Carshalton Motorcycle club enduro
Venue:- Yately Heath Wood, Blackbush.
Class:- Sportsman
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Sportsman Times...
2 laps in 90 minutes
2 laps in 80 minutes
1 lap in 30 minutes
1 lap in 40 minutes

The day did not start well, I arrived a little too early and the orange direction arrows were not yet out meaning I got rather lost trying to find the venue. Still got there in plenty of time to register, get the bike scrutineered and have a coffee and hot dog before the off.

The track was not too challenging, mainly flat and free from fallen branches but very very dusty. It was certainly a day to either be in front of a long way behind as the dust kicked up by other riders would hang in the air for some time leaving those behind coughing and temporarily blinded.

I took the first lap nice and steady as I had 45miniutes in which to do it. Saw the special test part way around and considered doing it as there was no queue but decided against it as there was also no tyre track to follow yet. On the second lap there was a queue for the special test so I thought I'd do it in the next session. a few seconds later I remembered that the next session was shorter and I didn't have that much time spare, Doh! A little naughtily I left the track and made my way back to the special test area and awaited my turn like a good boy.

The special went well I thought, I didn't fall and, following advice I'd been given earlier in the day, I gave it lots of beanz :o)

Finished the first session with 10 minutes to spare. Refuelled both the bike and myself then headed out on my minute.

During the second session I considered two points, At the end I wanted enough time spare to refuel the bike and get myself some food and drink etc. I also wanted to see if I could do a lap in 30 minutes or less in preparation for the third session. I found myself at the end with 15 minutes on hand, plenty of time for a refuel etc BUT, could I pick up the speed per lap enough to shave another 2.5 minutes off a lap? The 1 lap in 30miniutes was going to be tight.

Third session went fairly smoothly. I did still slow down to let some of the faster riders go past and I also got slowed a little by one or two riders but nothing that would make a huge difference. I was feeling quite fit and the bike and I seemed to click together and feel smooth. I stopped at the checkpoint to see that I was already into my spare minute but that would be good enough. Recalling stories of other riders seeing the clock tick over into penalty time before the marshal had marked their card I informed anyone and everyone nearby that I was there at 48 minutes past the hour. A marshal acknowledged my pleas and my card was stamped appropriately. This was a relief, the tight lap was over AND I'd done it within time, it was turning out to be a good day. Just one lap left and 40 minutes in which to do it.

I don't know if it was because I was happy to have done the tight lap in time or just that I was relaxing as it was the last lap but this was to be one of the more eventful and amusing laps of the day. I'd seen and chatted to a young lady on bike 99 a couple of times this day and at previous events and on the final lap we seemed to be going around almost together. I was riding quicker than I needed to for no particular reason and caught up No. 99 fairly early on. Rather than try to get past unnecessarily I was content to follow her for a while but then a faster rider overtook me. No. 99 pulled off the track to let them past and for some unknown reason I followed No. 99 into the bushes! Quickly correcting my error I overtook 99 and carried on my way. Not long after I pulled over to let another rider pass and stalled it. You guessed it, No.99 then passed me whilst checking I was OK. Eventually I caught and took No.99 again but low and behold I missed a turning later and found myself ducking under the course marking tape with the back wheel still locked. A quick about turn and I was off to the Finnish line just keeping ahead of 99 whom I saw catching me quickly. A quick check of the time to ensure I wasn't more then 10 minutes ahead of time (an instant exclusion for being more than 10 minutes early through a check) and my race was over for another day. Excellent day, didn't fall once, no time penalties, and I left still feeling fairly fit. OK, I wasn't able to do a great deal later this day but being able to stand after an event is an improvement for me.