Champagne Valley – National Enduro – Results:

National –> National Results (page down to see all)
Regional –> Reginal Results (page down to see all)

Left speechless and relatively broken. Not been so beat-up in a long time.
Spring in the Drakensberg, a hot day above 30 degrees, was enough to exhaust
anyone, not to mention on a mountain surrounded by baking rocks. One lap of
what was an extreme enduro enough, muscles cramping and mind fried making it
a very long day.

Needed new plastics and having them fitted before a national enduro not the
brightest of moves – no problem, I would just ride more carefully – not that
simple and second hand the bike now looks again.

Started off badly miss judging the depth of a pool of water flying over my
bars as the front wheel disappeared followed by the rest of the bike. Pulled
it out and after removing the sparkplug drained the motor of water. Was
helped to get it going again – thanks. Did not take long at least, but what
a start to the day.

A little way further was faced by a huge washed-out ditch that one had to
ride up the side to get down. Lots of marshals around which is always a bad
sign. Any moments hesitation and one was surely to fall down, eyes closed
and throttle held open I headed for the other side and remarkable made it
with my heart pounding. Was told that Jade jumped it – exactly what Chuck
Norris would have done!

All going well now and nothing major to get excited about until a little
downhill at the pits – no doubt for spectators. Walking was my immediate
intension except a rider passed me and down he rode – did not instil any
confidence except to prove that walking was not an option – just too steep.
Foot on back brake and eyes almost closed down I went – facing several
drop-offs. Screaming was not possible despite all attempts – fear paralysing
any actions apart from holding on and hearing the rear suspension crashing
down after each near launch. Wow, what a first kilometre or two.

A bit further a major climb not only exhausting, rather entertaining.
Was riding a steam engine, radiator hissing and water from the little swim
now also steaming. Struggled to get over a rock which I should have bounced
over. After some effort, changed tactics and found an easier line and up I
went. First of many climbs, far to many to individually remember.

One of the more memorable was a huge relatively straight uphill which
required some speed. Almost made it to the top – not being exactly in
control, slowing down to end up spinning the back wheel, coming to a
standstill. Was fun while it lasted.

As to be expected, many down hills had to be navigated as well. On one of
the really rocky ones, a bike appeared to be launching itself downwards -
the one and only Chris Birch. Was standing on the main line, no problem, he
found another and almost miraculously sailed down while I pushed and pulled
my bike over rocks desperately trying to stop it from running away and now
demoralised as well

Not much further on one of the few relatively flat sections hear a rider
approach reasonable quickly, so as not the hold him up, found a rock to
deflect my front wheel off and down I went. Jade passed and shouted ‘what
about the bike?’ – good question.

Nearing the end of the lap the decision if I should stop and call it a day
loomed. No way was my reaction consoling myself with what I had already
done. The level of fatigue only evident when I got off – was totally ‘f.’
finished.

Tough at another level. How I am ever going to complete two lap is still a
mystery to me. The level of fitness and technical ability almost
unfathomable.

Well done to all the riders and WFO, I am left speechless, challenging and
then somewhat. Will be back for more no doubt.