My top Fuel 9.8 SL was dialed in and clean as a display bike. I have not witnessed a single sound from it since I bought it. It's quiet as a mouse on 125 degree black top. The Red Flint Firecracker is a long standing race known for its fast endless leadout and notorious technical elements. I look forward to this specific race because of the free socks, breakfast on site, and flashy assortment of shirts at clearance pricing.
I had the opportunity to pre-ride the day before when the trails were dry and fast. There was only a chance of rain on race day and I was hopeful for a sunny day to play in the dirt. We got there early for my wife's 5k run and almost scored a medal 0.4 seconds off. She was still happy about socks and teashirts.
After the 5k/10k runs the Junior, Citizen, and Sport classes took off. Smith's bike Shop had a strong presence and I was able too get a few starting vids at the first corner of the leadout.
At the end of the Sport race the sky opened up and it began to spit life to the lonely dirt that would soon infest my unbaptized Top Fuel. As I stood on the line in the third row on the far left which was a great start placement for me, the director announced that rain would be good for the course and create conditions that would include faster racing. All I could do was chuckle as the rain and wind started to shake the trees around the start gate.
We had a two minute delay so that the rain could get us nice and acclimated to being wet, and then Don shouted go. I was able to clip into my pedals right away and felt a rider next to me throw out an elbow and shoulder only to meet the ground with several of his biker buddies within reaching distance. It was a big crash which allowed me to balance between the fence on the left and traffic on the right creating an opening to move up to the second row within seconds. At this point the adrenaline was in full use and I held the front row's wheels as they congregated into a double line. Then the unexpected happened. A rider in front of my clipped the wheel of another and headed straight into a canopy and parked car heading into the first corner. This lucky occurance opened up another hole for me to place myself as we hit the second turn. Within 30 seconds I found myself only a couple bike lengths away from Cole House who was in front of the leadout.
Sadly, this is where the great start, placement, and fun stops. Coming around the third corner which was 20-30 seconds from the rollers a young cyclist cut in front of me from the right which gave me the option to crash him and everyone else behind me or slam on the breaks. I chose the later and fell to the back of the Pro/elite wave right before the rollers. What could have been a top 20 result ended in getting stuck behind slow traffic in the mud for the next 2 laps.
After the first lap the weather turned terrible and the sand/dirt filled every crevice of my bike and made the trails borderline unraceable. One time I even got chain stick before a rocky descent, got unclipped, and had to ride it one legged. Scariest thing I've ever done on a bike. Overall, I just wanted to finish without crashing or damaging my bike. Got some great pics.
Shout out to my 2017 sponsors listed on my blog. Couldn't have fun and try to win some cash without their support. https://oldfrankenweeniestellall.blogspot.com/
Thanks Tostin DeYoe, senior Mechanic at Smith's Bike Shop for getting rid of all the dirt and sand that found its way into the fabric of my bike. It's purring again!
No comments:
Post a Comment