Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/122626
Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit Story by Keith Novello Photos by Rex McKinney & Forest Smith Round 1 The Lonestar Enduro. tests with a total mileage of about 50 ground miles. For the T most part all the tests were super fast and flowing with Velcro he 2013 Lonestar Enduro, hosted by the Lubbock Trail Riders, was a two day event and co-sanctioned be- tween the TSCEC (Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit) and the RMEC (Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit). This event would be round 3 of the TSCEC and was the opening round for their brothers from the Rockies. Many of the Colorado riders were just excited to get away from the snow, cold, like dirt. For those of you that haven't ridden in Texas, prepare to bleed. It's always tempting to ride through the twisty/turning scrub brush like a slalom skier, hammering through the gates. Do that in Texas and you will toss your new neon colored shirt in the trash when you get home and enjoy scrubbing your thorn wounds out with alcohol at the end of the day. and all the flu-infected troglodytes of the north. In fact, I over- At the end of day 1, the TSCEC's Cole Kirkpatrick and the heard Clint Chew of the RMEC state "my goal for the weekend RMEC's Ian Blythe had tied scores, both dropping an amazing is to just not poop my pants." After I nearly choked on my 7:43. Blythe walked away with the overall win on the day with donut, Clint explained he was still suffering from the flu bug! the tie breaker rule factored in (whomever was fastest in the With recent moisture and mild temperature, conditions couldn't last test of the day). In the B class the overall win was taken by TSCEC's Jakob Williams from the 250 B class, Jakob's time would have been fast enough to be 12th overall with a score of 12:43! It might be time for Jakob to upgrade to the A class! In the C class the overall win was taken by Paul Wilkins from the C Senior class. Paul showed all those younger guys in the C class that the older guys can still get it done. Day 2's 9am start time featured the same hero dirt as day 1, and had a nice 5 mile transfer section to start the day to get the blood flowing. With 6 special tests scheduled for the day, Kyle Schafer has been coming on strong in 2013 everyone was wondering if the Lubbock Trail Riders were going to include the infamous "Rambo" section. The Rambo have been better for another battle of north vs. south. Heavy sections has claimed many victims in the past, including me hitters Cole Kirkpatrick, Ian Blythe, Hayden Franklin, Ron two years ago when temperatures were up past 100 degrees. Schmelze, Joseph Sutherlin, and the Schafer brothers, amongst Day 2 definitely had much slower special tests then day 1, others, were all on hand for this two day battle. using the more northern terrain that was very granular and Day 1 had a leisurely 11am start time and consisted of 4 special Ray Bernard looking good aboard his new Husky 310 TXC rocky with varied elevation. After the fast speeds of day 1, many riders found it hard to get into a flow on day 2, including myself. Day 2 took its toll on riders in different ways. The RMEC's Chairman was so blown out on day 2 he actually forgot to fuel his bike at the gas stop, and subsequently ran out of fuel! When the fat lady finally sung, it was once again Ian Blythe taking the overall win for the second day in a row. Blythe figuratively came into Kirkpatrick's backyard, beat him at his own game, then left with his ball. Brutal. 18 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com