How time flies !

The good intentions of keeping this blog upto date are really hard ! The last time I did an update was just before the Powys, we're now half way through September and near the end of the enduro season !

The Powys event, which is a taster I think for the Welsh being one big lap of approx 100miles, was the last dry event before the wettest summer I've known. The rain came on the way back from the Powys and seemed to continue until only a few weeks ago. The Powys was the best result for me coming 8th in the sportsman class. The 2 specials and the last check decided the event. Everyone in the classes were given 4 minutes to complete the last check which seemed like it was going to be a simple road section back, but it wasn't! It was the reverse of the first check with a few nasties thrown in for good measure. This took me 7 minutes to complete coming in 3 minutes late. The likes of Tom Sagar managed somehow to get through in the 4 minute allocation.

Next was the Welsh 2 day which we decided to go up into the Clubman class this year to try and mix it up a little. This was one of the wettest event's I've done. Day 1 caused many a casulaty and apparently over 200 of the 500 entry didn't start Day 2. It was all down to one monster check 3/4 of the way round. I think the clubman had 64 minutes to get through and I lost 24 minutes in this check alone.

It seemed to be endless deep slimey ruts which got harder and harder. All I could think of was that we had to ride back through this the other way round on Day 2! This event in the dry is relativley easy and I've heard it described as being a fast trail ride which isn't so far off being right. In the wet its a proper enduro according to the old timers ! I was glad to finish the second day but there was more than one occasion where i could of given up but kept on slogging.

There have been a few trail rides inbetween the Welsh and now, with a trip to the Lakes and getting to ride Gatesgarth pass thanks to Anton and Mark's organisation being the most memorable. This can only be done with a permit once a month but is well worth the effort.

The end of season (for me anyway) was the 2 day event at Rhayader a couple of weeks ago. This was probably the most physically challenging event I've done as the checks were tight on time and very technical. The most memorable part of the event was riding the motocross course at Cwmythig hill which is where the famous Rhayader Evening Motocross series takes place.

There are two huge jumps, one coming down the main hill, and the other is a big table top near the end of the track. The Championship lads were all hitting the jump down the hill on full chat and taking 75ft of air on the tabletop. Watching Paul Edmondson and the top guys round the motocross course was nothing short of spectacular. Where I was taking the whoops one at a time, Eddy was tripling them. I guess thats why he's 4 times world enduro champ and I'm just an enduro chump !

So what now ? Well I've decided to sell the 125 and concentrate on doing a few trials hopefully over the winter to improve my riding and gain some confidence on the tricker obstacles.

Maybe inbetween decorating over Winter I'll be able to keep this blog upto date more often!

Kieron Sykes.