Cannondaleriders

Well everyone, I had a race at the legendary Beans Bike Park on Sunday. Farrar, Michelle, and myself went and practiced on Sat. for the race the next day. The track was okay, but not really what I expected. It was really long and had a few different lines available though, so it was cool. We started practicing and right away it was apparent that these were do or don't do type of jumps. Do or die if you will. They were really peaked landings on everything except the legendary tunnel jump which was actually very nicely set-up. The biggest jump on the track the safest, did I say that? We were also given an unexpected treat when Jason Luburgh showed and proceeded to rip for about 8 laps when his Yammie's shock mount gave way. Farrar said " I bet you wish you had your Cannondale now! " lol So after Luburgh packed up and left, we go back out on the track with a renewed vigor. J and I ended up jumping everything out there! I was feeling very proud and confident for the race the next day.

I'd like to come up there and ride with you guys sometime. Sounds like a fun track. How far is it from Cincinnati?

Well, let me re-phrase that. I jumped all the jumps that were possible. I didn't do the quadrupple or uphill triple. So off we go to get ready for race day.
The day is beautiful even though it called for rain all day. It was like 80-85 with a nice breeze. We go out for practice and the track was a little muddy on top with the nice pack just below. Practice was going well for me until I come up to the uphill double- triple section and see Michelle just sitting there. Bad news, she spun the RPM sprocket hub, and we do not have a spare. Her day is over. Although not happy, she volunteered to use the digital.
So we go to the riders meeting and I'm stoked to see that I get 1st gate pick! (that NEVER happens) So the day continues with awesome racing action with every class. My moto was coming up soon so I proceed to get suited up and go to the staging area. When I get there I go through my normal stretch and last minute check-over routine. What do I find? Aarghhhh a loose inner tie rod end! I run back to the trailer for tools and fix it to get back just in time for.....you guessed it....last gate pick.

So I line up and figure I'll just try and come out someplace towards the front considering where I'm at on the line. The boards come up, turn, ....and the gate drops! I get a good start and drag to the first left hander. I have the hole, just not the line that I need and get pushed out. I'm in second around the first turn with the big table and step-up coming up. I timed it out so that I would catch the Yammie in the moguls after the step. I jump the table, okay, I gas it for the step while closing the gap. Oh **it! The guy is hard on the brakes not going to jump the step-up! It's too late, I go way left and should be fine...no wait.. he cases it and goes.....left right back in my path. I did everything to avoid him, but we still end up coming together at the base of the landing. My front right wheel was lodged over his axle and into his foot basket. The moguls were coming up fast and I knew something better happen and fast or I would end up on my head. Still nothing, and as a last resort I figured as soon as we hit the moguls, I'm pinning it. So that was precisely what happened....and it worked! It threw me off the track and almost into the spectator fence before I was under control again. Through the whole ordeal I some how managed to stay on the gas as well. So I looked for a safe entry point and I'm right back beside the Yammie trying to see if there was any damage because this time..I had the line. We were coming up to the big tunnel jump and I figured what the ****? I'll either break away or break down. I hit it and wow does it throw you waaay up in the air! I landed and started breathing again and figured...okay, let's go!

So I was off on a basically uneventfull race after that. Michelle kept telling me to slow down the whole race and I thought she seen something wrong with the quad so I just kinda put it on cruise control to the finish line. At the end of Moto one I asked her what was wrong and she tells me " I didn't want you to tire yourself out ". Thanks babe, lol.
Moto two comes up and I finally get my first gate pick! lol I was a little upset after Moto 1 because I got the impression that I was being blamed for the contact in the first one. I knew that to get away from that, I just need a good start. So the board comes up...goes sideways...gate drops! I see a quad a few places down from me with a good start and right there with me. I stayed hard on the gas and knew that the inside line was mine! I took it and just hammered down over the table...hit the step-up....bounce outta control over the moguls..right hander hard on the gas shift 4th and get major air over the tunnel..okay I can look now. Nobody? I thought ....oh yea, I'm not amid the battles. And sure enough, that was what happened. Michelle said the next 4 guys were battling up to the tunnel jump and 2 let off and 2 went for it....side by side. A Cannondale and a 400EX. I guess they collided in mid-air and then on landing with the 400EX going end over end. I guess it shook everyone up because nobody but me jumped it after that. ( I didn't see it or I'm sure I would of had those thought as well). So although it was a bit of good fortune for me, it left me to a somewhat lonely race- just the way I like it!:usa

Thanks.:usa

awesome write up B! You Rock! Ballsy ridin man!

Thanks alot. I even met a fellow Daler from the board - JST. Nice guy, but I couldn't talk long, there was riding to do!

Thanks for the good report.:clap: Helluva job in the race!

Nice description! Great job!