Missouri spode wants to try a desert race

[CR Swade]

This has always intrigued me-running a desert race. I just don't know that much about them.

What race or where is the most enjoyable race to attend (particularly for a beginning dezert racer)? I am very seasoned w/ hare scrambles and enduro. How will it cross over to desert?

Do I need to gear up my CR?

I've got a big-tanked, Scott's stabilized CR that I think would be a blast to take out to the dez. Any suggestions from anyone?

Thanks,
Wade

 

[zilla]

Ya might want to consider the "Sage Riders National" In Jerico Utah.. It is always a fun race, and may not be as far as going to California.. Their web page is here , April 13 I believe.. It is always a great course.. No you won't need to change your bike for the race as it is laid out in the cedars and not as wide open as the california races..

 

[Bish]

I rode the national enduro in Phoenix last year for my first desert race. I grew up riding in new england and have since moved to the midwest so colorado, utah, and the southwest aren't that far now.

Anyhow, I basically upped the compression a couple clicks front and rear, upped the rebound one click and went out and rode. Not knowing what to expect, I just figured a little higher speeds and less roots and rocks. Boy was I wrong about the terrain. Just about a little of everything. Bottom line was I didn't really think m,y settings were off that much. I would spend a day riding before a race to see if you can get the suspension dialed in better.

As for gearing, I didn't notice a problem with mine. Might have wanted a little more top speed bit for one race I could live with it. I did change jetting for elevation (4-6K for the enduro)

As for good races. The national was cancelled this year. Best in the desert is a good one but I think that is this weekend or next.

Definitely try it and enjoy!

Bish

 

[webbrace]

For anything down here in CA, You will need to gear up. The terrain is pretty fast. It sounds like your bike is pretty well set up, You need to add a spark arrestor, drop the rear sprocket about 4 teeth, and then go out and have fun..

 

[kc-husky]

Hey Wade, I use to run my CR500 two teeth down on the rear out in the dez. If you go to So. Cal. to race and need someone to ride with give me a yell. I have friends and family out there to stay with. But I would want to try to get a race in at Glen Helen Park. Looks like a fun track to race on, and it's nothing like we have around here.

Pat ;)

 

[CR Swade]

I was kind of wondering if you would be up for making a road trip out west. We'll have to figure out a dez race and SoCal race to hit this year. I really want to do a desert race.

Wade:cool:

 

[kc-husky]

I suggest before summer hits. Funny thing is I told my wife the other day, I wanted to go out west and ride. She is ok with that. Need to talk Jason into it. And let him see what are YZ's can realy do as far as speed.

 

[CR Swade]

Uh-oh, looks like I'm going to need to re-gear to keep up w/ that nasty-arse YZ of yours!;)

I actually think my bike is pretty well set up for high speed stuff. With that SCOTTS stabilizer and my re-valved boingers, I think ol woody will do well out there. As far as how I will fare, well that's altogether another issue:confused:

 

[azcourt]

I saw the Phoenix National enduro mentioned. That is really not a good indicator of a desert race. It was an enduro. Arizona (Whiplash) and Nevada (BITD)desert races are usually super fast two track stuff. They are not easy, but usually scary fast stuff. Most of the bike races are held in conjunction with truck races. The course has to be wide enough to get a truck through. There are exceptions in both Whiplash (AZ) and BITD (NV) races. Also, the Phoenix enduro race is not a national this year, but is still on. It is supposed to be a bit easier than last year, and is endurocross format (no timekeeping).

 

[Blue Thunder]

OMG..this spode would love to ride somewhere our west..my bro has been nagging me about riding out there just once! This would take major planning and some serious arm twisting to get the ok from the wife. I would be gun shy of high speed desert "racing"..but play riding would be cool and of course riding Glen Helen would just be so freakin' awesomel..Look out Wade..Pat and I put that 15/46 gearing on the 426's..whew..I just better stop thinking about it right now! :cool:

 

[Strick]

Just come to Reno, for the Reno Spodefest, 2/16 & 2/17. Our Desert racing association's first desert race is that Sunday (2/17) 100mile Hare and Hound. You won't need to add anything to your bike as long as you have a skid plate and shark fin. There are alternate gas stops at the 25 mile point on each loop and at the 50 mile point you are directed by to the pits.

Come on out.

If not we have desert races every 2-3 weeks from mid Feb.-the beginning of May, and early Sept.-Mid November.

If you are interested drop my a PM, or e-mail.

 

[zilla]

If you guys just want to find out what the dez is all about. Head over here to Rock Springs. I'll make time to show you around and you can get a taste of the dez at your own pace.. Late apr or may is a good time and summer isn't too bad either.

zilla

 

[CR Swade]

We can't make Reno in Feb, although it was seriously kicked around. The WUDI ride and Mo hare scramble series kickoff took priority for me. How long of a drive from Reno to LA? Or, what sort of spring desert racing might be close to Glen Helen?

J-dog, I've got preliminary clearance from Patty-the wheels are in motion...;)

Zilla or Strick, we may just take you guys up on the offers this spring. May, maybe?

 

[andymstevens]

Anyone need a photographer?

I would really like to be there as the catfish wages a high speed war on the pucker bushes!

I can see it now. Bright sun blasts down on the course 30 minutes after the bomb run. A quick pass then a big cloud of dust. The whining brrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap of the '01 turns to a silent whooooosh as the rear wheel locks up, followed by the tense bar grip and the feeling of sickness you get when you see someone going over the bars. A few minutes later as I pull up, camera in hand, Wade is just getting up, spitting dirt and pulling his visorless AXO helmet on straight.

He looks up at me as I laugh and say, fully prepared to run, "Hey Wade.....smile for the camera...this one's going to go to Bob Bell's suspension shop as an advertisement........then Lou's gonna get to photoshop it!";)

 

[zilla]

Any time ya wanna come over let me know.. Right now if ya came you'd need a sno-machine. There is a Dez race in Saint George Utah Feb 23, put on by the Wizards.. There is also usually one in Grand Junction Colo, in the Spring put on by the Rattlers.. The KTM dealer in GJ will have details.. Bookcliff Cycles. I usually have the most fun just ridin with my buds around here on our favorite trails.. Sounds to me like you KC guys need to plan a road trip.

zilla

 

[webbrace]

You guy,s need to contact best in the Dez, Nevada, They put on a Hare Scrambles in Laughlin Nevada That is a blast to ride. No cars or trucks, just bikes. There is also going to be another bike dez race put on by them, 150 miler.. They are a lot of fun. I am not sure of the dates, check out www.BITD.com I think that will get you to there website. Also District 37 over in SoCal, They have races just about every other weekend, And Glen Helen is in the area.. Check them out.

 

[kc-husky]

webbrace, does district 37 have a web sight? I saw The best in the Desert sight, the KTM 150 doesn't look to bad. Bikes and those four wheeler things. ;)

 

[CR Swade]

When I was talking w Jason today, I was mentioning the Laughlin races as well as Elsinore (Harvey Mushman-is that right?) in the fall. Sounds like District 37 may be the ticket being close to Glen Helen, as it sounds like Pat really wants to shatter our illusions of "yeah, I could rail that track"!

Pucker bushes, huh Andy? Sounds as nasty as those little tricep-removing Blackjack oaks down in Texas. Should we start on the clearance from Sweetie-pie for you Andy? This one may take some doing, as you actually rode twice ,yes KC spodes-twice, in one week!:p

 

[kc-husky]

Andy, may need to rering his bike with all that riding in one week,LOL. That's more than I think he rode last year. Ya start on "sweetie-pie", we will need some of your great pictures for this adventure !!!!;)

Hey, don't forget Jason, getting him out there maybe the bigger challange. And besides I want to see him do one of his seat bouces on the big table top. :)

The Elsinore GP could be a good race to. That's by the old neighborhood.

 

[andymstevens]

It's gonna come down to money and vacation time for me.

Jason...seat bounce...:o I think he bounces more to the right these days.:scream:

 

[BCR-Bob]

Zilla is correct, probably one of the most enjoyable H&H races (here in the area) is the Sage Riders National. If you have raced in Hare Scrambles, you'll have a great time. The Rhino Rally in St. George is also always a good race. If you have any questions let me know, I'll be at both of them.

 

[webbrace]

I think the D-37 website is www.district37ama.org I think that should do it. They have the races listed there. D-37 puts on some of the best desert races around, also the best in the dez are a blast to ride. The races in Nevada are usually pretty tough, but they are fun. If you get a chance, plan for Laughlin, Nice Hotels, cool riding, tight course, and tons of cactus.. Its a blast.

 

[CR Swade]

We will defintitely be getting ahold of you guys out west. D-37 is sounding choice for an all-around moto adventure (dez racing, so-cal mx'ing).

Wyoming is intriguing though, as my buddy used to live in Wyoming and Idaho and always commented on how sweet it would be to have a bike up there. So is Reno for that matter!

Dang, choices choices...

 

[mikeyk]

The BITD races cost a butt-load of money to enter. California races require all kinds of changes for the eco-nazis. The Jericho, UT national H&H is the overwhelming favorite as far as nationals go. If you don't like riding all-out on blacktop, don't do a grand prix. I would check out destry abbotts website and ask him, www.destryabbott.com. He gives a lot of good advice on bike mods for desert racing.

 

[CR Swade]

Thanks for the input mikeyk. Whereabouts are you from in Kansas? Anywhere close to KC? Give us a holler if you want to get in on some riding w/ the group here in KC:)