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/126401
A good pit crew saves valuable seconds for former Six Days rider Ed Schmidt. seen here at the 1975 Porcupine. \ Championship Enduro The Pit Crew You need help 34 s, get into the spmt of compennon quicker than you might think, and the Look around at any enduro and you'll see the majority or riders, especially.. · weekend is more fun for both of you. (One rider-crew couple spent their the successful ones , are supported by a honeymoon at the Jack Pine several crew of at least one person. Of course years ago, and they're still going to you can run without one if the route endures together.) Or bring along a sheet shows there's gas available at the relative or a buddy who's not interested gas stops, or if the sponsoring club has .a truck designated to haul riders' gas ' · in being a competitor, but who is a trail rider or just likes being around cans out to the various refueling the action . If there's an enduro club points. All you do is mark your cans in !lear you , you might want to join so some ' way that makes them easy to you'll get the help of a crew that's run identify among hundreds bunched gas and supplies for many riders together on the ground - sometimes before at lots of events. you 're required to put your name and The experts are often supported by riding number on each can - then " factory or dealer crews put one can on each truck headed for experienced, efficient and prepared the stops where you figure you'll have . for almost anything. And although to refuel. All the rest of the stuff you they've got spare parts the average think you'll need during the run had rider can't afford to keep on hand in better, be on your motorcycle or your case of breakdown, and they may have body somewhere, an expert mechanic with them, the job But unless you're a real loner and the expert's crew does is basically the like to prove how self-sufficient you , same as the novice rider's, and it often are, .you'li want a crew to back you up · encounters the same problems. and carry the tools and gear you might . need but don't want to carry while you . . Besides providing you with gas when · you need it during the run, what does ride. How do you find one? Wives and a__ _ _ _ _ _do_during_ an . . . .. pit.crew _ _ _ _ _ _ enduro? First1 girl friends are the most popular: they ' . • • • • • • • •• •• • a .. • ... .... . •• . ." off, it's always in the right place at the right time, aware of your schedule so it'll know if the course is a rough one that's delaying you and other riders. If you're new to enduro and it's on the ball. it provides you with encouragement along the way, even at places where you don't need gas, just . by being out there in the boonies and waving you on. And it's there with something to drink when your mouth is parched and caked with trail dust, or food when your stomach starts aching two or three hours from the start and you're running low on .energy. It's at the right spot with spare parts and tools when you need them, and hopefully not too far away if you break down and quit for the day. Plan ahead A good pit crew starts planning a day or so before the event while you're prepping the bike, making sure you 'll have the things you 'll need once you leave home for the enduro because you probably won't be around the corner from a motorcycle shop anywhere along the run , and on Sunday. the day most enduros are run, even hardware stores, gas stations and food stands that are open may be hard to find when you need them . Even if you stay in a motel the night before and eat your meals in restaurants, you'll still need food the day of the run when you might be far from where you can buy it . If you're camping at headquarters _. .. .. . _... .. .....• like most riders do . the crew should do most of the planning and preparation for that so you can concentrate on getting yourself and your bike ready. Using a check list saves worrying , about whether you've forgotten , anything. and it lets you turn over much of the job of loading to your pit boss. What's required for each motorcycle will vary . and the season, area of the country and length of the trip will affect what you want to tak along. but the Crew Check List here is a good example of one which can be used by anybody. You may wanl to revise it slightly or develop your own list. Maybe one that's shorter and less detailed will work better for you. The importance of the check list , though. is that if you and your crew really use one before you leave for an enduro, lots of potential hassles and worries are eliminated, and you - can ride your best. People who've crewed before know what they need most to support their rider effectively during the run is information on the location of all gas stops, and how to get there, and the location of any spectator points the sponsoring club may have designated . Sometimes a map is handed out that gives this information. More often such a map is posted at headquarters. and it's up to each entrant or his crew to transfer the gas and spectator points and the routes to them to his own road map. Occasionally. no map is used, \. e ... , .' .. ' J I " j I J J J l t J I t