Desert MC National Hare & Hound Race Report

[Dirtbikindad393]

Desert MC Race Report,

The first round of the FMF AMA National Hare & Hound Series was a good one. Here it is through my eyes.

We got out to the staging area late Friday night about 11:30 pm. It was cold, about 24 degrees when we got there. We were the third members of our club to arrive and were told a story by the second to arrive that cracked us up. The first to arrive was our club referee. He was in contact (by Nextel) with the VP of our club (second to arrive). When the VP pulled up there was a camp fire going and a stark naked man standing there in 30 degree weather. We about died laughing hearing this story.

Saturday I was able to get about 50 miles in while scouting terrain for our clubs first enduro to be held the second weekend in December. I am the 1st loop captain meaning that I am the one who will choose all 40 miles of terrain for the first loop. I wasn’t sure if riding that many miles would take away from my energy for Sunday. I don’t usually ride that many miles before a national. Then again I am old, fat and slow so I need to keep my reserves knowing that the first loop of a DMC national will be like the second loop of some of our easier races.

I got signed up and went to run the bomb and figure out my line for the start Sunday morning. The bomb run was 3 solid miles of sparse creosote bushes with not too many trails or road crossings. No rocks to speak of until after the bomb banner and wide open spaces on this one. On my practice runs I found myself looking for 6th gear. Only one problem; I wasn’t riding a KTM so there wasn’t any more gears. Yes this start was going to be fast very fast, if (big if) you had clear sailing (no dust) or steel nads.

The weather warmed up a bit for Sunday’s race. At start time (9:30 am) it was about 55 degrees, clear sunny and warming. The ground was dry and we all knew it was going to be a dusty race. The breeze was very minimal right up until the banner was to drop then it picked up to maybe 6-8 mph just enough to blow the dust away but not enough to keep it clear sailing on the start if you were behind the top 10 riders.

The start line was long. I would guess almost 1/8th of a mile. I chose the far right side of the line on Saturday’s test runs and hoped that the breeze would be in my favor blowing the dust away from me not into me. As luck would have it the wind gods were shining on me today. I did however have to start second row due to the amount of riders. I haven’t been nervous on a start for quite a few races. I did get a little nervous a few times sitting there on my bike waiting for my turn but those feelings soon past as I fiddled with my goggles, my levers, my gas cap and practiced starting my bike (also keeping it warm).

The banner drops and I get a one kick start and off I go through the gears to fifth and wide (you know what) open. I was wide open for about two and a half miles and moving to my right, while weaving in and out of bushes at about 84 mph, to stay clear of the dust. At about the two and a half mile mark I started getting arm pump because I was tense holding on to the bike but, I had a clear (not much dust) line. In desert racing the start is everything. I know your saying……..what? You’ve got 40 miles to go and you’re telling me the start is everything! Yes you see if you get a good start then the guys who clog up the hills are usually behind you and the guys that are faster will eventually pass you. The dust is much more minimal and if you make a mistake you have time to recover before too many get past you. If you get a bad start you have to pass as many as you can but you have to do it in the dust and that my friends and readers is flippin scary!

The first mile or two after the bomb we come to a hill and there is already about seven riders down or stalled on the main line. I notice there is another line to my left about 75 feet through a sandwash so I head to the left only to find the trail is smaller with five riders down or stalled. Just to the left of that is a path of rocks where the water flows down off the hill when it rains. Just as I get there a rider (who is facing the wrong way) gets his bike started and clears the path through the rocks. Nobody is taking that line so I say heck I am going. Now bear in mind this is all happening in split seconds. The rocks are bowling ball sized and bigger and it’s not a line I would choose if I was trail riding but this is the DMC National. I got up the rocks like David Knight in Last Man Standing and away I go up the slippery rocky hill. I say to my self, self……that was darn sweet! I just passed about 20 riders and another 100 on their tail will be stuck behind all the spodes trying to get up the hill. The first 5 miles was rocky choppy nasty crap.

This allowed me to build on my start with almost no dust. I never really got a good rhythm going all day but I just kept at it. I was trying to ride as fast as I could without falling. I stalled one time in the crap and about 6 riders got passed me. While out scouting the day before we ran across the race course in some hills and we commented to each other this must be second loop. Well it turned out I recognized the area and it was the first loop. There was some steep rocky down hills and my arms were getting tired trying to hold the tonnage back behind the bars.

The miles clicked off 20 then 25 now 30. Hey 30 miles nice! This is cool the loop is 38 miles and I am almost done. I can really turn it on now and go hard for the last eight miles. Turn it on I did the terrain wasn’t letting up as the last eight miles were deep sandy whoops twisting and turning through sandwashes and when you got out of the sandwashes it was rocky slippery dirt working the arms and legs to the last few feet. I was able to pick up about 6 spots overall in the last eight miles by riding a steady pace.

At last I come over the last hill and see the staging area. This always gives me a burst of energy and I ride a little harder to the finish chute. As always I come down the chute hooting and hollering and waving my fist like RC after a win. I always get a reaction from the crowd at the finish. Some must think what the he..(dbl hockey sticks) is this guy yelling about? He must think he won the dang race or something. Its something I do every race just because I am so happy to have finished another race in one piece and on a bike that is running.

Now remember that in a national many two loop riders choose one loop so as not to finish after dark. The second loop is tough as nails and it will destroy a bike for a rider who gets tired and makes mistakes. There for there is usually many more one loop finishers. I finished 63rd overall (Unofficial one loop) and 17th novice bike across line, second in my class for the one loop. I am very proud of that as in the past I have finished in the 150 O/A range at a national.

The best part of my day...........I got to talk to Chris Blais one on one for about twenty minutes. Man was that a thrill and an interesting conversation! that dude in a freakin stud to finish fourth O/A in the Dakar. Heis totally down to earth and when I told him how we followed the news and the posts from his wife after each phone call he made home all he said was "Thank you for the support". Great man and awesome rider.........Congrats Chris hope you make the podium next year.

It’s long but it’s a national and like me you made it through it. I thank you for sticking with it and I’ll see you all next time one of my long boring reports shows it’s ugly face on this board.

DBD

[Aus_Rider_22]

What a report Dane! Very interesting and detailed ride by the sounds!

The line up the rocks sounded pretty sleek to pass all those riders !

Keep up the good work and great results!

[Mainjet2001]

Killer report Dane from a killer guy.
I too talked to Chris Blais for a long time. He and Patty are class.
2 loops next year?
One more thing to those reading this, this guy Dane.......is tough, so don't let him bs ya.

[Dirtbikindad393]

I failed to mention I got to hug Mainjet and thank him for the help with the tank for Billy. He also bought Rescue 3 raffle tickets from me and I need to find that money...................

LeRoy it was a pleasure as always to be able to see you again. The club did an awesome job with the race this year. Thank you DMC so much for a challenge and some fun! Maybe two next year......maybe.

[Florida 393]

Dane,
Man, what a race report. Let's see here now, you got to race a killer dez race, got to finish real well, met Chris Blais and talked to him and you hugged Mainjet . I'd say that was a good weekend for you all around. Well done on the race and for the report.

Bill

[crfjedi393]

Sweet! And FWIW, you don't give long, boring reports. I think we all live each other's reports to some extent. You do a great job of sharing your perspective. Just keep it up.

[char393]

Hey Dane...excellent write up. I always enjoy reading them...partly because you have a way of describing things that makes me feel like I'm right there.

Man, I meant to tell you to give LeRoy a big hug for me. Guess it'll wait til next time.

[yzernie]

Originally Posted by Dirtbikindad393

I failed to mention I got to hug Mainjet

This is a family site and.....................................oh nevermind. : You guys are to old to do anything anyway.

BTW, nice report.

[char393]

DOH!!!



I knew I liked you, E.

[yzernie]

Originally Posted by kdxchar393

DOH!!!

Makes me rethink carpooling to Mesquite or anywhere else and sharing a room!!!!

[char393]

Share a room with DBD? Man...you'd never get any sleep, ought to have heard him snoring on the drive back to Calif!!! I think the windows were rattling.

[Dirtbikindad393]

Originally Posted by yzernie

Makes me rethink carpooling to Mesquite or anywhere else and sharing a room!!!!

Well Mad Jack and I had to rethink it too after last time.......

[yzernie]

Originally Posted by Dirtbikindad393

Well Mad Jack and I had to rethink it too after last time.......

Living in a glass house and throwing stones....you got some HUGE nads my friend!!!!!

[Dirtbikindad393]

Here is what the race winner Russel Pearson thought of the first loop and the race in general.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[crdude]

great write up! you make riding there sound like crazy fun

[Dirtbikindad393]

Pic of me from the race:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] it's from a different photog. I didn't know he was there until after I passed him. Click on zoom in to make it bigger.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Note the Alloy gear is from K-9 on the pay it forward thread.

[Mainjet2001]

Dig the pictures Dane...

Here is this weeks Cyclenews report....
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[yzernie]

Sure is nice to see that #1 plate on a blue bike

[Dirtbikindad393]

Originally Posted by yzernie

Living in a glass house and throwing stones....you got some HUGE nads my friend!!!!!

uh that is the pot calling the kettle black! I will show up at your house............you get a choice................Ride or Rocks?

I can hit the glass from the fence line so don't think that will save you.

[yzernie]

Originally Posted by Dirtbikindad393

I can hit the glass from the fence line so don't think that will save you.

Can you run at 3400 feet per second???