Smithy1 > Smithy1's Blog Posts
August 28, 2008 01:56
Vegas to Reno - race day (part 4)
Just after I am passed by the first trophy truck I notice a bike sitting on its side stand on the side of the trail. I slow down, almost stop, look around and do not see a rider. No one around. A bit odd but I continue up the mountain pass continually looking over my shoulder to make sure another truck does not sneak up behind me! This road is really nice. Jeep trail width with lots of tight turns. Although we are ascending the mountain the trail has more of a rolling hill feel to it. By now I ...
August 27, 2008 17:42
Vegas to Reno race day (part 3)
I don’t remember much between pit 5 and 6. I bet there were a couple of mountain passes, each followed by a long straight silt bed in the raging afternoon heat. As I approach pit #6 the first thing that catches my eye is one of the pro truck teams setting up there pit! They are rolling out the tires, have the jacks out, fuel cans positioned. Up until this point I have convinced myself that I am in a bike/quad race. I know remember that the big cars and trucks are also on this same course. ...
August 26, 2008 05:56
Vegas to Reno - race day (part 2)
Down the first straight and the first few turns. Mostly hardpack with lots of grapefruit size rocks. I have never ridden terrain like this with any sort of aggression. Just a couple of miles down the trail I make my first pass. Not sure what position this guy started in but he is falling back fast. Another mile or so I catch the rider that started on the “minute” ahead of me. I am feeling good and all of the stress of the Vegas scene has vanished. Within a few more miles I get my f ...
August 26, 2008 04:52
Vegas to Reno - race day (part 1)
2:30 am the alarm goes off. Who’s idea was this anyway? We get dressed, pack up our things and head down to the lobby. A short line to check out and then we head out to the truck for our 2 hour ride to the start in Beatty, NV. Really long lonely road heading north out of Las Vegas. I am driving and my crew quiet (not fully awake yet). This drive allows me lots of time to reflect on all the anticipation for this race. It even crosses my mind that I may be a bit over my head on this advent ...
August 25, 2008 04:52
Vegas to Reno - the Road trip!
Vegas to Reno – the road trip
Somehow I had the great idea to drive 3 days across the US to compete in a desert race. My lovely wife was really excited about seeing the whole country. After many months of me talking and preparing for V2R we finally had the truck packed and hit the road Monday 5am.
Road trips are interesting, lots of interesting sights and people. From the gentleman in West Virginia driving an old pickup with a bumper sticker that read ...
August 22, 2008 03:54
Vegas to Reno 2008, the scene in Vegas
Many, many helpful competitors here at V2R! All have offered advise/help. I still have some prep to do and then get up before 3am tomorrow to be ready at the start staging at 6am. I will update this as I get a chance…
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August 18, 2008 01:01
Vegas to Reno 2008, the prep.
Desert racing tends to be just a dream to those of us that live on the east coast. Well, sometimes you need to set some goals and chase a dream! This is not some report where the “team” loads everything up into a Sprinter van or two after a full day of prep at the top service dealer in the country. This is about me, Shawn – an ADVENTURERS WORKSHOP and MAXBMW customer spending 8+ months planning, training, fabricating, an ...
August 11, 2008 15:40
GS Trophy - Tunisia, the failed attempt to make the team!
OK, I did not even make the first cut but thought that I would share some of the application that I submitted…
Why I Love the GS and Want to Join Team USA for the GS Trophy
Describe why you love to ride the GS—and if you agree that it’s the “Best Bike in the World” *
April 2006 I took delivery of my local BMW dealer’s first GSA1200. This would be my first
March 04, 2008 18:01
Sandblast 2008 part 8
Last service of the day. Just some gas and refreshments. I am first back to the service area so I get dibs on the last banana! Eventually the whole team is there and we all agree that it has been a long day and our energy levels are taking a downward spiral. The game plan for the final two stages is to tone it down a notch, ride safe. Let’s not F—-k it up on the last section.
A long transit and we are at the start of the 6th special of the day, Hunter Pond Reverse. Same track ...
February 28, 2008 12:12
Sandblast 2008 part 6/7
Cambell Lake Reverse. This is the 14+ mile stage that we started the day with but this time we will run it backwards. This route is much longer than the others but it is a lot of fun. You tend to push yourself to your limit based on the length of the special. I can only ride at 100% mental/physical capacity for a short distance, 90% for a bit longer, etc. I do really enjoy these long stages but often find my self glancing down at the gps to read the “distance to destination”.
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