24/12/2020
RD7
The final round of the 2020 season was put on by the Rockstars MC in Page, Arizona.
I was really looking forward to this round as it was a blast last season. The day started off ok, temperatures down in the 40s with a brief showing of rain and snow to come.
I was slowly getting ready and prepping the bike when I noticed my clutch lever was broke right as I was getting ready to head to the riders meeting. This was unneeded stress as I didn't have a spare lever with me. Luckily hooked me up with one. Thanks man!
Unable to get a proper warm-up in before the race, I told myself just to ease into it and use the first lap as a warmup. (Not recommended).
Open A had a full line of 10 with a few new faces.
Dead engine start with zero run straigh up a sand dune.
I was about 5th into the first turn and dropped back to 7th as we made our way out to the course. 2 riders took a wrong turn and jumped on the mini course putting me back into 5th.
Passed into 4th when I made a small mistake going down the soft sand into a wash, dumping my bike and dropping back to 6th. I didn't panic, just picked myself up and started going again. Due to not getting a warm up in I started to develop a little arm-pump, nothing bad but I did ease up so it would not fully develop. I soon got passed again dropping back to 7th but I was just on cruise control.
Slowly I was able to make my way back up to 5th right behind Drey L. I settled behind him as he had a good pace going and pulled us up right behind James C. in 3rd. I was able to pass into 4th and soon 3rd. Right as I passed into 3rd, I was actually in 1st as the front two riders went the wrong way but shortly after got back around me.
I was still just on cruise control and just sat right behind 1st & 2nd. I soon after dumped the bike again but remained in 3rd. I stopped to straighten out my bars slightly and this allowed James to get back around me.
I latched onto him until he made a small mistake and tipped over allowing me to regain 3rd.
At this time my arm-pump had pretty much faded and I was just completing the 1st lap in 3rd and only about 20secs off 2nd.
Continued in comments....
