2009 Alter Eight Enduro.

I’ll start by saying  that this was my favorite race last year and judging by the mca polls it was also a favorite of many other riders.

This year did not disappoint .  Not a great turnout for the race with the forecast coming into the race being lots of rain, locusts, and several other plagues piled on one another.

The lack of riders did not dampen the spirits those who were not big wimps.  The course….All I can say is that this is how a course should be set up, finally a roseisle course with flow and a perfect balance of ripping fast flowy downhills and steady easily paced uphills.  Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

My race.

I was first leg with the incomparable Allan Robertson as my partner in the two man category.  I went out with the intention of riding a pace that I could hold for four hours.  Not too difficult with the rain we had had.  My snowboarding background came in handy as I slid down everything with even the slightest of angle (wet).  My first lap was  38 minutes .  Based on this we decided to do 2 hour stints.  The rain had stopped by the start of the event and every lap was getting faster, stickier, easier.  I then posted a 35 followed by a 37.

When I came through for transition to Allan…He wasn’t in the starting blocks (turns out Don Sissons had sprained his ankle and Al was making sure he was ok, excusable…I guess .  Al went out and held our position in third, first place was already out of reach due to some fast Morden locals who went untouchable all day.  We had Graham and Josh to worry about and with Graham doing 5 laps on his first stint we were in a bit of a hole.  Al filled alot of the hole , 1 beer and some idle chit chat  later, I was back up for my 4-5-6 laps.

I went out slowly and could feel my previous laps in my legs.  Anyone who has ridden at this amazing place understands that.  4th lap bang on 38 minutes, 5th lap a little slower, 6th lap…OH hello Mr. Crampy legs.  I maybe should have drank water instead of that refreshing malt beverage.  I had caught and passed Josh for second place on my 5th lap.  I was 5 minutes slower on my 6th lap… He was slowing as well.  We were down by two minutes.  As I came meandering into the transition for Al I told him to go catch the Gerolsteiner Jersey.  Apparently that was all the motivation he needed.

As he came through for his lap he looked right into my soul with the fires of hell burning in his eyes and said “You’d better be ready when I come through”.  Obviously with the assistance of Beelzebub himself he posted the second fastest lap time of the event.  when you dance with evil you will always pay the price,  For Al it was in the form of  a visit from Mr. Crampy legs.  When Al came through for transition He looked like he had been chased super fast zombies of some kind.  I was ready

While in the pits I had “accidentally” overheard josh mention to another rider that he had to stop on “Gilles secret trail ” climb to fight off vertical expulsion of his previous meal.  Hmmmm.  Graham handed the reigns to Josh just behind me as I went out for what was to be our final lap.  2nd and 3rd separated by 1 second after 7 hours of racing.  I did not want another visit from Mr. Crampy legs so I had to be reasonable about my efforts.  Immediately after our transition I let Josh go.  A draft is a wonderful thing.  I let him gap me by about 10 seconds hoping he would push a little harder.  He did.  I kept him within reach as much as I could.  My plan was to slowly reel him in by the time we got to “the climb”.  I slowly reeled him in by the time we got to the climb.  It was difficult sitting on his wheel up the climb as my top fuel does not have a granny ring (I wished it had).  Josh and I rode off the top of the climb and through an uber flowy new cut section along the top of the ridge.  When we got to the opening just before the descent I reached down ,got my can opener and opened a steaming fresh can of whoop ass.  I think I put 35 seconds on Josh by the bottom of the descent.  I love my bike.

Josh and Graham were awesome opponents and I thank them for making it such a close battle all day.

I thank Allen (or at least the person I knew as Allen before the possession) for keeping it real.

As I said off the top this is such a well run event,  Gobs of prizes courtesy of Norco,  Great trails and perfect weather for racing.  Again my favorite race this year.

BEEEAW!

Dave./D.J.