13 February 2007

For the first time in its history, the International Six-Day Enduro (ISDE) – the ultimate test of motorcycle reliability and rider skill — was held in Taupo. For the dirt-riding enthusiasts of New Zealand, including members of the Linton Multisports Club, this was an opportunity not to be missed.

The ISDE is regarded globally as the Tour De France of off-road motorcycling. Participants ride between 230km and 260km per day across gnarly ground, and must finish all six gruelling days to complete the race.

Among the record number of New Zealand club team entrants was the NZ Army team: Sapper Ricky Kernohan (E1 class), WO1 Adrian “AJ” Vogt (E2 class) and WO1 Mike “Rosco” Ross (E3 class). Riding for another club team, but supported by the Army support crew, was Staff Sergeant David “Mo” Morice.

It is a small miracle that the Army team even made it to the start line! AJ and Rosco had sustained leg injuries from recent crashes and AJ had developed an acute musculoskeletal injury in the week prior. So, hobbling round on casts and doped up to the eyeballs on pain relief, the odds were not looking good for a team finish.

By all accounts, day one was a shock to the system, and day two did not get any easier. As well as general fatigue setting in, Ricky had developed severe pain in his wrists, Rosco’s and AJ’s injuries had not improved, and all had bruised bums.

Lesser men would have relented; lesser men would have folded. But, for this team, too much pride was at stake to even consider giving up.

The riders were attended to, pampered, and waited on. Every ache was massaged, every hot spot taped and every chaffed surface lubed. Whether by the wonders of modern medicine and a communal tube of “body glide” or by sheer stubborn grit and determination, all three continued not only to ride, but to remain competitive.

It was an incredible achievement to have the whole team finish together. AJ and Rosco received a bronze medal in the E2 and E3 classes and Ricky received a silver medal in E1. Mo put in a champion effort but unfortunately timed out on day four. As a team they finished 48th out of 135 international club teams, placing them around the top third of the world. Beaten only by the Swedish, they were ranked second out of the military teams.

Transport to the ISDE was mainly provided by friends who generously gave their time and money to fundraise and provide logistic support. The support crew also showed unrelenting commitment, departing at the crack of dawn to “secure the vital ground” in the service areas and waiting diligently for hours to replenish the riders – meeting their demands for camel backs, chain lube, sandwiches, water, carbo shots and caffeine gum, answering “what’s my time?” every 30 seconds, and listening to Rosco complain that the track was rutted to shite by the time he got through it.

Besides the desire to compete at the top level of off-road motorcycling, entering a team in the 2006 ISDE was an opportunity to showcase an important military skill. Whether being the lead scout for an SAS patrol, a transport section commander in a logistics convoy, or an infantry reconnaissance element, an aptitude for riding motorcycles is fundamental when operating in a motorised/cavalry environment. Although motorcycling is not an officially recognised Army sport, we hope that with growing support for the sport, especially after the team’s recent success, it soon will be.

The results speak for themselves and demonstrate the class of riders we have within our own organisation. May we look forward to ISDE 2007? Who knows. Will we continue to blaze trails for all it’s worth, regardless? Damn right.

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