Beagle Bash date should read Sunday April 26th, 2015 on the schedule. Visit the following for more info. http://www.offroadontario.ca/
Under 2015 Enduro Schedule, the Beagle Bash scheduled for Sunday April 26th, is a perfect opportunity for Dual Sporters to try a timed event or just sign up for the trail ride.
I might want to try that. Can you think of any info other than what is on the OO site, that might help someone who's never run an enduro?
Make sure your bike is ready to rock all day long, check tire pressures, no lose parts etc, pack energy snacks and fluids and start snaking and drinking before you start and about every half hour after, don't ride at the end of your ability, push but pace yourself to last all day, don't try to win, just try to finish. The fun runs all day through to the end when you see how you stack up with other riders. You'll be hard pressed to find a better group of competitors.
The easiest way to approach it for your first time is to just ride it like a trail ride. The only difference is you can't just stop where & when you feel like it. There are a couple breaks during the day for fuel etc. Ride at 70-80% on transfers, ride a bit quicker, say 80-90% on test sections, take it easy on the roads. You lose more time picking yourself up from crashes, or from being worn out, than you do from just riding at a reasonable sustainable pace. You have to remind yourself that you will be completely exhausted before the end of the ride, so ride at a speed that will do the entire 150-180k. If not sure, just do the trail ride, as it rides the same course. Just don't stop for breaks except for at gas stops. Take lots of water - at least 2 liters or more. Have some gatorade (or equivalent) and a snack at gas stops.
Wow 3BeeJay3, That's a really good plan. I on the other hand, prefer not load myself down like that. A banana in the morning, a 500 ml bottle of water just before the start, then ride. At the gas stop, a small drink, (so I don't throw up later) then, at the end I will have some Gatorade. That's worked for me for years.
I did the Great Pine and Terra Nova enduro's last year and both times made the same mistake of not having any food or extra drink with me at the gas stops. I thought that having a Tim's breakfast would be enough. There's a big difference I found between the Enduro races and the XC ones. Luckily at least at the TN there as a nice guy (I think his name was Brian) who gave me a bottle of Gatorade and shared an energy bar with me. I won't make the same mistake this year. At the very least have some Gatorade and energy bars or fruit with your gas cans.
