Hi All,
Thought I'd write a little blurb about the first District 37 desert race of the year. It was the Jack Rabbit's H&H held on 1-9-05.
It had been raining the whole week prior to the race, and on race day it was pouring down rain. I thought I was pretty well prepared: Set up chain with max amount of slack, was wearing my new Moose Monarch Pass Jacket, roll offs with mud flap, clear lens taped to my helmet visor, and MSR "elephant ear" hand guards over my acerbis rallye guards.
Our desert races are dead engine start, and the Berg snapped to life and I was away quickly. I pulled out ahead of the other 150+ riders and was on my way to the bomb. Very soon though, I hit some pretty wet area's that had the 550 slithering around all over the place. Not wanting to hit one the volkswagen sized mood rocks, I backed it down a bit. A few riders slowly pulled in front of me on either side. I'm in no hurry as I've got another 60 miles to go.
About ten miles into the first loop, I came over a small rise and got into some very soft mud. That was about it, as the next thing I know I'm getting up off the ground, and trying to get my air going again. A fellow club rider, Chris, stopped and stayed with me until I got breathing okay again. I told him to get going and I would see him at the finish. Before he left he picked up my bike and made sure that I got it going okay, GOD I love electric starters!! And, after about another 5 min. I was on my way.
Later in the first loop I came up to a check at a sand wash which was now about two feet under water, the guy at the check motioned me into and up the wash. I asked him if he was serious and he said yes, so off I went. My boots instantly filled with water as I cruised up the swollen sand wash.
Later at the pit, I got my energy drink and a fresh pair of goggles. Now it was raining much harder. All the whoops were filled with water. I have never seen the desert so soft, on many occassions while trying to stay out of the ruts, I sunk right up the skid plate.
It was pretty treacherous as the ground was so soft in area's that you wouldn't think were soft, and the front end would just sink right in and try to pitch you over the bars.
I did manage to finish, although a little worse for wear. In my little shunt at the beginning I managed to rack my rib cage pretty good and rang my bell a bit too. The Husaberg never missed a beat and easily carried me to the finish.
I'm finally feeling fit enough to go riding and will do so this week on tuesday. I'm really looking forward to it!!
Thought I'd write a little blurb about the first District 37 desert race of the year. It was the Jack Rabbit's H&H held on 1-9-05.
It had been raining the whole week prior to the race, and on race day it was pouring down rain. I thought I was pretty well prepared: Set up chain with max amount of slack, was wearing my new Moose Monarch Pass Jacket, roll offs with mud flap, clear lens taped to my helmet visor, and MSR "elephant ear" hand guards over my acerbis rallye guards.
Our desert races are dead engine start, and the Berg snapped to life and I was away quickly. I pulled out ahead of the other 150+ riders and was on my way to the bomb. Very soon though, I hit some pretty wet area's that had the 550 slithering around all over the place. Not wanting to hit one the volkswagen sized mood rocks, I backed it down a bit. A few riders slowly pulled in front of me on either side. I'm in no hurry as I've got another 60 miles to go.
About ten miles into the first loop, I came over a small rise and got into some very soft mud. That was about it, as the next thing I know I'm getting up off the ground, and trying to get my air going again. A fellow club rider, Chris, stopped and stayed with me until I got breathing okay again. I told him to get going and I would see him at the finish. Before he left he picked up my bike and made sure that I got it going okay, GOD I love electric starters!! And, after about another 5 min. I was on my way.
Later in the first loop I came up to a check at a sand wash which was now about two feet under water, the guy at the check motioned me into and up the wash. I asked him if he was serious and he said yes, so off I went. My boots instantly filled with water as I cruised up the swollen sand wash.
Later at the pit, I got my energy drink and a fresh pair of goggles. Now it was raining much harder. All the whoops were filled with water. I have never seen the desert so soft, on many occassions while trying to stay out of the ruts, I sunk right up the skid plate.
It was pretty treacherous as the ground was so soft in area's that you wouldn't think were soft, and the front end would just sink right in and try to pitch you over the bars.
I did manage to finish, although a little worse for wear. In my little shunt at the beginning I managed to rack my rib cage pretty good and rang my bell a bit too. The Husaberg never missed a beat and easily carried me to the finish.
I'm finally feeling fit enough to go riding and will do so this week on tuesday. I'm really looking forward to it!!
