Story by Lawrence Hacking
Photos by: Off1.jp
I feel privileged for a few different reasons. First, we were once again invited to ride the Hidaka Two Days Enduro or HTDE, and second, we visited even more of Japan. We discovered many new places and did different activities that were new to us.
Culturally, our two countries, Japan and Canada, are very different. I could go on all day about how and why, but it is simpler to say that for us, visiting Japan is a special treat. Society is very pleasant for us to integrate into, and everything is very different in a nice way from what we are used to at home.
I personally enjoy traveling and discovering the world, and I have done so for many years. Motorcycling has taken me to some far-reaching places; I have learned more about the world and its people and places than I could ever have studied in school. The HTDE is one of the best competition events I have participated in. It has all the elements that I feel are necessary to make a great experience, plus it is in Japan for us, making the trip more worthwhile. Where I am at in life, motorcycle racing has to mean more than just riding the bike; riding in Japan is really great because the conditions are challenging, enjoyable, and quite different than many other places I have ridden, but most importantly, it is in Hokkaido where we are welcomed with smiles, handshakes and sincere friendliness.
The terrain there is the right mix of fun trails, varied special tests with some difficult sections, and awe-inspiring views. The landscape is so beautiful. After the second day, we drove out to a section of the course to revisit this special spot and show our friends and family where we rode. The place has a wide-open vista of the lush mountains along the river valley. The route is through tall foliage; riding this part, the HTDE makes your heart race and emotions run high. Since 1986, the organizers and volunteers have put forth a massive effort to bring the sport of enduro to Hokkaido. Luminaries such as the legendary Malcolm Smith, former World Motocross champion Heinz Kinigadner, and former World Enduro champion Mika Ahola have tested their skills at the HTDE.
This year, I rode a Beta 200RR, and I have to admit I haven’t been riding off-road very much over the past year, so I was quite rusty. Fortunately, the Beta is an easy bike to get used to and quite forgiving. My daughter Mia came to Hidaka for a second time. She and I compared our special test times. This year, she was faster than I was most of the time, so I will have to start training harder to keep up with her pace in the future.
I enjoy the camaraderie among the competitors wherever I go; this time, I rode much of the time with number 417 Sanjuro Kentaro, and we got along famously. Kentaro did really well and earned a trophy, which I believe was his first since starting to compete. Judging by his reaction at the end of special tests, I think he was having a really good experience. 2024 marked my 53rd year of motorcycle competition, so of course, I think that maybe I should consider not racing; it is a tough decision because I still like riding very much, and I think off-road riding counteracts the effects of aging. Riding keeps your mind sharp and your body strong and flexible; having said that, I hope to return to the HTDE and see all my friends once again.
I would like to thank the Hidaka Motorcyclist Club, Beta Japan, Moto Life, Dunlop Tires, and all of the special people who made the HTDE happen -Jimbo, Haruki, Genji, Yuji, and everyone else.
