So no s--- there I am at the starting line, rain pouring down waiting for the flag to drop. The flag finally drops and though I was waiting for it, it seemed to have come from no where. I push the button to start the motor (thanks for the e-start husky!). Click down into first, pop the clutch, mud spraying the second row. Somehow I manage to be the second rider to turn one. Immediately following the first right hander the guy in first goes down and pretty much seperate a the field for me. Not wanting to give up any time I come in to hot in the next turn with the back tire wrapping around the front I try to regain traction and finally do. I look back and no one's around me... After that I woke up and immediately jumped in my truck to go pick up a rental TXC from Big D Motorsports. I pick it up all is good and then drive to my first race (corcs.net). I arrive late, as I have to every event since I've been married (if you read this honey, I'm sorry ). It was a perfect day to race, the weather was perfect, I had my cheerleader with me, and was fortunate to be on amazing bike I can't quite afford right now lol. I pull the bike off the truck and immediately scramble to find where to register while my wife was putting the numbers on the bike. As usual I was paranoid for nothing, We still had plenty of time. I found Big D and set up the bike and folding chair near his camp. That's when I saw some riders from this forum which I'll leave for them to introduce themselves. Really the best group of people I could hope to hang around with. I think Big D had said there were 10 or 12 Huskies at this round and if I remember right there were only 4 at round 1 when I watched it. I pulled up for the parade lap and the adrenaline was gone, my nerves kicked in real quick. Thankfully I managed to get myself together because throwing up in my helmet would have been a bad way to start. The parade lap confirmed everything I was afraid of. Big inclines with steep declines made me ride like I was 4 years old again. I don't mean to brag but when I was 4 and learning how to ride it was back in the day when men were me and kids didn't have training wheels lol. The parade lap was cut short because I checked on a guy pulled over. He had a brand new KTM and the throttle cable broke. KTM bashing aside, I felt bad for him. I return to the pit to top off and I was seemingly the last rider back in, not a great start. As I pull up Big D handed me my fuel can. He tried to help me refuel but I grabbed it and then poured gas all over my leg as I talked to him. Of course I did that in front of the best dealer I know and the guy that let this meathead rent one of his bikes for the race lol. At the starting line the flag dropped and I let everyone roll out. I really didn't care to bang bars. This pretty much summed up my whole race. I never felt really felt motivated and pulled over and let everyone pass me. I'm still not really sure what happened. I really don't quit at anything and am typically really competitive. Ive raced to a of people and typically do well. I'll be honest though, this was my first actual race because everyone I've ever ridden with didn't know we were racing lol. It really was the coolest day of my life even though I never got into it that day. I hung out with great people, made new friends, had an awesome bike, and even passed a checkered flag. I still check the results from time to time just, not because I was impressed by the results but instead to see my name there . I've talked about racing my whole life and for one reason or another, I never did it. Now I'm only 27 but I still wish I did this 10 years ago. All that time dreaming when I could have just been gaining experience. I need to check the results later but the only people I beat were DNF's lol. If you have the means to and the thought of racing has been lingering in your head, get out and do it immediately. Trail riding doesn't even sounds fun anymore other than to practice . Take it from a guy that finished last, it is the experience of a lifetime. Now in officially at "Race More" rather than "Ride More". The following picture was taken of me by my friends wife. It's an amazing quality photo that is really misleading and that's why it's my favorite lol. I don't mean to brag but I held them off in the straight until the next turn lol This is one of the hills that scared the crap out of me. When we pulled up my wife looked at me and said, " are you going to be ok with that?" She's so heartless at time but I still love her lol
Your dream race started out cooler but the real one was the winner. Congrats for getting out there and having fun .
awesome man! ive been wanting too do a race since i got my bike awhile ago, just not much time anymore with kids sports going on.
There's always ice racing . I really want to do everything, MX, ice racing, supermoto, enduros, and heck I'll even try some hillclimbs if there's a chance of breaking my fear of heights lol. I have two kids and we were always to busy, I have to say though, it SUCKS waiting for the next race lol. I'm really having trouble thinking about anything else. You really need to find a day and just give it a try. Whenever you have the open chance, just do it
Nice report LoM! I am extremely proud to be your friend and race buddy! We also have a huge advantage over a lot of new racers...dealer support. Big D Motorsports made sure we had a good race day. Dan (Big D) and Becky (his lovely wife) are amazing. I still can't believe they rent you a bike to race. They even supported Sam in the pits and he was on a borrowed (my TE250) bike. A dealership that supports three first time racers is unheard of and extremely impressive. What an awesome day we had, and yes, waiting for the next race day truly SUCKS! It's great that our wives had as much fun as we did. Sam's wife even gave him the go ahead to get a new (used) bike after the race, so you know she had a blast! I strongly recommend racing to anyone if you can find a good club. Just go watch a race or two and get a feel for it like we did. You will know right away if it is something you want to do. Maybe even bring your bike just in case! My primary reason for racing is to become a better rider. For now we are going to have lots of fun and try and stay out of people's way while trying to improve our riding skills. All the new friendships is something I did not foresee and a most welcome addition. LoM, this is a pic we did not get to you. That is you on the right passing someone stuck on the hill.....to bad it was on the parade lap!
If you zoom in you can see me looking at him, I even remember that. I was wondering what the best way was for him to get out of there lol
This is the Cafe Husky Colorado race team . It's an amateur program, that's probably why you all haven't heard of us lol Big D informing me that I'm pouring gas on myself...
Looks like alot of riders and sounds like you were in a race but not racing ... Nothing wrong with that as long as you keep outta the way and don't get yourself or anyone else hurt ... Some out there are there to win... And if you don't do anything else correct in a race, you gotta learn to hold your line ... Good luck next time racing when it happens ... I ride all the dirt stuff I can also to have a broad base of riding skills ... Tracks are good for learning to rail berms, going over jumps of all sizes to include landing the bike, and learning to come out the gate ... ... On about all my trail rides now , I'm looking for the outside line in corners to have a berm or just a good rut in any corner to rail and jumping in the woods is so much easier than a track with humps you cannot see over till up the take-off ramp...
Ray_Ray-The next race is is June 23rd and I fully intend to race this one lol. The C races are an hour and a half. It was a GP race. The next one is a hare scramble so I should feel more comfortable without the jumps for now. I already know I don't have the endurance to run hard the whole race but they post the times for each lap, I want atleast one hot lap. More to see what I can do. I keep pedaling my bicycle, we'll see if it does anything for me lol. I stayed out of everyone's way to the point that I completely stopped when groups came by. I really can't wait to race again and not look like such a punk lol I really can't wait to own a bike again. I really need some seat time. Especially at the parts that make me nervous. The area we rode in is actually open to ride and I want to get back there eventually and time my laps
Yeah everyone said it looks like I'm racing children lol. I feel a lot more comfortable on the 449. I like that it feels a little larger for the false sense of security and I love the seat. I can move around easier with the seat the way it is. I think it's also much easier to stand up on, like its just more spread out. When I eventually get a 449 all I want is bar risers or higher handlebars. I really feel like the 449 was made for me. I wish every model they have had the same layout . Hopefully the 449 is available next time, they just completed some maintenance on it so I should be good to go . That thing really is my dream bike. I'll figure out how to one eventually
Watch out - next time you might get that hole shot and then get that feeling soon followed by oh shoot - now what do I do?
Way to go LoM, racing is a LOT of fun. And a great way to improve your skills not only by riding but by observing the faster guys when ya get lapped(us "C" riders know a lot about that) Our races are 2hrs, usually a 9-11mi loop, & I started out trying to finish my 1st lap w/o getting lapped. Then it was seeing how far into the 2nd lap I could get, which is now about 7-8 mi. Since I'm on the 14th row,that means the 1st row has been racing for 14 min when I start, I think it's not too bad. Now for next year, my goal is to get my lap times under 30 min & try to get in 4 laps. Also the hardest thing IMO is moving over for the faster guys, that's usually when I fall or do something stupid. I've found out that if ya just hold your line, they'll pass w/o you even knowing it. Welcome to the starting line, you are officially addicted.........
