Decisions, decisions

[SpeedyManiac]

Hey guys,
Well, I'm going to try again at the 08 Six Days in Greece for a Silver medal. While doing some research, I found out the Red Bull Romaniacs is a week after the ISDE (ISDE is Sept. 1-6, Romaniacs is Sept 13-17). I'm tempted to try both of them.

Any ideas on getting major sponsors for this? There's no way I can afford both (Greece is going to be tight on cash by itself).

 

[TooFastTim]

Why are you going to try for a silver? Seems like you're half beaten already.

No really, if you're going for the sort of committment you need for the ISDE you should aim for gold but be happy with a finish.

Oh yeah, move to Baja. Lotsa rocks in Greece.

There's a guy here who's done the Romaniacs. Actually he finished 3rd! I know some other South African guys who finished right up there too.

M2CW

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I went to Chile, and realistically I know that silver is where my speed is at. I know I can do it, so that's the goal. Gold is out of reach at my current speed, but a strong silver is doable. I won't be happy until I get a silver, because I know that my speed is there to get one.

Judging by the videos I've seen, Greece looks fairly similar to the riding around here, so I should be well prepared.

Romaniacs looks like a lot of fun, but if I do it I want to be on an Expert team, so I need a buddy, plus some money. I'm going to see if I can 1) find a teammate and 2) get the funds together to do both races.

Should be a challenge, but what's life without a few challenges?

 

[Bearman]

It'd be great to see a great bloke like you on gasser up there on the podium. We could organise another fundraiser as well. There's been a few more members sign up since the last one so we could try stickers again, maybe some t-shirts made up with GasGasRider.org at the top with 2008 International Six Day Enduro on the back of the shirt. That'd be cool i reckon. Maybe have that overlayed over a big GG logo.

Maybe we should kick around some more ideas for another fundraiser?

 

[TooFastTim]

I went to Chile, and realistically I know that silver is where my speed is at. I know I can do it, so that's the goal. Gold is out of reach at my current speed, but a strong silver is doable. I won't be happy until I get a silver, because I know that my speed is there to get one.

Fair enough. It's good that you know your abilities. It also gives a good grounding to aim higher in the future.

Should be a challenge, but what's life without a few challenges?

Precisely. A while ago I set my sights on learning all the lastest whizz bang techniques used in trials these days. After taking 15 years out of trials riding enduros I came back to trials to find that the sport had changed dramatically. It's hard work at 45 because the body doesn't learn as quickly as it does at, say 20, but I'm getting there. An hour every two days after work is what I'm doing presently. Now if I can only remember to always keep my back straight when hopping the front wheel.

Now all I need is the topic and I can finally get that bloody PhD I was denied 10 years ago...

 

[TooFastTim]

Oh yeah, lotsa DRY rocks in Greece. I don't suppose you get them in BC?

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Where I am it's only wet in the spring. Turns into a dust bowl in mid-June unless we have an especially wet spring/summer.

 

[widebear]

So does that mean that you are going to do all of the Okanagan and some of the P.N.M.A. races as a precursor to the six days? I know major sponsers like exposure.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I don't know if I'm going to do the ODR series this year. I will be doing the PN Interior series (plus a couple coastal rounds), Desert 100, Spokane harescrambles, maybe the Idaho City 100 and some Alberta races.

For training, it's better to just go riding since our races are nothing like the Six Days. The trails around here are tough, so doing a 7-8 hour ride around here is very good training. It's different racing all day, because normally I chill for the first hour, then wick it up later in the race. The ISDE you ride hard for 10 minutes, cruise for an hour or two, repeat. All day. For six days.

 

[widebear]

I allways believed that the best practice for racing is racing itself. As for those killer rides unless your actually training, your not going to derive alot of benifit especially if your with a bunch of guys stopping all the time, sure your endurance is improved and your dicing but thats just the physical part of it. The mental part is the most important, thats where racing comes in. One thing I learned about riding super tight tech stuff all the time is that you get really good and fast at going slow! I'm not trying to slag you here but I do call just a little b.s.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Point taken, but the guys I train with all race Pro, A or Vet A, and a bunch of us are planning on going to Greece. We train by setting up a loop (well, two loops: a long enduro loop and a short special test loop) then session it like we're running a day at the ISDE. Ride an enduro loop or two, 5 minute break, special test, enduro loop, break, special test, etc, until we can't move anymore. The thing with enduro is you don't have the same mental game as a harescramble. You're not racing head to head with other guys, you're racing against the clock. Takes a different mental approach IMHO.

I have learned to back off on the super tight and technical stuff because it's just not there at the ISDE. You do need some technical riding skills, but the more important part is stamina and being able to haul ass in the special tests.

If I decide to do the Romaniacs as well I'll ride some more gnarly stuff and work on my trials technique. Otherwise it will be mostly motocross.

 

[widebear]

I would love to come up your way and do some quality riding this spring, maybee pull Scotty Kinakin and Murrey Shaw out of the wood work.Same goes here, cmon down. I have not been getting these quality rides that i used to get down at McNutt and Vedder I miss my old crew and time is not on my side. So I'm going to go out of my way this year to do some hardcore riding even if I have to do it by myself. The problem here is that on the group rides it allways comes down to accomadating the pussy's and lesser riders which drives me crazy and just drags one down.Same old thing, nobody wants to UP their game just spout off a bunch of alcohol influenced rhetoric, whine and bitch.

 

[TooFastTim]

I always wanted to stop off at some places where we were practicing for enduros and just play, trials style. Unfortunately the other guys just wanted to haul ass. Philistines!

Anyway an idea: hook up with a couple of trials guys who don't mind you coming along, or more importantly, having an enduro bike with them, and just play ride. Find a big step and try and ride it. River full of boulders, big hill with roots etc. This is what Chris Birch does (the guy who finished 3rd in the Romaniacs). A lot of his practicing is like this.

 

[widebear]

Tim. I used to do that kind of riding all the time and the funny thing is that the trials guys never got their noses out of joint because they could appreciate that we were super hardcore not to mention we were respectfull as not to drill their trails out. I love that kind off stuff, but I guess it takes a certain type.

 

[TooFastTim]

I don't think it'll be a problem with the guys proper WB. Depends on the venue. Some farmers let trials bikes on the land but not enduro bikes 'cause of the extra noise and, worse, erosion problems.

What's wrong with spouting off a bunch of alcohol influenced rhetoric, whining and bitching? Sounds like benchracing to me

 

[sprocket74]

Speedy, sponsorship is advertising the person is investing in you and expects a return on that investment. That return on investment could be financial through increased sales or it might be goodwill and just give the sponser a good feeling inside. I would think that you should be working hard on improving you results here in Canada over your 07 showings and start saving your money.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Trust me, I am definitely working at improving my results. At the same time though, I'm getting more interested in international races and prefer the enduro format. That's why instead of hitting every race I can in BC/Alberta, I'm going to focus my efforts on races that will help my exposure and training, while not breaking my bank account. It's not set in stone yet, but I'm considering not doing the ODR series this year since I did not find them to be a great help for exposure or training. The PN races are longer, tougher and usually had more competition (there were boycott problems at the ODR in 07) so that's where I'm thinking of focusing my efforts. This will also give me a few more off weekends to do some major endurance rides and other prep for the ISDE and (hopefully) the Romaniacs.

All of the feedback I've gotten from my 07 sponsors has been positive. They were bummed to hear I DNF'd down in Chile, but are supporting me for Greece in 08.

Now, if this snow would melt I could actually get some seat time in...

 

[kim]

Try this website

http://www.sportscounsel.com/

There are some articles about fund raising for clubs which you might find interesting and helpful.

You might have to dig around a bit on the website and also possible need to register.

Best of luck and go for it.

Kim

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I would love to come up your way and do some quality riding this spring, maybee pull Scotty Kinakin and Murrey Shaw out of the wood work.Same goes here, cmon down. I have not been getting these quality rides that i used to get down at McNutt and Vedder I miss my old crew and time is not on my side. So I'm going to go out of my way this year to do some hardcore riding even if I have to do it by myself. The problem here is that on the group rides it allways comes down to accomadating the pussy's and lesser riders which drives me crazy and just drags one down.Same old thing, nobody wants to UP their game just spout off a bunch of alcohol influenced rhetoric, whine and bitch.

Well, let me know if you want to do some riding this year. I ride with Scotty on a regular basis (and he drags Murrey out every now and then), plus we have a whole crew of guys who love riding the gnarly stuff. The best part is there is very little bitching and moaning, and if some does complain, they just don't get a phone call the next time we head out.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Looks like the ODR races are a mute point. The ODR is now dead (I'm mixed emotions, since I wasn't fond of some of their business practices, but at least they were passionate about racing), and their races will be PN sanctioned, but as their own series. Looks like I'll probably go to them now.