My first experience racing the Sprint Cross Country Series (SXCS) was a bit of happenchance, as a friend mentioned he'd be racing round one a few days earlier. Since I needed to test the new coil and injector I'd swapped onto the YZ, I figured it was perfect timing and signed up immediately.
The temps were low, but the turnout was impressive, with probably around twenty riders in each class, creating an absolute circus as we all headed into the woods to find a faster line around the mass of riders.
I had some issues with stalling a few times, but luckily the bike fired up quickly each time. This did create a yo-yo effect, though, as I had to re-pass a handful of riders again and again.
Eventually, a bobble over a set of roots sent my chest into the handlebar, breaking the GoPro MAX from its mount. A few moments after that mishap, I encountered an increasingly greasy spot on the track which was sending riders sideways. It did the same to me and after picking up the YZ from the ground, it decided it was done playing nice and refused to restart. While I waited for a tow-out, I decided to warn riders of the hazard (after several followed suit and crashed in the exact same spot). Since it was not obvious that the slight right turn was slippery, most had no idea why I was signalling them to slow - resulting in about half of them going down there also.
Overall, the race was great! Some small gripes about marking the course were all I could complain about (taped too low, so one wide rider could wipe it away). I'll most certainly be throwing a few more parts at the YZ (new cutoff switch, maybe?) and registering for the next event.
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