Another noob goes racing

[CramerTV]

Roger that. I'll leave early to have time to make that long drive out the dirt road in my minivan :)

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by CramerTV

Roger that. I'll leave early to have time to make that long drive out the dirt road in my minivan :)

we'll keep an eye out for ya

[eatpasta]

Bring a jacket this weekend.... looks like the low is going to hit 20.

Which means anything more than 10 degrees below zero and my wife wont camp in a tent with a hole in it....

so it looks like we are going to leave on sunday morning with some chains and hope that the 15 isnt closed

[MotoMike]

Originally Posted by eatpasta

Bring a jacket this weekend.... looks like the low is going to hit 20.

Which means anything more than 10 degrees below zero and my wife wont camp in a tent with a hole in it....

so it looks like we are going to leave on sunday morning with some chains and hope that the 15 isnt closed

I know it's a bit longer for you, but you can take the 14, and if Pearblossom is a mess you can go through El Mirage and Apple Valley.

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by MotoMike

I know it's a bit longer for you, but you can take the 14, and if Pearblossom is a mess you can go through El Mirage and Apple Valley.

i went and bought chains today.... just in case the 15 is all snowed out. as long as they dont close it..... its all good. but I can say almost certainly we arent coming out on saturday

[MotoMike]

Brrrr.....

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by MotoMike

Brrrr.....

word on the street is that they are closing the 15 tonight for awhile..... I hope it all clears up by sunday morning because im going to be rambling through there VERY early.... hopefully before 5.

Going to be an EPIC RACE

[Motodisiac]

I'm quietly trying to make is as well.

There are few problems: the bike is still in pieces, both case covers and balancer shaft removed, no suspension. I applied for District 37 membership exactly two weeks ago but still haven't received anything. Still have to take apart the rear chassis and grease everything.

Good: I just picked up my re valved and serviced suspension. There is no better way to test it but to enter my first ever off road race :) I already greased and assembled headstock bearings.

I think there is 50/50 chance for me. I keep hearing about rough Bessemer road, how long will it take to get to the staging area once I get off the hwy? I will be heading out in the morning.

Eatpasta, when you say "epic" is it good or bad?

Oh, one more thing: I have never been to the desert. Good

[wrk2surf]

way to go Moto!! dont be a no show.. even if it is a little bad... what are you gonna tell the grandkids.. well I thought about going but the weather was bad..

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by Motodisiac

Eatpasta, when you say "epic" is it good or bad?

dust is the #1 thing I hate about these races....with this much water not only is there going to be no dust - there is going to be GREAT grip.

the only bad thing is you're going to get pretty dammed muddy.... but so what? its going to be a blast. plus how many time will you ever get to race in the snow?!?

[Motodisiac]

Its happening. Just finished putting my bike together, all ready to go. Leaving at 5am. Wish me luck :)

[CramerTV]

Awesome! I'm in Victorville tonight so I won't have such a long drive in the morning. My number is 0350 on a ktm so look for me on the beginner line.

[eatpasta]

was awesome to meet you finally!



i was tired of being stuck behind you on the three hour drive in the dirt





anyways..... cant wait to hear how you placed!!

[Motodisiac]

I was a strange experience. Can't wait to do next race :)

I briefly talked to CramerTV at the start line (you also parked next to my VW van at the signup I think) and it turns out Eatpasta was trying to catch me at the finish line. I kept looking back thinking that there is no way I will let this guy pass me

I think I was one of last people to leave the starting line, my bike didn't start right away and I had to put it in neutral. After the bomb run it felt like casual trail ride until I came to realization that I'm in a race and I can go a lot faster than folks in front of me.

I started passing people one by one. It was fun with a couple of o shit moments (mostly caused by me not being used to reading signs). After passing perhaps 30 or 40 people I came upon this hill. It was pretty much the only hill climb of loop 1. And it killed me.

I didn't make it on 1st attempt, and it took me at least 15 minutes to conquer it. I just approached it wrong, giving it too much gas and losing momentum every time an odd rock would kick my bike sideways. I lost track of how many times I have tried it only to end up sideways picking up the bike. After taking a moment to regroup myself, I just rode up in 2nd gear barely using the throttle, and it worked.

After that, it was pretty much over for me. I just rode steady as I didn't know how much strength I had left. Last stretch of the desert really kicked my ass, it was wide open wooped up surface and I didn't like it too much. I'm really bummed that I finished much lower than I could have, but at the same time I was happy to be back in one piece.

Looking forward to next race at the end of March, I know what to expect now

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by Motodisiac

I was a strange experience. Can't wait to do next race :)

I briefly talked to CramerTV at the start line (you also parked next to my VW van at the signup I think) and it turns out Eatpasta was trying to catch me at the finish line. I kept looking back thinking that there is no way I will let this guy pass me

I think I was one of last people to leave the starting line, my bike didn't start right away and I had to put it in neutral. After the bomb run it felt like casual trail ride until I came to realization that I'm in a race and I can go a lot faster than folks in front of me.

I started passing people one by one. It was fun with a couple of o shit moments (mostly caused by me not being used to reading signs). After passing perhaps 30 or 40 people I came upon this hill. It was pretty much the only hill climb of loop 1. And it killed me.

I didn't make it on 1st attempt, and it took me at least 15 minutes to conquer it. I just approached it wrong, giving it too much gas and losing momentum every time an odd rock would kick my bike sideways. I lost track of how many times I have tried it only to end up sideways picking up the bike. After taking a moment to regroup myself, I just rode up in 2nd gear barely using the throttle, and it worked.

After that, it was pretty much over for me. I just rode steady as I didn't know how much strength I had left. Last stretch of the desert really kicked my ass, it was wide open wooped up surface and I didn't like it too much. I'm really bummed that I finished much lower than I could have, but at the same time I was happy to be back in one piece.

Looking forward to next race at the end of March, I know what to expect now

so glad you posted! I was going to be bummed if not finding out who I was chasing....

Sounds like you and I had very similar races but just on different ends. I did manage that hillclimb first go even with a bunch of people stuck on it. More throttle always helps!



again, teh 650R is great for a few things and having some extra weight a power REALLY helps in times like those.

I was reeling you in for seriously 25 minutes. I saw you from way off and I was trying to go as fast as I could in the flat areas to make up time. You were really moving for someone that was totally exhausted!



lookin forward to the next one!!