Nathan as you did the 4 day last year and I am still a 4 day virgin could you give us an indication as to what would be of best value to the team, and what the necessities are so we have some idea of what is required and how to approach it .Also Viewers keep in mind it would be great if we could have a VMX stand included with the team and a few Restored Bikes on display to help promote the VMX movement and or Club pending what peoples thoughts are.
Buggered if I know!
Seriously, I'm sure I'll miss lots, but here's what springs to mind:
1. The items that are marked (frame, hubs, cases, muffler) cannot be replaced. If they break, you're screwed.
2. You get 25minutes/day to work on the bike (can't recall if it is 10 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon, or vice versa). In the work periods, you can replace unmarked parts and use any tools.
If you've got a big problem, you can put the bike into Parc Ferme while it is incomplete/inoperable, and finish it the next morning.
You can take longer, up to the limit of houring out and at the expense of time penalties.
3. During the days, you can work on the bike whenever you get to controls early, using tools and parts you carry with you. You'll usually get to the final control early, and have to sit there for 10+ minutes. If you've got a problem, it gives you time to organise tools and loosen/remove as much as you possibly can, before going into the final work period.
4. Any helpers you have are restricted in what they can do to the bike. The basic rule is that they cannot touch the bike, but can add fluid/lube to it.
The rules are not as clear as they could be - late on Day 3, we got into trouble for one of my helpers spraying chain lube onto the chain while I spun the rear wheel, even though we were specifically told that it was OK...
5. Despite all of the above, Helpers are still very, very useful. Organisation, filling oil/fuel/drink/snacks, handing tools over, and another brain/set of eyes are all very valuable when the pressure is on.
I had help from The Wife and a good mate (who is a fellow rally and dirt bike tragic) - we all communicate well, without effort - and can forgive any flared tempers in the heat of the moment... It might not sound important, but it is.
6. Having someone to check on you at every opportunity is a big mental boost - if you have only one helper, they probably wont make it to every possible (accessible) control - but one helper can help more than one rider.
At the very least, it's valuable for communication: "I'm going fine, but I will need to swap brake pads at the end of the day".
There were also times when you weren't allowed to receive any "equipment", but you incredibly found the parts or food you need just laying on the ground...
Kind of stupid, but that's the way the rules work.
7. You will find lots of vague bits in the rules. They are very serious about "don't ride your bike backwards in the service park", so I was pushing mine back to pick up the time card I'd forgotten - I got into trouble for that, but when I said "I'm not riding it", I got blank stares.
8. Be organised. Everything, everyone, all the time.
9. Expect curve balls, and to not have a freaking clue WTF is happening at least some of the time.
I took down my 20-litre jerry cans, and at rider's briefing we were informed that the Victorian DSE won't accept containers of more than 10-litres of fuel (and half-filling my 20-litre jerries wasn't acceptable). So we - along with another third of the competitors - then spent a couple of hours finding the last remaining 10-litre jerry cans in Warragul...
10. Jan. Jan is the grand poohbah of the Four Day. She's lovely, but I'm pretty sure that if you get on her bad side, you will be lucky to live to tell the tale...
I feel like I'm rambling. Lynn Braico has written a pretty good guide, that's floating around on the net - I think it can be found on the NSW Enduro website.
In 2012 they gave a specific briefing for novices. It was a big help, largely for putting my mind at ease - even if stuff was later contradicted (see #7).
In a perfect world, you'd have a cast of thousands looking after your every whim (within the limits of the rules) and an unlimited parts supply (also within the limits of the rules).
In practice, 3 riders and (say) three helpers that pooled their resources is FAR more useful than three helpers who look after one rider each.
