Post by Wait4me on Feb 19, 2007 10:51:54 GMT -6
Pope Creek was wild and intimidating for this newbie rider. I have never ridden those type of obstacles in any condition so to add the snow, ice, water, mud, race anxiety, temperature and a host of other factors makes my involvement almost surreal. I was humbled by the experience.
After taking a morning practice lap and getting REALLY stuck many times (THANKS again UBN and I am sorry), almost flying over my handlebars on a double drop onto the frozen creek, and going up inclines that scared the heck outta me.......I rode back to my truck to back out of the race. I won't lie, I was scared of what I just experienced. It was WAY more than anything I had tried to do before and I just didn't have the riding knowledge to conquer it. Then I talked to my girl on the phone who said her and Austin were coming to watch me. I had talked so much about racing this thing, I was torn between fear and pride.
I took the opportunity to do another practice lap after the motorcycles were finished racing to see if the hills were cleared and to see if I still had the "nuts" that I had when I was younger. I faced the track a second time and had "less" trouble.
They made a new class for the ATV riders that was for women and beginners. I didn't like Shezuki being in my class just because she was a girl; she is female but is not a beginner in any way! That was sexist and another person to beat me in my newly-formed beginner class. Oh well, I just wanted to beat somebody........anybody.
I took the reverse-holeshot and got in line second to last off the start. I kept hearing Ubn's advice in my head........."just stay consistent". I slowed down often, faced the uphills without hesitating this time and bounced off logs like they were meant to be tagged like a childhood game. I was doing pretty good considering the track. Then I saw Shezuki sitting on her new ride pointing to a back tire that had been completely spun off the bead. She's out?! I felt terrible, I really did, but I liked my odds of finishing higher on the list. I didn't get stuck at all on my first lap, it felt almost magical. Starting my second lap around, I saw Darth AND Mothership stuck in a snowbank! What is going on? I could really finish good here if I keep that consistency going. Alittle later, there was piglet limping his ride around the track.....he had played chicken with a tree and lost. Another one drops down the finish list. I started to get excited about my performance (and there was a good rider behind me waiting for a place to pass) so I kicked my speed up and flew right into a tree myself. I really banged up my beautiful new red bumper and then was smacked into my the guy behind me. Somewhere along the way, I had broken my right handguard completely off also. Now Mother and Darth had caught up and somewhere Darth went by me (I didn't know what she was wearing), but Mother stuck to me for awhile.
The last lap came and I really thought I was going to place high for the beginner class!! I didn't get stuck at all, and the tree incident was just a short delay. All through my last lap, Mother was pushing me, waiting to make her move....I even pointed this out to Shezuki as we passed her on the back straightaway.....maybe hoping Shezuki would run over and do a flying tackle on Mothership so I could enjoy alittle success this day. Mothership made me very nervous and I pushed my riding speed.....forgetting that consistency had got me this far and would take me to a good finish. I turned into that backside hillclimb, and for the first time during the actual race........I got completely, I mean COMPLETELY stuck. D@mn it!!!! I tried to get going while Mothership just waited...and I tried to get pushed out, tried to wiggle, tried to do anything.......and people started lining up down the hill......and they were getting anxious. I pushed my quad off to the side and started helping others who I had gotten stuck waiting for me. I was able to help Ubn get back in the race, returning the favor he did for me in practice. Mothership went by with the rest, but I didn't know she got held again near the top by another racer. I had finally got going and took the side route so I didn't she her. I finished the race and was very proud of facing the track...and myself...
I was tired, hands didn't grip so well anymore....legs didn't take the whoops very well, and my arms didn't turn sharp like they did at the start. My quad was beat up, broken up and I still don't know if my steering is screwed up. With the TBlazer sitting in my heated shop all night, there is still 4+ inches of snow in the front end.
I never rode at Pope Creek before and never faced those type of obstacles before. It was scary for me. I walked away and my quad does still drive and run like a beast. I had NO idea what I was in for, and I have a HUGE amount of respect for all of you who raced.
Ubnpast, I keep seeing the "nice guy"-side of you which is contrary to what you are supposedly like. You are all right with me.
Weck, I truly hope you didn't break anything and I was sorry to hear of your wreck. I admire your drive and courage, especially on such a powerful quad.
Darth, you are never talked about in the competitive discussions and I am sure you prefer that. You were the "sleeper" of the 3 ladies and I will never overlook your presence when the flag drops. Great job!
Shezuki, I honestly believe you were robbed. You have 'mad' skills and would have placed in the regular class, let alone in the beginner one. I did feel bad for your tire problem too. At least you didn't smash up your new quad at some other point!
Mothership, it was my pleasure to race with you. I do think we were pretty well matched during most of it, but you had me at the end if no one was in your way. You were also an inspiration to me when I was thinking about backing out. You are a class act.
Piglet, I know you had me smoked the whole race too. 4 wheel drive was a big help but the size and weight were a big issue too. I hope your front-end damage isn't as bad as it seemed to be. It was great to hang out and ride with you.
The rest of the members, Conratulations to all of you! I don't know everybody but everybody I was around was really cool. I loved the comaradiere and fun you all brought to the event. I look forward to interacting with everybody in the future.
I don't know if I'd want to repeat the race as I believe I came away about as cleanly as I could have hoped. I truly thought I was going to get hurt and going through with it anyway made me feel very proud. I know many of you are experienced and may not understand my reservations but believe me, I was WAY out of my league at this race. I just haven't ridden anything so technical or diverse ever! Facing real challenges like that all at once with the bad elements added on top was a gut check. Thank you all for letting me be a part of the experience.
Lastly, Mothership..... you had me beat fair and square and I know that. I don't know if they missed counting a lap for you or if you were held up that long on the top of that uphill, but you beat me. I won't give up the trophy because my boy Austin thought it was soooo cool and put it on HIS dresser! I do want another chance to meet you out on a course though, one without a frozen hillclimb if possible. Yes, I did "get passed by a Grandma".
I don't know how many were in the Beginner's Class, but I finished 5th. I didn't believe it when they called my name and I still wonder if there was a mistake. Oh well, I learned so much and faced my own doubts so just finishing was a BIG WIN!! I didn't finish last, who would of thought..............
After taking a morning practice lap and getting REALLY stuck many times (THANKS again UBN and I am sorry), almost flying over my handlebars on a double drop onto the frozen creek, and going up inclines that scared the heck outta me.......I rode back to my truck to back out of the race. I won't lie, I was scared of what I just experienced. It was WAY more than anything I had tried to do before and I just didn't have the riding knowledge to conquer it. Then I talked to my girl on the phone who said her and Austin were coming to watch me. I had talked so much about racing this thing, I was torn between fear and pride.
I took the opportunity to do another practice lap after the motorcycles were finished racing to see if the hills were cleared and to see if I still had the "nuts" that I had when I was younger. I faced the track a second time and had "less" trouble.
They made a new class for the ATV riders that was for women and beginners. I didn't like Shezuki being in my class just because she was a girl; she is female but is not a beginner in any way! That was sexist and another person to beat me in my newly-formed beginner class. Oh well, I just wanted to beat somebody........anybody.
I took the reverse-holeshot and got in line second to last off the start. I kept hearing Ubn's advice in my head........."just stay consistent". I slowed down often, faced the uphills without hesitating this time and bounced off logs like they were meant to be tagged like a childhood game. I was doing pretty good considering the track. Then I saw Shezuki sitting on her new ride pointing to a back tire that had been completely spun off the bead. She's out?! I felt terrible, I really did, but I liked my odds of finishing higher on the list. I didn't get stuck at all on my first lap, it felt almost magical. Starting my second lap around, I saw Darth AND Mothership stuck in a snowbank! What is going on? I could really finish good here if I keep that consistency going. Alittle later, there was piglet limping his ride around the track.....he had played chicken with a tree and lost. Another one drops down the finish list. I started to get excited about my performance (and there was a good rider behind me waiting for a place to pass) so I kicked my speed up and flew right into a tree myself. I really banged up my beautiful new red bumper and then was smacked into my the guy behind me. Somewhere along the way, I had broken my right handguard completely off also. Now Mother and Darth had caught up and somewhere Darth went by me (I didn't know what she was wearing), but Mother stuck to me for awhile.
The last lap came and I really thought I was going to place high for the beginner class!! I didn't get stuck at all, and the tree incident was just a short delay. All through my last lap, Mother was pushing me, waiting to make her move....I even pointed this out to Shezuki as we passed her on the back straightaway.....maybe hoping Shezuki would run over and do a flying tackle on Mothership so I could enjoy alittle success this day. Mothership made me very nervous and I pushed my riding speed.....forgetting that consistency had got me this far and would take me to a good finish. I turned into that backside hillclimb, and for the first time during the actual race........I got completely, I mean COMPLETELY stuck. D@mn it!!!! I tried to get going while Mothership just waited...and I tried to get pushed out, tried to wiggle, tried to do anything.......and people started lining up down the hill......and they were getting anxious. I pushed my quad off to the side and started helping others who I had gotten stuck waiting for me. I was able to help Ubn get back in the race, returning the favor he did for me in practice. Mothership went by with the rest, but I didn't know she got held again near the top by another racer. I had finally got going and took the side route so I didn't she her. I finished the race and was very proud of facing the track...and myself...
I was tired, hands didn't grip so well anymore....legs didn't take the whoops very well, and my arms didn't turn sharp like they did at the start. My quad was beat up, broken up and I still don't know if my steering is screwed up. With the TBlazer sitting in my heated shop all night, there is still 4+ inches of snow in the front end.
I never rode at Pope Creek before and never faced those type of obstacles before. It was scary for me. I walked away and my quad does still drive and run like a beast. I had NO idea what I was in for, and I have a HUGE amount of respect for all of you who raced.
Ubnpast, I keep seeing the "nice guy"-side of you which is contrary to what you are supposedly like. You are all right with me.
Weck, I truly hope you didn't break anything and I was sorry to hear of your wreck. I admire your drive and courage, especially on such a powerful quad.
Darth, you are never talked about in the competitive discussions and I am sure you prefer that. You were the "sleeper" of the 3 ladies and I will never overlook your presence when the flag drops. Great job!
Shezuki, I honestly believe you were robbed. You have 'mad' skills and would have placed in the regular class, let alone in the beginner one. I did feel bad for your tire problem too. At least you didn't smash up your new quad at some other point!
Mothership, it was my pleasure to race with you. I do think we were pretty well matched during most of it, but you had me at the end if no one was in your way. You were also an inspiration to me when I was thinking about backing out. You are a class act.
Piglet, I know you had me smoked the whole race too. 4 wheel drive was a big help but the size and weight were a big issue too. I hope your front-end damage isn't as bad as it seemed to be. It was great to hang out and ride with you.
The rest of the members, Conratulations to all of you! I don't know everybody but everybody I was around was really cool. I loved the comaradiere and fun you all brought to the event. I look forward to interacting with everybody in the future.
I don't know if I'd want to repeat the race as I believe I came away about as cleanly as I could have hoped. I truly thought I was going to get hurt and going through with it anyway made me feel very proud. I know many of you are experienced and may not understand my reservations but believe me, I was WAY out of my league at this race. I just haven't ridden anything so technical or diverse ever! Facing real challenges like that all at once with the bad elements added on top was a gut check. Thank you all for letting me be a part of the experience.
Lastly, Mothership..... you had me beat fair and square and I know that. I don't know if they missed counting a lap for you or if you were held up that long on the top of that uphill, but you beat me. I won't give up the trophy because my boy Austin thought it was soooo cool and put it on HIS dresser! I do want another chance to meet you out on a course though, one without a frozen hillclimb if possible. Yes, I did "get passed by a Grandma".
I don't know how many were in the Beginner's Class, but I finished 5th. I didn't believe it when they called my name and I still wonder if there was a mistake. Oh well, I learned so much and faced my own doubts so just finishing was a BIG WIN!! I didn't finish last, who would of thought..............
Sorry about tailgating, I HOPE I DIDN'T MESS UP YOUR QUAD TO BAD. Guess I was not ready for a complete stop.