Foxwell Enduro 2008
Words by Steve Biddle
I rode the Foxwell Enduro Sunday 14th Sept up at Cirencester park organised by the Swindon DMCC.
I've ridden both of their Enduros for quite a few years now, the Foxwell is usually a few miles longer than the Corinium and they always stick in some new tracks and this year was no different. We had a 15 mile lap crossing over the road to the other woods then back across into the new part of the track which was where the test was. The test was about 5 miles long and on new ground so very muddy and slippery. The test was run on laps 2 and 3 so we got to view it on the first lap.
The check times were 75 75 65 50 45 35 so 6 laps in total. Times dropped 40 mins in total but they did take out the other woods for last 2 laps but you still had to go some to be on time on the last 3 laps.
I started at 10:07, 5 mins behind Guy Mansfield-Smith and Gavin Bailey started 2 mins behind me. Dave Pinney was the entry list but didn't see him there. I had plenty of time on the first lap so took it steady, then disaster, puncture on rear tyre, so I rode flat out to get back to the pits to change it. I overtook everybody, they must have thought I was mad! I got back to the pits and had 20 mins to spare. But you know what, it's like nothing goes right when you're on the clock, my timeout was 11:22 and I went to clock at 11:22... phew! From then on no problems, my tests were good and I was on time for the checks, (just bought some mousses so no more punctures hopefully.) When I got to the last 3 laps I rode flat out.
My new bike seems to really suit me and all that mud at the Chicken Run it was good practice. I think the Foxwell was actually more slippery than the Chicken Run, especially on bloody trials tyres!
Most people retired and some were really struggling, but I did find some grip just by keeping the bike on the pipe all the time. Guy had a really good ride he was flying on his Husky 125. On the last lap I knew it was going to be tight but I came in with 6 mins to spare.
I really enjoyed the event it was brilliant, and many thanks to all at Swindon Club for a good job - as usual.
Somebody did say to me at the tea wagon that I had the fastest test so when I got the results late Wednesday night and saw I'd got the overall win (Premier). I'm very pleased with that because last year I had a dnf from a collapsed rear wheel.
Coming up I've got the last round of the Mercian championship and I'm 1 point behind the leader, so the last one could be a good one, its at Aberbeeg 26th Oct. I beat him at the Chicken Run, so hopefully I can do well.