GMBVII- Ride/Race Report and Reflections

[LawDog101]

This thread is for everyone to post their reports and reflections from this past weekend. We never have enough time to discuss it all, so this is the place to put it all down for posterity.

My weekend began with a 5 hour drive from DFW. Gave me a chance to reflect on my first GMB, number III, back in 2004. This was my fifth GMB and I can honestly say that each year offers something different.

Berg's Friday Night- If for no other reason than just to hang with friends and chat, this is the best reason to come to the GMB event every year. Mike and Suzette open their home to us crazies for a night, and throw some food at us. Sweet. Seeing everyone there on Friday is pretty emotional for me as I get to see most of these folks only once a year. A great group of folks. I did miss several folks from years past, though (Satch and family, Kirtwell and family, California crew, and Macho and family just to name a few.) I had a great time. Thanks Mike and Suzette. And, special thanks to Pragmatic for letting me crash at his house on Friday night.

Saturday- After a wonderful wakeup, consisting of "Dude, get up" we (Prag and family, Flash and son) got our stuff together and made the trek from Friendswood to Spelendora. I have made this trip several times over the years and, as this was my fifth, I thought back to years past. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and now 2008. I remember my first GMB and I remember the first time I heard the list of names read. It really makes you realize just how small our problems are. Arriving at Splendy, we were greeted with a dry track (unlike last year) that had seen a bit of prep by track owner Dee. Apparently, Dee had only been able to get a week or so of prep on the track, but from what I saw, he did a great job.

Riding Saturday- What a day. Everyone was riding, the Indiana crew, La. crew, Houston, folks from all over. It was really nice. Seeing all those familiar faces was just cool. I put in a ton of laps on a dry but very ridable track. Thanks Dee. I changed up the gearing on my bike to see if I could get a little better pull between second and third. Seemed to work, but really worked the motor a bit too hard. Third gear really got wound up quite a bit. Most of the track was third/fourth gear with a really cool step down triple after the finish line. I could have jumped that all day. Jaybird was kind enough to allow me to crash at his hotel. Nice place with even better company. Thanks Jason.

Howard's House- with the exception of the "beer debacle of 2008" Howard, as usual, had things lined out with chicken, brisket, and Jaybird's favorite, the coconut desert. It was a light turnout this year as we were minus several families of folks that normally come out. Jason and I hung out a bit with Howard and wife as well as Howard's friend Frank and his wife. Reminder, never guess who is younger with women 40 and over. I got back to the hotel and crashed.

Sunday-Race Day. With the exception of the Jaybird wakeup, which sounded oddly familar..."Dude, you gonna get up or what?" Got going to Splendy. Dee did a bit of prep work and laid down some water and the track was looking pretty good. Practice went off without a hitch, and the only delay was the lack of an ambulance to start the races. No problem. The only casualty was Motoman. Apparently, the moto gods were angry at him for some strange reason. They caused him to have a nasty getoff in the double/double section. A shoulder injury put him out for the day. Sucks.

Mr. Berg read his letter to Garrett before practice. Mr. Berg wrote this letter shortly after Garrett's passing. Very touching. I am glad that Mr. Berg shared that with us. It always brings me back to center. I do not know how Mike and family have coped with this, but they are an inspiration to all of us that says life must go on and that you can either fall out and quit, or continue pushing. Thank you Mike and family for doing it right.

The racing was competitive with a moderate turnout on the gate. My motos were tons of fun, even if I got whooped by some fast kid on a yamaha. Got to race with Jaybird quite a bit, which was serious fun. I left the day feeling tired but satisfied that I had left it all out on the track, which is what I think GMB is all about. All about the ride, the ride on the track, the ride of life.

Thanks everyone for another great year.

LawDog

[pragmatic393]

Nice write-up, LD! Give me a bit to add mine....for some strange reason my forearms are having trouble operating my fingers correctly

....and I think you jinxed me; right after we spoke last nighta and were laughing about your leg locking up, the same thing hit me getting up from the couch SERIOUS PAIN!!!!

[Motodad393]

James,

Thanks so much for posting our thoughts and comments! I very much appreciate them. The VM you left me last night was very "touching" to say the least and it is a pleasure to know you.

Over these years since Garrett's untimely death it has been [continues to be] a true pleasure for me to have the "privilege" to meet many people with different backgrounds and personalities who are so focused and driven to "ride." I tend to "watch people" over the years and identify "change" and "personal growth" and to see them grow in a personal sense. This growth that takes place comes from within each person not from without. In other words they chose which path they will follow. Consciously, or subconsciously. I have seen many people grow as men, women, children. This is where the blessing lies for me when people share their "hearts" often times overcoming an EGO that can often restrict us as people. I struggled with this many times in my early 30's.

I have learned that "LIFE" knocks all of us all of down at one time or another. It is not about if you will be knocked down, but about WHEN and the key is "how quickly each of us get back up." Herein lies the challenge for us. Getting back up and truly identifying what the important things in life really are!

James I have watched you grow as a man, father and person. Not that you needed to, but you are moving in a very good direction. As I said yesterday, "success in life should not be measured by a W-2 form, the toys, the house - but what do those who know and love us say about us when we are not around, or pass into eternity?" If our kids give praise and can say, "my dad and mom were great parents! They were always there for me with a kind word, encouragement, support and yes, disciplines with love when it is needed!. This is what it is all about - helping our kids to be better than we were and help each generation be better than the one that preceeded it!

James a 'line' from my favorite movie - "you've done well Pilgrim to keep so much hair when so many is after it!"

Do you know the name of the movie?

[Grieby54]

I've gotta say James, the fact that you went hard for 6 motos impressed me. I would have liked to race around with you during the ATM moto, but my rear brake quit on me during my B moto (hence the rolling around during those moto's).

Next year...

[LawDog101]

Thanks man. That track is serious hard on rear brakes. I roasted a set on Saturday and put the hurt on a second set on Sunday. I do not know what possesed me to ride three classes, but it sure was fun. I am hurting today, though. And, when I was driving back home, around Ennis, my right leg locked up with a serious cramp. Had to hop around on the side of the road for a bit to get it fixed. Sucked, but worth it.

LD

[RMZracer212]

Damn motoman AGAIN, I do not know what Splendora has against you but hope you get better bro. I did not get to make this one because I had a family event I had to attend, wish I could have been there with every one.

[Grieby54]

Originally Posted by LawDog101

Thanks man. That track is serious hard on rear brakes. I roasted a set on Saturday and put the hurt on a second set on Sunday. I do not know what possesed me to ride three classes, but it sure was fun. I am hurting today, though. And, when I was driving back home, around Ennis, my right leg locked up with a serious cramp. Had to hop around on the side of the road for a bit to get it fixed. Sucked, but worth it.

LD

My crash this summer bent my rear brake, and since I haven't ridden my bike since (Saturday was my first day back on it), it's still a bit bent. We tried to straighten it out a bit, but it still didn't work quite right. I had to pump up my rear brake coming into turns, and I figured it'd be better to get last and leave in one piece than to push it and crash.

And if it makes you feel any better, Jason Webb (the kid who won C class) is fast. He was on a friend's bike (the bike is faster than hell too), but he's still an incredible rider. I ride with him a bit and I'm not entirely sure why he's not in B class right now.

[VET393]

Well it looks and seems eveyone had a great time. I wish I could have been there, but.....
I was productive on Saturday and played music at a benefit to raise money for a man with cancer, to help ease the bills the family has.

[Miles711]

LD, you ran a great race in the 250C! I still can't believe you ran 3 motos. The back to back 250C/ATM was rough enough. It was a blast though!

[LawDog101]

No way that kid is a C class rider. NO WAY. He is certainly a mid-pack B rider most places. I did all that could to keep him behind me but I knew he was on his way past long before he got there. I kept him behind me for 4.5 total laps, so I consider that a moral victory. I normally ride three classes. I find that generally I get smoother and faster if I can burn through the arm pump excitedness that comes with racing. I hope someone got video of that second moto holeshot. You know it is sweet when you can't hear anyone behind you for two corners.

LD

[Keetoman393]

Great write up, LD. That was an awesome race between you and Jason. That race was half a lap too long but you did good man,

P.S. There is now way the BOTH of you were "C' class riders! That's why you got the white flag twice.

[yzernie]

Originally Posted by LawDog101

No way that kid is a C class rider. NO WAY. He is certainly a mid-pack B rider most places. I did all that could to keep him behind me but I knew he was on his way past long before he got there. I kept him behind me for 4.5 total laps, so I consider that a moral victory. I normally ride three classes. I find that generally I get smoother and faster if I can burn through the arm pump excitedness that comes with racing. I hope someone got video of that second moto holeshot. You know it is sweet when you can't hear anyone behind you for two corners.

LD

Your Honor, the evidence presented in the paragraph above is conclusive and by his very own under oath statement of facts, that the Dog of Law was in fact, in FRONT of this 'accused' "B rider" for 4.5 laps. Your Honor, this factor of time equates to 75% of the total elapsed time for the entire moto event. Any expert witness called by the Court (or even any beginner rider) would testify that no "C" Class rider should be able to maintain a lead on a higher "B" Class for more than a short period of time (a couple of turns...max).

Based upon this self-admitted fact, and witnessed by may spectators, it is the Plaintiff's request for the Court find that the Dog of Law has also risen to the level of a "B-rider". It is also the Plaintiff's request for the Court to find the Dog of Law GUILTY, beyond a reasonable doubt, of the crime of Sandbagging.

Thank you Your Honor and I submit.

[jaybird67k393]

It was all just awsome for me and possibly the best GMB so far because I enjoyed the company of the people more this time.
Maybe I'm coming out of my weird shell.

Thanks Howard for housing my Super slow Yamaha 450 as compared to that KTM 525 freak of nature bucking bronco of yours.................Hey can you keep it again next year?

I can still suck up a little bit.

When I get time I'll try to do a official write up.

I hope someone got video of that second moto holeshot.

You know I did, and most of the race..........then I ran full speed to make the ATM class. I guess your talking about the 250 class race.

Later, Jason

[Miles711]

Originally Posted by yzernie

Your Honor, the evidence presented in the paragraph above is conclusive and by his very own under oath statement of facts, that the Dog of Law was in fact, in FRONT of this 'accused' "B rider" for 4.5 laps. Your Honor, this factor of time equates to 75% of the total elapsed time for the entire moto event. Any expert witness called by the Court (or even any beginner rider) would testify that no "C" Class rider should be able to maintain a lead on a higher "B" Class for more than a short period of time (a couple of turns...max).

Based upon this self-admitted fact, and witnessed by may spectators, it is the Plaintiff's request for the Court find that the Dog of Law has also risen to the level of a "B-rider". It is also the Plaintiff's request for the Court to find the Dog of Law GUILTY, beyond a reasonable doubt, of the crime of Sandbagging.

Thank you Your Honor and I submit.

So its official, 1st and 2nd place were sandbaggers... making me the winner!

[MotoMan]

I am still looking for video of my "augur" if anyone has it.

My official write up will come later as well, we just got home and I am still a little strung out from the road....not to mention pain meds. lol

[jhendrix]

Originally Posted by Miles711

So its official, 1st and 2nd place were sandbaggers... making me the winner!

//We Are The Champions plays in background

[LawDog101]

I am innocent, just like OJ version 1.0, not 2.0

[Miles711]

Don't act like your not jealous of my sweet last place victory photo...

[Woody_393]

Sounds like a phenominal GMB, I'm sad I had to miss it.

Glad you were safe, and had a good time LD