Enduros at 50+ ?

[Buzzez]

Originally Posted by Cumminsman76

I found this one.

http://www.blackjackenduro.com/Schedule.asp

Thanks...I've been checking that out too.

[ThumperDRZ]

Originally Posted by Buzzez

Please tell me about the enduros. Is there a website?

I hear that in an Enduro you're not used as traction in the first turn.........

Let me know when you're going - you never know....

[Buzzez]

Originally Posted by ThumperDRZ

I hear that in an Enduro you're not used as traction in the first turn.........

Let me know when you're going - you never know....

I found a lot of useful info stickied at the top of our central forum.


motodirtlover posted this link.


In it was a very informative page regarding enduros.
enduro101

[DC950]

Originally Posted by ThumperDRZ

I hear that in an Enduro you're not used as traction in the first turn.........

Let me know when you're going - you never know....

I found that to be true in my one rain shortened enduro; they wait till you're out on the trail .

[barnyard]

I can't remember if someone posted this link
Flyin Ryan's site

The thing with Thielman is that it is state land that is closed to motorcycles, except for 2 weekends a year. The weekend before Memorial Day and the weekend after Labor day. The trails there are awesome and I am not exaggerating when I say that it would be worth the drive.

You do not need to be a D23 member to participate. If you do an enduro down your way, you will get an AMA card and membership for your district. Bring that stuff with if you come up.

Tom B

[12gauge]

Im 53. Been riding bikes my whole life, been playing in the dirt for the last ten years. I've been competitive for the last 5 or so. Started with local hare scrambles. I thought I was in shape and thought I would die in the first few races. Found out that I needed better cardio conditioning to survive. That and learn how to recover from falling and picking up my bike again and again, pushing and pulling it and just plain hanging on for two or three hours straight. I did some GNCC Senior 'C' races; mid-pack results. Began to ride a bicycle for cardio workouts. Used plyometrics and calistentics (body weight) workouts for muscle conditioning. Then rode every weekend no matter the weather for riding conditioning. I took a couple podium GNCC 45+ 'C' class finishes in the 2-hr races. After I turned 50 I took a a couple podium places (1-2nd; 1-1st) in GNCC SuperSenior 'B'. Decided that I didn't really like the GNCC game. I wanted singletrack trail and to go somewhere, not in circles with 400 or so of my closest friends, even if the circles were 10+ miles. I bought a WalMart digital watch that I could set to the second, a rollchart holder and scorecard holder and did my first enduro last season and really liked it. So I managed to do the entire local series and finished in 2nd place in Super Senior 'B'.

What would I recommend for a guy wanting to get out and ride trails in an organized setting? Get a plate for that dirtbike, put a headlight and tailight on it and sign up for all the Dual Sport events you can get to. You'll have a ball and you will be able to "test" yourself and your gear. You can ride as fast as you want once you hit the woods and yet not be anyone's way that is trying to compete. I've not heard of a DS rider say it wasn't long enough, especially the 2-day "national" series sponsored by the AMA. Once you find out what you and your bike can do, then you may wish to ante up for a competitive event. My bet is, if you dig the ride, you'll get a more modern ride that delivers smooth linear power and has better suspension. Large displacement (300+) 2-smoke KTMs from the Ninties were known for thier beastly personalities.

[Buzzez]

Welcome to the asylum 12gauge! Nice first post! That's some good info. Not sure if I would be able to plate my KTM for various reasons...and yeah, I'm gonna have to get into better shape, pronto...

Hey barnyard, Thanks for the link. I hope to make it up our way...

[10eseetraveler]

I am closing the door on 61 years young and having a ball riding dirt bikes. I work all around the country and last year I was in New Jersey. To make a long story short I rode 10 enduros and 3 hare scrambles in the Northeast and had a ball. There were some guys in their 70"s riding and riding good.
I rode motocross when I was in my late teens and 20's and quit because of a back injury for over 20 years. I started back riding with my son about 14 years ago and really got back into the sport. I love it, get riding and keep it up.

[Stu]

12 gauge -- go for it. I'm 70 and rode a hare scramble last season finishing 4th in my class. Hope to ride a few more this year. My '09 300 KTM is about the best bike I think I could hope to have for riding and surviving. I managed to get it plated as well.

Barnyard -- I have a friend in Cambridge, MN my age that just got a KTM 450 EXC and I've threatened to come up and suck his number plates off as I blow by. Where are you located?

Stu

[Buzzez]

Another new guy to the forum! You guys are an inspiration to me. I'm getting pumped thinking about the upcoming riding season!

You guys even came up with cool usernames!

[deaconjones]

Seems I shouldn't have worried about competing at 52 when so many are posting up about their exploits at 60 and 70+. Very encouraging.

[barnyard]

Originally Posted by Stu

Barnyard -- I have a friend in Cambridge, MN my age that just got a KTM 450 EXC and I've threatened to come up and suck his number plates off as I blow by. Where are you located?

Stu

1 hour west of Cambridge in Sauk Rapids.

Tom B

[jack splash]

Hey: There's a handful of over 60 year old enduro guys in the East Coast Enduro Assoc, who have been riding since what seems the beginning of time. In speaking with them over the years, they, we feel, that when you stop riding, is when you'll start to feel old.

Jack

[Spokes - Missouri]

Originally Posted by Buzzez

Hey Spokes-Missouri,

Here's the list of all of the races. I'm going to Elk Creek on March 14. If I survive it and like it, I'll go to others...

Please tell me about the enduros. Is there a website?

I've been away for a few days. I doubt I'll do Elk Creek. I've ridden there a few times. It's typical ozarks terrain, rocky single track. I will be at the OMTRA event at Mansfield in the fall. OMTRA is my club.

I will be at White Rock the next week (3/21) for the enduro.

I usually do the Hillbilly GPs in the winter. Check out www.hillbillygp.com. There is one this Sunday in Marshfield. It will be muddy. We raced on the 10th at Collins, MO in the snow. It was fun. You could get traction, if you were breaking new tracks. All the riders over 50 years of age only made one lap, even though we could have continued.

I do Black Jack Enduros spring and fall. www.blackjackenduro.com. I happen to be chairman of the circuit this year.

If you go to Elk Creek, remember to have fun.

[BigToad]

Hey I'm in the same boat! In April I turn 50

Last year after the Dakar I decided that If I was serious about the dream I better at least get a dirt bike.

Opted to buy an xr650r as I felt it was a reliable dakar trainer which i could dual sport. Well needless to say I had so much fun the first year this year I'm getting serious. Started training at the gym, yoga, running etc, also upgrading the xr for racing however am having second thoughts on that bike for hare scrambles and enduro's etc. I originally thought i needed to get used to a big enduro for Rally's however now I'm eying the podium for the Veteran amateur class :). Been thinking that the KTM 450 is the bike for me (6'6" 220lb), I love the 300 but feel I need wrenching experience on the 450 for future Rally's. Given my size I do not think the 28 extra lbs will make that much of a difference. Any thoughts?