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HS-2 "Hard Labor Creek" Hare scramble report

October 6th 2008

Race #2 was the furthest race for me to get to in the 14 race FTR hare scramble season

It was around 570 miles away from my house, and luckily I scored a ride with my 2 buddies.

Once again we shared the ride/shared the cost (about $600 in diesel pulling a 39ft 5th wheel trailer with a Ford dually)

car pooling works..

We set out 6:30 Saturday morning and some 9 hours later we were pulling in to the camping area that was lined with tall shady pine trees and nice cut grass.

We unloaded and walked the "Enduro-cross" section of the track, the organizers had worked hard getting it set up and it looked like fun

both for the riders and the thousands of spectators that would be watching the race.

pictures of the Enduro cross section.

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Practice.

I don't think north Florida has seen any rain in quit a while, the track was very dry and was certain to be a dust bowl during the race.

I took my practice lap real slow and only ran a fast pace when I got a clear track ahead of me (which was not often)

It was really tight and overtaking looked almost impossible, the trail was cut so tight there was not much room for one bike in some places.

I finished my practice lap already covered in dust, lap times showed we would be running 3 laps for the specialty classes.

Follow the leader..

I got to the start early enough to meet and greet some old and new riding buddies, I set my bike up and notched it up into second gear ready for the start.

As my row took its turn starting yet again I had trouble and fired the bike on the second kick.

As I got to the first turn I found myself in about 9th place after another awful start....I had blown it again.

I passed a couple of riders in the first mile putting me up to 5th place.

I tried to follow and pass the next guy in front of me on a Honda CRF450 but he was making so much dust I couldn't see anything.

I eased off and put some ground between me and him which helped me see where I was going and at least made it safer for me to race,

I decided the only way to pass was to catch him and pass before he new I was there, I made my move but the trail was too narrow and blew my chance.

I decided enough was enough and just kept him in sight enough for me to see the trail, hopefully he would make a mistake and I could pass.

He didn't, and I crossed the finish line 3 laps later where I started in 5th place, I didn`t feel a bit tired and easily could have run 2 more laps at that slow pace.

Even my camelback was still half full of water, I stopped just after the finish and looked around, about 20 or so riders were also there, they all had smiles on there dust incrusted faces.

I didn`t feel the least bit tired, instead of ripping all my riding gear off in exhaustion like I normally would I just cruised back to the truck and sat down in my riding gear .

I grabbed a cold beer from the cooler and chatted to my buddy Dave McIntyre, who just finished in 2nd place in senior B.

I don't think I ever did a race where I didn't pass anyone and no one passed me, it seemed like most riders were just following each other.

Results..

Thank you

To the Tallahassee Trail Riders and everyone that worked at the event, Thank you! you laid out a great course and the Enduro-cross section was fun to ride.

It was a bit too dusty for me and my normally bad starts, but we all know you cant control the weather, But it was a great place to ride.

Dave