Enduro racing represents the ultimate challenge for off road bikers with many cross country, rough terrain obstacles and challenges for both rider and machine. The ‘Dusk to Dawn’ race represents the toughest race in the UK, and over 550 riders from across Europe assembled in Glyneath, near Swansea in Wales over the holiday weekend to compete in the annual Dawn to Dusk 6, 12 and 24 hour Enduro races. The challenge being straightforward, the rider(s) that travel the farthest distance in their respective class wins.

In a rather bizarre twist of events, Ross, (who as we know loves his motorbikes), decided to accept the ultimate challenge and enter the Dawn to Dusk race. Originally planned as a four man team, Ross sought advice from those in the know, including a former World Champion, who while supportive and admiring of Ross’ enthusiasm, basically advised this was perhaps, a challenge too far. To compound matters, Ross had only managed to recruit one additional rider, his good friend, Billy ‘Bike Truck’.

Ignoring the obvious 6 hour or even 12 hour races more appropriate for any rookie competitor, an interesting strategy choice by the novice team principal (Ross), saw this new team enter the Professional 24-hour race. The Noble ‘Fuzzy Logic’ being simple, there would only be four teams in the professional class and if one team experienced mechanical difficulties and failed to finish (and with a lot of luck), a podium finish and near Enduro legend status could be achieved.

The team entry was accepted and the challenge was on, but with a week to go, Ross and Billy had no bikes, no gear, no mechanics, no crew and in a nut shell, little chance of even making it to the start line. Billy got on the phone and managed to achieve the near impossible, favours were called in, promises made and with a general feeling of goodwill towards Ross and Billy they got bikes, mechanics, tyres, spares, winnebago, marquee and support crew assembled.

As the team gathered on the eve of the race at The Mole Inn in Lower Cwmtwrch, team introductions were made and gradually the enormity of the challenge began to sink in. This was slightly compounded by the presence of the 20 strong German ‘Touratech’ factory Enduro team, also in The Mole Inn restaurant. The Noble and Bike Truck team retreated to the hotel in Swansea with plenty to sleep on.

Bank holiday Saturday was race day as the team assembled on site. The day flew by as this last minute project was gathered together. At the riders briefing, the nerves began to set in, as reality dawned. There was an initial 6 mile course which would be ridden through the night in the Welsh forest until 6am, then an extended 18 mile course for the remaining 13 hours.

The overall 24-hour class, which consisted of 51 riders, was first away at 7pm. At the sound of the claxon on the stroke of the hour, riders sprint to their machines, fire up their bikes and let rip. The Team Principal made his first tactical decision, rather than sprint to his bike, he would walk slowly, in a sort of ‘savour the moment’ way and accept the adulation of the large crowd assembled along the hill. This, never before seen approach was met which much admiration and hilarity by all. The only slightly embarrassing aspect was that once Ross strode to his bike, he couldn’t get it started! A perfect comedy moment, well a perfect 3 minutes of comedy as Ross and machine finally departed at 7.03pm.

After the first lap, Ross came into the pits and Billy took off in an effort to get a feel for the bike and circuit before darkness. As dusk fell, the team settled into what was hoped would be a long night. Lap times varied from 35 minutes to over an hour (or two!) as Billy and Ross struggled though the night, the course began to soften in places, making it energy sapping and slow to navigate. As the race progressed and conditions worsened, riders in the 24-hour race began to drop out.

In an effort to stay awake, the team statistician (Rainman) went for a walk around the pits just before sunrise and happened upon the leader board. The Noble and Bike Truck Team were not last!! They had begun to move slowly up the leader board in the overall 24 hour race. Although very much last (and by some considerable distance) in the Professional class, the fact that they were ahead of anyone in the overall race, gave the team a huge boost. Before it all began, the objective was to finish the race, to keep going, to prove the doubters wrong, the fact that they could actually beat someone else would be remarkable.

As the rain fell on Sunday morning, the 12 hour race began at 7am, with another 300 riders on the course. Throughout the night, Ross ignored the generally accepted advice to sleep in between sessions on the track, Pot Noodles and Bananas seemed the priority, all delicately presented by Chef Alfie. Noble was on a high and loving every minute of it. Sleep would mean missing the moment. The rain, mist and mud was quite simply relentless. As the morning progressed, more people began to stop by the Noble camp, to have a look at this crack team which by now had achieved a remarkable 38th place overall in the 24-hour race.

With the rain now falling horizontally, conditions on the longer 18 mile circuit began to worsen, sections of the course became near impassable, lap times dropped, simply making it around the circuit was taking the two boys nearly 3 hours on some laps, falling off, remounting, getting just to the top of hills only for bike and rider to slip all the way back to the bottom. Try again, keep trying. Ross and Billy were not going to be beaten. They had kept going through the night, some parts of the bike had failed, some nasty falls, but Ross, Billy and bike were still going.

Occasional stops for a chat with course marshals and fellow riders around the circuit for the last few hours helped Ross and Billy regain some energy, help others, receive help and ensure that the Team primary objective was achieved, simply to finish, keeping the bike racing non-stop for 24 hours.

Just after 7pm on Sunday evening, Ross appeared out of the mist to take the chequered flag and so complete what was a remarkable adventure. Such was the euphoria, relief, joy and sense of achievement, even Rainman forget to get the exact finishing position!

To all the new and old friends that Ross, Billy and the Team met over the weekend, a huge Thank you for your support. For the individuals who gave bikes, clothing, tyres and all the other bits and pieces unconditionally to Ross and Billy, a massive Thank you. To the other riders in the ‘Dawn to Dusk’ race; huge respect and admiration!

Thanks also to Nick Plumb, Dawn to Dusk Chief, Simon Pavey, Off Road Skills, James and Mark @ North One TV for what will be fantastic footage, Pete Callow, top camera man, Evan, Off Road Skills Mechanic, Oz the Mechanic, Richard the Mechanic and proprietor at The Mole Inn, Alfie the Chef and Winnebago based executive, Siggi from ZigCam and Cliff, the weather proof and top cameramen and finally to Rainman for his endless and pointless contributions. What a weekend!!

Photos courtesy of Siggi @ zigcam.tv.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 4th, 2009 at 17:03 and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.