Way back in 1988 U2’s Joshua Tree was Album of the Year, Wayne Rainey won his first ever 500 GP at Donington Park and TBEC (Trail Bike Enduro Club) organised its first event at the iconic 50’s and 60’s hillside scramble track at Rollswood Farm on a hot Sunday in May.
26 years on TBEC will achieve the remarkable distinction of organising 250 enduros when it stages a special event on Saturday 16th August 2014 at the spectacular Ashdown Farm, Blewbury, Oxfordshire venue.
The club’s original aim was to provide newcomers to enduros with a gentle introduction to off-road motorcycle sport. The formula has evolved, event organisation has improved beyond recognition and riding standards have improved, but the club has maintained its reputation for hosting fun and friendly events. This has ensured its enduring popularity with TBEC running up to 11 events a year, many of them oversubscribed.
The first event attracted 55 riders and since then over 3,500 riders have ridden with the club at venues all over the country. Many of the members have stayed loyal to the club from the very start. Simon Adams is the only current club member who rode at the Rollswood Farm in 1988 and the 250th TBEC event will be his 108th race. But, even this is eclipsed by Fiona and Roger Newport who marshalled the first event, who have both notched up over 200 events and are still going strong!!
The club is planning a bumper event for Blewbury…
Our goal is to attract a record 250 entries. We will attempt to beat the all-time highest number of finishers at a TBEC event - 185 in February 2007 at Rendlesham. We’re encouraging as many entries as possible from riders on classic and vintage enduro and motocross bikes to celebrate all the different machines that have taken part in the last 27 seasons. All riders entering the 250th TBEC will receive a special commemorative award. The club is always open to non-members at all events and we are hoping that many of our old members, even if they are no longer involved in the sport, will turn out for one last time at TBEC to support this event either as a rider or a spectator. “Back in 1988 we were over the moon when we saw Roger Fry’s advert for the Trail Bike Enduro Club. Finally there was a club that catered for trail bikes with the emphasis on competing for fun in simple multi-lap events and with no time cards.
We never expected we’d still be riding with TBEC 27 years later but it’s been brilliant fun and we’ve met some great people and made good friends over the years.
The social side of TBEC has always been special. Setting up tracks the day before and camping with a few beers has always been part of the TBEC weekend”
Roger and Fiona Newport – over 400 TBEC events since 1988
" TBEC, 26 years and 250 successful events on, is an outstanding achievement and testament to the long term VOLUNTARY (I emphasise the word voluntary) hard work and long lasting commitment of all the members, marshalls and committee over the years to keep the club exciting, friendly and above all Fun."
Jason Callaby, Chairman, TBEC