I’m worked over. We’re in the van driving west on I-70 and will be for the next several hours as we make our way home. We’ll stop at a cheapie hotel somewhere later tonight for a shower, Internet interaction and some Zs. Can’t happen soon enough.
Cross another off the list. The Powerline Park GNCC is in my portfolio. It lived up to its reputation as dusty and hilly. Some rain would have made it ideal but as it was, Joe and I both thoroughly enjoyed our time this weekend.
Actually, there were some lows. We are so tired of delayed starts. Today it was pushed back 30 minutes and that time came and went. I assume some sort of unsafe condition exists to push the time back but it happens every event. I also was unhappy with how my clutch felt so I replaced a few parts and got it up to snuff. Nothing like having your engine bits spread out in a dusty field just before the big race, a race you drove forever to get to and spent lots of cash to make happen. Duh.
The clutch problem is on the other side (I do know that much) but I was thinking about something on this side for some reason.
It was warm today so sitting on the starting line was rough. I had to pee too but I held it in this time. Five-time GNCC Champ Scott Summers was way to my left and series 2nd overall (and good guy) Phil Smith was to my immediate left. Matt was on the row in front of me so Carley sent him on his way then came back to say good luck and pick up the 4×4” wood start block I opted to use this time around. Joe’s wave is behind me so Carley ran it back to him.
Ready as I'll ever be.
After learning from the quad races yesterday that the dust would be a huge hindrance off the start if you were any farther back than 3rd position, I made a big effort to get my start right. I managed to get the holeshot and lead for the first several turns before slowing too much when we drove into a wooded section. Summers came across in front of me and I was lost in a cloud of dust. Several sections of the course had dirt with the same consistency and traction of baking flour. You could have been a ballerina on that trail and still stirred up too much dust to see the trail.
That's me getting the holeshot!
Two other riders got by me in that section too. But I’m proud to recall that I had already made my mental switch to smooth and steady mode, despite being at the business end of the race from the get go. I mellowed and followed the best I could. A few turns later and there was Summers flamed out sitting on the side of the trail. He passed me back later in the first lap.
It was a 13 mile loop. Some of that loop was completely virgin at the start of our race. I like that aspect of GNCC racing – the introduction of something that none of the riders would have had any opportunity to see before seeing the orange arrow point you off into the woods.
There was also, according to how Joe and I reminisced after the race, three creekbed sections that gave us both fits. The first was 6-8 feet wide and littered with big flat, wet rock. The liquid on the floor of the creek was grey like cement mix, stunk and was the consistency of pancake batter. I totally ate shit in this section in the middle of the race when my front end washed out. The bars were ripped from my hands and I landed on my back on top of the bike. Several nearby beer holding onlookers cheered when I hit the deck with a plop.
Back to the first lap. I was dismayed to be riding alone for so much of it. Long loops and fast, unpredictable terrain spread us out pretty quickly. My first lap had me in 5th when I saw the marquee at the scoring tent. I was okay with that since the race would be a long one and my fitness has improved.
When I did catch someone or get passed by a big talent the dust was paralyzing. Several times during the race I recall realizing how fast I was going and the only tangible thing in front of me was tan fog.
My rhythm joined me for the second lap. I had stopped for fuel and a drink and still moved up to 3rd position. Early in the lap there was a monster mud hole that had a dry alternate line that added a ton of time but was easy as. The mud hole was daunting but I managed to get across it twice with minimal issue. The other 3 times during the race when I came to that section I choked. Not sure why I had no confidence to pull off what I had done the other two laps.
Here's where I choked 3 of 5 times. Those puddles ate bikes whole.
Remember those three creek sections Joe and I discussed? The second was down a broad creek with running water and big puddles. There was lots of traction and multiple lines to choose from. I found a line on the left side near the end of the section that was working for me but on the 3rd lap my line was gone. The reason I didn’t know it was gone was because it was under 2 feet of water. I rode into the puddle the same way I had the previous times but my bike submarined to a halt and the engine bogged. I was buried and my bike sounded like it had taken on water. Two kids helped me get out and I kicked and kicked while starting to feel like my race was over. But then it acted like there was life and finally fired. Not sure how long I was in that predicament but it cost me two positions and a ton of wasted energy.
Pitstop.
My 4th and last laps were uneventful other than I got one position back. I knew where not to go and what lines worked I wanted back into the top 3 but it was not to be. With the dry conditions the course got choppy on the last lap. My hands are beat up more than normal. Late in my 4th lap Josh Strang caught me and passed me on the outside in a soft berm. Other riders I had encountered during the race had kicked up blinding dust but Josh threw up a curtain of soil that when I passed through rained down on me like a dirt waterfall. Those guys are so stinking fast. After the race we stopped by to thank Shane for all the support and saw all the factory RMZ450 bikes in front of their hauler. Mullens’ and Strang’s bikes were missing 40% of the knobs on the rear tires. Whibley’s rear tire was largely in tact. Whibley won the race and managed to conserve his tire. Awesome.
All in all it was a good day. Joe and I also agreed this was one of the more enjoyable courses we’ve done this year. The rolling terrain, mushy creeks and dust curtains were new to us and that’s what this entire season has been about – experience new stuff. My Everything hurts now and I have a cut on my wrist from when I landed on my bike in the creek. My RM250 needs some TLC after being field serviced for three consecutive races. All that well be taken care of between now and the Ironman in Crawfordsville. See you there.
