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This enduro was run by the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club and started on their land which borders Clear Creek Management Area north of Coalinga, CA. I arrived in Clear Creek around 0630 on Sunday with the key time being 0730. My minute was 78A. I shared the minute with the US Women's Downhill Mountain Bike Champion for 1999, Marla Streb. This was her first enduro, but that didn't slow her down! I felt well prepared for this race despite not having ridden too much since New Years Day. The bike was running well, except a bit too rich...switched to a 162 Main and a 65 Slow with 1.25 turns out on the pilot screw. I usually have a 160/62/1.25 for 3-4K' elevations. From the start in the valley, the weather could be seen moving in on the peaks, but it was nice at the lower elevations. I had a good start-- the bike started well and I got off the line smoothly. I was not paying enough attention to the new enduro computer and I ended up burning the first check. As we ascended, the weather started getting nasty. At the peaks, wind was blowing 20-25 knots, and the rain was intermittently coming down in torrents. The course was a lot of very tight trails winding through manzanita trees and some rutted climbs on exposed rocks. From the first check, I started getting further and further behind. The course was slow even without the weather, but the weather made it even slower.
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Several minutes behind at the next few checks, but a reset got me back on time. I actually burned another check later, but only by a minute. There was a check, immediately followed by a few mile reset (putting me back on time) and then a check just after the reset. The guy said many people burned that check by several minutes, I didn't of course since I was playing catch-up. After this, the ride became pretty challenging! Becoming soaked from the rain, tired from picking up the bike after it kept sliding out from the slick clay on the trail and getting further and further behind in the race, I decided to call it quits after 57 miles at the end of the first loop. Coming into the gas stop, there was a short downhill completely covered in mud-- I started sliding down this slope with both wheels locked and eventually fell and barely had the energy to lift the bike back up... Total distance: 57 miles. Despite not finishing, I was riding ok-- getting up technical hills with out much problem and keeping track of time (even though it was just watching myself get behind). I think with some weight training for my shoulders and some better weather, I'll be able to use my skills a bit more effectively. |
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