After the rocky climbs of the superb Graythwaite Enduro (Round 1 of the 8 Round North Of England Enduro Championships) came an equally excellent and

challenging Round 2. The Langdale Enduro, held on Sunday 16 May 2004, is famed for its peat bogs (some of which can stop you faster than an unlit skip).

But thanks to excellent weather, and the good course layout and management by the efficient Ryedale Motorcycle Club, the going remained first rate

throughout the day.

A quick time card count at the end of the day indicated that less than a dozen riders were still stuck out on the course (please hand your timecards in at the end

of the event, lads) but if anybody is still stuck out there, I’m sure they will be found at the next Langdale event.

Championship Class

Will Midgely put together a trio of fast tests, including the fastest test of the day, to take overall victory in the Championship Class. Only 3 seconds off the

pace, and despite nearly cocking up his timecard, second placed man Ally Lauder had a worthwhile trip down from the boarders. Third placed Paul Watson

put in 3 consistantly good tests to hold Graythwaite winner Kyle Deswert back in fourth. Best 4 stroke (Fifth overall) went to Pickering’s multi-talented

Barry Darrell.

Expert Class

An inspired ride by Sheffield’s Jason Eyre, gave him top honours in the Experts although a quick look at his total test times makes you wonder whether

darker forces were at work (666 seconds). Chris Hallam took an excellent second place, and veteran rider Paul Metcalfe took third.

Clubman Class

Across the park ferme came a cry of “Why aren’t you riding expert, you pot-hunting git?!”, but I’ve no idea what or who they were talking about….anyway well done Alan Lauder for a good win in the Clubman Class. John Boden had a good second and there was another strong performance from Graythwaite winner, Steven Carver, for third.

Sportsman

Best sportsman went to David Sedgewick, with Paul Reynolds and Robert Blackburn second and third respectively, making Robert’s trip up from London worth his while.

It’s good to see some new faces in the NEEC this year, some from the South of England as well as the North, riding and enjoying the diverse terrains on offer in these events, proving what a far-reaching, all-round championship this is turning out to be. The next event is the Stang Enduro, with plenty of technical forestry going in a stunning location, well worth a visit if you’ve never ridden it before. It’s always a cracking event. Entries for the previous two rounds filled up very quickly, so in the immortal words of Fred Pontin “Book Early!”