East Lynne

I've always had a passion to have a a good, solid ride through our State Forests, and probably the best way to do this is an Enduro event with your mates. I won't say race as too many rider's get put off when you say race - so we'll call it an event from now on.

I used to hear stories about events such as the Forest 300 in the Dungog area or rides in the Bulahdelah and Watagan Forests, and I always envied the stories that Geoff Eldridge used to write about these great events and places.

Yes, some of these early enduros were body and bike breakers. However, we are a bit smarter and more sensible these days when setting courses. We have to be both environmentally aware and mindful to get most of the rider's home safely.

Enduro's have taken a bit of a nose dive in recent years as they take a lot of time, effort and workers to set up and run.

However, this year three clubs have put their hands up to run the NSW Enduro series - each club hosting a 2 day event in different parts of the state.

Rounds 1 & 2 were run by Central Coast Dirt Riders at the Watagan's , 21/22 March. Rounds 3 & 4 were run by Oyster Bay MCC at East Lynne (near Batemans Bay) and Rounds 5 & 6 will be hosted by Dungog MCC at Dungog 29/30 August.

The land is there, State Forest are actually encouraging user groups to enjoy our forests responsibly. Licensed riders on registered bikes are welcome to ride throughout this natural resource we have on our doorsteps!

Anyway, back to the Enduros... The first event up in the Watagans was a "pearler". Two loops, each section over an hour long, ridden twice during the day. Together with special timed stages, totalling 5 hours of riding. To add to this perfect condition, great challenging trails and the course reversed on Sunday. It was a perfect riding weekend with your mates, you went home tired, and with many stories to tell - satisfaction guaranteed!

The second event was at East Lynne last weekend - 11/12 July. Three loops, each very different, each loop over 80 minutes, together with special timed stages, you rode close to 6 hours each day. East Lynne has so much to offer, with some of the best riding in the country. The course was long, so you only rode it once each and it was reversed for Sunday.

The type of riders at these events covers all spectrums of the riding scale. Former World Champion, Stefan Merriman rode a solid two days and loved the trails - he commented that this enduro was world class. He was very impressed by the preparation and thought that had gone into this event. Also riding along with Stefan was 9 other Pro riders, some 20 Expert riders and approx. 85 clubman riders. So you see there are varying levels of skills at these weekends, but everyone has a love of endurance riding. Almost every rider finished the two day event, and those that did all had smiles on their faces and boasted that this was the best ride they had had in years! Thanks to careful course preparation by local icon, Chris Cater (and his merry band of men), with assistance from Chris and Rick from OBMCC, and the many, many volunteers who helped run the event, East Lynne Enduro will go down as one of the best rides in a long, long time! This is the kind of stuff Geoff Eldridge would have been proud to write home about!

But wait, there's more..... the final 2 rounds of the NSW Enduro Series will be run at Dungog 29/30 August. Dungog MCC always put together an awesome event and this area of forest is absolute heaven for dirtbike riders. Check out the information on the NSW Enduro Series and upcoming Dungog event on the MNSW website (or contact Trent at Dungog MCC on 0408491749) and come and see for yourself how good an enduro can be!

Rick Braico

Oyster Bay Motorcycle Club

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