So we both made it back in 1 piece from Mesquite, Nevada from our first Desert Race of the 2008 season!
I have 3 words for you: DEEP, WET, SAND!!!! UG!
RE-CAP:
Since we we showed up almost too-late (8:30 in the morning?!) I was super-rushed to get dressed, signed in, and on
the start line. By the time the flag was up, I hadn't even had time to warm up or think about what I was doing?! Since this is my 1st (participating) desert race, ever, it was probably a good thing I had to just get in and do it!
Our race (beginners) was roughly five 6 mile loops. The course was 1/2 motocross track and 1/2 tight twisted sand whoops, rock hills, and deep, slushy sandy flats. For the most part, you had to put it in a high gear and just keep it pinned, or else the front-end would dive and you'd sink and fall over in shin-deep sand. Ya, I learned that from the 1st loop.... after picking the bike up (no joke) like 28 times, I was freakin' exhausted. Me, and all the other "beginners" had a whole troop of sweepers to come find us, dig us out, and put us back in an up-right position... it was funny and frustrating!
I got some pretty bad bruises- one the size of a freakin' grape fruit on my right thigh where I hit a rock or my handle bars or something?! and I can barely move today~! LOL. I feel like I've done about 300 push-ups!
I placed 2nd overall in the Beginning Women's class this race - the girl that beat me is a seasoned rider, and from here on out will be referred to Tattoo Neck Girl (since she had a gnarly tat on the back of her neck and I spent most of the race looking at it, or burring my face in sand....) So, T.N. G. is officially my season arch-nemesis!
Here's a lil' diddy of the Chris' Amature Class race start - sorry the film is so wobbly:
I have 3 words for you: DEEP, WET, SAND!!!! UG!
RE-CAP:
Since we we showed up almost too-late (8:30 in the morning?!) I was super-rushed to get dressed, signed in, and on
the start line. By the time the flag was up, I hadn't even had time to warm up or think about what I was doing?! Since this is my 1st (participating) desert race, ever, it was probably a good thing I had to just get in and do it! Our race (beginners) was roughly five 6 mile loops. The course was 1/2 motocross track and 1/2 tight twisted sand whoops, rock hills, and deep, slushy sandy flats. For the most part, you had to put it in a high gear and just keep it pinned, or else the front-end would dive and you'd sink and fall over in shin-deep sand. Ya, I learned that from the 1st loop.... after picking the bike up (no joke) like 28 times, I was freakin' exhausted. Me, and all the other "beginners" had a whole troop of sweepers to come find us, dig us out, and put us back in an up-right position... it was funny and frustrating!
I got some pretty bad bruises- one the size of a freakin' grape fruit on my right thigh where I hit a rock or my handle bars or something?! and I can barely move today~! LOL. I feel like I've done about 300 push-ups! I placed 2nd overall in the Beginning Women's class this race - the girl that beat me is a seasoned rider, and from here on out will be referred to Tattoo Neck Girl (since she had a gnarly tat on the back of her neck and I spent most of the race looking at it, or burring my face in sand....) So, T.N. G. is officially my season arch-nemesis!
Here's a lil' diddy of the Chris' Amature Class race start - sorry the film is so wobbly:
Chris did wells too, though we're not sure yet how he placed overall, as they hadn't calculated places when we left. He'd moved up to the Amature class from the Novice, and the 
riders in this class are MUCH more refined! He said this is one of the only races he considered quitting mid-stream in. He was BEET red when he came across the finish and soaking wet with sweat! He has a bone-bruise on his right knee from hitting something as well!?!
riders in this class are MUCH more refined! He said this is one of the only races he considered quitting mid-stream in. He was BEET red when he came across the finish and soaking wet with sweat! He has a bone-bruise on his right knee from hitting something as well!?!But man, to watch those guys rush the start at 50 MPH, slide into a massive jump and then clear a triple- some of them hitting 15+ feet in the air- is UNBELIEVABLE!!! Again, the sand for these guys was so deep and slushy and hard to control that they all came in exhausted.
Many said this was the hardest race they've ever done in the Desert Racing Series. Good thing it was my 1st so I have nothing to compare it too!
It occurred to me, as I was cursing up a storm at one massive tumbleweed I was entrapped in, that I finally understand why this no-money, dirty, hot, dangerous sport is addicting and even - yes - "rewarding" : there are very few challenges in life that CONDENSE into one, brief, daunting OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE TO YOURSELF WHAT YOU ARE REALLY MADE OF based on inward commitment, will, endurance, and strength; experiences that lace you up with endorphins and adrenaline, that leave you feeling both powerless and laughable, humble and empowered at the end of the day - experiences that make you realize you have to earn character. And, when you are drenched head-to-toe in sand and stuck under a tumbleweed in the middle of the damn desert, you realize no one is standing there with a score card to gauge your "character" - you are out there to prove what you are made of to no one, but yourself. And I'm guessing that there really never is a "finish" line when it comes to that kind of challenge, which is why we'll all keep doing it year after year.
Unless you ride, you'll never understand, and that's ok. Think we're crazy and love us all the same when we come home broken and dusty. We will appreciate the support.
Next race- February 23nd in St. George.
(PS: be jealous. We left the Black Jack tables up $875!)
