Packed up and ready to race!
If you read my previous post, you know that it was kind of an adventure getting my bike ready for this Alabama Team Hare Scramble (ATHS). If you want to read about it, please click here. Today is the ATHS‘s 2nd round, which is at Deer Run MX. Stick and Tim Melton have a great motocross track and a great setup for Hare Scramble.
So I woke up in the morning, about an hour earlier than I planned, but that is ok. Guessing I was just a wee-bit excited about getting out on the bike again. Had coffee, ‘go-fast’ Cheerio’s, and cleaned the pool. Then packed up the truck with the bike, gear, and stuff. I was out on the road around 8:45am. Got down the street and there was my dog, Leo. Just checking out the hood. Got the dog in the truck, turned around, and dropped him off back at home. Ok, let us try this again.
Everybody is getting ready for the race.
Made it down to Deer Run with no problems. When I pulled up, I saw Mike Pegg’s trailer and he wasn’t around. So I saw a lady sitting there and I asked her, “Are you a Pegg?” She replied, “Yes”. She had no clue who I was so I pulled next to her and parked. Got out of the truck and then introduced myself. Soon after that, Mike and Gwen showed up.
Soon after Andy & Christian showed up, and Gray and his buddy also showed up. Man we were gonna have a party!
Andy is showing off his new NASCAR gas can.
Andy started unpacking and showed us he new toy. Some type of gas can that looks and operates much like the gas cans that NASCAR uses. Seemed to work pretty good. Andy made a slight mess of it, but still was pretty cool. Just as a side note, somebody wanna tell Mr. Pegg that strips & pink don’t match? Anybody? Any takers?
I talk so much, Mike had to put on his helmet.
Well, we all kinda putted around and then headed up to the registration building for the riders meeting. Was nice, the owner of Cornerstone gave a great sermon and then we prayed. Once the group headed to the bikes, a gentleman stopped me and asked me if I was Mike Magee. ”Yup,” I said. he let me know that he followed my blog, and should be reading this, and said he really like this blog. Stan, thank you sir! You made my day sir!
Everyone is lined up & ready to go!
As you can see, to the left, this ended up being a pretty big turn out and if you watch the video, you will see that most of the riders was in the Ironman class! What a blast.
As normal, during these starts, I am starting my bike each time they let a group in front of us go and then shut it off. This makes sure that the bike is starting good and it was, except when it was our time. I must not have gotten a good kick at it. It just puttered. It took to more kicks and then she came to life. That almost never happens. This was ok, because there were alot of fast riders in our group and I didn’t have to worry about them. I just had to ride.
I think my butt is stuck to the seat.
I did three laps with little issue. The forth was a bit different. There is a section in the rooted part of the trail where you go down a small hill and there were some breaking bumps there and several roost crossing the trail. I was doing good, on my toes, weight on the back and dragging the rear break. Then all of a sudden my front end washed out, sliding on a root. That front tire shot off to my left and I went to the right. From what I remember is that I somehow landed on the ground on my back and head a loud CRACK! That was my helmet hitting the ground or a base of a tree. I knew I was ok, I didn’t feel anything, just heard the loud crash. Got right up and the bike was still running and my hand was still holding the clutch in. Guess I figured out how I flipped over the bike.
Rounding the corner and heading to the start finish line.
I finished that lap and stopped in the pits for a quick bottle of water and a splash of gas. Grey Taylor’s friend (can’t remember his name) filled my bike while I sucked down the bottle of water. I got back on the bike and was off. I thought to myself that I must be getting back in shape, as good of shape I can, because I went 4 laps without a stop and didn’t take a third minute break. Also I was hitting the big uphill double/triple. Only rolled it once, when one of the woody guys slammed on his breaks right in front of it. Thought about jumping it and landing on him, but then I would get hurt and that was not in the plan.
Andy finally caught up to me on the 6th lap. We were in the woods area where the fences were and I pulled over to let some of the faster guys by. I saw Andy and I took off. Then I just stopped, blocking Andy. Andy finally went past me and I hit him on the helmet with my hand. He stopped to talk because he stalled his bike. Once I noticed that, I took off, leaving him behind. Funny as hell…To me. Later, where that uphill turn to the right, next to the tree with roots, Andy passed me back and off he went. Soon after that, Stan Burke passed me! Hey, he said he was old, out of shape, and old. Well he was at least two out of those three. Old boy was scoot’n.
Wow, talk about a fashion statement. Makes me speechless.
The remaining laps went without a hitch. I do remember on my 6th lap yelling at Tim Melton, who was at the line taking number, asking him when in the hell will the white flag come out! I said I am getting old out here. He smiled and said it would be a while. That entire lap I couldn’t image making more than two more laps. UGH! Next lap, yep the white flag was out! LAST LAP!!! I could do this.
I think Andy is having a stroke. At least it looked that way.
When I came in after the last lap, I was presented with Andy laying all over his bike. Hmm, what’s wrong with Truck Driver, I thought. Then it dawned on me, Oh he is just old and not so use to it.
I pulled next to a tree and parked the bike. Grabbed a bottle of water and sucked that thing down. Grabbed another one and repeated step one. Started to cool down and then was able to talk. Mike, Christian, Andy, and Gwen were all there. It was over and nobody got hurt! Man, what a great time. This last picture is what is all about.
Three really tired old guys!
All three of us could barely stand up, but we damn sure were going to stand up and take a picture together. If this isn’t fellowship, not sure what would be. Great bunch of guys. Miss the old SNAG group, but I believe we are expanding the membership here. God Bless everyone on the Easter Sunday. Remember today is the day Christ was resurrected. Thank you Lord for watching over all the riders this past weekend.
Welcome