jds column
By TMX Archives on 2nd Jul 08
ANY event that attracts 500 riders must be doing something right... Editor JD waxes lyrical about an event that he wishes he had tackled when young and fit...and tries to get his head around battling with a sidecar around an epic like the Welsh...how do they do that? IT was, as around 500 riders could tell you, Welsh Two-Day week last week. And I am sorry to say that The Welsh, as it is fondly and universally known, is an event that I have not participated in although I sincerely wish that I had! It being a mid-week event (how do so many riders get to be off work...?) I never had the time/ money/ opportunity (cue violins) when I was young enough and fit enough to have a bash but when I did eventually get to see the Welsh, a couple of years ago, I was amazed at the sheer size of the event. The amount of time and effort required to provide such a fabulous course for so many riders really does take some believing.
What made me go off on this tack was a quick study, about five minutes ago, I made of the results of this year's event. Without going into too much detail I noticed that out of the 500 or so entries, around 50 per cent appeared to be retirements.
Now, whatever events I have competed in over the years, retiring was the one thing that had to be avoided at all costs. I suppose I should have been born a ‘careful' Yorkshireman or maybe a ‘canny' Scot, as this desire to finish what I started came from a simple desire to get the absolute maximum value for money and bang for my buck. Paying out, say, £100 for an entry and not reaching the finish would have me in tears for a week!
So how, collectively, all those riders who failed to finish the Welsh felt I really don't like to think. Someone told me that the burger van sold out on the second day – apparently the result of so many retirements (it makes sense!) so this at least proves that it is an ill wind that does not blow someone some good. The lucky Burger!
Back to those retirements. Without wanting to flog this horse to death, the attrition rate in both the E1 class and Over 40s was actually over 50 per cent. It was over 50 per cent in the Clubman Sidecar class as well where it appeared that only three crews officially finished out of 13 hopefuls who started. This doesn't altogether surprise me. Let me qualify that. I have personally never understood sidecars – and this despite the fact that my dear old dad was a huge sidecar fan and could ride one like an ace. For several seasons back in the 1980s I actually did get excited by sidecar motocross, mainly because of the draw of watching Terry Good and whoever was brave enough to ride with him.
Those mighty Norton Wasps and suchlike were truly awesome machines that genuinely made the earth move, but when the two-stroke singles arrived Goody departed the scene, and so did I. It certainly missed TG more than it missed me.
Back to those enduro chairs. When I saw the sidecars at the Welsh I just could not comprehend trying to get one of those round the course as I saw it. And as a spectator I got to see relatively little. But enough to know that I did not want to see more of it on an outfit, if you know what I mean. And the fact that one chariot and gallant crew turned right over and mangled itself, when not 20 feet from me, on a relatively straight forest track I did wonder for some time what sidecars were like to ride on genuine rough going.
And just in case anyone even thinks of offering me a go on one let me say right now, thanks but no thanks!
But, whatever my personal thoughts, believe me, I certainly respect those who take up the challenge of three wheels and I genuinely feel for all those guys who logged the dreaded DNF last week, whether solos or sidecars, at this year's Welsh.
The Welsh is of course a great holiday event, with many a wife or girlfriend (I won't use the dreaded WAG word) dragged along – the alternative being to be left behind – (some lovely ladies actually attend events of their own accord, and if you find one, hang on to her!) much as the Scottish Six Days is to trials types or the Isle of Man is to road racing enthusiasts. Any event that draws over 500 entries – and could probably sign-up several hundred more if only the logistics could be handled – must be doing something right.
One more thing, winner of the Over 40s this year was one Steve Plain – and guess what ‘Plainer' was riding when I trekked down to the Welsh? You're right – a sidecar!