Ithaca Dirt Riders – Closed Course Enduro & Youth Closed Course Enduro August 19 – August 20, 2017

In the early 1970’s, a small group of local off-road motorcycle enthusiasts came together to form the Ithaca Dirt Riders (IDR).  It was their vision to provide some local trails and events for their club members and other to enjoy.  A year later, the club chartered with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). With many of its member interested in the AMA sport of Enduros, the club sanctioned its first event.

This year is the 44th anniversary of The Ithaca Dirt Riders Enduro! It will be held on Sunday, August 20 and starts at 305 Andersen Hill Road, Berkshire, NY 13736, starting at 9:00 am.  There are no spectator fees and we have information sheets available to see where the riders will be during the event.

Also this year, the Ithaca Dirt Riders are continuing their effort to involve youth rider.  On Saturday, August 19th, at noon, we will be holding a youth closed course enduro for boys and girls, ages 4 to 16 years old and 50 cc to 150cc bikes (shorter than the adult ride and less intense), at the same location, 305 Andersen Hill Road in Berkshire.  It consists of a series of “loops” through fields and woods.  It is a great experience for young riders with a good deal of challenge for them also.  There is something for everyone this year!

For both events spectating is FREE, with many places to watch the riders of all ages make their way through the course!
Find out more about these events at www.ithacadirtriders.com or ecea.org on Facebook, look for “AMA District 4 Enduro Championship” or “ECEA Sprint Jr Enduro Series” for the youth event.

SO, WHAT IS A CLOSED-COURSE ENDURO?

Enduros are a cross-country event, which not only requires speed and ability, but also endurance, (hence “Enduro”), with the courses taking at least five hours to complete.  The rider must also stay on time. A route is laid out for the riders to follow and a speed is set for them to maintain.  Small groups of riders, (usually four), are started every minute.  The rider must then try to maintain the speed scheduled for any given area.  To score the riders, the promoter has secret “check points” along the route.  If he/she is not on time, they are given 1 point for every minute they are late.  Being early is much worse, with 2 points for the first 2 minutes that you are early and 5 points for every minute earlier than that and disqualification if you are more than 15 minutes early.  Like golf, at the end of the event the scores are added up and the rider with the lowest score wins.

With the help of many volunteers and supporters the Ithaca Dirt Riders have not only been able to host this local event, but many AMA national events over the years.  Those national events have brought rider from all over the USA, Canada, Europe and even Australia.  IDR not only promote the sport of off-road riding, but also help the local communities, especially the local volunteer fire departments and emergency squads, who provide great meals and bike washes at the events, along with their services when necessary.

To get a better understanding on Enduros, go to: http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Racing/Story/getting-started-in-enduro-1   You will be amazed at how much the riders have to do (and remember!) as they ride the course.

For other local and national off-road motorcycling activities go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com, www.ecea.org  or go to the AMA District 4 website at:  http://www.amadistrict4.org/