In pursuit of my goal for achieving 20 races this year I decided to try another Grand Prix - this would be my second Grand Prix - the first for this year.
I started in row 5 with several other fellows and got a pretty good start but slowed down and took to the outside to let the faster riders go ahead. I took the first lap easy to get to know the course and get my rhythm. I was passed by four or five of the expert riders who started in row 1.
Early in the second lap one of the fellows from row 6 passed me and I decided to try to keep up with him. For the rest of lap two and lap three we had a great back and forth battle. We both got passed by many of the faster riders and finally he made a mistake and I went around him. I was able to get around another two guys and almost got a third one but the race ended a little too soon.
I believe I'm honing my skills that will allow me to ride faster and to continue to stay in control. I'm reading the terrain better which is certainly one of the critical skills I'll need for the rally races.
Thanks for reading and following along.
The Challenge and Dream of Dakar
Capturing the stepping stones in a journey towards the goal of finishing the Dakar rally raid.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
NHHA #1 - Desert MC Hare and Hound 2015
After watching the Dakar coverage I just couldn't wait to get out there. I almost always have butterflies the first few races and this time was no different. My mindset when this happens is to just go out and have a nice little trail ride - keep the bike and body safe.
So I lined up in between a couple of fellas and noticed there was a bush in front of me. I told the guy next to me he could go first, I wasn't out there to race. But then there was one minute before the banner dropped and I saw that I could probably bump up over the bush roots and go through the bush. I usually get a good start - so when the banner dropped I started, hesitated to see what the guy next to me was doing, his first kick didn't catch so I popped the clutch and went through the bush. I ran up to third gear and then backed off.
I had a pretty good jump on maybe half the line. I moved left out of the dust and onto a good line. I got up near the end of the bomb run and pulled over to turn on my handlebar mounted bluetooth speaker and turn on my GoPro. Like I said, I wasn't there to race - just get better and finish.
I rode along fairly slowly and very in control for several miles and even at that slow pace I started catching people. When I see someone in front of me that I can catch I just can't help but try to run them down (catch up to them).
So I picked up the pace a little, caught a few guys, picked up the pace a little more and passed some more. It felt like I was moving pretty good (for me) and still in control - maybe I am getting a little better.
It was a pretty uneventful race. I kept up my pace pretty good, passed several more people and didn't crash. My fitness still isn't where it needs to be but I have decided to make this my year. I've set a goal to race 20 times this year. It's going to be hard on my family because the boys can be a handful.
So I lined up in between a couple of fellas and noticed there was a bush in front of me. I told the guy next to me he could go first, I wasn't out there to race. But then there was one minute before the banner dropped and I saw that I could probably bump up over the bush roots and go through the bush. I usually get a good start - so when the banner dropped I started, hesitated to see what the guy next to me was doing, his first kick didn't catch so I popped the clutch and went through the bush. I ran up to third gear and then backed off.
I had a pretty good jump on maybe half the line. I moved left out of the dust and onto a good line. I got up near the end of the bomb run and pulled over to turn on my handlebar mounted bluetooth speaker and turn on my GoPro. Like I said, I wasn't there to race - just get better and finish.
I rode along fairly slowly and very in control for several miles and even at that slow pace I started catching people. When I see someone in front of me that I can catch I just can't help but try to run them down (catch up to them).
So I picked up the pace a little, caught a few guys, picked up the pace a little more and passed some more. It felt like I was moving pretty good (for me) and still in control - maybe I am getting a little better.
It was a pretty uneventful race. I kept up my pace pretty good, passed several more people and didn't crash. My fitness still isn't where it needs to be but I have decided to make this my year. I've set a goal to race 20 times this year. It's going to be hard on my family because the boys can be a handful.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
2015
Wow. It's been two years. Let's recap them.
2013 - I only did a few races, maybe 4, but had one great accomplishment - I finished both loops of a National Hare and Hound race. It was excessively difficult fitness-wise. The course itself wasn't beyond my skill level but it was for my fitness level. It took more than 6 hours for me to finish the course. But I finished!
2014 - I sometimes have a punctuality problem, the first race I drove for 3 hours and ended up being late. I started packing up to go home and thought, why not ride the course for fun? So I did. It didn't count as a race (points-wise) but I did ride it and had a good time. The second race was uneventful, I only did one loop and didn't crash so that was a 'win' in my book.
2015 - I bailed on the first Grand Prix race and the first Hare and Hound. I had also decided to skip the second H&H but after watching coverage of the 2015 Dakar this week I am now considering it.
I have several very time consuming goals this year including starting a 'real' business instead of putzing around with hobbies so I don't know where racing will land on my priority list. If anything happens I'll update the blog.
Thanks for reading.
TC
2013 - I only did a few races, maybe 4, but had one great accomplishment - I finished both loops of a National Hare and Hound race. It was excessively difficult fitness-wise. The course itself wasn't beyond my skill level but it was for my fitness level. It took more than 6 hours for me to finish the course. But I finished!
2014 - I sometimes have a punctuality problem, the first race I drove for 3 hours and ended up being late. I started packing up to go home and thought, why not ride the course for fun? So I did. It didn't count as a race (points-wise) but I did ride it and had a good time. The second race was uneventful, I only did one loop and didn't crash so that was a 'win' in my book.
2015 - I bailed on the first Grand Prix race and the first Hare and Hound. I had also decided to skip the second H&H but after watching coverage of the 2015 Dakar this week I am now considering it.
I have several very time consuming goals this year including starting a 'real' business instead of putzing around with hobbies so I don't know where racing will land on my priority list. If anything happens I'll update the blog.
Thanks for reading.
TC
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