GB shares some ISDE history

 

1978 ISDT Sweden. Ted Goddard with flag. I'm hidden next to Mark Chapman (the guy with long hair and beard). Laurie Alderton is bringing up the rear. Phil Lovett is up the front. Looks like Hans has an itchy nose...

 

1980 French ISDT - The last before they called it the ISDE. Piloting a Maico 440cc with Sachs air shocks #484. I won the final moto at this event.

1981 ISDE - Island of Elba, Italy. Maico 504cc #280. The Sachs Air Shocks were something else - loved em!

 

This is at the 1982 ISDE Czechoslovakia. I was on a 504cc Maico and managed to win the final moto here. My trademark - no gloves! I couldn't stand wearing gloves and managed to ride most of the special tests without them!

Rut from 1983 ISDE Wales. Dragging the Can-Am 250 free.

 

Final moto 1983 ISDE.

 

Flashback

With the ISDT reunion only a couple of weeks away GB looks back...

1976 - almost 37 years ago today! 

"Won my first National Enduro at Mittagong south of Sydney, aboard a Bultaco Frontera 250 and after that I was hooked!"

Fast forward to 1987... and 9 ISDT/E (International Six Days Trials/Enduro) later...

GB makes the Trophy team - with the trademark moustache!

"That year I was on the KDX 200. It was a pretty tough event and I was the only one to win a gold out of the Aussies. They weren't going to put me in any team as I didn't race at all that year, but built my house which took 9 months, anyway after a lot of yes/no's etc they included me in the Trophy team and I went better than the rest."

 

"And now it turns out I'll be riding a KDX200 at the ISDT reunion in  Massachusetts, USA."

Want to read more about the Bultaco Frontera - check out the 1977 review in Cycle magazine

#Flashback

The ISDE

With the 2013 A4DE (Australian 4 Day Enduro) done and dusted its time for those selected to think about the ISDE in Sardinia at the end of September.

The ISDE is probably the most prestigious off-road event that any enduro rider can hope to compete in. With six days of grueling competition it is the ultimate test of man and machine. Riders race the clock and must arrive at points at a specified time, as well as completing "special tests"  (mini races) throughout the 6 days. Riders are required to complete maintenance without assistance and only certain parts on the bike are allowed to the replaced.
 
The ISDE began as the ISDT (International Six Day Trial) in 1913 and in 1981 the event had a name change to the ISDE. Originally the event was only held in Europe and contested by riders worldwide.

Steve McQueen was part of Team USA in 1964 when the event was held in Germany.

 
GB has attended 4 ISDT - and raced in two of them (Germany 1979 and France 1980). He then went on to compete in 22 ISDE events.

GB aboard his Maico, during the 1979 ISDT.


Next month GB is attending the ISDT reunion in Massachusetts.

 Looks like fun, stay tuned for the updates!