Second go at Lane End

The third leg of the Chiltern Hills Enduro Club H&H at Lane End went so much better this time. The previous outing at this location was mostly tight woodland with very few chances for a rest of any sort. So along with a bit of a ‘bug’ I had in the week leading up to it, meant I was absolutely finished in the first leg. Well ok I did crash a lot too which didn’t help! I even started looking around for a KTM200exc to race with and leave the 450 for trail riding but gave up after awhile as no one was giving any motorbikes away. Anyway back to this one - I still crashed a fair bit but managed to enjoy the day none the less. Getting out on the MTB for a couple of weeks before hand definitely helped this time round.

Clocking in, on what i believe is the first lap

Determined to take it easy on the first lap I stuck to the plan and rode round getting the lay of the land and following others not trying to ‘race’ early on. I did still have a few tumbles though! The front wheel caught a branch lying at and angle and the wheel followed it tipping me off but only at very slow speed so I stayed upright. Another followed but now I can’t remember how or what it was. One thing I was having trouble with was the grassy slopes – I overcooked it and somehow lost it again (back end overtook me I think) but only at slow speed. I walked up the bike (it was still running) and picked it up pulling the throttle wide open by mistake! The bike reared up flying out of my hand like a startled horse!! A little surprised myself, I watched as it shot across the slope on its back wheel. This time I calmly walked up and pressed the kill switch before picking it up, although I did have a quick embarrassed look around just too make sure no one had seen the spectacle.

The jump in the field 1

Jump in field 2 

I did end up going completely the wrong way on the first lap. I was following the guys in front when we came out of the woods onto a dirt road by a field. We all shot up the road not realising that we should have turned sharp right. We went about a 100 yards before realising that something was not right so turned around and other riders were also going up the road towards us looking a little confused by the site of half a dozen bikes flying up the road towards them. I spotted the flags in the field and pointed with one hand while nailing the gas with the other to try and brake away.

G-dub at jump

Rich-C at jump

When racing things like laps tend to blend together but thinking back I’m sure it was the second lap that I had an almighty ‘off’. I got to the grass slope which had caught me out before and took it nice and easy but still nearly overcooked it. Carrying on the course then turned left back up the hill with a sharp turn half way up. As I got to the top I could hear a faster rider coming so I tried to stay nice and tight but the slope was so steep it sort of sucked me down a bit and I ended up going too tight (and too slow). I hit the small insignificant looking bush, that turned out to have a rather solid stump in it, and went down. Would not have been much of a drama save for the fact it was on such a slope. I think the handlebars went down and I landed on them hitting me in the chest just next to the chest protector (into the soft bit – me). I then hit the floor and due to the slope the bike landed on top of me as it flipped downwards. My left leg got caught up with the wheel and got dragged up under the bike’s rear end and we tumbled down the hill like that. Marshals were there straight way, luckily as the bike was pinning me down, face first with the 450 on top of my back. They looked rather concerned asking if my leg was ok as they’d seen it get rather bent! All I could do was whisper that I was ok – just winded. I was on my way again within minutes.

I almost look like i know what i'm doing here but it's just Tyrant's photography

I bit pissed off now I tried to keep smooth but speed up at the same time. I’d been noting my lap times and already knew that I’d have to put some quick ones in to make sure I get to lunch break early enough to get another lap in. The next lap was going well but by now my chest/ribs (didn’t know which it was) were really starting to hurt. The next time I hit the fields it was agony. I had to stand up while crossing them and even had to throttle back a little due to the jarring. This really annoyed me as I’d been looking forward to the open bits as I knew the steering damper gave me an advantage. But it was just too much, gritting my teeth and yelling at the same time I went as fast as I could.
I made my extra lap at lunchtime but by now I had bloody stomach cramps to deal with! Something that had affected one of the other TBM’ers as well I believe. I started the last pre-lunch lap with five minutes to spare, so that really ate into my lunch break due to the very long lap distance.

Another pic from Tyrant 

Tony, my mate filled the bike up but said worryingly that the five litre can did not fill it, the open going having used up loads more fuel.
The afternoon session went well, the pain in my chest helped a bit sometimes as it would get jarred and I’d get pissed off which I think made the adrenalin flow so I didn’t feel so tired. I did smile at one stage as I grunted or yelped at every impact, I wondered if the marshals could hear it. “brrrooommm” (the bike) then “urrr” “aahhh” (me) as we went past.

My again at a couples of corners

Wheelie on second last lap (expertly caught by my mate Tony -not)

I was very surprised at how empty the track seemed latter in the day. I knew I’d only be able to get a certain amount of laps in, as being so long it would be hard to squeeze one more in before hitting penalty points for being late. I got to the clocking in machines with just fewer than twenty minutes left of my two hours, mmm if I’d gone one to two minutes a lap faster (each lap) in the afternoon I might have managed another one. Oh well live and learn.
Checking some of the film footage later on I did learn one thing (ok I knew it already) and that is my ‘race craft’ is piss poor. If I aim to get a good result I need to get some lessons and find a place to practice! The old ‘using loads of back brake to slide into corners’ thing alludes me I’m afraid.

After the race Tyrant & Facom came over and we had a bit of a chat about the race and bikes in general. I was a bit surprised when he turned out to be a she! Something I didn't fail to tell my girlfriend so thereby ensuring she'll be at the next meeting to take photo's as usual I'm sure! Thanks for doing the last bit of loading the bike Facom, i'm sure i'll see you both at one of the next rounds.

It's been three days now and chest is still bloody sore. Just getting up out of the sofa is agony and I can't sleep on my chest as normal so keep waking up. I do have a rather amusing looking bruise on my right shoulder though. The Knox body suit has perforations in the soft armour bit and that has left the same pattern on my shoulder after a big impact! It's only skin bruising so the armour definitely dissipated the impact well.

Just seen the preliminary results: 15th in class and 29th overall. Not bad I suppose considering the chest injury but can't help wishing for more!

Well done to Rich-C for finishing just above me in 13th in class - well done!

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