ISDE Update 9-11-03

It's all over now.
Sorry we didn't get this back sooner, but after the final super moto test, it was back to the container to sort and pack the bikes, clean everything, then back to a hotel with no power, or water for showers.  Everyone bathed in the pools and still made it to the party hosted for the riders by the hotel.
We're in Sao Paulo now and first I've seen a computer since the end of the race.

By the time you read this I'll be at home sleeping - Please don't call:)

About the race.
The Canadians all made it to the final test, they were all a little nervous after watching the 125's slide around on the asphalt.
Klade - raced in the second 250 moto, riding really strong and finished well.  Finished the week on Silver.  Kept it together and beat the heat all week for his first ride at the ISDE.
Dan - raced in the first 400 cc moto, and was on the track for the epic battle between Everts and Salminen.  Dan finished strong and will bring home a Silver also.
Chris - there was only one 250 cc 4t moto, and Chris surprised some and rode really well all week and kept getting stronger.  The final moto was no different.  He brings home Silver.
Craig - Was all smiles and was so happy that he finished. He brings home a Bronze, and like I, is hooked on the six days, and will most definitely be back.
Dave- raced the second 400 cc 4t moto, and came out strong, with a top 10 start, and cruised at a quick pace and finished in the top 20 of the moto.  Dave will bring home a Bronze also.  He, Egon, and Danny are off to the Brazilian coast to surf it up for a few days on a well deserved vacation.

Jim - well, DNF's are tough, and you can bet I'll learn a lot more about jetting in the next few months.

Epic battle
Much like the Tour de France, the race had pretty much been decided on the 5th day.  At dinner in the hotel, Stephan Marriman said, it is tough to be beaten by a motocrosser here at the ISDE, and enduro event.  But with 10 sec. spread between them, there would be not much Merriman could do.
Merriman got a mid pack start, and the enduro world sighed, and to battle through the field would not likely gain an advantage over Evrets.
Then we all waited for the 400 4t moto.  Everts blasted to the front with Salminen right behind.  The mx-champ would likely win the event over the Enduro champ.  Then, as if to prove a point, although slightly behind in the overall classification,  Salminen passes Everts for the lead,  and the Cult enduro followers raced to the edge of the track and cheered as the 400 4t Enduro champ lead the mx-champ around the supermotard track.  They battled and Everts eventually the winner by a small margin, the event was over.

Good Job, Team Canada, 
Many thanks go out to the many support crew people from all over the country who did something to help one of the riders show up to the event.  And certainly to those who traveled the globe to help in person.  Any success by any Canadian would not be possible without this help.

Thanks
Jim Jervis

The Canadian riders still in the event all finished today.  And are looking forward to the short day and MX test.

The early day started with a little rain, but moisture doesn't stay here long.

The temp.and the course were the same today as day 4, the course and cross test had gotten very badly whooped out and bermed.

Dan - was sailing with his best test all week until he augured into a bombed out whoop the sent him over the bars and into the sand.
  The rest of the day was better for him until he came within 11 min of the end of the day, and ran out of fuel, 
A Czech rider stopped to help so he could get within sight of the paddock, he coasted down the hill, then was able to get to the precheck. 
 Amazingly, lost no time on the day.
Klade - seemed to get some sleep last night and was feeling better,and has been having trouble getting going in the morning cross test. 
 A high speed dive of the front end woke him up, along with a mouth full of sand.  He recovered and had a good day overall.
Craig, - still ever so steady, came into most checks with a couple of minutes to spare, and was hurried, but didn't loose any time on the day.
Chris - remains strong, and having more fun every day.  No complaints on the day.
Dave -  lost a couple of route points but no complaints on the day other than a clothes lining by a mango tree branch, 
then something about another rider clothes lining a barbed wire fence...  There both okay.

Day 6
16 km day, to a 15 min work period before impound for the "speed test".  7 laps, 5 corners on asphalt 
and the remaining on dirt. 12 km total test, 28 rider starting line.
Closing parade at 6:30 followed by a beach party.

Then it's pack up and head home.

Watch for the battle of the Stefans for the overall.
They are only a few seconds apart, and the final test will tell.  They've been battling all week.


2004 ISDE - check out www.isde2004.pl

Jim Jervis

ISDE Update, 6-11-03

Day 4 was an easier day, the course was more sand and beach.The CDN riders were happy to be rid of the mountain stage.
Chris is getting stronger every day and looking smoother in the sand tests.  no route points lost, and plenty of time at the checks.  The yamaha is running fine.  He's looking forward to the end, he'll be rid of the sand.
Klade is running well still, but continues to tire from the long days and heat. no route points lost, and test times are okay.  He had time to show the supporters a wheelie after the special test.
Craig- is ever smooth and consistant, a little slower into the checks, but still time to fuel his bike and himself. No route point lost today.
Dan - No points lost today, had fun playing in the sand dunes today with a czech rider.  He's looking forward to the end and the vacation in Rio.
Dave - lost a few route points today but is recovering from the mountain days, He's having a bit more fun.  Joked about a dune which he couldn't tell if the top rolled, or dropped off.  It dropped off, and so did he,all the way to the bottom.

Today was hump day, What the riders rode today is what they will ride tomnorrow.  They know what it takes to finish, and they will prepare accordingly tonight.
The details of the last day are still vague, but will include a cross test of some kind. Dave Armstrong visited the site today, but it was not completely ribboned.
There was rumour that the supermoto would not be, as the FIM rules specify that you must compete on special tires with leathers and back brace.  Details will come.  Eventually!!

The Canadian team was treated to a birthday party with cake and balloons for EGON, our Brazilian support connection.  He's been such a help all week helping us navigate the language and the culture (as well as his 4x4 truck on the beaches).

Guy Perrett will cut his support duties short and is waiting a flight out to home to meet up with his new born in BC.  Rumour has it Barb's water broke and he's on his way.

Details of Poland 2004 are released.  Sept 13-18.

Jim J

ISDE Update 5-11-03, Day 3

Today the riders are begining to feel the effects of the heat and the sun.
The five Canadian riders are still running.
Klade - is still running strong, comments he's begining to feel the heat, and the event is wearing on him. no trail points lost
Chris - is begining to recover from the first couple of days, and seemed much better at the impound. no trail points lost
Craig - is comming to all checks with some time in hand.  some time keeping errors cost him some route points.  Craig is in excellent shape and does not appear to be affected as much by the heat and sun at this point.
Dan - calm and cool as usual, still running strong. on time all day. tried two tire changes tonight. had to impound less the front completed. He may have made it, but it was a good call to impound on the front rim only and not risk any valuable points.
David - lost trail points today.  He is feeling the effects of the heat, and struggled through the impound tonight. But he is still in good spirits and will continue tomorrow.  And is happy that he will never again visit the piece of trail where the... by the .... and the ouch!! in this lifetime.

In general.
Today was a little cooler, with some light cloud cover offering a break from the sun.  and is the last day in the hills.
the course runs South again tomorrow and Friday for day 4/5 to sections the riders have not ridden yet. two new cross tests and enduro tests.
Details of the final moto will be communicated tomorrow at noon.

Still no word on the fate of the GAS GAS, we stripped it down (well Julie did most of it, I did the tires and chain)
We were able to turn the motor backwards with the rear tire, through the chain and transmission.  the engine freed up and was able to be kicked, but then tightenend with every kick.
Won't know for sure until the bike is returned to Spain and torn down by the factory.
But, I'm reasonably sure it was not a mistake in the fuel added to the 2-stroke by the check crews.

Off to bed, another hot day tomorrow.
Check 3, for riders at 10:38 Am.

Jim J

Still another hot day here. One check point was 45 deg.

All Canadian riders finished the day.
time schedule was a little tighter today.
Klade, Dan had time in hand at all checks,and were having better test times.Klade managed to stay on the bike all day, a first.
Craig was in on time and lost no points, but was rushed at a few.
Chris was very tired at impound but always keeps the `DUDE` spirit.
Dave B - was very tired at the impound, we helped him through his tire change and got his bike in on time. He had a horrific experience on the trail today. A rider near his minute collided with a truck in the small village. He, and another rider stopped to give first aid, Dave then continued on to the check point to advise the organizers. He was obviously shaken by the experience.

You can read this on the official web site.
Matt Bowden #278 of Britain died today, he was found between ET2 and CT2. I don~t know any more details than that. But will pass on any info as I find out.

We have a check crew meeting and I will suggest we offer any assistance in any way we can throughout the day at the check points and at the start and impound.

The heat is something that is beginning to take its toll on the riders as well as the support people. It show~s when riderswho have practiced things over and over for months can not think straight and have to be talked through every step. I will discuss hydration management at tonight meeting and ensure everyone understands it´s importance.

Off to supper,
Check crew at TC2 tomorrow, and back to the paddock to assist with final impound.

Jim J
 
 
 

ISDE UPDATE Day 2 start

Everyone got off okay.
No major work this morning, only some small adjustments.
I was scheduled to work a check with Julie, but was woke by a knock at the door at 4:45 AM to work the paddock.
Seems Jan was very sick this morning and Bettie needed some experienced help.
I think it was more like punishment for a DNF. To sit there and watch Rodney Smith leave, who'm I rode with most of day 1, and to help and see all the riders off. It seem to just make it sink in even more.
We're taking Jan to the Doctor, then back to the Paddock for final check and impound.
ECEA club team is in 4th (Erin Copp)

More news tonight.

Jim J
 

ISDE Update 3-11-03

Sorry, yesterday was a little busy, we finally got fuel at 3:00 PM Saturday, and it was a jetting and testing frenzy for all teams. And then quickly back to the hotels for final meetings and preparation (filters, check bags, goggles,.....)
Day 1 started 8:00 am short day 228 km, only 5 hrs.

I seized the bottom crank bearing of the GAS GAS  and I'm out!!
It happened at KM 155. There was some confusion on the course, and riders got lost. I was too, and was returning to find the course when the bottom end seized without warning. After getting lost I figured, I was on Bronze now, and was not going crazy to get back on course, and was not really pushing the bike hard.
Still don't know exactly why. GAS GAS will look at it tomorrow. I have my theory's, and while waiting to be picked up, I had lots of time to think about everything, from why I was born, to why I was sleeping on a roadside with my hand through the front spokes of the wheel. Just in case I nodded off again and someone would decide to steal the bike. Anyway, I'm found. Sure am glad to be back at the hotel amongst friends. I've been through all the emotions, frustration, anger, disappointment, fear, hopelessness, loneliness. 5 hrs on a roadside in a town where no one speaks your language is awkward.
I'll keep sending updates daily, I've got lots of time now.
But, although this attempt at the ISDE was unsuccessful, I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who help out, to give me the opportunity to be here. As much as the event is tough, it is as much of an enduring thing just to get here and be able to say you started. I've been fortunate in the past with a couple of medals, and this first DNF is tough to swallow. Believe me it's tough.

Thanks!

Canadian Team update
Chris - still riding, lost 7 minutes into last check, bailed hard on open beach after hitting a log, and got held up at special tests.
Craig - I think lost a couple of minutes comming into last check.
Klade - I think is on time and had a good day
Dave - don't think lost any points, and seems very consistant. Looking forward to day 2 where terrain is more like what he is used to.
Dan - good day, no points lost

I couldn't find out much more, I got in a little late, after being picked up by my wife Julie, the GAS GAS folks in the team van.

Day 2/3
start 7:00 Am 240 km, 6 hrs total

Day 4/5 start 8:00 Am, 246 km, 5:30 total
 

Jim J
 
 
 

ISDE UPdate 1-11-03

And still we wait.
No fuel has arrived, it's 1:00 PM here and not much else could happen today even if the fuel did show up.
The opening ceremonies have been canceled all together.
There is talk of canceling the first day.. it's all rumour, but one thing seems to be certain. No one is confident with the local gas, and very few teams are testing with anything.
We wait!We did team pictures today first thing in front of the water park under the main ISDE banner.
We're off to the pool to relax a bit. Then maybe out to the last few x-test after it cools down.
There is not much grass here so the hours of practicing at Britts won't pay off like we'd hoped. But good practice none the less. The top layer of vegitation will get torn away with the first few riders, then it's into the sand.

Nothing else to say, people are getting bored. There is only so much fiddling you can do to a bike if you haven't run it yet.
The Gas Gas has 30 km on it, I've tried all the spares, to make sure they fit.

But then there will be a mad dash for the fuel, and a mad dash to test/jet, and repair before impound.

Jim Jervis
Enduro is Endless Joy!

Oi, from Brazil.
Things are shaping up.
All the Canadian riders are here.
Most of the bikes are prepped. Only one is missing but, should arrive tomorrow (Dan Watt)
Petrol is a problem, local fuel is not reliable and most teams are waiting for fuel to do jetting testing.
US riders brought their own fuel, some anxious US rider has a souvenir piston with a hole for using the local fuel too quickly.
Organizers are arranging competition fuel, should arrive later today.
GAS GAS will do the jetting, then I'm off to the dune test track to flog around in the sand and try to figure things out.
CDN riders signed in today, no problems.
Delay's made us wade in the surf, and sip drinks under the palm's until registration was ready.
Our first meeting was tonight, basic intro's, nothing special.
Must go for supper now.
The food is excellent.
Imagine 400 hungry racers and supporters waiting at the door.
When it's opened. .........

Tchau!!
Jim J