Trail Rider Magazine

NETRA Enduro Series John Kelley took the overall win at the Kemp Stewart Memorial Enduro. Story by Kevin Novello Photos by Art Pepin www.offroadpaparazzi.com T he penultimate round of NETRA Enduro series featured a new event; the Cheese Grater Enduro. The Berkshire Trail Rider hosted the event and the Sadowski Brothers Trail Bossed it. The name was chosen because it was envisioned as a very difficult run, as if the riders were to feel like they were run through a cheese grater. There was also an initial play on words involving whine with Cheese. Eventually word got out that this event would feature miles of fresh cut trail, courtesy of the club gaining access to hundreds of acres of private properties. The start was located at a property that has been used as the gas stop for the Hell in the Hills and Mudslinger events. Even though this event was run in the same area as the BTR's other enduros, there was only one familiar section that was used in the past. The rest of the enduro was run through the new parcels of land with miles of fresh trail. The day began with a short but cold ride down highway 54 and a left into the first section. With no visible check in off the road, most riders crept slowly into the woods a few seconds hot. The first section was short with twisty fresh cut trail that claimed 2 and 3 points from most of the field. A brief road ride later we checked into the second section. I ended up entering the field with a gaggle of riders that obstructed my view of the check cards. Turns out I was about a second or two early and dropped two points. It's moments like these that make we want to transition away from riding traditional enduros and race something a bit more modern. Despite the frustration, the second section was a fantastic stretch of trails that knifed through miles of fresh trail, laced with a few gratuitous roots and rocks. Despite being held in the Berkshires, this section was void of elevation changes Billy Vandervalk took B Hi Point at the final two rounds. and regional gnarl. The top riders dropped anywhere 6 and 8 points in here with John Kelly dropping a paltry 6. Section three was a familiar stretch of trail that has been used in past events. It's also a great mix of technical and flowing single track with a few shorts rips down a power line. Early on this section offerred up a few good challenges in the form of some short, tricky hills. Not long or steep, the hills took a hard right up a steep incline that caused a bit of bottle necking. After checking out of section 3 it was back to start for the official gas stop. The second after gas included a known control and a rats nest of technical, rocky strewn trail that wove through a small parcel. A few climbs offered little running room and the remaining sections alternated between uncharaericly fast terrain and typical Berkshire gnarl. When the scores were tallied it was Jim Sencal taking the win with 19 points lost. John Kelley edged Phil mealey (A Hi Point) for seond overall by dropping a 23/659 and 23/800, respectively. Kevin Fitzgerald (25/810) and Bert Guerette 28/907 rounded out December 2013/January 2014 27

• Cover