I
hate the phrase ‘Bucket List’. I mean I really hate it. For a couple of reasons: firstly, it’s
supposed to describe something that one must do or experience in order to find
inner peace, or to satisfy a yen before ‘kicking the bucket’. Unfinished business. Climbing mount Kilimanjaro, visiting the site
of the WWII POW camp that claimed one’s grandfather’s life, or bobbing about in the Dead Sea are all activities or
goals that one could reasonably add to such a list. But instead it’s used by many as a lazy,
perfunctory way to justify doing something that they want to suggest they
wouldn’t normally do – ‘I’m not a massive fan, but seeing Nickelback live was
on my bucket list’.
The
main reason I hate it, though, is because without it I’m now at a loss as to
how to concisely explain just why, instead of lying on the beach like every
sane person who visits Sardinia, I would spend a week chasing dirt bikes taking
part in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) all over the Mediterranean
island. I’d love to simply say ‘it was
on my bucket list’ and be done with it, but I can’t without the urge to punch
myself in the face (my older brother no doubt will be relieved to hear he no
longer needs to waste his energy pinning me down, grabbing my forearms and
doing it for me, all the while shouting ‘stop punching yourself!’).
The
ISDE holds a special place in motorcycling lore. Much like the Isle of Man TT or Dakar Rally,
it is one of a rare breed of motorsport events that, while it may be a
standalone event as opposed to a single chapter of a championship, may as well
be a championship in and of itself.
Dating
back to 1913, the ISDE is often referred to as the ‘World Cup of Enduro’ by
virtue of the fact that riders compete in national teams as opposed to
individually. As the name suggests the
race is six days long, each day comprising of between 200 to 250 km of varying
terrain, ranging from paved transport sections (complete with local traffic
going about their day) to dirt back roads, river crossings and
mountainous,
rocky single tracks frequented the rest of the year by only goat herders and
their livestock. Riders are timed
throughout, and must arrive at each checkpoint during an allotted time
window. Not only are riders penalized
for being too slow, but too quick as well.
Each
day riders must also complete six so-called ‘Special Tests’. These are timed sections that count towards
the riders’ final standings. Riders must
quickly adjust mentally from the often tight, technical sections in the lead up
to the flat-out, motocross style Special Stages, and back again. This is just one side of the ISDE equation.
The biggest difference between the ISDE and similar events is its ban on outside assistance throughout the event. Parts considered integral to each riders’ motorcycle (frame, crank case, wheel hubs and so on) are tagged during scrutineering and may be checked by a Technical Steward for conformity randomly at any checkpoint.
Teams are allowed to employ mechanics,
however they may only perform rudimentary tasks such as adjusting tyre pressure
or changing engine oil, and only in pre-determined work areas during allotted
time windows. Any major repairs or
adjustments must be performed by the rider him or herself, whether it be
adjusting the valve clearances, or TIG welding a cracked frame (and yes, women
also compete in the ISDE). Should anyone
but the rider touch the motorcycle at a time or in a way that is not allowed,
that rider is immediately disqualified.
 |
There
are other penalties of course. They
range from a 1 minute penalty for starting one’s engine on the start line
without the starter’s permission, to receiving fuel outside the prescribed
areas/times (disqualification), all the way through to team disqualification
for failing scrutineering due to having an engine capacity outside the
tolerances allowed in the rider’s particular class.
The
first 5 days were blessed with sunshine, the only hindrance to the riders being
dusty conditions the sun and warm weather created. Morning dew was welcomed as it helped to
dampen the dirt on the racing surface, thereby increasing traction and hence
acceleration. I’m sure the people lying on the beaches were
totally oblivious.
 |
| At least until a dirt bike burned past. |
Day
6 was comparatively cool and overcast, giving the riders their first
opportunity to break out their wet weather gear. It also helped them keep fresh for the final
showdown at Tempio’s motocross circuit.
The
French team started strongly and led the men’s category from start to finish,
with Italy, the US and Australia jostling for the remaining positions on the
podium throughout, with Spain chasing in a solid fifth place. On the third day however, Australia’s Matt
Phillips suffered a mechanical failure leading to retirement from the event –
with a man down, the Aussies faced an unenviable run to the finish line. In
the end, the US managed to hold on to the second step on the podium, with
Italy, Australia and Spain 3rd, 4th and 5th
respectively.
Conversely,
unlike their male counterparts, Australia’s women’s team went from strength to
strength, building each day on their formidable lead and taking out the title
by almost 15 minutes. Sweden and France
filled out the podium, with Canada a close 4th.
I
forgot to mention the last, and for me most important reason I hate the phrase
‘bucket list’. Because it implies that
once you’ve done it, you don’t plan to do it again. As if once is enough. For 2014 the IDSE will be held in Argentina,
north of Mendoza in the foothills of the Andes.
The location of the 2015 event as I write hasn’t yet been confirmed,
however the bidding nations still in with a chance are Mexico, Wales and
Slovakia. At this point in time it
doesn’t look like I’ll be able to make it to Argentina, as much as I’d love to
drop in to Dominia del Plata and bask in Susana Balbo’s winemaking glory (and
of course chase dirt bikes around the Andes).
But you can be sure that each year I’ll be carefully plotting another
time around. The International Six Day
Enduro isn’t on my bucket list. It’s on the list.
No comments:
Post a Comment