Ithaca Dirt Riders Sprint Enduro – Sunday, August 22, 2021

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 48th anniversary of The Ithaca Dirt Riders Enduro! It will be held on Sunday, August 22 at 253 Andersen Hill Road, Berkshire, NY 13736 starting at 9:00 am.  The sprint enduro consists of three “loops” through fields and woods.  It is a great experience for riders with a good deal of challenge for them also and riders can ride as young as 12 years old, if they have a bike with at least a 19” front tire.  There are NO spectator fees and we have information sheets available to see where the riders will be during the event.  Find out more about these events at amad4enduro.com or ecea.org or on Facebook, look for “AMA District 4 Enduro Championship” or “East Coast Enduro Association” for event information.

SO, WHAT IS AN ENDURO? Enduros are a cross-country event, which not only requires speed and ability, but also endurance, (hence “Enduro”). With a standard enduro, a 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 a Sprint Enduro, the timekeeping element is not a factor. Fairly new to the enduro world in America, sprint enduros allow competitors to race against the clock on wide, fast-flowing trails and grass track. They ride a small number of special tests multiple times throughout the day, trying to improve their times each ride. There is a time limitation to complete the required test section or tests. The rider with the fastest time to complete the loops 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. 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 in the past, who provide great meals at the events, along with their services when necessary.

To get a better understanding on enduros, go to: americanmotorcyclist.com/getting-started-in-racing/ 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 americanmotorcyclist.com, www.ecea.org  or go to the AMA District 4 website at: amad4enduro.com.