News & Results
Worsop Trophy 4 hour Enduro 30th March 2008
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The day didn't start off well for Team LFB. A phone call from Matt to say he was sick and wouldn't be able to ride meant that the team was down to one rider for this event. So although without the luxury of a team mate to help if the bike got bogged down, Zade lined up for the start of this 4 hour race. Knowing that he had to keep a reserve of energy for the last hour, Zade took things steady for the first part of the race. That's not to say things went particularly well for the Bike Tech Husqvarna rider. For some unknown reason, Zade just couldn't get into the stride of the race. Silly mistakes, choosing the wrong line on most of the difficult big hill climbs and generally using up far too much energy early on in the race. But digging deep, Zade pressed on and was soon reeling off the laps. The rain in the weeks before the race meant that the Bagshot venue was unusually soft under the bikes and pretty soon deep ruts started to form claiming many riders. It was very easy to choose the wrong line and end up in a deep rut or be pitched over the handlebars by an exposed root half way along a rut! By about the halfway point, Zade really found his rhythm, By the end of the race Zade managed a (joint) 9th place in class and had had a thoroughly good day out. |
Witley Enduro, Round 1 of SEEC 3rd Feb 2008
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This event is without doubt one of the most challenging events of the South Eastern Enduro Championship. Whether it's because of the fantastically varied and technical course, tight time allowance or because it's the first event of the season or all three I'm not sure. Both team LFB riders only managed to stay clean (not lose time) on two of the six timed sessions with dramas unfolding on almost every lap! Zade Broke the side panel and bent the handlebars on his Bike Tech Husqvarna, while Matt's Tri County KTM radiator now has the perfect indent of one of the Warren Heath trees in it. That said they did better than allot of other riders who failed to finish this notoriously though event. Matt came in 15th place in class while Zade limped home in 20th, both riders earning a Bronze award for getting to the finish line. Although not a Team LFB rider, another LFB member was at the event - Steve Goodman who rode a borrowed Husaberg to 4th in class earning a gold award for his efforts...well done Steve! |
REME Enduro school
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The day started off in the huge Weavers Down sand bowl with Dylan and Ed Jones (both accomplished championship riders and members of British Enduro's first family!) teaching sand riding techniques. Matt was the first rider of our A-group to bite the dirt! As you can see from the photo in the gallery, Matt was flat out in third gear still convinces he would make it as the bike hit the ground!! Lucky it was sand and a soft landing! After a short break for a cuppa, our next session was with Husqvarna supremo Wyn Hughes. Wyn took us into a particularly muddy, rutted and 'whooped out' track in some tight woods - in short a technical session. And what a help it was too! Wyn let us all go 'round a short lap he set up and watched each rider. He then stopped us and pointed out what each of us was doing wrong and more importantly, how to put it right. I for one could immediately feel the difference. After lunch our group went out with Garaint Jones - the godfather of british enduro! A multi british and european enduro champ' Garaint rode a hotted up Yamaha YZ300 and was hard to keep up with even though he was obviously only cruising! Again this session was very technical - a tight, root infested track in between the trees. Before today, this type of riding would really have taken it out of me but now I find I can maintain a fair speed and still find the strength to breath! I would strongly recommend these courses to any off road rider, whether racer or trail rider they cater for all levels. The instructors are all first rate and best of all - friendly and helpful. In the lunch break we noticed several riders with bike troubles (not us for a change!) and in every case one of the instructors was there giving a helping hand. Lastly I'd like to say a big thanks to Graeme Warren Photography for the fantastic pix of the day. Cheers Graeme.
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Team REME Hare & Hounds Enduro 2nd Dec 2007
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This was certainly one of those events that begs the question - "why am I doing this?". Heavy rain, howling wind and bitterly cold the paddock was not a happy place. But within a few minutes of the start both Team LFB riders were grinning from ear to ear! Team LFB also bumped into another Fire Brigade member (although not in the team - yet) Steve Goodman of Green watch Lambeth. At the start Steve shot off the line on his Gas Gas EC200 and put in 3 fast laps before having to retire from the event with bike problems. By contrast Team LFB chose to ride a steady race and stick together. After all there's nothing better than a team mate when your bike is buried in a mud hole upto it's handlbars! The team only suffered two dramas - the first when Matt, riding along a water filled rut suddenly found the front wheel of his TriCounty KTM disappearing into the water and the bike stopped with the handlbars on the surface of the puddle! Zade was able to stop and drag him back so they could continue. Then it was Zade's turn - again a deep water hole but this time the entire bike went in! But he managed to hit the kill switch in time so the Bike Tech Husky didn't swallow any water. Luckily once the waves stopped the water only came upto seat height so the air intake and exhaust were still above water - just! Once again with teamwork they were able to get on their way within a few minutes. With 5 Laps completed Team LFB came to the line in 15th and 16th place in the clubman B class, with only 10 seconds separating them. On this notoriously sandy course, which is known for being heavy on machinary, both team bikes came to the line with no major problems. The worst thing being that they both had absolutely ZERO brake pads left at the end of the race due to the abrasive action of the wet sand! When asked if they would ever ride this sand pitt hell again team LFB replied - "Are you kidding?! We had great fun!!" |
SETRA Enduro, Tidworth, Nov 2007
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On a bright and sunny day in mid-november, Zade was invited to race with the North Camp Enduro Team. North Camp riders, Rob Mussell (KTM 450 EXC-F) and Simon Brown (Yamaha WR250F) piled into the team LFB race transporter (Zade's van) for the drive down. In the race all went well until Simon chose to dive out in style, twisting his knee and ankle in the process - race over for Simon. To his credit Rob stayed with his teammate for 15 minutes waiting for the marshals/medics to arrive. Zade, unaware of the drama, rode his Bike Tech Husqvarna TE250 around the 5 mile circuit 9 times (also stopping to pick up a fallen rider and restart the injured man's bike to get him on his way again) to record a finish and earn a Bronze award along the way. Both Zade and Rob were only 4 laps down on the top riders but both gained penalty points for coming in a few minutes early (who didn't read the rules properly?!) and were dropped down the order as a result! |
Tim Ward SEEC Enduro Nov 2007, Slab common, Hants
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On a wet and windy day in early November, team LFB had mixed fortunes at the annual Tim Ward commemorative enduro. Setting a good time in the special test and 'cleaning' the times on all 11 laps, Matt rode his TriCounty KTM to a very creditable 8th place and earning a silver award in the proccess! Zade on the other hand took things far too steady on the tight twisty special test, he only managed to bring the Bike Tech Husqvarna home in 33rd after a disaster in the big mud hole! - avoiding another stuck rider, Zade rode stight into the deep water and one of the VERY deep ruts. Luckily the official event photographer from www.bikephotos.co.uk came to the rescue and helped Zade out (thanks Dave) which meant Zade only lost and 5 or 6 minutes - enough to drop him well down the order - better luck next time Zade! |
Natterjack - British Championship 2 day event Results
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The main goal of this event for the LFB team was to make it to the finish line - then see what result we got. I'm pleased to say that both Zade and Matt finished the tough 2 day event in the sportsman category. Day 1 pos Day 2 pos Overall combined pos Matt 10th 4th 6th Zade 13th 9th 12th Next year we will be moving upto the Clubman class and we intend to have a go at more British championship rounds. |
Canada Heights Enduro sept 9th 2007
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The annual running of the Sidcup club's event at this historic venue saw both riders of team LFB line up at the start. The event, sponsored by Colin Hill racing, was once again held on a baking hot day - dust and dehydration were going to be the order of the day! Zade, on his Bike Tech Husqvarna was up to start first at 1041, Matt on the TriCounty KTM started a few minutes later at 1045. The first part of the course was a sign of things to come, very tight tracks in the woods and all off-camber with fallen logs and dust everywhere. The motocross track which is the second half of the course, by contrast, was fast and flowing with some of the course heading into the wood on the other side of the track. It wasn't long before both riders of team LFB started to suffer with the heat...on Lap 4 Zade began getting severe cramps in both legs and could do nothing but slow down to ease the cramps then press on and repeat the whole process a few minutes later - he managed to limp his Bike Tech Husqvarna TE250 home to 53rd of the 70 Clubman B class riders. Matt unfortunately began to suffer the effects of dehydration on lap 6 and had to retire his Tricounty KTM 250 EXC-F from the race. It was a tough race but a good race! |
SEEC 2 Man Team Enduro 19th Aug 2007
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At last team LFB are riding as a team! The race was run as a Hare 'n Hounds event with riders running a relay throughout the 5 hour race. Team LFB chose to do 2 laps on 2 laps off - that being the best way to keep both riders focused. Matt was the pace setter - keeping up the speed on his Tricounty KTM 250 EXC-F. Zade on the other hand maintained a steady pace all day - apart from a big tumble when his Bike Tech Husqvarna hit a tree stump and stopped dead, throwing him over the handlebars! The ride was enough to see team LFB come home in 11th in class, just 3 laps down on the winning team. Maybe we'll make up those 3 laps next year... |
Enduro DVD
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Tea 'till Dusk 2007 This DVD covers the final round of the 2007 Tea 'till Dusk summer Enduro series. With riders from all over the country from a former British Champion to a Dakar legend to championship regulars all the way through to clubman and sportman riders going out on their first event. This film has it all!! The running time is about 55min's of race action and another film of the FULL lap by helmet-cam. Again the soundtrack is all there - music, bikes and of course the lovely Melissa giving us full race commentary. Again the price is only £9.98 inc postage and can be paid either by paypal or cheque. Just contact us and we can send you the invoice or details to pay by cheque. |
Enduro DVD
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Kingston Enduro 2007 This DVD was filmed during the second round of the South East of England Enduro Championship. There's helmet-cam footage inter-cut with race action, music and commentary over the race footage by the sultry voice of Melissa - who's fan club is growing by the day. The running time is about 55 mins of Enduro heaven. This film gives a fantastic insight into local Enduro in the south east, the coverage is of all classes - so you can see how it should be done and how it shouldn't! To get your copy just contact us and leave your email address and we can send you a paypal invoice OR ask and we can give you details to send a cheque. DVD's are £9.98 inc postage - cheap at half the price! |