Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

..... III ri o i w Z ~ (.) t Tale of a National Enduro By Ron Schneiders Photos by Ellen Schneiders HAWTHORNE, NEV., Oct. 10, 1971 Once upon a time in a desolate land far away from anywhere there was a small band of stout-hearted cyclists who called themselves the Wassuak Scramblers. It was the habit of these lads to hold each year a sporting event for the local populace called the "Rawhide Enduro," which was attended by about 125 people and reputed to be a fine affair. It came to pass that one day someone suggested that rather than have just a local affair, they hold a "National Championship Contest" and invite the whole world to participate. So they wrote to the August council of greybeards in far off Worthington, 0., who are called the A.M.A. and, never dreaming that their humble request would be granted, asked to have a National And so it came to pass. (Don't ask why. This is a fairy tale.) People came from miles around to the little town of Hawthorne whiA;h has smiled but the smile held no warmth for Sir David for he had suffered a terrible experience at the hands of another village in the North Country. Soon over 700 knights and jestors had entered the contest and all were camped in a big open field on the other side of the munitions dumps of the evil giant. And the 10 members of the Wassuak Scramblers were wondering if they had not made a tremendous boo-boo. Early the following morning the contest began. As Sir David had learned, it was to be a simple contest without the paraphenalia that has been adopted for these things in the more civilized parts of the world. The contestants would ride their mounts over all manner of obstacles at a certain rate of speed which they would see written on crude cards at various spots along the course. In order that the great knights would not have too much advantage, the rates of speed were given in quaint figures like 17 mph and 19 mph: It was its back to a large lake and is surround on three sides by the fenced enclosures of the evil gian t. People call these things "munitions dumps" and it is felt that much death and distruction lurk within. One of the first knights to arrive was Sir David of Ekins who would be entering the joust on the big blue, Alpina. "Where is the Schedul.e?" inquired Sir David of the simple lads who were holding court in the local tavern. ''There is no schedule," one of the lads answered sweetly, "Yau are in the North country now. You know how we do things in the North country." He rumored that even the use of watches would be forbidden but this did not come to pass. In the chill of the early morning the contestan ts left on their appointed course by sixes and the dust of their milling mounts hung heavy over the land. Some were too eager, for the departure road was a terrible thing of rocks and holes and powder dust and many contestants came to grief within sight of the starting line. After three or four miles the course left the road and went straight across the broken country to the edge of the large lake and thence Some of the small bikes had to be pushed up me sand hills - some of me big bikes, too. followed the shore. Deep sand clutched at the mounts and dragged them down while hidden rocks and hummocks attempted to throw the riders from their machines. Those who had elected to join the contest on small ponies had much diffICulty. The bearded warrior, Max of BOOek who has won many of these contests, was brought to grief as he tried to force his small oriental poney Hodaka to match the speed of the great stallion, Norton, ridden by Bud the Howesman. Hodaka expired by the side of the lake along with many, many others. After 15 miles or so, the contestants left the lake edge and, still in deep sand, proceeded inland to the flJ'st check. From thence the trail became easier, traversing some beautiful virgin country while, unaccountably, the schedule became slower and slower as the contest moved to the midway point at 53 miles. No break was allowed at the midway point, as is customary in these contests in many parts of the world, but gas was brought out for the thirsty mounts. Then the contestants faced the second challenge; deep blow sand such as has not heen seen this side of famed El Mirage. Great hills and hummocks tossed the riders like small boats in an angry sea. So difficult was the terrain that many contestants completely forgot the schedule which was absurdly slow at point, and arrived at the next check early, a woeful situation. Not long thereafter they arrived at the land of the great hills and again those on small ponies had great difficulties. Many were seen pushing their small mounts high up on the hills where the air was rare. It has been said the hills were over 2,500 meters in height. After many such hills the contest was over and Wassauk Scramblers passed out great quantities of free beer in celebration and in honor of the survivors. As each rider arrived, he was given a glass of stout ale and a small elegrant pin denoting his prowess in finishing the course. The contestants scored themselves, a surprisingly modern innovation that promised to have the winners determined in but a few hours. Alas it was not to be. Sir Steffan the Complainer announced to all that would hear that there was trouhle on the course that had led to an unfairness. To wit, some thoughtless clod had knocked out the markers and many riders, about 50 in number, had become lost prior to the 6th check. Before long a member of the club appeared and replaced the markers so no others were lost. Sir Steffan, however, insisted that the problem had rendered the checks invalid. The greybeards of Worthington will be consulted and a verdict will, in good time, be rendered. Meanwhile, amid much merriment and story telling it emerged that one Jack the Shook, a misnonmer if there ever was on, had accumulated only nine points, making him the likely winner of the even t. Gary of Satterlee could conceivably take the Amateur's silver chalice with a score of 12 points. Sir Bud the Howseman,who is vying for the National Championship with the giants of the field, had difficulty keeping spirited Norton under control and hit all the checkpoints early, losing a disastrous 32 poin ts. Most all the contestants agreed that the contest was a good one and a fair one, if a bit on the amateurish side. The results will be announced in about a fortnight.

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