No problem at all, I forgot that you were in the race and was just taken off guard hearing my name. I'd been yelled at a couple of times by them as your pack was coming through. I was just frustrated that I missed the chance to see how long I could keep you in site. I was feeling on that day (even though your laps were a minute faster than mine) and thought at the time I could have hung on for a few corners at least. Plus, it's always more embarrassing when a friend sees you go off course instead of some random stranger. I figured if I didn't fess up to it here you would call me out on it anyway Next time I'll be ready!
I didn't know you went down until Jake said something about it after the race. You weren't the only one to go off course, though I think you chose a really bad spot. At least where I went off was flat and had a thicket of 4 foot tall blackberries to keep me from getting too far off course. I guess that's what you get when you try to pass a guy on the outside who isn't going to make the turn. Ha. Surprisingly that wasn't the worst mistake I made all day. I thought I had a flat on the first lap and milked it through the woods. It wasn't until I got off the bike on the mx track and did an inspection that I noticed there was plenty of air and the axle nut was still in place. It was just really slick in spots. I know what you mean about the ride-a-long. Remember the Shelton Enduro? Thanks Kelly.
Here is my report from the same race... Out of the 35 riders signed up for the open expert class I was friends with 10 of them... That added to the pressure as well as riding a class higher than I had been racing this year... That... Was... Awesome!!! Can I have my first three laps back please? Ugh, got a great start and was 5th coming out of the first corner, then at the transition to the field I washed the front out on the clay crap and lost about 10 positions. :bonk: After that I proceeded to ride three laps sitting on the seat like a fool getting passed regularly. My leatt/hydration pack combo were not working well together. Every time I tried to stand up it would push my helmet down and I would be looking at the front fender. I pulled over and grabbed the first clip I found on my chest and it was for the leatt so I took it off and tossed it to a guy over the fence and had him put it by my friends truck. From there I rode like a maniac, I made up almost a minute in the last 4 laps, passed a bunch of people that had got by me and picked up a few more positions on people that were pitting for gas. My friend whom I was trying to catch was getting closer and closer, I could see him ahead most of the last lap but could not get close enough to make a move. He ended up 8th and I got 9th, 9 seconds behind him and lost a $5 bet in the process. Good times. Here are a few pictures my friends got of me. more pictures I took of the morning race, and my friends sister took of my race here... http://jmetteer.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2009-OFFROAD-RIDES/09-09-20-DICK-JAGOW-GP Josh's pictures... http://josh-mel.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2009-09-20-Dick-Jagow-Race Ben's pictures.. http://dirtsurfer.smugmug.com/Races/Dick-Jagow-9-20-09 Later,
What the hell? Upstaged in my own thread.... One of these days I'm going to learn how to blow up berms like the big kids, may even try that getting the bike sideways in the air thing. Nice pics.
Actually, I kept it on two wheels the whole race which I was quite pleased about. It just took me a minute to get back on course as I ended up stuck behind a log where I went off course but no crashes all day, just a few close calls getting way sideways on the first lap in the grass section. I'm turning over a new leaf, practicing not crashing so I can actually get the bike to the next guy when I'm down in Baja
Nah, your report was much better than mine. Ben had the luxury of riding the course while you were out there so he knew where to go to get the good shots of the expert/pro class. Brenna and I were flying blind with our camera's... Later,
I'll give you props, your speed is really increasing well and your stamina is coming back. I think your progress is very good. When I first started riding with you you were a bit behind, now your right there and I'm working on shaking you, will not be long before I'm casing you.
I thought I noticed a familiar looking F150 circling my block a little too often. I think I can attribute a fair bit of my speed improvement to riding with you actually. Every person I ride with I learn something different from and steal what I'm capable of. Right down to the model of their bike if that's what it takes.
I have never seen Washougal so vacant / quite on a race day. Was the turn out small? Also where are the HDB hand guards i got you?
The spectator turn out wasn't huge but the race it self was well attended. Those hand guards didn't end up fitting with my flexx bars, I'll have to find something else to put them on or sell them. Jake tried them on his WR but didn't have any luck with them.
