SACU Training Day
Rosewell Nr Penicuik - 12th Oct
2003
Thanks to Colin Tait for the use of his farm and track for a beginners and
new to enduros training day. The only mud was at the powerwasher at the end
of the day.
With new British Enduro Champions Chris Hay
125 and Richard Hay 450 in
attendance there was plenty of experience to pass on. After signing on and splitting into
groups it was off round the track to loosen up. Berms , hill climbs and jumps were
the lessons of the day.
The main thing passed on was - plan in advance what you are going
to do. Enter corners at the speed you choose and then blast out at full speed.
Most problems occur when riders enter a hazard without any plan on how to get out of it.
Richard showed several lines round a corner depending on where the berm was and how smooth
the track. Riders were also taught how to attack a hill and how to come down it safely.
Although Stu Young did a classic "flying W" over the bars when his front wheel
dug in, stopping fast is as important as going fast !!.
Lunch time was a chat about the SACU and the now traditional wheel change.
Alex made full use of this as his was the demo bike - he asked to have the tread turned (
It's not Kwik Fit you know .... ). A good suggestion on using old tubes as a liner to stop
punctures was made when it was pointed out that you are better to slit the outside of the
tire rather than the inside as it prevents compression punctures better. Good point !
Change of trainers and locations after lunch and some fast practice with
the Hays showed how the top riders do it. A day enjoyed by all and no injuries - only
stiff joints the next day.
Part of the proceeds of the day are to be used to help Chris Hay in the
ISDE in Brazil. He is a member of the Junior team and expected to do well in the sandy
test there.
![ro01.jpg (63718 bytes)](images2003/ro01_small.jpg)
The hire bikes - all blue of course |
![ro02.jpg (97786 bytes)](images2003/ro02_small.jpg)
Lunch - and a time to chat |
![ro03.jpg (53529 bytes)](images2003/ro03_small.jpg)
British Champs - what more can you ask |
![ro04.jpg (85912 bytes)](images2003/ro04_small.jpg) |
![ro05.jpg (88230 bytes)](images2003/ro05_small.jpg) |
![ro06.jpg (88170 bytes)](images2003/ro06_small.jpg)
Keith Wright in control on the way down |
![ro07.jpg (48625 bytes)](images2003/ro07_small.jpg)
Richard gives some tips... |
![ro08.jpg (54464 bytes)](images2003/ro08_small.jpg)
.. and shows how to do it. |
![ro09.jpg (50563 bytes)](images2003/ro09_small.jpg)
Stuart Clachan gets some speed up |
![ro10.jpg (47097 bytes)](images2003/ro10_small.jpg)
Alex gets the back end out |
![ro11.jpg (56822 bytes)](images2003/ro11_small.jpg) |
![ro12.jpg (53043 bytes)](images2003/ro12_small.jpg)
The beast is tamed at last |
![ro13.jpg (65359 bytes)](images2003/ro13_small.jpg) |
![ro14.jpg (84631 bytes)](images2003/ro14_small.jpg)
We start them young . Paul Scotts boy |
![ro15.jpg (89411 bytes)](images2003/ro15_small.jpg)
Stu Young knows - the only way is up.!! |
![horizontal rule](_themes/safari/safsepa.gif)
SACU Training Day
West Bold - Walkerburn - 8th June
2003
19 keen young riders turned up for the first SACU Enduro training day of 2003. Run by
Training Coordinator Dougie Maclean with the aid of several Scottish Expert Class riders
at West Bold Farm in Walkerburn. A famous check from British and World rounds.
Dougal Walker, Murray Thomson and Malcolm Bissett lead the day along with Dougie and
were helped by Paul Scott and Greig Walker.
Click on the photos to enlarge. E-mail me if you
want a full size copy.
![train0301.jpg (86056 bytes)](images2003/train0301_small.jpg) Tom
Rae - All Clean to start |
![train0302.jpg (52666 bytes)](images2003/train0302_small.jpg) Back
in the Borders at West Bold
Graham Muir - looks forward to a tough day. |
![train0303.jpg (87858 bytes)](images2003/train0303_small.jpg) GAS
GAS 450 - NICE !! |
![train0304.jpg (104627 bytes)](images2003/train0304_small.jpg)
What am I doing here ? |
![train0305.jpg (59980 bytes)](images2003/train0305_small.jpg) Pushing
across the road to the start |
![train0306.jpg (65384 bytes)](images2003/train0306_small.jpg) Get
your weight right back ! |
![train0307.jpg (58658 bytes)](images2003/train0307_small.jpg) Looking
good |
![train0308.jpg (61730 bytes)](images2003/train0308_small.jpg) Getting
up to speed |
Starting the day with a brief safety talk followed by scrutineering and sign on the
riders were then lead across a smooth grassy field to the course. That was the last time
they saw flat, dry ground for the rest of the day. Mud and rocks were in abundance and
proved real Enduro terrain to teach on.
Learning how to cross streams , ride up hills, and then back down hills, corner on a
greasy slope and ride ruts. And not forgetting the mud. There was a lovely wee bog all set
up - the trick - don't stop - but no one told Tom Rae ( see photo). Riding standing
up, sitting down - it didn't matter - just keep going.
Some of the riders had ridden several events and were looking to improve their
technique - others were new to off road and just wanted to see what it was all about.
Riding a range of machinery from full blown GASGAS 450 Enduro machinery to trail bikes
every one was able to get round the track - fitness proving the final hurdle. Somebody was
going to be stiff after this.
![train0309.jpg (74191 bytes)](images2003/train0309_small.jpg) Nice
Stance |
Lesson
3 - paddle like mad. |
![train0311.jpg (80917 bytes)](images2003/train0311_small.jpg) Look
at his eyes- focus OK |
![train0312.jpg (63872 bytes)](images2003/train0312_small.jpg) Andy
Macdonald on the big XR600 emerges from the river feet up. |
![train0313.jpg (61114 bytes)](images2003/train0313_small.jpg) Fast
exit and in control |
![train0315.jpg (108456 bytes)](images2003/train0315_small.jpg)
Mud -lesson 1 Don't stop |
![train0316.jpg (95910 bytes)](images2003/train0316_small.jpg) Lesson
2 - full throttle |
|
Bruce Joyce wrote - would just like to thank you and your
collegues for the sterling work in putting on such a fantastic day. My son, Luke, and myself thourghly
enjoyed ourselves, learnt plenty and came home in absolute agony.
Although all the volunteers were very helpful
I would like to make a special thanks to a couple of them. Paul helped Luke by
repairing his bike so that he could continue having fun. And Dougal, poor Dougal, he was
so patient with us numpty novices that we really did learn more than he probably realises.His
deliberately throwing himself off his bike occasionally to make us feel better was
exceptional. I even learned how to start my bike properly!. Once again thank
you all for a wonderful day. If it is possible we would
love to attend another training day in the future. Better not tell Dougal though as it
might frighten him.Best regards BruceP.S. I am so
sore.
The instructors did - very rarely it must be said - make an
occassional mistake. And of course were caught on camera.
The riders were initially set off round a small course before being
split into smaller groups with an instructor. At the end of the day they were told that
they were finished and could go back to the start - or have another couple of laps of the
track. Everyone blasted off round the track - despite looking knackered - and put in
some very impressive rides. Smiles all round. We had to drag them off the hill at the end.
Lunchtime provided a chance to talk about Enduros and introduce the
riders to time checks and special tests. Dougal Walker provided the obligatory
tire change at short notice.
A big thank you must go to the landowner of West Bold Martin
Laing and Family and to the farmer David Hamilton for their for
help in letting use the ground - good to be back in the borders again.
![train0314.jpg (93540 bytes)](images2003/train0314_small.jpg) The
land owner - Martin .
Many thanks |
![train0321.jpg (81556 bytes)](images2003/train0321_small.jpg) Taking
the boys for a quick spin.
Dougal and Murray set off
|
![train0318.jpg (92688 bytes)](images2003/train0318_small.jpg) Are
we having fun yet ? |
![train0320.jpg (75954 bytes)](images2003/train0320_small.jpg) Lunch
-and a chance to rest |
![train0322.jpg (65907 bytes)](images2003/train0322_small.jpg) Dave
Ramsay getting some speed up entering the river |
![train0323.jpg (129809 bytes)](images2003/train0323_small.jpg) A
lot of rocks - this isn't as easy as it looks |
![train0324.jpg (61016 bytes)](images2003/train0324_small.jpg) Perfect
positioning |
![train0319.jpg (69647 bytes)](images2003/train0319_small.jpg) Lunch
- and Dougal shows how to change a tire
An annual occurance for some bikes |
![train0325.jpg (68628 bytes)](images2003/train0325_small.jpg) Paul
Cunningham on the tight test track |
![train0326.jpg (100960 bytes)](images2003/train0326_small.jpg) Did
I mention the mud ? |
![train0327.jpg (93806 bytes)](images2003/train0327_small.jpg) Malky
demonstrates the correct way to lift a bike - once you drop it in front of a camera !! |
![train0328.jpg (80572 bytes)](images2003/train0328_small.jpg) And
rest.
Then they all blasted off round the field again.
I thought you lot were tired? |
|