The Northwest Rider

Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Tahuya State Forest crackled this weekend with the sound of nearly 200 engines during the 52nd running of the ‘Sparkplug Enduro,’ an annual event sponsored and organized by the Bremerton Cruisers, a motorcycle club based in Bremerton, Washington.

The Enduro is a ‘paced’ event, where competitors are given time goals and are evaluated on how well they maintain a predetermined average speed through varied terrain.  Basic equipment required to successfully navigate the course include a watch, a roll chart holder (which contains a rolling list of goals that help racers stay ‘on time’ during the race) and an odometer.  Riders are penalized for being late to checkpoints which are spaced strategically throughout the course.  Even harsher penalties await those who show up to the checkpoints early. 

The ‘Sparkplug’ is steeped in Bremerton Cruiser  tradition.  For over half a century, club members, their spouses and their children have volunteered hundreds of hours preparing for this annual event.  Throughout the winter, they pool their energy and resources to clear and groom the Tahuya Forest trail system in their effort to make the course ‘race ready.’ 

On race day, club members run event registration, perform sound checks, organize the mass of adrenaline charged racers, man checkpoints, haul gas cans through the forest to mid-course fuel stops and handle all of the complicated details so that the riders can focus on their throttles and on the trail ahead.

Race organizers attest that the Sparkplug Enduro is an event held by their sixty or so member families out of  love for the sport as well as a committment to maintaining the quality of and to preserving long term ORV access to the Tahuya State Forest.  Proceeds from the event are used to cover annual club expenses, while any surplus is donated to local food banks and other local charities.

Racers have a choice between two courses on race day.  The short course is between 50-60 miles while the long course ranges between 80-90.  Both courses test technical skill, as the single track trails at Tahuya are densely wooded and very tight in places.

Upon registration, competitors are organized into ‘classes’ based on skill, age and gender.  They are released from the starting line in small groups at intervals timed so that each racer can ride at their anticipated pace, unhindered by fellow competitors of varying skill levels and speed.  Theoretically, this format would provide minimal interference between riders as the fastest would pull ahead while slower riders fell behind. 

The fact that the interval between departures is a mere 60 seconds though, combined with the unpredictability of integrating man and machine with roots, rocks, trees and dirt, provides plenty of interaction between riders on the course.  Friends showed up at the starting line and enjoyed a day of competition together.  In some cases, complete strangers were released simultaneously and had developed friendships by the time they arrived at the finish.

Mechanical failures and rider injuries, a common part of any competitive sport, are no stranger to enduro racing.  The 2009 Sparkplug saw it’s share of broken hardware and personal injury as well.  But for each rider who was unable to complete the event this year, there was at another, thrilled to have beaten the legendary ‘Sparkplug’ after being defeated by it  in years past.

Rider response was exceptionally positive following this year’s event.  The majority seemed to agree that the race was well executed, that it was a good test of rider skill and endurance, and that it would probably be several months before their sore muscles would recover enough to compete in next year’s event.  For more information about the Bremerton Cruisers Motorcycle Club or about the Sparkplug Enduro, visit the club’s website or contact them at bremertoncruisers@hotmail.com.