Unadilla Report, Sept 28, 2008

When I pulled up on the starting line at Unidilla it started raining—pouring.  I knew the track conditions would probably get real nasty real quick.  I took off and crashed in the first corner so I got up pushing all out.  I was able to find good lines everywhere.  I wasn’t liking the track too much but I could manage.   When I came through the first lap, the board said 2nd and 34 seconds behind.  I knew I was close so I was really pushing now.  At the worst spot on the track I had Zach Nolan who  was pointing lines every lap so I was all set at that part of the track!  About three miles in I saw the leader of my class.  I got around him but got stuck on a big hill trying to get around a bottle-neck.  It cleared up, and while I was trying to go down to the bottom to get a run at the hill, 2nd passed me.  At the end of the lap he had 1min 30sec on me.  On lap 3, the track was rough but no big problems  and I came into scoring 23 seconds back.  I caught up, but then fell, so he got around me while I was kicking my bike. 

I got around him right before the finish.  My budddy watching at home told me that live scoring said I was around 25th Overall.  I went out the last lap & felt awesome.  When I got to the 4 mile marker, my bike died.  I bearly got it started and It died again.  I lost a ton of time.  The 4th time it did it 2nd got around me.  It kept on dying.  I figured out that if I just lug it it would last longer and get me to the finish.  I came In 3rd after losing about 18 mins on the last lap.  Monday we spent about 8 hours washing up.  When we looked in the air box, it had sitting water in it.  When we took off the seat, there was a worm crawling up out of the mud,  haha.

Check out a few of my race photos here... CLICK HERE!

All Heart,
Stu

My race weekend Sept. 20-21

On Saturday, we got to High Point track in Georgia late -- just enough time to sign up and go to the line, but almost not for me! I got done getting dressed 30 seconds from the start of the race.  I rushed to the line & got there with about 10 seconds to go. The row was full so I was way outside...in other words, a horrible start.  The whole way through the field track I was trying to get up front & I managed to get up to 5th by the time we hit the woods. I was able to pick my way up to first by the end of the first lap. My second lap I got stung by a yellow jacked somehow through my glove.  (The week prior to the race riding at the house I got stung three times). My hand would bearly hold on for a while but when that was done the race went awesome from there on out & I ended up 1st Overall.

We drove 8 hrs from Perry, GA to Yadkinville, NC,  got there at 11:45PM, & woke up for the Mid East youth race that morning.  (Only one more Youth race to go, though!)  I got off to a decent start -- 3rd behind Trevor Barret & Caleb Garrow.  Caleb crashed in the slick mud and I bearly got around him. Then I hooked up with Trevor and started in on a good pace.  The third lap I saw a line he didn't see and got around him.  I pulled about 10 seconds and kept it right about there the rest of the race.

Before the adult race I heard the track was only 6-1/2 miles long so my dad said I would have to ride the crap out of the bike to stay on the lead lap.  I didn't think I could do it!  I started on the last line, (11th row) & got the hole shot.  Nobody was too close.  I took off and was already pushing so I didn't get lapped.  Everything was goin great except I wanted to catch Jason Raines' wife, Emily to see her ride, so I came through the third lap and my dad was pointing down the trail.  The next mile I saw her and she was flying, but she waved me by. I kept pushing just so I wouldn't get lapped. About that time I got stung in the neck by another yellow jacket!  They must not like me, haha. It hurt but I wasn't giving up!  I finally got the white flag.  I pushed to the end and wound up 7th overall behind, Kaleb Russell, Jesse Robinson, Josh Strang, Chariie Mullins, Jason Gilleand, and Jordan Sain. So a great weekend!                                        

All Heart,
Stu

September 15, 2008

At Snowshoe I started on the 25th row. I felt like I just couldn't get in a good rhythm.  When I finally felt good I got to the three mile marker mud hole & got stuck on something under the mud. My best friend, Zach Nolan, got me through the rest of it, but until the 7 mile marker I still couldn't get a rhythm -- no traction & horrible. The track had nasty rocks everywhere.  And where there weren't rocks there were roots, nasty mud, & hills.

The rest of the race went the same until the third lap when I came into some rocks too fast, crashed, hurt my leg & back and some people say I may have a concussion.  My vison was blurry the rest of the race but I kept pushing and ended up second & 42nd overall. The track was fun in a lot of spots but I'm not able to throw around the big bike like I could my 105.  Hopefully more seat time will fix that.  Thanks to Patrick and some other friends for the good lines, they helped me out alot.

FYI my sister turns 13 on Saturday, so wish her a Happy B'day if you get a chance.   I know Zach Nolan will (and if you're in his class, it might get him distracted enough to give you an edge at the next race!!)

All Heart,

Stu

September 13, 2008

Here's a short summary of how we spent the end of the summer. My dad and I raced a couple of Mid-East events and the first SETRA Enduro at Little Brown Jug.

The big story happened at Cowpens where I took a several mile detour (wrong turn) during the youth race and my little brother beat me. He finished 2nd overall and I finished in 3rd. My buddy Jim Fairy hooked me up with a compass and some survival tips on what to do when I get lost in the woods, so now I'm ready.

I have a few cool pictures of weird things I want to share with you. We have a figure 8 flat track behind my house so next time it rains, come on over for MudFest #2 - you will see me and John Michael in the picture. You will also see my dad pressure washing my brother. I have a shot of my dad covered in dust after the Cowpens race. A shot of Z-man, and me on the BMX track I built at the house. I also have a bonus picture of our first day back at school. CLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTOS!

Well we are back racing, so stay tuned for me race reports. Any questions, shoot me an email at letsride@stewardbaylor.com

Steward