Training in Wales at Gwyddelwern

 Steve ready to go for a tough days training in Wales

The Tough One

Steve completed the Tough one last weekend doing very well to get around the Wet, Cold, Slippery and very hard course. Steve had the pleasure of Paul Bolton parking next to him, which was cool as he remembered us from last years Red Bull Romaniacs. On Sunday 15th January, the Tough One returned to Nantmawr Quarry near Oswestry for the 8th edition of this unique event, The weather was fine but cold and the amphitheatre glistened with an overnight frosting in the bright mid Winter sunshine. The years have not dulled Course Director Steve Ireland's inventiveness and sense of fun. The complex of obstacles around the quarry floor resembled the children's game of Mousetrap to delight the spectators whilst for the riders the course was a serious business. Tyres, logs and pipes were all examined. The Boulders were walked or more accurately stumbled over and all the time the Pros and Experts eyes were irresistibly drawn to the drop off down the quarry face - a 100 foot sheer descent where extreme enduro met base jumping without a parachute.

The 2 hour Clubman and Veterans race began at 11.00am with Le Mans start. A one hundred yards sprint uphill ensured that even if the bikes were cold the riders were warm. The first half course circled the rim of the quarry out of sight of the majority of the spectators. The sense of anticipation grew as the sound of the engines increased and the first riders entered the quarry. Veteran Kiaran Hankin was in the lead closely followed by fellow Vets Craig Parkes, Jason Crossland and Martin Atherton. The first Clubman was Nathan Bolton in 5th ahead of Aled Jones. The drop off the quarry face was reserved for the Pros and Experts so the first serious challenge for the Clubman riders was Route of All Evil - a 50 foot bank of slippery clay with a very short run up. Commentator Jack Burnicle announced each new arrival but the "Oohs" and "Aahs" of the crowd told the story of their departing. Next the riders faced the Boulders and amid the smoke and steam Mark Willis' day ended with a holed clutch case. He was first but not the last. In the arena the logs seemed to cause the most trouble for the riders and an heroic band of marshals kept them moving.

OFFROAD DAY 4 - WEDNESDAY 20TH JULY

Feeling pretty good for the start today but oh did they make us work very hard to get to the finish!

The race back to the finish in Piata Mica within the medieval centre of Sibiu (Hermannstadt).

Steve and I had a late start and then were pulled over for 30mins with 10 other riders by the police, going through the village as someone had complained, probably because all the pro riders were running late and had gone through the village at top speed as they had their start times changed.

Once we got to the start we climbed a steep forest hill, (getting warmed up) which then went down to a river for a cool down.

All day was full of fantastic riding and sections as the "Pope track" , "slime stone" and "Long walk Junior" keeping us hot and busy.

At the "hiking trails" section all of our skills were used, sometimes not even on the bikes.

The last day for was not the easiest of days, and had a lot of difficult technical single tracks that kept us very hot all day in fact several of the pro said it was the hardest day and I agree it probably was.

Just befor the service poin we had a very steep downhill which is where I mad the biggest mistake of the race and ended up drop my bike about 20m down the hill lucky for me I wasn't on it. It was jus a small switch back but at extremely steep angle and the front roll over the edge at that was that.  After the service point where Pasty and Darren did some quick repairs to my bars as I had bent and broken the triple clamp bolt onto the bars.  We had a small chance to stretch our legs and take in the scenery on a fast rallye style track all the way to the finish at Piata Mica in Sibiu. Just before the end, after we started to think it was all over they threw in a really steep up hill section. I ended up carrying five bikes up after getting mine 90% up the with a little help of the last section from Jago. Then we pulled Ross Noble, Zippy's, Steve's and Jago's bikes up, I was absolutely knackered after doing that.

Then After more steep climbs we went down into Sibiu following and crossing the river right in the centre of town. Finally getting to the famous steps of the finishing line in front of a very large crowd. Not the place to blow it but both Steve and I finished in style on the top and had made up 3 hours on Ross and Zippy and 2 hours on Jajo. Wow what elation that was after a very hard 5 days riding both of us sore and knackered but very please to be at the end.

TANKPOINT & START INFORMATION

first competitor leaves "Arsenal park start" 08:20
Arsenal Park start to “offroad start” 21 km´s, (40 minutes allowed for Liaison)
Offroad start to 4TP1 = 9 km´s
4TP1 to 4TP 2 = 33 km´s
4TP2 to 4TP3 = 37 km´s
4TP3 to finish at Piata Mica = 43 km´s

Total distance offroad is 122 km´s, including Liaisons 143 km´s
Maximum riding time: 9:30 hrs, mins

Estimated time of arrival of first rider at (SP) service point 11:09
Service vehicle travel time from riders paddock = 1 hr

OFFROAD DAY 3 - TUESDAY 19TH JULY

Day 3 is the toughest day of the Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro rallye 2011

The course travels from Sibiu to the overnight Bivioac at "Arsenal Park" near Orastie.

Pro class have a tough start, which includes "Doctor.3" also a nice´river down´ track then comes "Viagra falls" and "el Vikingo" plus some extra unnamed challenging sections all within the first 35 Km´s, after that there is a nice smoother ride? to the finish.

Experts are having a nice tough day as well, with sections named "shit farmer up", "Vasile", "Dacia express" these are sure to be remembered and discussed, good news is there is some breathing distance between these challenges.

Hobby class starts with easy tracks, but then there is a river that will NOT cool them down but for sure will heat the body and bike up to boiling temparature.

Soon after there is a fast down hill where the excess speed will cool the body down fast. Tracks have an amazing scenery mix. Some sections when taken with care and skill is possible. One famous section that challenges is the "Donkey trail" and it was a bitch, nearly 2.5 hours on it. But we finally made it.

TANKPOINT & START INFORMATION

first hobby competitor leaves Hotel start at 06:00
Hotel start to “offroad start” 18 km´s, ( 30 minutes allowed for Liaison)
Offroad start to 3TP1 = 36 km´s
Hobby class skip tank point TP2
3TP1 to 3TP3 = 41 km´s
3TP3 to 3TP4 = 30 km´s
3TP4 to 3TP5 = 45 km´s
3TP5 to offroad finish/rider paddoch finish = 25 km´s

Total distance offroad is 160 km´s, including Liaisons 178 km´s
Maximum riding time: 10 hrs

Estimated time of arrival of first rider at (SP) service point "Sugag" 08:15
Service vehicle travel time from riders paddock = 1.5 hours

OFFROAD DAY 2 - MONDAY 18TH JULY 2011

After picking up our GPS and minitracker just before leaving Sibiu from the motorcycle security park, same place as day 1

We didn't start in Sibiu.

Our service crews can transport you and your bike to the offroad starts
You need a full tank of fuel at the offroad start.
If driving by motorcycle STOP for fuel at the waypoint "NYCOIL"
Pro, Trial and Expert classes “offroad start is at Cainenii mari” 41km from Sibiu
Hobby “offroad start is at Robesti” 47km away from Sibiu.
Approximately 60 minutes driving time from Sibiu to the offroad start.

The days event is over at the OFFROAD FINISH. (there is NO parc ferme finish, and no Liasion)
You will be asked to hand in your GPS/Minitracker and map at the OFFROAD FINISH, Please make your way back to Sibiu by motorcycle or with your service vehicle.
Service vehicles please wait for your riders at the large Motel parking area. (the offroad start, Red Bull Romaniacs 2010)
If driving the 38 Km back to Sibiu by motorcycle, we advise you to stop for fuel.
All street sections are not part of the race, our speed limit signs must be followed. We can check if you have been speeding using your GPS recording.

TANKPOINT INFORMATIONe
Sibiu to “offroad start Robesti”
47 km´s from Sibiu, (allow 60 minutes travel time)
First Hobby competitor leaves offroad start at 07:00

Offroad start to 2TP1 = 14 km´s
2TP1 to 2TP 2 = 44 km´s
2TP2 to 2TP3 = 43 km´s
2TP3 to 2TP4 = 33 km´s
2TP4 to offroad finish = 34 km´s

Total distance offroad is 168 km´s
Maximum riding time: 9:30 hrs,mins

Estimated time of first rider arrival at (SP) service point in "Voineasa " 11:00 hrs, mins.
Service vehicle travel time from riders paddock to offroad start = 1 hr
Service vehicle from offroad start to service point= 1.15 hrs.
Direct from riders paddock to the service point 2:15 hrs,mins

TRACK INFORMATION
The track is on of the most scenic and remote enduro rallye tracks to be found anywhere in mainland Europe. A rallye ride over the mountain tops and down into the valleys with climbing and downhill challenges in the forests to keep the mind alert.

Stairway to Heaven
Your going at least half way to heaven, it´s a wet and slippy stairway to get there. You think you reached the top then there is one more steep grass field to climb, then nearing the top you have to get into and through a steep forest and then another steep grass field. But if when you make it to the top, stop for a second or two, you will have climbed so high there are now mountains below you.

5 hour river (Pro, Trial, Expert)
It is a long long way up the river, it sure feels like it is going to take hours. For expert riders a big challenge and a lot of effort may be needed.