2013 Desert 100 Race

[Wild_Alaskan]

I'm going to try it again, hopefully I will redeem myself from the DNF I got last time :wink: Still have a scar from that.

Anyone else want to join in? Its April 7th in Odessa, Washington

http://stumpjumpers.org/desert100/

Some pictures from last year

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/Facebook/Dez%20100/546456_355349427833575_1358792957_n.jpg

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/Facebook/Dez%20100/404015_355349547833563_1956877662_n.jpg

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/Facebook/Dez%20100/544387_355440294491155_1399475735_n.jpg

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/Facebook/Dez%20100/485934_484608548240995_415686886_n.jpg

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/Facebook/Dez%20100/404092_355349574500227_1279985706_n.jpg

[FastDoc]

Roger and I did the D/S ride there two years ago but we skipped last year due to very unusual crappy weather. If it's decent we may go, but we were not planning on the race. We are just old bastards on dirt bikes, WA. :P We'd get run over from behind!

[Wild_Alaskan]

even if you aren't planning on the race portion it would be cool to meet up!

[FastDoc]

Amen. Although I am seriously considering the race! 8O

I'm in good shape and this would be an incentive to get into great shape, there is still time. Plus I have a competitive bike, and I'm a decent rider although I don't ride very fast and have never been in a dirt bike race.

It sorta is on my bucket list and at 48 I'm not getting any younger. :wink:

I'd just want to finish, and finish on an undamaged bike with an undamaged body. If you and Roger can do the same I'd call that a victory. 8)

I will talk to Roger... :D

[katoranger]

Finishing at the back of the pack is sometimes more fun.

[FastDoc]

Very dusty there. :lol:

[Wild_Alaskan]

benefit of last years weather was no dust! But a lot of mud! Yeah you should definitely try the race. Its a great experience nothing on the course isn't very difficult just lots of whoops if you use the center line.

[katoranger]

Dusty in the middle too.

[FastDoc]

I'll take dust over mud... :roll:

How many miles is the course and how many laps? How far does a tank of gas need to go? Are there jumps like a motocross track or is more of an enduro format? My plated YZ400F is a purebred motocrosser. Very powerful and with a racing suspension and seat. Would an enduro or a soft bike like my KLX be better?

[Wild_Alaskan]

It is two 50 mile laps, you can pit after the fist lap, and can also carry fuel if needed. There arent really any jumps, definitely more enduro format most difficult parts are very mild hillclimbs. There are typically about three parallel tracks along the course that weave in and out of each other so alot of the race is choosing which line to take because some of them are really whooped out while others might get rocky or narrow. the center line is usually the most direct but is also the most whooped out.

Which bike you take would probably mostly depend on how aggressively you think you can ride the 100 miles. If your pretty sure your going to be sitting the last 75 miles the bike with the soft seat might end up more comfortable. If you can ride somewhat aggressively the stiffer suspension of the motocross bike will probably deal with the whoops a little better.

If possible you could bring both and test ride the track a bit on Saturday and see which one feels better to you.

[FastDoc]

Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards the YZ. It's a racebike and this is a race. It deserves to go, plus it would give me an advantage.

I think I can race it 100 miles, once. Then I'll eat Advils for a week and good to go. :P

I think it's all about physical condition. I can do this...

Looking at some pics talking myself into it....

This is good riding and typical of my local area and conditions I am used to.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_9169-X2_zps2c535994.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_9127-X2_zpsd5e46353.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_3086-X2_zps3e7b282a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_2041-L_zps0ad69f42.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_1966-X2_zps0e80bbc0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_1020-M_zpse6e9e9c5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_0724-X2_zpsef34f14f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_0413-X2_zpsdbfe535c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/628855220_imgp1631-M_zps7c58a6aa.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/2820972_8434b575ab_o-L_zps96d22873.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/2011D100PokerRun_MiniRaceB20233-X2_zps18788872.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/200920Frostbite20076-X2_zps0761cd41.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/winter%202012/IMG_9670-M_zps7bea1c05.jpg

[FastDoc]

Note, I did not post any of the multiple pics on the website showing crashed and battered riders and machines..... :cry:

[Wild_Alaskan]

heres some pretty good video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcbc9j3DeQA

[katoranger]

Positive images only. I think it would be wise to take the YZ if you plan to try and be competitive. Competition is not my thing. The dual sport ride sounds better to me.

[FastDoc]

We did the D/S ride and it was great two years ago. We may still decide to go that route. :D

Correct me if I'm wrong, WA, but not all riders in the race are racers or racing? There has got to be a bunch of old bastards like myself chipping away at their bucket list. :lol:

There were many images on the website of some pretty uncomfortable looking crashes I chose to ignore... :cry:

[FastDoc]

I watched your video, WA, thank you very much. :)

Roger and I are very used to that type of terrain, and I think we can do about 3/4 of that speed in the faster sections, and about 90% in the slower sections. Lots of rocks, lots of chances to get faced...
8O
The biggest concern would be getting run over from behind...

[katoranger]

You don't want to become a YZ speedbump.

[FastDoc]

That would be easy to do. That's my concern. I can do the course, but can I keep out of the way of genuine racers? :cry:

[Wild_Alaskan]

there are definitely lots of people that just ride to finish. the slow times are in the 7 hour range or about 15 mph average speed :wink:

[Wild_Alaskan]

they wont have a problem getting around you the usable track is pretty wide. i rode 20 miles in first gear after my crash and didn't have any problems and i was getting lapped by the fast guys

[FastDoc]

WA, Please remind me what happened to you last year. :cry:

[katoranger]

there are definitely lots of people that just ride to finish. the slow times are in the 7 hour range or about 15 mph average speed :wink:

I think I could do that.

[Wild_Alaskan]

Basically I was hauling asss through some whoops and there was a loose soccer ball sized rock that had gotten knocked in to the middle of the trail. I didn't see it till too late since it was in the low part of the whoop and i hit it with my front wheel and it knocked my wheel about a foot to the left and got really crossed up. Not sure exactly what happened after that but I ended up with a scar from the foot brake of my bike on my left leg and a tweaked wrist from going through the bark buster.

I sat out for about an hour before very slowly finishing my first lap.

[FastDoc]

:cry:

I can see how easily that could happen. It indeed looks like a rocky course.

[FastDoc]

OK.

Roger and I talked it over.

Whereas I reserve the right to change my mind, WE ARE IN!!!! :P

We are going to race!!!! :D

We are taking to some of our riding buddies to see if they want to go also. We are thinking of renting or borrowing an RV.

[Weldangrind]

Doc, I thought you might say that it's time to revive the old guy DS ride portion of the event. It's cool that you intend to enter the race. 8)

[katoranger]

http://www.mmaplayground.com/forums/i/pi/667125_1.gif

[Wild_Alaskan]

OK.

Roger and I talked it over.

Whereas I reserve the right to change my mind, WE ARE IN!!!! :P

We are going to race!!!! :D

We are taking to some of our riding buddies to see if they want to go also. We are thinking of renting or borrowing an RV.

cool! should be fun!

[FastDoc]

I think the D/S ride is a different day than the race. If that is the case we may enjoy both. :D

I look forward to meeting you, WA. I look forward to our first beer together. :P

[SpudRider]

http://www.mmaplayground.com/forums/i/pi/667125_1.gif
To be continued...

Spud :)

[Weldangrind]

It looks like the DS ride is the same weekend. Are you gonna try to do both rides Doc?

[FastDoc]

That is the plan Weld. Are you and SOWAG in?

The only caveat for me is I will wimp out if it rains again. With that said rain is not likley in April.

[FastDoc]

http://www.mmaplayground.com/forums/i/pi/667125_1.gif
To be continued...

Spud :)

Is that Spud's way of saying, "I'm in!" :?:

[SpudRider]

http://www.mmaplayground.com/forums/i/pi/667125_1.gif
To be continued...

Spud :)

Is that Spud's way of saying, "I'm in!" :?:
No, that's my way of saying "I'm subscribed." :lol: It's a long ride to Docville and back. Plus, I don't trust the weather in April, especially when a long, 2-day ride is involved. ;) However, I wish you and Roger the best of luck, Doc! :D

Spud :)

[Weldangrind]

That is the plan Weld. Are you and SOWAG in?

The only caveat for me is I will wimp out if it rains again. With that said rain is not likley in April.

I'd have a fair amount of work to do between now and then, but there's hope. There is always hope.

[FastDoc]

I'll hope with you. If not this ride hopefully we will ride together sometime this summer. :D

[zingshoen]

doc, i think you can do it, and you ve got good judgment. the guys (+ women?) who do top times probably know the course very very well. i suspect that, like me, many of the folks who read this forums are not impressed by speed, but by photos. do you have a helmet cam?

[FastDoc]

I spoke with Wild Alaskan. He assured me that there ane many people just along for the ride towards the back, and the leaders tear across the desert at 80 MPH and I won't see them until they lap me. I won't get lapped more than once because its only 2 laps, 50 miles each loop.

No helmet cam. I'm not tech/computer savy/motivated. Plus I don't want my embarassing crash on You Tube. :roll:

[Wild_Alaskan]

they probably wont lap you unless you spend a lot of time on the ground. :lol:

I will also try and turn on my helmet cam this year before the race starts :wink:

[FastDoc]

Start out with the camera pointed back. That way you can see me and Roger disappear into the distance. :lol:

[Wild_Alaskan]

1 more week! I will be taking the 450exc and the 380exc, hope to see you there!

[katoranger]

http://www.mmaplayground.com/forums/i/pi/667125_1.gif

Will be waiting for the pictures.

[FastDoc]

We will be there. :D

Roger and I will will be bringing out friends Andy and John.

Andy will be competing on his KLX250S. He's a good enough rider to actually be competitive on a mild D/S. John will be on his plated XR400. He's an accomplished rider also. Roger and I will be on our motocrossers, a plated YZF and KXF respectively.

We have been training for months. I doubled my exercise program and added running and more bicycle riding. I also installed a Vapor on the YZF.

Pray for good weather. We have had a beautiful mild winter and a warm sunny spring, but record global warming is in the long range forcast for the weekend with highs in the low 60's and a 30% chance of showers and 15 MPH winds :x . This would be very unusually cold weather this time of year. :cry:

To be honest I'm hoping for cooler temps and some wind. This will help those in back with the dust.

But I hate rain. I really hate mud. :evil:

[zingshoen]

good on ya guys! wildalaskan, hope your helmetcam is working still.

[Wild_Alaskan]

Ill be bringing one or two friends, I'll be on my 380 and my buddy on my 450. Cell phones don't always work that great out there so we will be in a blue 2003 silverado with alaska plates and will be camping.

Your training routine is alot better than mine, I just put 10 hours on the bike last weekend, that was my first riding of the year 8O

[FastDoc]

You are about 100 years younger than me WA. :P

My friends elected to stay at the Motel 6 in Moses Lake. I will text you the info when I know. I'm sure I'll find you at your campsite. We will be in a 1994 or so white F250 and an enclosed trailer.

[Wild_Alaskan]

heading out at 9:00 tomorrow should get there around three o clock pacific time

find me if the cell phone service is too poor

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/100_0104_zps0a38d0d2.jpg

[katoranger]

Beginning to wonder is WA made it back?

[Wild_Alaskan]

haha I almost forgot, I got swamped with classes and stuff since ive been back. so i haven't been able to update this.

First thing that happened was fastdoc canceled because he was concerned he wouldn't inhale enough dust during the race :P :P So once again it was just my friend joey and I.

The weather this year actually turned out to be perfect, it was sunny untiil the night before the race when it drizzled all night, the drizzle continued untill about 10 minutes after the race started so the track was damp but not muddy.

This was basically the first time on the bike for me since september, I also found that the power of the 380 is really not a good thing in an endurance race. The start went well and the race was going good untill I got taken out from behind at about mile 15 when there were about four other lines around me. Got about five more miles and have such bad arm pump i cant hardly hold my self up when im standing.

I watch an older guy destroy himself in one of the fast quad trail style sections, he probably flew 10 feet and broke the fall with his face. he hit so hard his goggles cut in to his face. I stopped and pulled his bike out of the trail and made sure he was doing ok. He said he was seeing double for a while but he would be able to continue on.

After about mile 40 my hands had locked on to the bars from the vibration, i pretty much didn't use the clutch or break from then on. I got passed by the two leaders right as i got to pit row, I think i ended up at 557thout of the 750 that finished as a 1 lap finish, oh well guess ill have to do it again next year to redeem myself for the past two years!

Oh yeah joey bailed at mile 25 due to a flat tire.

can you find me and joey?
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/558856_514851121883404_1376375150_n.jpg

joey on my 450
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/560079_514705585231291_141229793_n.jpg

It was dusty on saturday
http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/China%20Bike/100_0106_zpsa0e66fa5.jpg (http://s1154.photobucket.com/user/Sheridan_Joyce/media/China%20Bike/100_0106_zpsa0e66fa5.jpg.html)

Budget rig, we also didnt have steaks for the tent so it is tied to the truck and bikes
http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p531/Sheridan_Joyce/China%20Bike/100_0108_zpsfc0dbb1f.jpg (http://s1154.photobucket.com/user/Sheridan_Joyce/media/China%20Bike/100_0108_zpsfc0dbb1f.jpg.html)

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the update, WA. :) Also, thanks for stopping to help the "old guy" who did a face plant. We old guys need help every once in a while. ;)

Spud :)

[patrickzong]

that looks like so much fun!

[zingshoen]

no 3 and 4 in the first picture?

glad it went well, or at least much better than last time! great effort and a good result! :)

what kind of bike would you rather have ridden in this kind of race, what else would make it easier?

[Wild_Alaskan]

If you count heads im the 5th one back, joeys the orange bike near the front of the group on the right side of the photo

Maybe like an xr250 or something that wouldn't have wanted to go super fast all the time. the 380 is a great and fun bike but it was designed to race motocross open class against cr500s back in the day.

I would have probably done ok if I was in shape at all too.

[zingshoen]

yeah, that s what i meant of course, coz the fourth guy in the very back of the pic doesn t ride a ktm.

:)