Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125721
M ... '" M "a c[ cteflr lfl/(e Enduro -trfl/1 cfJ/IIpetitifJn By James Brammer CLEAR LAKE, CAL., March 28, 1971 - The Sio-Polks of Napa ran their previously postponed endurance run from the small tranquil resort town of Lucerne on the eastern shore of Clear Lake. More than 900 riders laced their way up winding trails through lush green meadows to high peaks and into the Mendocino National Forest where 98 percent of an approximately 126 mile run was over a Forest Service approved course. The first secret check awaited 30 miles from the start in the general direction 0 f Leesville. Many riders speedometers disagreed with the course by a few tenths of a mile at thjs point. From the first check it was north to Fouts Spring near Stonyford for a noon check. Then westward to a third secret check at 80 miles out. Up to this point most riders had good scores and agreed with the course measuremeots. After the third check the going was difficu t. One story told is that a rider on a 350cc Yamaha found a water crossing nose deep. Many soaked the contents of wallets in waist-high water where riders grouped together to carry their motorcycles across. Bob Keys, Sr., an expert on enduros in this area was stopped hy this crossing. His riding partner, Bob Keys, Jr., went on to finish with a Rood score. Wayne Davis of Santa Rosa broke a leg when he collided with a vehicle driven by a working Slo-Polk Club member between the fourth check and finish. A no ther rider broke hjs motorcycle without physical injury when he met a Dodge truck on the same narrow road. There wasn't room for a motorcycle and truck to fass. The Dodge truck ran one wheel of the road; still the bike lacked clearance. The course was strictly limited to roads that are open to public. access. Even using fire roads was forbidden. Commen ts at the finish was that if that was an alternate easy course switched to two days before the run because of rain then "I wouldn't ride their hard· one." Average speeds to main lain were 30 MPH to fIrSt check, after that, 24 MPH.. few riders could hold that average in the afternoon. My uncouth comment of the day Verr ~ w Z w oJ U >U • came after 1 asked Slo-Polk Club President, Leonard Joy, how many entries there were. I had heard there may be a thousand. He said 900. Without thought, I· asked this man who has been up to hjs neck in bureaucracy since their run was postpoJled in November if there is a rule that limits the entry to 750. He retorted with "What can I do, tell someone they can't ride? We're using our 1970 sanction and entries." He went on to say that the rule was bad for a run like this. There's no reason to limit the entry. Not wanting to push any further, I listened to him go on in to his trouble with the Forest Service. Leonard sees no reason why rubber tired motorcycles can't ride on fire roads that are cleared for fire fighters to get their equipment into forest fires. Results will be published as soon as they are available. Motorcycle Dynamometers .aJa wins . , again. " .\ Invaders Hare Scrambles March 21,1971 1st Trailbike (Expert) Mitch Mayes-Baja 100 (10th overall) 2nd Tom Sawyer -Baja 100 (1st Jr.) (2 in a row) • ENABLES ACCURATE DETERMINATION OF TORQUE & HORSEPOWER CURVES • ACCOMPliSH ENGINE FINE TUNING • CONTllOllED ENGINE BREAk-IN • PERFORMANCE rESTING OF ENGINE MODIFICATIONS INCLUDES.: HYDRAULIC WATER BRAKE & FRAME • UNIVERSAL MOTORCYCLE SUPPORT STAND • GAUGING • INSTRUMENTATION A COMPLETE SYSTEM March 14, 1971 Chapparel's M.C. Enduro 1st A Trailbike Dave Ekins - Baja 100 $560.~ ~SON ENGINEERING CO. P.O. Bax 2354, Canoga Park.CaI. 91306 (213) 882-2667 the Baxleya,;,;;,;;;;;.;.;;;;.;;;;;;1 Davidson outpsnoxmsxB