RR: fontana nationals

[jfromlv]

I already posted about the Incycle team, so I'll take a shot at my own RR.
Took my trailer out on Thursday around 12 noon, couldn't believe how many campers were already there, my bro had scoped out a spot, got it all situated, and went to registration.

Practice started at 1, did 3 runs, no major problems. I was really pleased with the course, rocky and technical. I had heard all these rumors about how lame the course was going to be, all proved to be untrue, I'm glad I didn't pay too much attention to the rumors. Thursday practice was especially fun since we got to practice with the Pro's. One of the guys on the team stayed in my trailer that night, I had to get back home and go to class Thursday night.

Friday, picked up SkylerTyler, and we arrived at Southridge around 11. Practice started at 12, did 3 more runs. Took some time on runs 1 and 2, looking at different lines, sessioning a couple sections. For some reason, I really don't like sessioning sections, just my own personal thing, but I did it anyways, since the others wanted to. My third run, I tried to go race speed, especially on the pedalling, to see if I could still attack the rocks after pedalling hard. All went good, most of the team had showed up, beginners and sports went out for their practice, while we got ready for a BBQ at the trailer. Sang Happy BDay to Lola, oops, I mean, Lala, gave out some swag to the team, and ate a bunch of food. Around 9 pm, went on a short night ride with some of the team, lots of fun! Stayed up too late, watching bike vids, wishing I could ride like Peaty.
Woke up at 5:30 on Saturday, and hiked up the hill to walk the course. Man, the course had already taken a beating, holes were 8-12" deep, with about 3 or 4" of powder sitting in them, just how I like it. Practice started at 7, I didn't get out there until 8, did 2 quick runs, and I was ready to race.

Race run went really good, no major mistakes, lots of people yelling, which is always cool. Nothing like hearing Justin yell Big Head when you're in the middle of your race run! Got to the wall and just wanted to sit down, sat down for about 4 pedal strokes before I got mad at myself, clicked up a gear and stood up. Got to the finish and they announced that I was sitting in the lead! Couple more guys in my class came down, they were about 15 seconds off my time. Lor came down, 3 seconds behind my time, and good enough for 3rd place, I couldn't believe that I had won!

Right after my class was the Expert 40-44, which my brother and another guy from the team race, so I hung out to watch their finishes. Bro got 3rd, and the other guy, Terry, got 2nd. Another teammate got 5th in my class, Expert 35-39, so we had 5 Incycle riders on the podium! Went home again Saturday night, as I was not planning on racing the CA State race on Sunday.

Sunday, went to church, and a church picnic afterwards, got home around 1 and my wife asks, do you want to go race? I make a phone call to bro Joe, who is at the races, to see if he can go sign me up, no such luck, so I give Donny a call, and he adds me to the list, but says I will be going dead last. Whatever, I'm racing!

Make a bee line out there, get changed, oh, the odor coming from my trailer after 6 guys staying in it! Got half a practice run in, and pushed up with my wife and daughter to watch the Pro's go. Watched my class go, kinda fun to yell at the guys, was bummed when I saw Dan (ManBlongGua) crash in the rocks, but it looked like he got up quickly. He's been racing really well, and I really was bummed to see him crash, even though he is in the same class. Pushed to the top, and waited for what seemed an eternity. Finally, it's time to go, and there are about 20 of us that got added on, some Jr. Expert kid behind asks me if I could move out of his way when he catches me. I rolled my eyes at him, and told him he would only catch me if I crashed, and in that case, I would gladly move out of the way. Took off, and they had the Expert course taped off! So I went through the tape, hoping it wouldn't wrap around a wheel. No tape wrapped up, but lots of little mistakes, tried to make myself take a deep breath and relax. Pretty much blew the last corner coming out of the upper rocks, but got on the pedals pretty good, despite having some wind to deal with. Pedaled hard at the wall, ran time of 2:51, 5 seconds slower than my National run, but 5 seconds faster than the kid behind me! Ended up second, everyones times seemed like they were about 5 seconds slower than the previous days. Course chewed up and wind I think played a big part in that. Great weekend of racing makes for a very lengthy RR.

[SchwinnStr8]

Originally Posted by pmortuary

So some of you may remember my results from the WS finals. (look i bounce) http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...CF0446_NEW.flvcrashed after the middle rockgarden.

But after some chill pills and relaxation I decided to run my own race and get across the finish line rubber down. Well I did better then that I got 2nd in beg men 19-26(in the grey) Thanks to dirtymike and the DH bastards (Lin in Al) for the warm greetings and support.

Thanks for posting the vid again. Funny how the DHBastards fan club was there to help you out after your crash.

It was nice to meet you too! CONGRATS on the podium!

See ya at the next one!

[davidB]

unbeknownst to me, my girlfriend snapped 30 pics or so of the start on sunday morning. Mostly of the sport/beginner men, but the highlight of her day was watching the kids take off. If anyone knows who any of these kids belong to, i'd like to send their parents these pictures somehow

[allison]

Originally Posted by davidB

unbeknownst to me, my girlfriend snapped 30 pics or so of the start on sunday morning. Mostly of the sport/beginner men, but the highlight of her day was watching the kids take off. If anyone knows who any of these kids belong to, i'd like to send their parents these pictures somehow

So cute!

If she wants to offer them up maybe email the Team Big Bear with them attached and see if they can add them to their site.

[Sharky]

Just going to post a few pics as I get the albums in.
Motorcycle demo at Nationals
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/dirthippie2008/Nationals%20motorcycle%20%20display/
Pro XC race
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ionals%203-29/


Kevin Smallman




Motorcycles Video

[sdyeti]

Bueller? Bueller?

Any XC sport race photos out there?

Thanks

[allison]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Bueller? Bueller?

Any XC sport race photos out there?

Thanks

Just the 4-5 that Justin took.

[b5driver]

Having never been up to Fontucky I have a new appreciation for what you guys are able to do after watching this video.

http://www.yeticycles.com/#/videovault/

Nice job everyone.

[Sharky]

A few Saturday DH practice shots:
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/dirthippie2008/DH%20practice%203-29-08/

Kevin Anderson

Adrain Foesnasty

DHMike

Justin (Mechman)

Allison

Lil Willie



Ricky's new toy!

[Foesnasty]

Sharky...thats Kevin and me... not tyler and frank.... just a little FYI

[Sharky]

http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/dirthippie2008/4X%20nationals%203-28/
Some of Fridays 4X practice/race

Our own Bob Burnes rocked it out there!!

Courtesy of Tyler Skyler

BigHouse

Mike Cousimano

My 4x guru Dale Holmes

Some familiar faces in the gallery

[Sharky]

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/sho...26#post2891726
Heather put up a few more from Sunday I really look forward to their posts after the races AND I saw with my own eyes....HEATHER took these so Orven you can't claim credit!!!
Also check out the wonder boy Dylan Dean's
Each one you click on this page has a number of photos within.
http://dylandean.smugmug.com/PRO%20MTB%20Photography/491718

BTW Bob Burn's Division 26 site is now up check it out.

[heatherz]

Originally Posted by Sharky

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/sho...26#post2891726
Heather put up a few more from Sunday I really look forward to their posts after the races AND I saw with my own eyes....HEATHER took these so Orven you can't claim credit!!!
Also check out the wonder boy Dylan Dean's
Each one you click on this page has a number of photos within.
http://dylandean.smugmug.com/PRO%20M...ography/491718

BTW Bob Burn's Division 26 site is now up check it out.

Thanks Sharky! It's always fun to hang out with you at the races. See you at Sea Otter?

[allison]

Little late to the party, but I finally put together a short vid of the 3 clips we took over the weekend. Two from my XC race courtesy of Justin and then his Cal State DH race Sunday afternoon.

I'm third in the first clip; you can hear me encouraging the riders to keep pedaling

Not sure where Justin expected me to pass, though

Second video, he thought I was in second to the Sport woman who had the fastest time, but she was in the next age group up. FWIW, I did pass all those guys before the singletrack. But, then I endo'd.



We are quite the bunch of yellers, no?

[Bullcrew]

Good pics people, Sea Hamster is in full effect in a few days! Wahoo new ride and a big venue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!