When Camel Vale Motorcycle Club's Mike Roose says and events going to be tough - you'd better believe him!

I early autumn rumours abounded that Camel Vale were thinking of putting on there own extreme enduro at the Halvanna woods plantation, those with long memories started quaking in their boots. Because when Halvanna was first introduced into the South West enduro scene about 10 years ago, it was a killer. Not just of riders, but also of bikes.

Mike Roose warning riders - things may be tough. 

The woodland is actually a fantastic venue, but for late winter races, the going gets, hummm, shall we say a little 'softish in places' !!

Slippery, narrow, dark and a few tree roots thrown in for starters.

That first year people were cooking engines, over revving trying to get traction to climb out of holes, - that admittedly they shouldn't have got into in the first place, - but it happens when your racing.

...and it got darker and more tree roots appeared...

Single long slots appeared appeared after the first hour, which meant you couldn't steer exactly where you wanted to. Then many big roots and stumps showed their ugly head which meant footpegs, brake levers and gear levers started getting swiped off. Many vowed never to return.

..then there was small taste of a wet muddy Welsh section...

As it happened Halvanna has been ridden many times since. Because CVMCC are fast learners and from then on they reversed the track and made it far easier.

Chris Dustow being carried off while another rider tries his luck.

But this time……. It was meant to be bad. To test the metal of real off road riders. Guys that can conquer anything that’s thrown at them - and still come through smiling. At least that was the principal.

Full tilt was the only way for some riders through this little lot...

So in early December 2006 on a bitterly cold morning those brave enough pushed their bikes to parce ferme. But the atmosphere there and in the pits was incredibly warm and welcoming, as nervous riders and smiling onlookers, wondered what the competitors had let themselves in for!!

...while other tried a more thoughtful route along the edge.

Mike Roose didn't help calm the nerves much at the riders meeting when every was informed of the following: "The track has been laid out the original way (meaning 'nightmare difficult'), but this time instead of clearing the track, we have thrown in a 'few extra' logs and hazards. The marshalls are not there to help you, they are only on duty for safety reasons. We suggest that you team up and help each other though the day (meaning 'there is no way you're going to ride this by yourself - and if you try, you'll certainly be in the sh*t') and finally. As long as a single rider can get through, we won't be cutting any of the track out!

Its mud bath time - flat out or sink, the choice is yours!!

So it was with those kind and helpful words that the 70 strong entry lined up. The light entry was intentional and planned, as CVMCC only intended catering for very capable riders at this event. In this very short and cold winter day, no one wanted to stay behind for hours looking for and recovering large numbers of lost tribesmen without pitcrew - as is so often the case when beginers first start!

Run for cover - 20ft high rooster tails were common in this deep place.

The flag dropped at 10am sharp and the championship boys gunned it hard up the first fire road and into the first narrow woodland track. From whence the circuit widend between young firs and started to wind up hill and down towards Bodmin moor. It wasn't long before engines were heard revving and pulling hard. The whole entry and shot off into the wilderness and pit crews were wondering if they would ever see their rider again, or even at the end of the first lap!

Carl Mcilroy No3 took the early lead from another local Steve Jewell No8. Closely followed by Chris Dustow No5, Martin Richards No10 and a cautious Nick Life riding with his customary lucky No7.

Carl McKilroy started well and eventually took third spot.

After much heavy roaring by obviously stuck machinery, lap 2 came around for the top riders - well some of them and it was Nick Life up into firstplace. Followed by No6 Pete Bulley, then McKilroy, Chris Dustow and Bradley Williams. So things were changing fast in the gloop, where one wrong decision made in haste could easily cost 30 seconds (or 10 minutes) or more!

In the experts Shaun dayman No21 had lead the field followed by Jamie Paget No16 and Max hembroke No22. Close behind was Mark Pickard No26, Chris Honeywill No11 and Gavin Hunt No20, all giving it some - and trying their darned best NOT to make a MISTAKE.

Paul Watkins was pleased to be back on the hard stuff.

But mistakes were being made and at all rider levels. The hard going suited some riders much more so than others and it wasn't long before Expert Sam Chapman No18 had not only overtaken all his fellow experts, but also many of the championship riders!

However it wasn't to be his day either, 2 hours later Sam was seen pushing a dead bike many miles back to the pits, looking rather - err, black!

Neil Davis found this section a bit on the tough side!

Chris Dustow had an unplanned trip over the bars about a third of the way in, which resulted in him being taken to hospital. The ambulance gave him such a rough ride trying to get out of there, that I also feared for extra injury time. But fortunately we heard later he was going to survive - though out of action for a few weeks to come.

A quick breather in the pits was the only rest most riders got all day.

At the 2.5 hour race end, it was Nick Life who had blasted his way to victory once more on 9 laps, with a hard charging Pete Bulley 17 minutes down but also on 9 laps. Next rider home was McKilroy on 8 laps followed by Steve Jewell also on 8laps.

After a stunning start blitzing through the pack, Sam Chapman 
is seen here on the long push back home.

Max Hembroke won the expert class with 8 laps, from Shaun Martin and Shaun Dayman, both on 7 laps.

Michael White took the over 40's win on 6 laps, from Kevin Lamacraft. Michael Williams was the fastest clubman on 7 laps who led Charles Richards also on 7, but 15 minutes behind.

The forest tracks were very varied, this was one of the narrowest.

The event was all it set out to be. It was gnarly - in the truest sense. But despite the tough conditions the finish rate was very high. Yes a few dropped out, but over 3/4 finished. It was a great day. All the hard work put on by Mike Roose and the Camell Vale MCC was well appreciated - especially by the spectators!!

Thanks guys - I can't wait till next year - but be warned - I will only be spectating.

Daylight at last as this KTM rider bursts out of the forest.

Full Results HERE