400 from one of my salesmen for $300 that I got back into woods riding again on two wheels hat I loved so much. Unfortunately, it was only a temporary reintroduction as kids were born and moves happened.Christmas 2001 was to be the catalyst that would send me back to throttle twisting. That year we bought our youngest son a PW50 and set him lose in the yard. He loved it almost as much as I did watching him. I decided that I needed to get the old 400 out of the shed where it had been sitting for five years not being even moved. After soaking the carb in solvent, fresh gas, etc. she started right up and I was riding with my son.Unlike his dad, he didn't have countless acres of wooded land to ride on so we ended up taking him to our local motocross track where he excelled at peewee racing. After watching I even got into racing. I can still see he looks on the faces of the other riders as I pulled on the track with that old KX with the suspension of a milk truck and started riding. Fast New FriendsOne thing I learned real fast was how good dirtbike people are as I quickly made a bunch of new friends. Like me, most were dads that where out with their sons watching them ride. Funny thing happened though; most of the dads went out and bought bikes. So I upgraded to a 96 XR 400. Just a year ago here in Northwest Florida, there were several good places to trail ride. At one such place I met a local center of influence in the dirt bike community. This man and his adult son became friends and invited me to ride an enduro with them in Mississippi. This is where the fun really started.Back in the saddle with crampsThe event was the Bear Whiz Enduro in Hattiesburg, MS. When my son and I pulled in Friday afternoon there were maybe ten other people there. By 10 PM there were RV's, toy haulers and trucks all over the place. On Saturday I got to meet the colorful Fred Pittman who hosted the event. My son raced his first kids race that day and I'll never forget the relief I felt when I saw him come out of the woods several miles later in one piece.All that night my buddies from Fort Walton kept reassuring me that I would be able to finish the race. They explained that all I had to do was not to pass them since we were on the same row and I wouldn't burn a check. At 300 lbs. and 40 years of age I was sure that would never be a problem. Sunday morning we were up early and ate some eggs at the campsite before heading to the line. I think we were on row 36. As the race started I was jittery and wondered what I had gotten myself into. It wasn't long before faster riders were blowing by me. One thing I noticed right off the bat was that they said "thank you" as they passed. Long story-short, I finished the race with the worst leg cramps I ever had. I was in agony! But I finished; I made it all the way! Most of it was due to the coaching of my friends and the inspirational words of my buddy Vic when he said, "Only 20 more miles to go. That's like two loops at Mossy Head" (Mossy Head is on of our now-closed riding areas).Time of my lifeLast year my son and I competed in six SERA enduros together. This year we joined SERA and I have already finished three and my goal is just to complete them all, to go the distance. I am a C - rider and proud of it. I have never had as much fun as I am having now. I have lost 35 lbs. and presently working out with a trainer to get into shape. I don't just go riding anymore, I go to practice.They say that a man in his forties will go out and buy a sports car to try to regain his youth. Me, I want to get a steering dampener for my 426. Some observations1) There aren't as many woods out there as there was in 1971. 2) Even on the worst day (like this year's Bear Whiz) I feel lucky to be out there riding. 3) You'll never find better friends than the guys you ride with. 4) Enduros are not a type of motorcycle, they are the best-kept secret in motorsports. Rick Reynolds Navarre, FL Rick@venueonhold.com
Now you boys should be fired up so you need to get out to these local events and support them!!!!!!! Dee B.
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easy2pass
Posts : 79 Join date : 2009-08-09 Age : 42 Location : Pell City
| Subject: Re: ENDUROS AREN'T JUST DIRTBIKES WITH HEADLIGHTS Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:12 pm | |
| Me personally, I never had a bike until my son got his little 70, and i couldnt turn down the price for my 250x to ride with him. I gotta say, this is the most fun ive ever had........much more fun than cars.....i can do that when im old haha. | |
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