VCHSS Knockdown (Randolph, VA)

A decent start (last into the woods, but not by long) and a few passes during the first lap had me somewhere near the front of my class. Then, during a muddy climb after a water crossing, my chain came off the rear sprocket!



I was fortunate that a couple teeth were still holding on, allowing me to get it back on, but not before my entire class had passed me by.

After those three minutes or so off the bike, I didn't expect to see anyone in my class again. I just kept up the pace for the next couple laps and did eventually recognize Brandon Mills from my class. Once I snuck around him, I wondered if I might be able to catch anyone else. To my surprise, I saw Clint Showalter, then Brent Lilly, and Jeremy Brown. As I'd learned during earlier laps, many of the "passing lines" on this course were actually "traps" usually ending in trees too tight to fit through. I calmly waited for an actual opening to get around each rider and by the end of the race I had snagged 3rd place, even with a superman wreck right before the finish line [that took out several riders - some carted off to the ER].



Even with that over-the-bars moment, that final lap was the fastest of anyone in my class!

It was a a brutal race, but I was glad to come from behind and catch my class after what felt like an eternity trying to reposition my chain on the rear sprocket.

Before the next race I'll be replacing a bent radiator and washing the mud from my YZ, before swapping over to the 17" Supermoto wheels for a "double-header weekend" May 5th-7th.



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VCHSS Oak Grove Farm (Altavista, VA)

Another sluggish start yielded surprisingly good results!



Although I was "waving goodbye" to my class in the first few seconds, I reminded myself to take it easy when looking for a pass and didn't have too many offs while trying to catch my class.



There was one noticeable hangup, when a crowd of riders collected at a water crossing. Unfortunately, I was stuck in the mud for about 90 seconds while I watched most of the riders I'd passed get back ahead of me. Eventually, though, I reeled them back in and had 3rd place in my possession for the finish!



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Wave Daze - Spring 2023 (Virginia Beach, VA)

With all the dirt biking and snowboarding happening recently, I'd almost forgotten about jet skis! Maybe it was just winter ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Luckily, the Superjet started right up when I removed the battery tender and pushed the button - whew!

On a cold Thursday morning I headed east to the shores of Virginia Beach. Although I arrived with plenty of time to ride, I decided to simply unload the ski, get signed up, and wait out the 55 degree day for the promise of a Friday in the 70's.

The next morning, a quick look at the surf report indicated no need to hurry, with the largest waves arriving around 5pm.

By noon I was setting up my spot on the beach and heading into the chilly waters for my first ride.

Knocking off the cobwebs and simply enjoying the thrill of staying upright, I wasn't out to learn any new tricks (I'm 42, I don't learn ANY new tricks). It was fun, though, to feel the thrill of boosting off a wave or carving into one about to break!

That night I visited a friend that works at Love Song's back bar, before returning to the Schooner Inn. In the morning, the rain had moved in, so I packed up my gear and headed home rather than stand out in the wet to spectate.

Although the weather didn't cooperate this year, it was still a great way to start the season and get back in the tray of the stand-up.

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