Chuck Vincent Racing

This past weekend I attempted my second ever enduro in Akely MN.   I was excited this time around, I felt good, had a rather late number (which I prefer when I am still learning).  I had three other inexperienced riders on my minute which made be a little nervous, the last enduro I had three A riders with enduro computers.

We took off and it was clear that one of the other three was at least in my speed range and we ran hard for most of the first segment, until an all too familiar feeling hit.  Rear brake pedal to the bottom stop with no slowing of the 450 Honda.  I backed off and rode into the first check, less than 10 miles into the days event and jumped off to assess my brakes.  The outer pad was completely worn out. Either the pads wore very fast or the glue that holds the pad on the backing plate failed.  I limped though the next 20 miles or so, having intermittent rear brakes, going though any and all water and mud just to cool it down.

When I hit the first gas stop I was dejected, but so far if I just laid off the brake it was still useful every now and then.  Getting a drink I run into Matt and he tells me I am still doing ok as far as our class is going and this motivates me to continue with just a steal backing plate for an outside brake pad.  I should have called it quits and loaded the bike, but I was eager to finish.

Now a few miles into the woods after the gas the brakes are completely gone again, and it become apparent they are not coming back.  I slow considerably and can not keep up wih the others on my minute, but I labor on none-the-less.  I am surprised to be passing slower riders, but try to keep my speed up and my need for brakes to a minimum. 

With just front brakes you learn just how much (or little) upper body strength you have.  Every turn is a chore, man-handling the bike so the front end does not wash out in the powder like sand in Akley was the worst feeling ever, and I had to do it for the next two hours, and in every turn.

I start to slow down even more, it had been a long time since a check, and I am thinking I am in danger of hour-ing out.  I stop and help some kids with a 85cc bike out of gas, one has a 125 and is trying to siphon gas out and into the others dry tank.   I figured I have nothing to lose, and why not be a good person. 

I come up to the second, and optional, gas stop, and there are very few people still there, but Kelly patiently waits for me with something to drink and encouraging words.   I notice that I do not hour out, I am only 34 minutes behind.  I am also told by the course worker that there is less than 8 miles to then end, this motivates me to finish, even though the tough to riding this one brake monster another minute made me want to tear up. 

I make it to the end, on reserve even, and ride back to the truck to see how I did.  To my surprise it takes a few hours for results, but a happy ending.  I end up finishing in second place just beating Matt out, which he is not happy about.   All in all a good enduro experience and this further leads me to believe that I will try to ride the entire schedule in 2008.