In theory arriving in Arkansaw WI, early Saturday morning just so we can take advantage of open practice on the sweet 1.25 mile motocross track was a good idea.  I am now remembering something I heard once, “give two men two items with engines and they will find a way to race them!”  What started off as a relaxing day of MX practice riding first turned into who can clear that huge step up better, then progressed to a 7 lap sprint race just to push ourselves.  With well over 30 miles logged on my KTM, and a handful of laps on Patrick’s 450, we were sore, tired and out of gas by 4:30. 

The story of Saturday had to be told to understand my state of mind Sunday morning when we woke to a cold, cold wet mess.  Miserably cold is an understatement, and overcast, windy and intermittent sprinkles just put everyone in a bad mood. 

Getting ready to race I was still sore and stiff from the previous days ride, but we came to race, and race we shall.  After my bad start last week, I decided to employ a starting block.  Mine is a old 6x6 that has been used for years as a trailer wheel chock, and under the trail jack for added distance.  Today it served as my leverage to get my KTM fired when the starter pulled the trigger on his shotgun.  It worked perfectly as I was inside on the first turn in a drag race to the first jump with the holeshot winner. 

An unexpected mud hole developed right in front of the first double that no one knew about, it was dry 10 minutes ago, either the track’s watering system malfunctioned, or someone is just not nice.  The mud made the double impossible to approach at speed, so everyone slowed down.  I saw one bike in front of me and one to my right as we climbed up jump following the opening double.  As I was leaving the ground on this small tabletop-ish jump into a sharp corner, I was suddenly accelerated toward the ground, via a trip over the handlebars.

Someone must have bumped someone, or was cross rutted on the face of this jump and I was hammered on my right side by a big blur.  The impact of the other bike’s handlebars to my right forearm was the case of my trip over the bars, and a nasty sore the length of my elbow to wrist.  Hitting the ground head first was the start opening act, I then processed to tumble down the side of the hill this jump was cut into.  I stop moving and got up, my entire right side was killing me, but I climbed up the hill to pick up my bike, sans both hand guard flags which were shattered into pieces.

The course marshals helped me push the bike off the hill as the next wave of riders were on their way to the first turn, it was at this point I had to make a tough decision.  As both my right arm and knew were in pain, I had to pull the plug on the idea of getting back on the track with a huge time deficit to make up.

I have to hang my hat on the fact we did a lot of riding Saturday and I believe it truly helped my moto ability which will translate to other off road events like this one that incorporate a motocross track into the course.  And the starting block is here to stay.