Pearson

Ruff - E - Nuff
2008

This year for the Pearson Enduro I was able to escape the confines of the daily grind
and head north to Pearson a day early to be part of the Saturday kid’s race. This was
a special treat. Brian Terry, the kid’s race trail boss, organized a spectacular event.
Brian and crew laid out a 10 mile course through out the north woods that was almost
rock free or at least would be considered not very rocky for up there. The day started
out with a total of 20 riders, 10 kids and 10 riding partners. The riding partners
consisted of dads, moms, and even an uncle Crowbait. The mini riders finished one
lap and the rest went two full laps. At the conclusion, all the riders walked away with a
smile on their face and a trophy in hand. Oh ya, don’t forget the ice cream bar.

Sunday morning greeted all the riders with the traditional up north “How yeu doing” with
temp hovering in the upper 30’s. But there was hope on the horizon as small peaks of
the sun could be here and there and when the sun did pop through it warmed up
nicely. So on went the dilemma, what should you wear? Do you wear a layer under
your jersey or even a vest knowing that once in the woods it would get warm or go with
just a jersey and freeze your butt off until the race started? I am not one to like the
cold, OK maybe not as bad Speedy in his one piece PJ’s and stocking cap while
sleeping in the Goshen hotel, but non the less, I opted for a base layer under the
jersey. The first section of the day started at 18 mph and luckily so, as the crew from
the Madison Motorcycle club decided to cut in about 4 miles of new trail. They did a
great job of clearing the trail, but it was slow and bumpy. The first check was around
10 miles and so was the speed change to 24 mph. Once the speed average changed,
there was no more watching the computer to make sure you where in your minute, it
was full on head down and race mode. The last section before gas was 10 miles and
had some of the stereotypical rocks sections. Some of the scores after the first
section where; Ryan Moss (8min), Kiel Mueller (9min), Scott Hoffman with a factory
suspension set up (10min), and Myself (8min). After gas we headed to the north
section. Dean and I proceeded to get lost right of the bat and just missed the zero
check by seconds. This would cost us dearly by the end of the race as there were 4
checks after that and no resets to get back on time. When I pulled in to Speedy’s he
said the Ryan Moss had not come through yet. Come to find out, Ryan went toe to toe
with an overgrown tree and lost. He made it to Crowbait’s check and decided it was
time to checkout. By the end of the race everyone had there fill of riding for the day.
The Madison Motorcycle Club, lead by trail boss Brian “Da Pope” Mullane, did an
excellent job putting this race on. For those that do not know, all the people that help
put this race on live over 3 hours away from the race. That is what I call some serious
dedication to the sport. As always, the trophies where one of a kind and cool as ever,
compliments of Speedy Pete. The top 4 scores as I remember them where:

Keil Mueller - 41
Scott Hoffman - 46
Heath Drone - 51
Chuck Garetson - 57

Article by: Heath “Gus” Drone