[ReaperAZ]

Well on Sunday we were at the MX rack and were having a good day. I was working on clearing the big double on the back side of the track. You see this weekend I will be trying my first MX race and have some things I need to work on before the weekend. I was told by a few guys that I tend to ride with that I have come a far way since I got the bike a few months ago. They have been pushing me to try and race so I gave in and will be trying it this weekend. I'll be racing the 125 Beginner B class to start. I have been working at my starts which I have done very well at(I guess all that time at the 1/4 mile paid off). Well I was curious how fast I could go around on a 450 so I borrowed my buddies CRF450 for a few laps. YIKES, that thing is stupid fast. There are a few corners that you have to come out of really hard on the gas on my CRF250 and it's really hard to get it just right cause there's a jump right there. Well that 450 has NO problem with the short approaches like that, as I frequently over jumped them.

So the last practice of the day comes around and my girlfriend gets on the 250 and off she goes. My buddy Phil says," Dan, why don't you ride my 450 so you can ride with Steph." What a nice guy, so I did. Usually we don't ride together at all as she works at the track as an EMT as does Phil. Usually they both are on the track at the same time doing their EMT/flagging deal. The boss is cool and lets them ride during work hours if they choose. Well Phil had to go and sit on the hill in the EMT buggy and offered up his bike to me. So, as I catch up to Steph , I just wanted to follow her around and maybe give her some tips and pointers. After a few laps I got infront of her and was showing her the good lines to take and she was doing great. I was sticking my leg way out to show what she had to do. It was a bit exaggerated but she got the idea. I picked up the pace a bit and would occasionally look over my shoulder to see she was still there. After two laps of that pace I went just a bit faster the next lap and it happened. There is a section of four good sized jumps followed by a left turn. I usually hit the the in 3rd or 4th on my 250 and am about 3/4 throttle, so you 're going pretty fast. I looked back at her as she was going over the first jump and all was good. I took a look back as I was in the air on the last and she was doing great. I landed and railed the corner on the 450. As I got oer the net set of small jumps I look back and she's laying on the ground next to the bike...YIKES! I pulled to the inside and hauled azz back to her. As she was getting up I asked if she was ok and she said, "NO...I broke my **BEEP** hand. As Phil came up on the buggy she was sitting on the berm. They took her glove off and you could see how fat the back of her hand was. It turns out she broke the bone associated with her middle finger. She's off to the hand specialists right now so we'll see what they say. What a bad way to end a good day.


Dano

[luvtolean]

Bummer dude.

My GF broke her arm mountain biking in April and though the break wasn't too bad, it's really messed her up as she's a slow healer. I also have only been able to get her on dirt, on her mt bike a couple times since.

[MrX954]

...tsk, tsk, tsk....thats just no good, especially since its almost moving time. Losing your driving finger is no good around here, but out there its not as bad due to the large number of not-so-law abiding ppl in your area.

How thoughtfull too you didnt even mention your jacked bars or busted throttle housing.

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by MrX954

...tsk, tsk, tsk....thats just no good, especially since its almost moving time. Losing your driving finger is no good around here, but out there its not as bad due to the large number of not-so-law abiding ppl in your area.

How thoughtfull too you didnt even mention your jacked bars or busted throttle housing.

Not really worried about the bars or throttle housing man, they can be replaced cheap and easy. Looks like I know who's gonna be carrying everything during the move.


Dano

[MrX954]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

Not really worried about the bars or throttle housing man, they can be replaced cheap and easy. Looks like I know who's gonna be carrying everything during the move.


Dano

It was just a joke guy, lighten up a little.

You should do the majority of the moving anyways, I'm sure you'll have your friends and your dad to help, or if ya need a hand let me know I havent put my '54 away yet I could prob take a quick spin over

[colryn]

That sucks! I hope her hand is not that serious and that she heels fast. I think it is cool that you found a partner who enjoys your passion for bikes.

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by MrX954

... or if ya need a hand let me know I havent put my '54 away yet I could prob take a quick spin over

I'll make up a batch of Joe Rocket Hot Chocolate for ya.


Dano

[johnnycrash]

Cool you're getting better, cool you are going to race, and super-cool your girl rides.

One question: why not run C class if it is your first race? There are usually a lot of fast sandbaggers in the B class. A few tracks around here even have a D class.

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by colryn

That sucks! I hope her hand is not that serious and that she heels fast. I think it is cool that you found a partner who enjoys your passion for bikes.

Yeah she's totally awesome. I need to buy another dirtbike and another streetbike so we can ride at the same time.


Dano

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by johnnycrash

Cool you're getting better, cool you are going to race, and super-cool your girl rides.

One question: why not run C class if it is your first race? There are usually a lot of fast sandbaggers in the B class. A few tracks around here even have a D class.

Well I ride at least three times a week and know most of the B class guys. I haven't had a problem keeping up with them at all...well they gain a bit of time every time they jump that big double and I puss out and roll it. I think they only have an A and B beginner here anyways. I tried riding with the 125 Novice-Inter-Pro kids last week in practice....won't do that again, got my arse whooped.


Dano

[ReaperAZ]

Here she is a few weeks ago.


Dano

[johnnycrash]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

Well I ride at least three times a week and know most of the B class guys. I haven't had a problem keeping up with them at all...well they gain a bit of time every time they jump that big double and I puss out and roll it. I think they only have an A and B beginner here anyways. I tried riding with the 125 Novice-Inter-Pro kids last week in practice....won't do that again, got my arse whooped.


Dano

Then it does sound like you're ready for B class ... and it always helps if you know most of the guys you are racing against - keeps it a little cleaner.

It's almost impossible to keep up with a rider that's doing a jump that you're rolling. Have you ever cleared that big double on your bike or the 450? Either way I'd just race and have fun, even if you aren't clearing it. One race and you'll be hooked.

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by johnnycrash

Then it does sound like you're ready for B class ... and it always helps if you know most of the guys you are racing against - keeps it a little cleaner.

It's almost impossible to keep up with a rider that's doing a jump that you're rolling. Have you ever cleared that big double on your bike or the 450? Either way I'd just race and have fun, even if you aren't clearing it. One race and you'll be hooked.

Last week I tried to clear it late in the evening, last practice session. I was tired and should have never tried it that way. I came out of the corner hard on it in 2nd and when I went for third before the take off I let off like a dumbass. I was shocked the ass didn't go high and throw me off the front but that one second of no throttle resulted in a near casing of the landing. I think the only reason I didn't go down was that I was loose from being tired and absorbed a lot of the impact. I know I can make it cause I can clear the finish jump which is a 65-70 foot table. Mentally that double just freaks me out, it's that big gap that gets in my head. Tomorrow is practice and my buddy is gonna let me pace him to try it. I'll have it down by the end of the night. He did the same thing for me last week on a smaller double that I nail every time now. As far as knowing the people you race with, you are 100% correct. It's so much more fun and clean. Some of the kids are real hardasses though and take it way too seriously cause their daddies EXPECT them to win every time. Me, I'm just going out to have fun and finish the race. I don't care if I finish last, just as long as I finish.

Dano

[stegen]

we need pics of your gf to determine how bad it really is.

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by stegen

we need pics of your gf to determine how bad it really is.

I'll work on that one for ya steggy!


Dano

[johnnycrash]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

Me, I'm just going out to have fun and finish the race. I don't care if I finish last, just as long as I finish.

Dano

That's the perfect mentality for your first race!

I know what you mean about the mental obstacle you have to overcome when hitting a big double for the first time. Every track has one jump that you have to really psych yourself up for. I often go all the way around the track thinking about that ONE big jump and how I'm gonna clear it. Once you finally clear it you'll never be scared of it again ... and you'll be smiling ear to ear for the next few days.

Edit: Oh yeah, and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by MrX954

It was just a joke guy, lighten up a little.

You should do the majority of the moving anyways, I'm sure you'll have your friends and your dad to help, or if ya need a hand let me know I havent put my '54 away yet I could prob take a quick spin over

so you're gonna make a "quick spin" from NH to AZ? since you have to go through MA anyway stop by my place (little out of the way but thats ok) and we'll both head down there. its only what like a 2700 miles. thats a cake walk.

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

so you're gonna make a "quick spin" from NH to AZ? since you have to go through MA anyway stop by my place (little out of the way but thats ok) and we'll both head down there. its only what like a 2700 miles. thats a cake walk.

Come on out dude....Mr.X knows all about the drive here. The more the better.


Dano

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

Come on out dude....Mr.X knows all about the drive here. The more the better.


Dano

awesome thanks. Mr. X won't do it though, he's got work and school right now doesn't he? I got nothing better to do with my time right now.

[MrX954]

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

awesome thanks. Mr. X won't do it though, he's got work and school right now doesn't he? I got nothing better to do with my time right now.

Wow impressive memory, I do have work and school right now. PLus I aint got the cake to make that trip. I do want to do it on a bike to see if it can be done though

[MrX954]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

I'll make up a batch of Joe Rocket Hot Chocolate for ya.


Dano

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm