Primrose Park owner and Mono resident William (Wily) Travis is set to travel to Lake Taupon, New Zealand, this fall, to participate in the international six day motocross enduro event - ISDE. Wily will ride for Team Canada at the November 2006 event. Cited as one of the most demanding sporting events in the world, the ISDE pits one rider on one bike against some of the most difficult and demanding terrain in the world.

Wily starting his racing career in the late 1970's and was to many in the early 1980's Ontario motocross circuit as the "one to beat". Having retired from the sport in his early twenties,Wil met and married wife Rose in 1987 and today they, along with their children Veronica 12 & Billy 10, own and operate the Primrose Park & Trailer grounds.

According to Wily, "The desire to continue riding was always there, however, raising a family and starting a career simply didn't allow time for my riding passion. When we purchased the Primrose Park several years back - and with my children taking an interest in the sport, it gave me the opportunity to get back on the seat".

About 3 years ago, Wil started riding local endurance races and was doing pretty well - despite the fact that most top competitors were half his age. "Even though I wasn't riding full time, I was still managing top 5 or 10 finishes," states Travis.

At the end of the 2004, Travis set a personal goal, "To compete and hopefully complete the 2006 World Enduro event".

Riding the ISDE is not for everyone. It demands an extreme level of both physical and mental endurance; riders who participate must complete the six-day event on the same bike they entered with and almost all the maintenance must be performed by the riders. Travis said, "Rose will be with me and is able to assist in refueling and refreshments, but things like mechanical repair must be performed by the rider." As an example, Travis

says, "I have approx. 15minutes between race stages to do things like completely change a front and rear tire."

Travis speaks with passion anytime he's asked about the trip - all of which will be funded personally and through local sponsorships.

"Its just something I want to do - I've trained hard to get here and I have the support of my friends and family to help me along. In particular, Chris Hare has been an absolute god send in assisting me with my equipment needs".

In addition to a grueling cardio and weight-training schedule, Travis rides his home track as much as possible.Last year he attended with Team Canada to the ISDE in Slovakia as a non-riding crewmember.

A sponsorship day is planned at the Primrose Park for Saturday October 28th. Anyone wishing to make a donation in support of Wil may do so by contacting Mike Fazackerley @ 905-301-3791 or by email @ mike.fazackerley@ matthewscott.com.