April 2021 - Volume 6 - Issue 4 On the Pegs - April 2021, Volume 6 Issue 4 | Page 110

that are a staple of the Alligator National Enduro that the club holds periodically .
This year ’ s sprint enduro format consisted of a loop with three tests . Test 1 was envisioned as a fast , flowing section with a few trees thrown in to remind the riders that this was an enduro . Test 2 challenged the riders with tighter trees , some palmettos and a little sandy mud to remind them they were in Florida . The third test , a mostly grass track course with a few short woods sections to tie the fields together , ran through the pastures surrounding the camping / start area to provide 5 miles of twists and turns and an opportunity to ‘ air it out .'
Most A and B riders made three circuits around the loop for a total of nine tests and approximately 55 miles of trails while C Riders and beginners finished at the end of the second loop . For the lucky A and B riders who got to ride the third loop , Randy wove in several virgin trails on the first test of the loop to remind them of the national enduro heritage of the Alligator and to give these faster guys a little extra challenge . When learning of the changes prior to the start of Test 7 , the reactions ranged from ‘ GREAT !’ to “ Oh ,… good , I guess ?” to “ Oh No , not more palmetto roots .”
Overall Alligator Sprint Enduro winner Zack Hayes , who won the
2020 GNCC XC3 title , set the pace right from the start by winning the first test by 11 seconds over Garrett Edmisten , a past Alligator Enduro champion . Zack went on the win five more tests and placed second in the other three . Garrett won two tests , and placed third in four other tests . Rounding out the podium was AA rider Nick Kordana who placed second in three tests .
Zach , commented “ I really like the course and the format . The first test was pretty open like a GNCC . My favorite test was the second test . I liked the tight trees and the rooty , muddy trails . The third test was also great . It flowed good and I liked the little bits of woods between the fields . You need to keep that design . Could have used a little more ribbon but I like how you didn ’ t cram so many turns into the fields like some other races . I also like your sprint enduro format . Didn ’ t have to sit around and wait a long time in between tests .”
In the women class there was a good battle between first place Amber Trapnell and second place Holly Langford . Amber , on 14D had a “ lot of fun ”. She won two of the six tests and took second in the other four while Holly bested Amber in four of the six tests . Test 5 proved to be the deciding factor with Holly dropping 163 more points than Amber . Holly commented “ This was my first enduro I have ever done . In
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