Smithy1 > Smithy1's Blog Posts > Sandblast 2008 part 6/7

February 28, 2008 12:12

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”.

Great pic of me on Cambell Lake Reverse:

The first 8-9 miles goes pretty well. Smooth slides into the turns with full power on the exit. Nice, fun. Wide open down the straights, tucked in behind that sweet carbon-fiber fairing. Then the excitement happens. Another 90 degree left hander sneaks up on me. This one is on a fairly narrow section and the turn is real sharp. I brake and slide hard and fast into the intersection. Through the intersection to be exact. Off the road but not really far enough to be considered in the woods. I finally make some effort to turn and find that the bike wants go one way and my body feels the need to go another. Major separation. Bike down. I stumble to my feet and make a mad dash for the bike. I can hear in the distance the sound of a KTM 660 Rally closing in on me.

Back to the bike and try to pick it up. It is laying at this odd off-camber angle and it is difficult for me to get a good footing. Heave the bike onto its feet and saddle up. Quick glance to my left and I can see through the trees that Embro is heading into the turn.

Peg the throttle; dump the clutch and ratchet through the gears. Once up to speed I look over my left shoulder to see that Embro is a few hundred feet behind me. Yes!! I was able to get back into the race without being passed! I have my doubts that I can keep him behind me but I am going to do try my best. A few short straights and a couple sweepers later I glance over my shoulder again and Embro is still a few hundred feet behind me! Wow! This is getting really f—-ing fun! Down some longer straight stretches I am squeezing every last rpm/horsepower out of that Xchallenge and unbelievably I am maintaining my “lead”.

Embro on Cambell Lake Reverse:

I must accept the fact that Embro has actually gained 30 seconds on me due to my off (he left the starting line 30 after me). Eventually we hit a couple of tighter turns. Through these Embro cuts my “lead” in half. On the exit of a left-hander I give Embro the wave and he pulls in front with me immediately tucking in behind him. Once again we are screaming down a few long straights. That big $$$ Dakar prepped KTM 660 Rally has no advantage on the bone stock Xchallenge. Simply amazing that we both blaze through all the gears and the distance between the bikes remains constant. Straight after straight, turn after turn. Next we head into a real dusty section. I can only see Embro’s back and helmet. I cannot see his bike or the road in front of me. Embro heads into a sweeping left-hander too hot and is forced to take a line off the right side of the trail. I can’t see a damn thing except his helmet and have no idea that we have left the road! It does seem a bit odd that the trees are getting awfully close though. Once we are off the road the dust disappears and I realize that we have taken a pretty wild route! Back on the gas and the two of us suck up the last few miles with me right on his tail. Good fun. The last 4 or 5 miles of this special ended up being the most fun I had all day! Back to the last service and then the final 2 specials.

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