This past weekend was the first race of the year, and also my first season back after a herniated a disc in my neck. The injury left some of the muscles in my right arm paralyzed for several months before I regained enough strength to hold a toothbrush or a cup of water.
Between then and now I've gotten back on the bike for several leisure rides and after some pushing from my buddy, I decided to join him and jump into the hot seat for a 9 race season schedule under the D4 promotion banner in the Northeast.
To prepare for the season, we had to service the bike and throw on some new parts -which will ultimately end up getting smashed against trees and rocks as we race through the season. But that's just part of the sport!
On the list included a new skid plate, new exhaust, new radiator guards and new grips and more!
Messy, I know!
After all the work was done, we love got 2 race ready bikes!
Unfortunately because we were under the pressure of time, the work had to be done on the same day we were driving out to the hotel near the race.
The travel time for me was 2 hours from Brooklyn NY to my friends house in Nyack NY and then 4 hours via car to Fulton NY. Unforunately the drive there was rather unplesant as the clouds foreshadowed the weather that was just to the north of us. The 75F day time weather slowly turned to 45F with thunderstorms and ultimately settled with 35 degrees and snow.
The race was an absolute blast, but I dropped my bike in a puddle of mud towards the end of the race and it made it extremely difficult to regain grip again since the mud made everything slick. My forearms ended up wearing out and my pace slowed down significantly, resulting in a dismal 5th place finish, which I'll blame mostly on poor physical conditioning. That only means one thing, I need to hit the gym!
The preparations look a litte bit messy ^^
Was expecting a clean garage from an engineer, but I know that style of reparing. When I smashed my bike once at the racetrack I took half of the whole parking for my bike to repair everything for the upcoming race xD
Physical condition is extremly important, expecially stamina and forarms. Every year after the winter when I ride the bike on the track again I realize it again and again... but I really hate stamina training
And still the 5th place, you seem to be a good driver ;-)
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I think that's a nice finish in a nasty condition. The things we do for fun...
Physical conditioning is the reason I stopped riding in the dirt when I got in my 50s. I could no longer ride the way I wanted to ride so I quit entirely.
I still look fondly at the dirt squirters when I go to a MC shop. I've never ridden a full on 4 stroke dirt bike and the possibility intrigues me. So does your KTM. Animal bike.
Thanks for a great report. Glad you are back in the saddle.
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