Snowrun Enduro 2005
Report by Ben Falconer
This year's Snowrun Enduro was the easiest for many years, with the organisers WTRA forced to look for new ground, and it was none the worse for that.
Only a few snotty sections were split by some exquisite going and those of us who opted to ride in the Sportsman class wished we could go out for another lap.
Club chairman Ian Vessey did three laps and got in inside his minute on his KTM 200.
Dave Smailes' new 400 KTM pitched him off and he sustained a bang on the ribs but he still got a Sportsman finish, while your correspondent was on course for a clean two laps on the Sportsman schedule but a derailed chain put paid to that about a mile or two from the finish.
Thankfully WTRA's ever cheerful marshals helped me back on course - thanks also to Taff for launching a search party.
Before that, I had gone head to head with enduro Goddess Katrina Price and came off distinctly second best. Despite both being mounted on 200 Gassers, she left me for dead after about 300 yards of check 4.
My excuse is that I probably weigh twice as much as her - and of course, she's a true Enduro great.
Julian Bishop had the delightful task of "holding" riders before the special test, which was a particular pleasure considering the entry had unwound and some anxious experts were eager to get away with us wobblers. Julian got a good coating in mud for his troubles and like the rest of the organisers, put himself out for our enjoyment.
Well done to WTRA for a terriffic event.