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/125727
On The Berkshire Trail By Charles Clayton Photos by C. Clayton and Jack Mercer CUMMINGTON, MASS., May 15-16, 1971 - For all its apparent population density, New England has some of the finest motorcycle trails in the world. Every year since 1965 the Berkshire two-day Trials takes some 400 riders over 360 miles of woods, roads, powerline cuts and two-lane blacktop in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. The limited entry means that several hundred would-be riders are turned away. But that has to be, for organizer AI Eames, an enduro enthusiast of the first water and resident of the area, believes that to start any more would permanently damage the trials because of overuse. As it is, nature restores the Berkshire course in a couple of months; but for awhile you can tell that 800 knobbies have gnawed it. I rode a 35-mile stretch of the course on Friday before the run along with co-organizer Bob Hick.s and a contingent of reporter-types. The terrain, Bob explained, was typical of the Berkshire Trials; a bit more scenic than most. It was fun to ride at our leisurely pace. The trail was fresh and crossed beaver ponds, leaped up rocky mountain draws, shaked through tigh t scrub .... a> growth and plunged down a steep powerline switchback. It was my first experience riding the New England trails I'd heard so much about - and 1 loved l!:l' . > :; ~ it. w "We don't think you have to make an enduro a body-breaker to make it a good one," Hicks explained, pausing to staple up new arrow where one had been removed by ·an over-zealous citizen. ''Toward the end it gets psychological. They're ridden 300 miles and they want to rest. The course comes to a road and the guy thinks 'Oh boy', only the arrows go right on across and up another climb. It's demoralizing." Not only is the Berkshire the prestige U.S. enduro, it is a qualifier for the International Six-Days Trials. Even though New England is dis-associated from the AMA, Worthington agreed to count the Berkshire results "in the interest of the sport." A wise decision on the AMA's part. So some of the names you fmd in the results may be representing the U.S. on the Isle of Man in September. The factory teams were on hand to vie for the giant Manufacturer's Trophy as well as the gold, silver and bronze-plated medals fro individ uals. Harley-Davidson's intrepid Baja team from the West Coast came a little unprepared for the New England woods Z W ...J o >o and had a hard time of it. Both Dave Ekins and Preston Petty broke rings on the flfst day and had to drop out. Dean Goldsmith got lost on the trail but Bob Steffan managed to collect a bronze. All this spelled out glory for the Penton family. Other sompeting teams included Bultaco, Ossa, Greeves, Dalesman, Hodaka and Husky, as well as several dealers. In the 125 class, Tom Penton gained top honors and relation Jeff took second. Paul LaForge halted the Penton domination with a third but B. Moran came back for fourth on another Penton. Lars Larsson maneuvered his Husky to a first in the 250 class with R. Fielding (YalJl), Tom Canning (Bul) and Don Cutler (Oss) finishing out the top four. The Open class's top four all rode Huskies and the pack was led by J. Lahto. Gunnar Lindstrom took second with Ron Bohn next and then John Penton. Rain early Sunday forced several areas of the course to be run on paralleling roads. The Berkshire is a 6-Days in miniature, complete with noise and special tests, ovemigh t impound, street legal bikes and a tight, 24 mph pace. It's not enough to be a very good rider. One must have a well-prepared bike, be able to fix it fast when it breaks and be psychologically prepared to go the distance. When he sees his name on one of those prize medals, a man knows he's got to be among the best. ORANCE COUNTY ORANGE ,COUNTY CYCLE WEST ~ CYC'LE EAST~ HUSKY BOTH STORES ALL MODELS IN STOCK 360 MX 250MX 250 8 SPEED 360 8 SPEED 360 ENDURO 400 MX Complete Parts & Service Depts. Full Line of Competition accessories NOW BusqvaK'na HERE & HERE ORANGECOUNTY ORANCECOUNTY CYCLE WEST ~ CYCLE EAST~ 205 N.HAR.OR SANTA ANA, CAL. (714)531-9914 1211 S. MAIN SANTA ANA, CAL. (714)542-2334