Little Piglet Family Enduro

[Jonala]

The Timekeepers did it again, another wonderful event. For me the course was fun with only one or two sections that required some skill. If you have kids riding 50 / 60 / 80's the course was very challenging. I think the Piglet should be known as a National caliber event for the kids.

The course was very well marked, they even had bottle water for us at the gas stop.

Thank you Timekeepers.

 

[ScottYZ250]

I concur with Jonala, another excellent day. Those Family Enduros actually kid me into thinking I know what I'm doing on my motorcycle (for a reality check, I ride the Old Crow once a year). :cool:

The Timekeepers always mark their trails well, and are very friendly. The only complaint I heard was that the club didn't bring the gas trailer back to the reg area. Many people were quite upset over that. They wanted to leave after a terrific days riding, and couldn't.

Anyways, I had an awesome day and I think I'm going to volunteer to help those guys out working their harescramble next fall. Great group of guys! :worship: :worship:

Hope everyone else had as much fun as I did there... :thumb:

 

[GETMETOCA]

I had a great time as usual, even though this time I didn't get to ride. My friend's rode with three kids ages 8-11 and all three kids finished, came in with mud and a few scrapes and beaming smiles from ear to ear. :aj: My friends are experienced riders but had never done the race thing so it was kind of fun for me to teach them all the stuff about their first race that we all take for granted. They did not understand how the timekeeping worked and I gave it my best shot but just told them to have a good time and not to run over the check workers :eek:

Placelast, thanks for digging our firepit for us and hanging out in our little corner camp Saturday night. Jonala, I never got those dog treats to Buzz, so I'll just hang onto them til next time. I saw your brother at Gas but must have missed you!

ScottYZ250, well once again, we got to say "Hi" but didn't get to hang out as long as I would have liked, you're going to have to camp out at the next race so you can spend some quality campfire and Captain Morgan time. :thumb:

My two-burner Coleman cranks out eggs, linguica, and hash browns. Starbucks brewing. Everyone gets fed and geared and I encourage them to get to the starting line a little early so they can see how each minute takes off and maybe meet some new people on their nearby minutes.

At gas, I got to see my favorite 11 year old wonder boy, Joey Pascarella, even met his little sis. More friends come in. Firelilly has no front brakes (she's fearless and said she just "went for it" down hills :worship: ) Buddy is working feaverishly to repair the brake. Jennifer, Pierre, My hometown friends and the kids, ScottYZ250, LocoCD, Jonala's bro Nick, Kali, Kevin, the people camping next to us. I try to take care of everyone's thirst and ply them with cold grapes and strawberries, water and gatorade.

After the piglet, more peeps for the Boar started showing up in the afternoon. Unkle Moose, Endoquest, and many others. I said my goodbyes and headed home. I would of rather raced today, but I think I got to see more people as a pit chick this year instead. Good weather, good friends, and a kickass sport, it doesn't get any better.

 

[skipro3]

I agree, the piglet was great fun. The gas cans not getting back in time for me to leave was taken care of by the Timekeepers. They took my name, assigned race number, phone number and promised to bring it to the Fools Gold or the 49er since they are the closest races to my home town. It was my first enduro and I also didn't fully understand the timekeeping but still, I did well. 3 minutes late check 1, zeroed check 2, 5 minutes early check 3, (mis-set my stopwatch for 5 minutes instead of 10 for a 10 minute "free time". Heck, I needed someone to explain what the heck freeetime even was) 2 minutes early check 3, (hidden check!?! Grrr!), zeroed 5 AND 6, and 1:42 late for check 7.
I got to meet placelast at the starting line. He saw my bike and came over to talk about KDX's. He didn't say more than 10 words, and I knew I must have been in the presence of my first DRN'er. I asked if he used DRN and we exchanged on-line names for recognition. Met him again at check 4 (the hidden check). I also stopped by your camp placelast, but you must have been busy tallying scores. Your bike was there, but not you. Nice KX/KDX hybrid. I spent some time checking it out. I didn't know anyone else by sight and didn't see any DRN signs or stickers on fenders when I cruised through the campground. If anyone saw an old guy wearing a worn brown cowboy hat and green shorts, that was me. Hope to meet up with more of you next time I'm out at a race.

 

[placelast]

When I got home from work Thrusday, my wife was fresh from an arguement with my youngest son, and called it off. As I waled around sad-faced Friday morning things somehow turned around when she realized he'd be home all weekend on the 'net or being a vidiot.

We left later than hoped but after one more stop at Trader Joe's was counting the mileage to Clear Creek.

As we pulled into the new-and-improved campsite it occurred to both of us just how cushy dead weeds can be; an unusual experience there.

Spotting Buddy & Mini, we pull in and ask for parking suggestions. Buddy was expecting Retsenior and another in rigs so we backed directly across the center access road.

Hustling to get our tents up by sunset we failed but had no problem with the residual light after sunset.

More to come...

 

[Karna&Justin]

:whiner: :whiner: :whiner:

Wish we could have gone! Only 28 weeks to go before I am back in the saddle again. I'll be riding at the Training Wheels tired and only 4 weeks post delivery but I'll be there with bells on...I'm counting the days. Eventually we'll have 2 little ones to ride with at the Piglet and I can't wait for that time to come, either!

Karna

 

[placelast]

Our dinner was pre-made and ready with a simple reheating. After chowing down we headed out to say hello to the group but not before checking in with the club to determine our assignments for the day to come.

They needed us for technical inspection and at Check #4 with Mike Baxter. I've known of him but we've never met in the flesh; suffice to say everything they say about him is true. And it was good to see the familiar face of Farmer John again - he jestured us towards the chow line although we had room for desert only, HUGE apple and peach pies with crust the way I like it: thick. Shorty went back for seconds (he needs to grow).

Working our way back to camp we found Jonala had pulled in, and gave him a hand - or hindered - with his canopy, and was entertained as he scrambled about his set up.

RetSenior and Buddy were busy with the former's campsite so we moved on to what became our evening out, Getmetoca's crowd, where she was surrounded by friends of hers, Tom and John & kids from Half Moon Bay and thereabouts. John had brought some potent firewood (now see Jonala: I got it right, though I was still on sleep alert that night, just to be safe). I stepped up to dig the pit which turned out a bit shallow and more of a working for my likings nonetheless adequate and welcomed; shallow due to the dryness or hardpan some 10" below surface and more of a working with so many small rocks. It turned into a low-maintenance campfire, nonetheless we hung around as the heat was so welcomed and the company pleasant. I make it a point not to enjoy adult beverage in front of my son(s) but without an obvious can or container advertising the contents, the masquerade worked until later when asked for another cocktail in his hearing; perhaps that went over his head but I do remember him asking me months ago just what a cocktail was – earlier when he asked what it was I had in my hand: a soft drink – it’s not polite to refuse!

Following what tuned out to be a memorial time around the campfire talking about everything from a small coastal town where Natalie grew up and I believe John lives to this day, o just what the central valley towns’ remarkable, trademark odors are, we called it quits at midnight.

On our way back to the tents Shorty and I had no small conversation about the numerous stars and which sleeping bag he was going to end up using; by the time the heat of the fire was forgotten it was the zero-degree bag for sure.

I woke up well before sunrise but was surprisingly able to get in additional shuteye. The dew on the tent had frozen, and the grass crunchy, making warm toast and eggs all the more welcome. Linguine? Dang: that’s sounds a lot like chorizo. Milder? I should’ve paid Getmetoca’s site another visit, although my body would remind me to go easy on the spicy stuff.

We checked in again with the course crew leader and he set us up with the tools for the tech. inspection. I had to turn away at least two for lack of registration, and believe none for sound over the prescribed level per Joey Ranger although some were over but he wasn’t looking over our shoulders at the time.

Our two co-inspectors needed to leave and as a consequence became responsible for more tasks than manageable but got by with the patience of those waiting. Then it came to a point when we needed to leave, and with that geared up and went to the start to connect with our check leader, Mike.

It’s amusing to see parents/grand parents with cameras/video recorders in hand, squealing as their little ones approach the start and leave; perhaps they enjoy it much more than the little ones do?

As the rows were moving forward I noticed a fellow on a KDX, and thought I’d do some KDX conversation. Turns out of all things he’s a DRNer, Skipro3.

Mike comes by to lasso us and we’re then off to Checkpoint 3. On the way Shorty does something unbecoming and not only roosts our host but splashes him at the stream crossings. I’ll have to talk to that boy.

Once we arrive at the check we discover Mike has already setup the clock and flags, whilst we now have a 70 minuet wait for the first row. He suggested Shorty and I do some trailing – keeping the pink ribbon and arrows in sight and follow the course. He suggests 2 miles but we did more than seven before turning around. On our way back I see a spur with blue ribbon; wanting to add more spice I lead us on it. Being height-challenged Shorty needed help every so often; I had to pick the bike up twice and he did some bulldogging, but other than that he made it through that section remarkably well considering his skill level and reach, or lack of it, to the ground; turns out this section was part of the Boar.

We got back to the checkpoint with 10 minuets to spare, and halfway through my sandwich the riders stared coming through. There were many, too many who burned our check, some by the tens of minutes. Jonala came in too hot and tried to trials-ride the time off but was too close to use up the 25 seconds needed to zero, so I waved him in the remaining 8 feet and his axle crossed our flags. (Our check was a check-in, after the gas stop, which explains why so many burned it.)

I believe the last row was in the mid-70s; lots of riders. It was surprising how many kids on 65s came through all that stuff. And 60 miles of it? Most folks had a happy face; very few did not.

As we were waiting for the sweep riders Mike instructed Shorty on a thing or two re: riding techniques. I believe it sinks in easier when someone other than dad says it’s so. The master then demonstrated his skill with exceptional trials techniques on his wife’s Pampera. It’s a bit short for Shorty but not towering like the KDX, so Mike swapped rides with him for our jaunt back to the bottom of Indian Hill, where the gas stop was. He then insisted I take it for a spin, and can say it’s one fine little bike. Oh, and Mike got his revenge by splashing him back, more than once.

Back at the campground I took my sweet time to gear down, having been standing in it all for a few hours. We then wandered over to meet with Deano (Plyswfire) and Matt Cassle and spent no small time chatting and talking about the TWMC desert enduros and Ballinger. Our conclusion was the riders from NoCal are of a higher skill. Both he and Matt were doing the Boar and had just come in from a warm-up loop.

As we wandered back to our camp I decided we’d head out after dinner, since they did not need us as workers for tomorrow’s event. They served us workers and club member’s food at 6pm, dessert at 7, and in between went around for goodbyes (Shorty swallowed his overflowing plate of chicken, spaghetti and salad in no time). We then found out they could use us after all as two of the club members had head ons (no bodily damage) and therefore could not ride to their checks, but he let us off since we were packed and already on our way out for the night.

On the drive home, before falling asleep, Shorty said he had such a good time he’s already talking about helping next year.

There were some I didn’t get to say hi to (or did I?): ScottYZ250, LocoCD; Skipro3: I saw your Subaru on our way in but then it disappeared? I looked for you later but had no way of recognize you with or without a helmet, only by your tow vehicle.

 

[dirt bike dave]

Results from the Boar and Piglet are already up!

http://www.ama-d36.org/

 

[LocoCD]

It was an excellent time! Did anyone else hit one of those puddles at speed and find out it was 2-3 feet deep with chocolate pudding mud?

I think the TMC philosophy to try and get the total minutes lost down below 30 or so was a great idea. Lots of honest to goodness timekeeping took place. This was my 4th Piglet, the first resulted in 89 points, this one was down to 3 points. Much more enjoyable!

Congrats to everyone.

 

[Jonala]

Lots of honest to goodness timekeeping took place.

Denny,
You are so right. Having to stop several times and watch others go flying by me was killing me. The section in back on the paved road I had to stop twice to stay on time. :eek:

Too bad I wasn't more careful out of gas, went into that check 1 minute early :flame:

I had a great time.

 

[the Eel]

Great Reports !

 

[skipro3]

It was an excellent time! Did anyone else hit one of those puddles at speed and find out it was 2-3 feet deep with chocolate pudding mud?

I also noticed that there was no X,XX, or XXX marked on them either when simple muddy ruts were marked!! I know when I went through the last one I was thinking, "now where did that little kid on the mini KTM doing the nak-nak's over every single water break go to" and thinking that this puddle wasn't as deep as I expected. Sure enough, there he was standing down trail without a bike. That mud hole swallowed it whole!! I felt bad for some of those little guys and their spirit of determination really inspired me to keep riding.

 

[RetSenior]

Got to meet ScottYZ250 for the 1st time. Great talking to you congratulation on your 1st place.

Jonala...always good to see you and Buzz. What were you doing riding the Senior class, you know you are a SUPER Senior.

placelast...Nice to see you and the kid. Good to see you had a good time.

LocoCD...we never really talk but I do wink at you when I see you.

FireLily...camping next to you and Buddy is always a pleasure. Congratulation to Mini & Buddy for your trophy's

MelloYello.....saw you at gas and was coming to say Hi but got called away to do something and never made it back to say Hi. Sorry

Farmer John...thanks for the update on your Moonrock trip. Glad to see you did not get hurt.

GETMETOCA...always good to see you.

Endoquest...I know it was a long haul for you all alone and the ride didn't go as well as planed but hope you had a great time hanging out with some Nor-Cal squids.

Bigbird...always fun hanging out with you and Nancy.

Unkle Moose & Chase...my riding buds. We had fun. I guess!

Karna&Justin...See you at the Training Wheels Enduro. You were missed.

Jennifer & Pierre....Congratution on your trophy's

Kali & Kevin...Glad to see you. Wasn't sure when I would see you two again.

And to all I missed or did not see, hopefully next time.

George

 

[Jonala]

George,
I was entered in Super Senior, I guess an opps at the tabulation desk. It doesn't matter my sponsors HRC / Sony / VISA were not happy. As punishment I have to ride the XR250 forever. Not until I get a 1st overall will they let me graduate to a XR300.

See you at the next event.

 

[exctrkllr]

Thanks for all the comments. I got what I wanted to put you all through. This was my first try, So whats in store for next year????? Sorry about the gas cans, we were a little shot handed on Sat. We do have them. That mud puddle got me 3 times during the week before. Just got home and into the recovery phase. Thanks again exctrkllr

 

[ScottYZ250]

RetSenior, thanks for the acknowledgement on how I did. Was nice to meet you. Hope to ride with you someday.