Zach LarkinsGREAT RACES - THE ISDE
The International Six Days Enduro is the oldest 'off road' motorcycle event on the FIM Calendar. Originally titled the International Six Day Trial, since 1980 it has been called the 'ISD Enduro'. The fact that it was originally called a ‘Trial' had nothing to do with observed ‘Trials'. The two are poles apart in how they are conducted. Observed Trials have a singular rider going through a series of tests, such as deep water crossings, up an extremely steep slope, crossing a river on a fallen tree, etc. with points being taken away should the rider put his foot down to regain balance. The Six Days Trial were named for the trial they would subject the men and machines to over the course of the aforementioned six days.
The International Six Days' Trial, with the current name ‘Enduro' only being adopted only in 1981, was practically born together with the FIM, because during the reconstitution of the FICM by the Englishmen in November 1912 in London, the delegate J.R. Nisbet proposed the organization of an annual international contest between the various bodies forming the Federation. At the following Congress, in Paris in December, it was decided that this contest should take the form of a Six Days Reliability Trial. The following year, 1913, the British Cycle and Motorcycle Manufacturers and Traders Union presented a permanent trophy for this competition. The first trial, still called International Road Trial, was held in and won by England in 1913.
The ISDE was first held in 1913 at Carlisle, England, and it has occurred annually, apart from interruptions due to World War I and World War II at various locations throughout the world. The early events were a true test of machine, rider skill, and reliability, and today most of the routes are truly 'off road'. Over the span of six days a rider must traverse upwards of 1250 miles, while contending with strict rules about time allowances and restrictions on mechanical replacements, carrying out his or her own track-side repairs. Today's race allows for pit crews at designated gas stops to perform much of the needed maintenance, but the rider must still fix his own flats if one happens out in the woods.
The ISDE can attract entries of more than 500 riders, together with thousands of support crew and spectators, but spectating can itself be a trial. Vantage points are laid out for the viewers and sometimes getting to them takes a hardy walk through the woods. Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes or boots and bring some bug repellant. Most spectators are ‘hangers-on', friends of the rider entered and leave the vantage points once their man has passed. These points are often water crossings where a great tumult can occur if a rider ‘drowns' his bike. The gas stops offer the opportunity to see who is leading the race and how well their pit crews are trained. Tire changing, gassing up, chain lubes and even shock replacement must be done as quickly as possible as the rider is on a strict time schedule.
There are checkpoints along the route, most often hidden, where a rider is informed if he is early, late or right on time. One of the great enduro riders, Dick Burlson, had the knack of knowing his exact time and thus could ride into every checkpoint 30 seconds late. You lose twice as many points for being early than being late, and you have a 60 second grace period either way on the time you are supposed to be there. Burlson was always early and so he had time for a quick rest before motoring on.
Up until 1974 the contest was always held in Europe. In 1974 it travelled for its first overseas jaunt to the United States. Since then it has been outside Europe more frequently, twice in Australia (1992 and 1998), once more in the USA (1994), Brazil (2003) and New Zealand in 2006. It is scheduled for Chile in 2007, and Greece in 2008. The ISDE is often referred to as the 'Olympics of Motorcycling' with trophies for best national, junior national, club and manufacturing teams. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded on an individual level.
The early trials allowed motor bicycles, motor bicycles with sidecars, and cyclecars, conforming to the regulations of the FICM. Since then, cyclecars and sidecars have been eliminated and the race focuses on a six class system (80, 125, 250, 350, 500 and over 500 cc 4-stroke), which includes four classes, two with two-stroke engines (125 and over 175 cc), and two with four- stroke engines (400 and over 500 cc). The original idea of the ISDE was to test the capacities of the riders and machines on a reliability and endurance test between 1200 km (1920 mi) and 1600 km(2560 mi).
The first years' rule stated that " all vehicles entered must be equipped as follows : two efficient brakes, working independently, an efficient mudguard to each wheel, a highly efficient silencer (the exhaust must not raise the dust), a self-starter (mechanical or otherwise), a saddle or seat." Today's rules include the proviso that at the weighing-out (the beginning of the race), the following parts are to be sealed, stamped or marked, in such a way as to ensure their being identified later : frame, fork, wheels (rims and hubs), engine, crankcase, cylinder, cylinderhead, gearbox, magnetos or other electrical generators or distributors, battery, tank, carburettor." The early rules also stated that drivers had to make themselves acquainted with the official route, which could not be left for any reason whatever. Losing one's way was accepted as an excuse for being late. Obviously, this rule has been changed. The Trial has remained an off-road discipline (even if most of the liaisons are made on asphalt roads).
Antidoping and alcohol controls are carried out during the second day, and thus far, all have given negative results. Too bad other major sports can't say the same thing.
If, for no other reason (but there are plenty), this alone makes the ISDE a Great Race.
The International Six Days' Trial, with the current name ‘Enduro' only being adopted only in 1981, was practically born together with the FIM, because during the reconstitution of the FICM by the Englishmen in November 1912 in London, the delegate J.R. Nisbet proposed the organization of an annual international contest between the various bodies forming the Federation. At the following Congress, in Paris in December, it was decided that this contest should take the form of a Six Days Reliability Trial. The following year, 1913, the British Cycle and Motorcycle Manufacturers and Traders Union presented a permanent trophy for this competition. The first trial, still called International Road Trial, was held in and won by England in 1913.
The ISDE was first held in 1913 at Carlisle, England, and it has occurred annually, apart from interruptions due to World War I and World War II at various locations throughout the world. The early events were a true test of machine, rider skill, and reliability, and today most of the routes are truly 'off road'. Over the span of six days a rider must traverse upwards of 1250 miles, while contending with strict rules about time allowances and restrictions on mechanical replacements, carrying out his or her own track-side repairs. Today's race allows for pit crews at designated gas stops to perform much of the needed maintenance, but the rider must still fix his own flats if one happens out in the woods.
The ISDE can attract entries of more than 500 riders, together with thousands of support crew and spectators, but spectating can itself be a trial. Vantage points are laid out for the viewers and sometimes getting to them takes a hardy walk through the woods. Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes or boots and bring some bug repellant. Most spectators are ‘hangers-on', friends of the rider entered and leave the vantage points once their man has passed. These points are often water crossings where a great tumult can occur if a rider ‘drowns' his bike. The gas stops offer the opportunity to see who is leading the race and how well their pit crews are trained. Tire changing, gassing up, chain lubes and even shock replacement must be done as quickly as possible as the rider is on a strict time schedule.
There are checkpoints along the route, most often hidden, where a rider is informed if he is early, late or right on time. One of the great enduro riders, Dick Burlson, had the knack of knowing his exact time and thus could ride into every checkpoint 30 seconds late. You lose twice as many points for being early than being late, and you have a 60 second grace period either way on the time you are supposed to be there. Burlson was always early and so he had time for a quick rest before motoring on.
Up until 1974 the contest was always held in Europe. In 1974 it travelled for its first overseas jaunt to the United States. Since then it has been outside Europe more frequently, twice in Australia (1992 and 1998), once more in the USA (1994), Brazil (2003) and New Zealand in 2006. It is scheduled for Chile in 2007, and Greece in 2008. The ISDE is often referred to as the 'Olympics of Motorcycling' with trophies for best national, junior national, club and manufacturing teams. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded on an individual level.
The early trials allowed motor bicycles, motor bicycles with sidecars, and cyclecars, conforming to the regulations of the FICM. Since then, cyclecars and sidecars have been eliminated and the race focuses on a six class system (80, 125, 250, 350, 500 and over 500 cc 4-stroke), which includes four classes, two with two-stroke engines (125 and over 175 cc), and two with four- stroke engines (400 and over 500 cc). The original idea of the ISDE was to test the capacities of the riders and machines on a reliability and endurance test between 1200 km (1920 mi) and 1600 km(2560 mi).
The first years' rule stated that " all vehicles entered must be equipped as follows : two efficient brakes, working independently, an efficient mudguard to each wheel, a highly efficient silencer (the exhaust must not raise the dust), a self-starter (mechanical or otherwise), a saddle or seat." Today's rules include the proviso that at the weighing-out (the beginning of the race), the following parts are to be sealed, stamped or marked, in such a way as to ensure their being identified later : frame, fork, wheels (rims and hubs), engine, crankcase, cylinder, cylinderhead, gearbox, magnetos or other electrical generators or distributors, battery, tank, carburettor." The early rules also stated that drivers had to make themselves acquainted with the official route, which could not be left for any reason whatever. Losing one's way was accepted as an excuse for being late. Obviously, this rule has been changed. The Trial has remained an off-road discipline (even if most of the liaisons are made on asphalt roads).
Antidoping and alcohol controls are carried out during the second day, and thus far, all have given negative results. Too bad other major sports can't say the same thing.
If, for no other reason (but there are plenty), this alone makes the ISDE a Great Race.
