Mid-Ohio--what about enduro riders?

[83husky250]

I just returned from Vintage Days with conflicting emotions.  Of course I had a good time, and I met a ton of good people, but one thing bugs me.  All the road racers get to race their bikes, all the motocrossers are out playing in the dust/mud, but what about the enduro riders?  While quarter car washes are filled with dirty MX bikes, my 250 WR Husky sits nice and clean in my garage, idle on the best weekend of the year.  I have no intention of eating dust on the MX track from some hot rod CR or YZ.  I would never put street tires on it and go on the road course, either.  So why are we fed scraps when without trail and enduro riders, none of the manufacturers could afford to make mx bikes over the years.  Until recently, enduro and trail riders have had to put up with yesterdays news in weight and suspension (other than Penton, of course).  I'm sure that some long course could be set up around the perimeter of mid-ohio, possibly incorporating some of the road course, the southeast parking lot, and the vintage part of the mx course.  Do it on Friday when no one is racing.  Make it like a six days/poker run with checks where you get a card.  Have it with six-days type rules for the bikes involved--working lights spark arrestors, horn--let the RM 370's go somewhere else that day.  Have entry fee, but have it go to the museum or a charity.  Have a enduro riders legends lap--with
the Pentons, Malcom, King Richard, ect. ride.  They deserve it too don't they?

[p3mn256]

hi  i'm steve barber   i'm with the enduro riders assoc. do we have the thing for you. 614 582 7821 or 614 891 1369. i'll be posting a reminder in a few days about hte little burr vintage  enduro but you can call me for more info.  thanks steve

steve barber

[brian kirby]

It would have to be a regular AHRMA cross country event (RM370s allowed) there just are not enough "enduro" bikes to fill out a field. Having said that, I agree with you that the offroad segment is being left out and should be included in the future.

Brian

'72 Six Day (on loan from Ernie P.)

[83husky250]

I'm not saying it has to be a full on staged event with AHRMA points or AMA sanctions (I don't belong to either organization), or that it has to be racing machines either.  A guy with a DT Yamaha, or a SL Honda would be included as well, not just Pentons, Huskys, Ossa's, et al.  There has to be a viable option other than plonking around the swap meet.

[brian kirby]

I think it should be an AHRMA race, the cross country discipline should not be left out as it is now. It would not be that difficult to put on a standard AHRMA CC event, the course at NY this year was barely 2 miles long so its not like you need thousands of acres. I've ridden some motocross tracks that were 2 miles. DTs and SLs do ARHMA CC events now, so thats not a problem

Brian

'72 Six Day (on loan from Ernie P.)

[tlanders]

I am really pushing for and hoping for an AHRMA Cross Country race at Mid Ohio next year. I was asked by AHRMA yesterday to try and make it happen. We will need plenty of NEW volunteers as the AHRMA regulars are stretched beyond limits already at MO. Anyone willing to help please contact me.

Teddy

[brian kirby]

What do you need? I can help, but I'll be racing so it couldnt be something during the race.

Brian

'72 Six Day (on loan from Ernie P.)

[OhioTed]

Craig,

You want to be in Toronto, Ohio, on Saturday, August 11th.  The hosting BSA club calls it a "Reliability Run", but brother - it's a vintage enduro.  Key time is 9:00 am.  You'll just need to get your Husky street-legal lookin', and you'll be all set.  LOTS of other cool stuff goin' on there, too.  Be there!  You'll not regret it.

[83husky250]

Ted, do you know the name of the sponsoring club?  I don't think I can get away that weekend, but I'd like to contact them for information on location, rules, ect.

[OhioTed]

That would be the Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club.  Just type in OVBSAOC into your server's search engine, and you'll be all set.  Note that POG has an inside line with the OVBSAOC, and they are good people.  Just ask Paul Danik.

[OhioTed]

I've reread 83Husky's post, and am in agreement.  Enduro riders are being left out.  While the reasons are obvious - the amount of land needed, and the personel/logistical requirements, I do not agree with Brian that we could not field enough riders.  

As Husky suggests, there are lots of us who want to ride, but have neither the bikes, bodies, or desire to tear around a motocross track.  Personally, I'm even too beat-up for CC anymore.  What we're looking for is an organized trail ride, with the added appeal of timed checks.

I've attended organized trail rides, put on as fundraisers by rural communities, and the riders came out in droves.  Seemed to me that there were lots of "Enduro-lookin'" guys among those riders, who were just looking to ride a semi-serious, enduro-type event.  

Maybe we could get enough people interested to convince Steve Barber to schedule a Little-Burr type of event on the Thursday before Vintage Days.  Sure would be a great warm-up to the weekend.

[83husky250]

Ted has hit the nail on the head.  What we need on Vintage weekend is something that the average dirt rider can enjoy.  When I arrived at vintage days this year, I struck up a conversation with two guys who had just arrived, one with a 75 250 CZ enduro and one with an Ossa Pioneer.  They were unloading and starting up their bikes, and after I  talked with them for awhile, they started up and rode off.  To where, or to what, I wondered.  I realize that the staff and volunteers that weekend have all they can handle putting on the event, and they do a great job. That said, it would be great to have an event like Ted described, something that would attract riders and bikes common and uncommon.  Remember the old saying--if you build it, they will come.

[Young Ted]

What the situation is today, I don't know, but here is what happened in '89. The Enduro Division in District 14, Michigan of course, had a Vintage Class. There was no competition to my taking home the first place trophy.
Having a fun trail ride on older bikes, or any bike, is a different matter. This can be done in Michigan any time and is what I do every now and then.

Young Ted

[dennis brown]

a few years ago in fairville,ny they put on an ahrma vintage enduro,an a great event it was .i belive they did it for 3 years  but not a lot of riders

dennis l.brown