The Suncoast Trailblazers Presents

Haulin` Tail Hare Scrambles

April 24-25 2010

Race  Report

Practice

I decided to leave my house on Saturday afternoon and make the 5hr trip to North Central Florida for race 13 of the FTR Hare scramble series.

I arrived at the track late Saturday night around 9pm and bedded down for the night in the back of my van,

unfortunately I had parked under one or the huge tree that all night long was dropping leaves twigs and stinging caterpillars all over the roof of my van, It got pretty noisy.

I woke up real early unpacked my bike and signed up, by 8am I was dressed and ready for my practice lap, I wanted to set off early as possible.

My practice lap was very enjoyable, as was the track, it was really fast, tight in places with several water crossings and awesome traction but flowed perfectly.

Some AA rider was playing with me through the fast berms and turns and in the tight trees, unfortunately he had nothing for me on the fast stuff.

The Race

I put my bike on the start line early and got a nice line to the first turn which was about 100 yards away, but there were 27 rider on my row!

I got another terrible start,  so as usual the adrenalin kicked in and I put my head down and pushed on, I came round on the first lap in 5th place.

By the end of lap 2 I was unable to get anything out of my camelback drink system, I was overheating, had pins and needles in my face and had a major headache.

Prior to the race and all week I had drank plenty of fluids, but the day before had drank some energy water that was making my stomach ache badly.

I had to stop and pull over, I  found some course marshals who said I didn't look too good, they gave me some ice cold water to drink and I sat there for 10 minutes cooling down.

Pretty much my race was over, so I decided to just cruise the next couple of laps, completed 4 laps but felt real sick,  I had to finish but was out of the results.

I want to thank the 2 course marshals that helped (saved) me, The guy that did my pit stop for gas and goggles,  Eric Gray for holding my bike on the start line.

Although the temperature was only around 85 degrees I flopped due to dehydration, that wont happen again, Ill be prepared next time,  Oh, by the way...

Don't drink Soby Life water... IT SUCKS

I put together a nice video of the first lap or so, hope you enjoy it.