Sunrun report 5th Feb 2006 - Kieron Sykes
Another year and both myself and George Gordon found ourselves on our way do to Llandovery mid-wales for this years Snowrun. With probably the lightest, agile bike on the market, suspension prepared by D3-Racing in Kendal (and a good polish) the bike couldn't be better prepared or suited to what is the first time-card event of the calendar. The rider ? well a dodgy tum and 2 light-wieght shandies later, maybe not best suited.
The Sunday morning brought a cold deep frost which made pushing the bike to scrutineering a slightly slippy affair.
Signing on and examination of the check times showed nearly 4 hours of riding compared to the 2 1/2 last year if running on time. Personally I read into this that it was going to be slightly easier than last years event. I can honestly say that an enduro in the welsh forests will never be easy ! (although possibly easier than trying to do a write up with a daft kitten trotting all over your keyboard !!, down jess !)
The experts and clubman classes set off first with the sportsman class running towards the back. Both myself and John Taylor were on the same minute, so in theory we should of met up with each other at every check if no time was lost on the going. Sorry to say this John, but I'm not riding again if you're in the same event, cause I always end up in the biggest bog in the entire event with you in front - blissfully unaware !! Suffice to say that I fell off in the worlds largest and coldest puddle only 2-3 minutes into the event. See the links below of John going through and exiting all nice and dry whilst I look the more stylish for all of 3 seconds before going to wash my bike.
An additional check per lap increased the overal lap time and distance compared to last year. On the first check, I dropped a minute due to water getting into the HT lead when I dropped it in the water splash. Once the bike was running properly I still managed to drop few more minutes on the very tight 2nd check. On the first lap the sportsman were given 36 minutes to get through check 2, and on lap 2 - 44 minutes were allowed. Even so I only got in with a couple of minutes in hand on lap 2.
The conditions were quite dry in wales for this time of year and in comparision to the Wirral offroad event in bala on new years day. I can't understand in these type of event's why more people don't run 125's. They are so light and nimble, and if you do get stuck so simply pick 'em out !
When the results came out on sunday night (very efficient of the WTRA) I found I had only 240 penalty points (dropped 4 minutes) compared with only just finishing last year (dropped 59 minutes !!). I finished 14th out of 51 in class and managed for the first time in 2 years to beat George Gordon, woohoo !
Photo's from the event are available at www.endurophotos.co.uk - just click on Snowrun 2006. Look out for numbers 265 -John Taylor, 264 (Me), 301 - Colin Newman, and 304 - George Gordon. Sets 4 and 11 are the main ones where we feature. Frank morgan has also been capturing all our worst moments on video and all ways seems to appear whenever you're struggling !
Big thanks to Colin Newman for letting us stay in his flat and to Rob and Stuart for helping with Fuel/Cups of Tea and moral support. As always a thanks to George for providing transport and for very kindly washing my machine and dropping back round at mine. That beer tab I owe certainly is growing !
Next competitive event is the first round of the Wirral GBHS on the 12th of March. If there is anyone else from the club doing that event please let me know, maybe we can share a lift down or help each other out a bit. Contact me at kieron.sykes@controlkey.co.uk.
Thanks for reading - Kieron Sykes