As Joe points out in his latest entry, it’s the off season here in WI. With unseasonably dry weather and warm temperatures we could have been riding or racing but I didn’t plan for that so it hasn’t happened. I can say that I’m bummed that I haven’t been riding because this time of year I usually feel a little burnt out.
Joe listed some pros and cons to his year in his recent post and I liked the idea so much I thought I’d do the same.
The Great:
- My bike. Suzuki’s 250 four stroke is at home in the woods. It turns well and has easy to manage power, no matter how fast or slow you go or how fatigued you feel.
- Factory Connection suspension. It really is the best and the guys FC tech support crew are second to none.
- Moose Racing Sahara gear. I come from years of riding bicycles were technical clothing can play an important role in how well you perform. Until now I thought moto gear was in the stone ages. The Sahara line is hard to beat in terms of keeping me cool and comfy during my ride.
- Bell helmets – there’s nothing as light that vents as well as a Bell.
- AJ and Victory Circle Graphix. Kings of Custom indeed.
- I had some good results during the year and a decent overall in the D16 series.
Needs Work:
- I’d like to do a few more races. My fitness and skill set stay much sharper if I race more often.
- The disconnect between D16 and WIXC. No one is winning when there are two competing series here in WI. Both series can exist if they just cooperate and don’t overlap schedules.
- My bike. It’s still a total wreck after the demolition job I did at the Ironman GNCC. The mud there is corrosive.
- Going faster for longer. I’ve been able to up my race pace over the past few years but it feels like it comes in spurts during the race. I can have a fast 2nd lap and a fast last lap but there are often laps in the middle where I slow or lose focus or tire or something. I can do better.
Joe and I are planning to do the December OMA event near Nashville in a few weeks. It’s been a long time since I’ve done a Bill Gusse race. Looking forward to the nastiness of it all. That will be the last time I ride off road until our February ride camp someplace down south. February is just about forever from now but I need the break. More on our trip to Nashville soon.
