The world of Enduro never sleeps.
In 2 weeks time the Glendalough Enduro will take place followed by Kilworth and then in early July mount Leinster will be the host locality .
All courses are currently being worked on by their respective teams and each course takes a lot of time and effort. Landowners have to be contacted , Coillte likewise and risk assessments sent. Ambulance and local Garda to be booked and notified let alone the route to be checked where felling and weather can change or block a route completely. Trees to be felled and routes cleared. Small dedicated crews carry out the tasks under the stewardship of each event COC. Some if those workers are TORC members some are not but work tireless in the background unknown to many. From the Enduro fraternity …. thanks to them all.
Ciaran , Merv and Nick were spotted on one such scout mission on Sunday
At mount Leinster. We understand a lot if felling has taken place but a full lap route is possible with changes and a chainsaw.
Interesting on the bikes in the photo which cover nearly three decades ( not to mention their jockeys !)
The wr Yamaha is the new 2015 model …. Almost brand new and shiny . 4 t fuel injected ,generally high tech and very modern .nice job .
The red one is a TM 125 of 1983 vintage with inverted monoshock and drum brakes. No power valve but crankcase reed induction. By 83 standards high tech and modern. Mervyn bumbles along happily on it and gets a head if steam when needed.
The ,small blue one is a 1997 tm 85. Quite a special little bike as a full on small wheel Enduro bike. A one off factory special. As a matter of general interest this is the exact bike that won ( yes) the Irish round in Ballyhooly ( now Kilavullen) in 1998 piloted by mark Seward from Cornwall . not that mark had it easy as Jonty Edmunds ( European U 23 v champion) and our own Stan Callaghan and a full experts field were competing. Quite a feat at the time.
Mark will be riding again under the blarney army team at the Merzouga Rallye in October. He will team up with Vincent Dooley, Brian McGirr and Gordon Clarke. Bit older, wiser and we presume slower but always a treat to watch his talent on a bike.
So the clock ticks and the work goes on . We remember Pat Mc Erlane in particular at this time. Happy with his dog and chainsaw, cleaning routes for us all. thanks Pat.
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