The View From "C" Class - 2010 NCHSA Series

[Crisis management]

I'm enjoying your write ups and trying to learn as much as I can off your experience, I'm 54 and plan on doing some cross country and enduro racing this winter (southern hemisphere here) which should be hilarious given my lack of skill!
Just a question, on the 200 (I ride a 200EXC) you mention a Recluse clutch? Why have you fitted that and how do you like it?

Anyway, good luck and keep the write ups coming, they are inspiring.

[nobrakes]

Thanks, Crisis, appreciate the comments. Racing a few of these is pretty much a guaranteed good time, IMO.

On the Rekluse, there are several models, the one I have experience with is the Z-Start Pro, which unlike the standard Z-Start, gives you manual override. The Rekluse is an auto clutch, it works by centripetal force to engage, so as your RPMs increase above idle, the clutch begins to engage, becoming more solid as you go higher, slipping nicely when the RPMs are lower. And with the manual override, you can still feather the clutch for power which very important on the 2-stroke, or override the Rekluse at any time - it's the best of both worlds. The practical benefits for woods riding is that in the difficult and tough conditions, steep uphills, rocks, roots, logs, deep holes, etc, your bike becomes nearly unstallable. It's probably the single best thing you can do to your bike for this type of riding and racing. I've heard the figure that approximately 90% of GNCC riders use auto clutches. Same with Endurocross. It's that good.

[Crisis management]

I was aware of the Rekluse...we aren't actually that far from the rest of the world... It's just not used (as far as I know) that much here. I have one friend that uses one in a WR450 for trail riding but that's about it, so I was surprised to hear of your use, it is also possible that everyone else here is using them and have "forgotten" to tell me.
Our typical riding is in forestry (similar terrain and planting to the stuff you ride) with the ground varied from greasy clay to deep sand, the Rekluse would certainly help me on the uphills in clay but can you still dump the clutch in 3rd to dig yourself out of a sand hole?
I will enquire of the local enduro riders and see what they do use.

[nobrakes]

Originally Posted by Crisis management

... but can you still dump the clutch in 3rd to dig yourself out of a sand hole?

As long as you have the model that retains the manual override like the Z-Start Pro - yes. Just pull the clutch as normal, rev up, and dump it. But if you just have the Z-Start only, then you don't have the override, so it becomes harder to do that.

[eatpasta]

This weekend, I had a chance to run some single track in a forest area and I have a PROFOUND new respect for what you guys do when racing in the woods. Holy hell man thats difficult stuff.

[nobrakes]

Where were you riding, EP? Good flowing single track through the woods is superb, there fewer things I'd rather ride. And if you can get into a rhythm, it's just awesome, flowing from one section to the next, each meshing perfectly, never ending. But if it doesn't flow well, or if you are a little off that day, it's definitely a challenge.

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by nobrakes

Where were you riding, EP? Good flowing single track through the woods is superb, there fewer things I'd rather ride. And if you can get into a rhythm, it's just awesome, flowing from one section to the next, each meshing perfectly, never ending. But if it doesn't flow well, or if you are a little off that day, it's definitely a challenge.

I cant seem to find any video thats similar but it was barely enough room for the bikes to fit through!

We were in Kernville, Ca in the sequoia's. ironically, only about a 45 min drive from where we race in the desert.
very beautiful and fun to ride!

[Crisis management]

Here's a clip from a local Enduro to show our terrain, it is definately not me riding and that's a 300 (not a 450) EXC he's riding.

[nobrakes]

Originally Posted by Crisis management

... and that's a 450EXC he's riding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcPHcyqSl20

That's a 300 2-stroke, not a 450.

Great riding though, love that course, I bet that was fun.

[Crisis management]

Originally Posted by nobrakes

That's a 300 2-stroke, not a 450.

Oops, you're right...bit of a worry if I can't tell a 2 stroke from a 4 stroke!

[nobrakes]

2010 NCHSA Round 6: Pilot Mountain - the countdown has begun. Race Sunday. Weather permitting.

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by nobrakes

2010 NCHSA Round 6: Pilot Mountain - the countdown has begun. Race Sunday. Weather permitting.

right on man! Kill it!!

[hobie1dog]

What happened to video from the last one?

[nobrakes]

I've been too busy to get it edited. It's still on the to-do list, though. However, I do apologize that if/when it comes up, it will likely be after the next race.

In the meantime, check out Ron Awad's helmet cam from the last race, Rd 5 County Line. Ron is a VET-B rider and hauls the mail pretty darn fast, way faster than me. They start on Row 1, so no bottlenecks for them. These are the guys that are coming in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and filling most of the top 10 spots overall. Ron finished 3rd in class in this race, and 3rd Overall. He's a beast!

Also, this is the same guy that helped me out of the mud at Devil's Ridge. I still owe him one.

http://www.vimeo.com/12017091

NCHSA's Countyline 2010 from Ron Awad on Vimeo.

[hobie1dog]

I always enjoy Ron's videos...thanks for posting it up for us.