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The Grand Kankakee Enduro
By Tina
I just had a great weekend.
I've been bugging Jeff Fredette for a couple of years about
some sort of school and telling him how I've wanted to ride
the ice and enduroes. When he told me about the family enduro
in Roselawn, Indiana , I got very interested. At first I thought
ok I'll go, then I thought well maybe I should ride the Denmark
Hare Scrambles since my husband rides. But when Ryan Moss
and Jeff talked it up I got psyched, "when will I get
another chance to ride an easy family oriented enduro with
my daughter, meet some ISDE lengends and have a little instruction
from master of enduro. I gotta go. Unfortunately my daughter
couldnt get off of work, but I went alone and loved it.
4 AM Saturday morning I loaded the KDX and headed south. I
got to the pit area about 8:30 just in time to unload the
bike, sign up and stand amongst a crowd of about 100 kids
and parents while Jeff Fredette gave an impressive class on
using the route sheets, following the arrows and having fun.
About 4 hours of dirt, sand, trees, and a lot of happy kids.
Wow, fond memories. Afterwards Mr. Fredette entertained the
crowd with trophys and lots of donated items from the sponsors
and supporters. It was also great to see the landowners and
their families involved. The awards were donated recycled
trophys, an excellent use for them. I dont know how I did
because I was spending so much time soaking up the sun, smiles
and conversation. Afterwards the club members went back to
work laying out Sundays enduro and while the rest of us relaxed
and enjoyed the sun setting over the trees.
The next morning was covered with dew as the sun rised and
the campfires started. I just love the sounds and smells of
dirtbikes in the morning. Thats when I decided I can ride
this enduro and if I cant handle it I can always quit. So
I signed up. Cool. I had butterflies from 7AM til 10:47AM
my key time. On bald tires I slid all over the field but still
a smile on my face. I probably dumped it 5 times in the first
hour, but I was in heaven. Wiggling thru the tight trees,
I felt like I was back on a trials bike. By the first pavement
I was in need of recuperation and hydration, then back in
the woods, where I went over the handle bars and thought,
no I did not break my,,,,well , lets just say jewelery box.
I kept going while everyone behind be yelling hey hey hey
went around me. Realizing by now I must me the last rider,
and with the clean up guy behind me, I decided to practice
my skills more carefully, and started to feel the yen. That
was short lived when I saw the guy on the yamaha picking up
his bike. I thought to myself "he's ok. Now unload right
over that log" WRONG. Little mistakes can make big bumps.
Bad timing, sloppy moves, 2 logs, one tree, down I go, throttle
racing and that hurt. Get up quick, shake it off, take a breath,
suck some water, start the bike and go. Man was I tired. My
left leg was failing me. I was loosing my grip and my balance.
I figured I could stick it out, my left leg was getting stiff
but I'm ok, get thru a couple more checks and time for the
gas stop. After some more pavement and much needed recuping
I got into the woods again, went over a small log, then this
big one looked at me and said YOU ARE DONE! I fell again,
picked up the bike, took a drink and felt my leg, oh boy,
my thigh is NOT that big. As I pushed on it, it felt like
a hard volley ball. Guess I better call it a day. A clean
up guy came up behind me, not the same one, because that guy
had just broken his wrist. So I said I'm done how do I get
back. With directions in my head I continues down the sand
road and saw a house, the house which I was looking forward
to riding thru, but the leg wasnt going let that happen. On
the other side of the house I see the "Man of the House"
Jeff Fredette. He was obviously proud of his house idea because
he was there to observe as the riders went thru. I'm sorry
I didnt get to ride the house.
Back at the pit area I struggled to get off the bike, and
took off the gear. As I hobbled to the Volunteer Fireman for
some ice I got alot of looks, can you say "HUGE"
A huge purple and pink lump inside the thigh, just above the
knee. BUT, I had a great time. Thanks to the Grand Kanakee
Trail Riders.
Sincerely,
Tina
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