Smithy1 > Smithy1's Blog Posts > Vegas to Reno race day (part 3)

August 27, 2008 17:42

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. I pull into my pit for some much needed food/fluids/gas. I instantly get word from another crew that their rider just got passed by the first trophy truck coming out of pit #4. The trucks are about an hour behind me and closing fast!

Jen and Loren urge me to get going. They don’t let me waste any time in the pit. Off I go and soon find that this part of the course is much better than the last 75 miles. After a few small passes I find myself on a real nice graded road with few turns that goes on for about 10 miles. Although graded, this road is mostly made up of loose grapefruit size rocks with quite a few big ones scattered around to keep you alert. I have not seen another competitor since the last pit. This is where I tell myself that I must have settled into my normal position as the fastest slow guy. There is usually a big gap between the really fast guys and the rest of us that are in it for fun. It is kind of peaceful out on this section of the course and my speed is probably a comfortable 65-70 mph. I need to be cautious if I expect to finish “The longest race in the US”. I near the end of the valley as the course makes a 90-degree left hand turn that will take me over the mountain pass. I slow for this turn and am startled to hear a police siren behind me! I quickly glance over my left shoulder and see this monster of a trophy truck right on my ass! As fast as I can I take the outside line in the turn as this 800hp beast hits about 8000rpm and blasts past me! Ever been to a Nascar race and listed to those engines breathing out of unrestricted exhausts? Ever stand 5 feet away from one as it passes by at speed? Now imagine being on a dirt bike, in a turn with this beast taking the inside line and leaving you in a dust cloud!!!

I have just been passed by my first trophy truck! He snuck up on me. I had no idea that he was around until I saw him less than 10 feet over my left shoulder. As the dust settled I watched this truck ascend the trail ahead of me. Strange as it may sound, I laughed inside my helmet. Here I am riding a real desert race. I could have pulled over right there and quit and still come home feeling like I concurred a dream! I look back over the valley that we had just crossed and do not see any signs of other competitors but you can bet the rest of the big boys are not far behind…

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