This is a discussion on Back in the saddle again.... within the Race Report & Post Ride forum, part of the Racing, Group Rides, Post Ride Reports category; The smile on my face was immeasurable as the high flying roost splattered my friend's face, chest and forearms. As ...
The smile on my face was immeasurable as the high flying roost splattered my friend's face, chest and forearms. As I exited the loamy turn I grabbed 3rd and the front wheel rose out of the hub-high rut with a vengeance. Clicked into 4th on the long straight and I could hear the thumper's sound getting fainter and fainter. After a quick downshift into 2nd, I used the depth of the next berm to slow me down. Fanning the clutch mid-turn, the fresh Dunlop played earth mover as the rooster tail reached 4-5 ft in the air. The next series of 2 small doubles required little effort to conquer so I was focused on the 12ft high left handed sweeper. It required laser precision in order to set up properly for the next 2 tables. Scrubbing the first one, I nailed the 2nd, larger of the 2, and whipped my tail setting me up for the steup up right out of the sweeping right hander. I clicked 3rd in the air and tackled the moguls head on, keeping the front wheel light as the rear end hopped about**
Somewhere around this time I fell asleep, only to be awakened by the ungodly sound of the alarm clock. I was excited. I hadnt ridden since there was snow on the ground and my freshly rebuilt/restored YZ250 was anxiously awaiting for someone to put it thru its paces**
Arriving at the track I noticed the big changes I had been told of. The 70-90ft gaps that separated singles to tables and doubles, were now filled in. As was the series of 3 doubles, now converted into a rhythmic triple table section. The immaculate track prep was just as I remembered as the loamy earth mixed in with just the right amount of sand in sections awaited my arrival**
Boy it felt odd to be behind the bars-it had been waaay too long and I felt uneasy. The countless hours of MX crash videos on youtube didnt help either. I lasted only 3 laps before my death grip rendered my hands useless so I retired to the tent. I was really disappointed in my performance, nothing like what I had dreamt of just hours before. My life-long buddy had used my layoff to his advantage and where once I was able to easily keep his pace and wait for an error before pouncing, the tables were reversed. He now easily paced me and had confidence in knowing that at any moment he so chose, he could easily pass me and be done with me. The roost was in my face and I wasnt happy about it**
The second time out felt much better. I was able to settle into somewhat of a groove and felt measurably more comfortable as it slowly came back to me. We met a guy parked next to us and between the 3 of us a mini "race" ensued. We were all fairly evenly matched, each having an advantge in different parts of the track. Now I was having fun**
During my second respit, I ventured to the kiddy track to watch my buddy's sons ride. To my surprise Dhighland was there with his son and a few of his buddies. It seems as if the crew decided an MX birtday party/ride was way more happening than an ole fashioned shin-dig at the local Chuck E Cheese. What a great idea! Unfortunately, D's hands were full keeping an eye out for the little Mulisha-to-be's so he wasnt riding**
The bike ran flawlessly throughout. It pulled hard and long and had way more than I couldve dealt with. Its surprising what tightening down the cylinder can do! I bottomed out the front end several times on a tricky table as I flat landed it. 2 clicks from full in helped the problem but I need to add more fluid to the forks. Serious kudos to the Howe boys for the rebuild!
For my 3rd and final outing I decided that I was going to treat this more like a training run, concentrating on proper technique and the fundamentals, instead of busting a load trying to catch the rider in front of me then relinquishing it right back by having nothing once I passed him. I quickly settled into a pace I was comfortable with and concentrated on my lines and landing all my jumps on their down faces. Before I knew it, the arm pump was gone and my speed surprisingly increased. I was able to pass riders on a more consistent basis and more importantly, make the passes stick. My buddy was still able to whip my butt but I managed to block that out of my mind for the time being. Besides, as exhausted as I was, I had his whoopin firmly planned-Id just have to fall asleep first**
Heres a couple links to videos of the track. The first one is after all the "filling in" has taken place. The 2nd one before fill in.
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[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Wow Doc, you had me going theyr'e, i thought it was a transcript out of Rc's diary Congrat's no crashes
except thered be no mention of an Ursula! The no crashes aspect of my ride was my biggest accomplishment that day! Although I did topple over in one of the loamy right handers-from going too slow!!!
Thanks Keeto, 'preciate it! When you plan on getting back on?
Ummm... trick question? It will be in the fall I'm sure. Too dad burn hot to ride now and the heat makes my ankle swell so much I'd have to have a cutoff saw to remove my boot. I may go back to the doc to see if he can remove the hardware - it's starting to bug me now.
Nah, I didn't post up. No pics. But it sure is nice to be twisting the throttle again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keetoman393
I may go back to the doc to see if he can remove the hardware - it's starting to bug me now.
I had a friend choose that option. It's a bummer to have another surgery and go through recovery again, but he sure likes not having the hardware. He just had to wait for the bone to grow and fill in the holes.
Your stories are always good to hear and are very entertaining!
Thanks Aus. Have to spice em up a bit, otherwise itd be like: putted around the 1st left hander, toppled over, hit 2nd gear wide open down the 1/4 mile straight, toppled over the left hander. Rolled over the 5ft table, pulled over because of arm pump. Had 2 sandwiches, a bag of chips and a diet coke. Rested for 45 mins then went out again.
08-04-2008, 03:09 PM
Back in the saddle again.... 
I bottomed out the front end several times on a tricky table as I flat landed it. 2 clicks from full in helped the problem but I need to add more fluid to the forks. Serious kudos to the Howe boys for the rebuild!
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Congrat's no crashes 
