Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

By Larry Langley Photos by Thurman Sharp RED MOUNTAlN,CAL.,july 30,1972 - Thirteen-year old Mark Brakebill, riding his third enduro, really shook up the troo s by riding his 100cc Kawasaki to a stunning first place overall at United States Racing Association's Surprise Enduro. What is even more fantastic is that Mark, a member of the Conejo . Trailriders' Club, was not riding a "candy" course. URS's philosophy is to layout a challenging course designed for the Beginner and ovice rider. According to rider comments, it was successful as they really dug the course. There were quite a few A and B riders entered and you guys are going to have to get with it next time! The first loop was 22 miles of rocks, uphills, downhills (naturally), ridge running·(with spectacular scenery), deeR sandwashes, winding rocky trails, and the first surprise, a mini-trials section for bonus poin ts. The trials section was a real challenge as no one picked up the three bonus points for cleaning the section. Everyone who tried the section scored one bonus point. After the free time for running the trials the riders con tin ued up a deep sandwash in a narrow canyon which was really a workout. URA had salt tablets and ice water available at all checks and they were needed. II· MOONSHIIE After an uphill. you just about have to have a This is what riders saw. downhil~ riders who got tired. But sometimes between four and five in the morning, after almost 90 miles of riding, everyone got in. Not all of them came in the right way, though, as there was some confusion in the marKing righ t at the pits, but the easy-going Prospectors took your card no matter what direction you came from.. In return for your card, you got what has to be one of the classiest Imishing pins of all SURPRISE! Youv've Been URA't) After making their way back to the pits and enjoying a 28-minute break, the riders left on the second loop. A few riders stayed in the pits as the heat got to them, but most riders whose bikes were ~till running went out again. The 36 mile second loop was designed for fun and fast after the rugged Ill'st loop. It consisted o( sandwashes, fireroads, a dry lake, and only one hard rocky section. A t check six, another surprise: All the ice cold lemonade the riders could drink! Since this was 22 miles out, it came at a good time as the riders were super-hot and thirsty hy this time. . Even in the extreme heat a lot of riders rode the even t withou t water or spare plugs. Please, fellas - take a canteen and extra plugs with you!!! If you get lost or break down you will find out what hot and thirsty really means! Suggestion: All sponsoring organizations should make carrying water mandatory. All the checks were really sneaky hidden, and it showed in the scores. No one zeroed the run. A new scoring system was used for this race and it worked ou t very well. All cards were scored one hour after the race .ended, but not broken down by class. In the future, URA hopes to get all scores posted the day of the race. The system works by entering th_e number of the a genuine bronzed belt buckle with a bas-relief of the famous old prospector with his gold pan. In spite of the slight confusion at the end, caused mostly I think by the dust, everyone agreed that the course was superbly marked. Someone remarked that you could go almost hand-over-hand down the white ribboned course and it was close to true. When it comes ·to marking at night, I have never seen any club approach the Prospectors' thoroughness. Rescue Three was on hand, which does an awful lot to take the worry out of nigh t time riding, and fortunately they had a light load. There were few injuries and no serious ones, which seems to be the general rule with these nigh t enduros. The BLM hassled the Prospectors about this run, but not so much as to cause cancellation. The Checkpoints, who were scheduled to throw the next night enduro, were not so lucky. The BLM has demanded so much in the way of fees, permissions, notifications, and course changes that the Checkpoints have had to simply cancel their run. Considering that there is no validity for their outrageous demands, that it is mere bureaucratic power shuffling, the Ch~ckpoints' plight should concern all of us. If the Bureau of Land Mis-managemen t is allowed to continue this sort of harassment, we who were fortunate enough to ride the Prospectors' excellent run might have also ridden the last nigh t enduro. CYCLE CARE PRODUCTS Frl. till 6. Sat. 7·5, Sun 7·2 2 & 4 STROKE PIPES COMPETITION SILENCERS 14813 Oxnard St. 91401 FRELAN.INC. FRAME AND PIPE REPAIR HELl ARC AND MILLING (213) 997-7301 SUPER TRICK STUFF Write for free M catalog... X GRAND PRIX CYCL'ES 4366 E. LaPalma Anaheim, Ca. 92806 Tel. (714) 993·2602 Send $3.06 for Strokin' It T-shirt See your name in print! Buy it Cycle Ne""s ""ant Ad. LA HABRA (:') W~:~E~~I;E Y' It's Cheap When You Buy The Best From Jim Davis Motospart ElbowpD ." Shjn~ Mouth guards" " " " " Shoulder peds" " " " " KI'MlII padI " " And 'ols more available >U Jerry Monger was rhumping peacefully through the desert when he saw the uphill. rider due at the moment a rider hits the check instead of the key time. Many thanks to Mike jones and others who suggested the system. Pit racing was held to a minimum, and the few riders who violated the 10 mph speed limit heeded the advice to cool it. Thanks to all the crew who helped, and to Smokey and the IRRC who provided communications. Coming up is ow: Junior Enduro and Poker Run August 13. The junior Enduro is for women and kids 16 and under. Dads and husbands can ride along if they want, but it will be an easy 25 miles to give juniors and women some experience. September 24 is the "Little Tuffy" Enduro at Red Mountain, _so named because its going to be challenging and a little tough! URA wants to develop the Beginners and Novices in to A" class riders, and they need a workout to do it. However, URA is concerned with keeping the course safe and fun for Beginners and Novices. URA is now accepting membership applications. Write URA, 6600 Gerald Avenue, Van Nuys, California 91406. Phone (213) 787·5208 or (213) 421·9179. U .~_ . SOLO BY)JETTER CYCLE sTORES n-tROOGHOUT THE WORLD. CHECK wrn·t YOUR LOCAL DEALER. JIM DAVIS..... 1002. ......... CaIifonMe 91505 YAMAHA :~~:. ..;:; #:-.:--' .,...~. .' FEATURES • Heavy duty rust prevent,", for outdoor pr0tection. even under npoa..,. to satt .Met • Film will ~Iop an outer crust••hilt film nut to met. I remain. 10ft pt'O'Iidi,. • Mf1. llulinl ch.racteristic, if the film is brollen. • He....' resilol..nce to .. bruion. Reduces fric· tion and we..r. • CCYlI$ exterior of cable strand. and chain links. 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