Round 1: Cherokee National Enduro

Prepping race bike in 20 degree weather! Stickman graphx look sweet!

Race: Cherokee National Enduro

Bike: 09 KTM 200

Result: 3^rd A-200, 76^th Overall

Sponsors: I would like to thank Stickman Graphx, Unabiker.com, EKS Brand Goggles, Kriega USA, Rekluse, All Balls Racing, Fly Racing, Matto Cycle, Bicycle Therapy, Mika Metals, DT-1 Filters, Works Enduro Rider, FMF Racing, Vertex Pistons, Powerseal USA, Offroadviking.com, Clockwork KTM, Torc 1 Racing, Motorex, EBC Brakes, G2 Ergonomics, my family, and my Dad.

Report:

            My dad and I headed down to Georgia on Friday and didn't get there until Saturday after passing through white-out snow conditions.  I was a little on the nervous side as I have only ridden once this winter with school being so busy and it being so cold, but I was anxious to just ride.  I went into the weekend confident in my motorcycle as I have had years of testing on it.  The added parts this year like a Rekluse clutch, G2 throttle cam system, G2 Ergonomics hand guards, Stickman Graphx, and my Kriega USA hydration system only put the icing on the cake.  I went to tech Sunday and my FMF Turbinecore had the bike running crisp. 

            Early Sunday morning, we woke up to 20 degree weather which was shocking since we were in the South.  I escaped State College for some warmer weather.  I showed up to the line for the 54^th minute and was pleasantly surprised to have my own row.  The first section of the day was decent and I felt comfortable on the bike.  The bike was running flawlessly and I was the only thing holding it back.  The second section was very rutted and I was held up a little in there.  The third and fourth sections were decent for me but I had trouble seeing the trail with all of the pine needles.  My fifth and sixth sections were my worst.  I made too many mistakes on the trail and was lacking the endurance to run at my best.  When you become fatigued, you lose that mental edge and I didn't have it.  Although I was happy with two of my test times, I have a lot to work on.  A first place finish is within reach, and I am hungry to get one.

            I am looking forward to a stronger ride at the next round.  I will be riding again this weekend to prepare for SC and then using the week days to mountain bike.  On the bright side, I have started off the year better than in the past and am looking forward to a great season! Thanks to everyone that has supported me along the way.

2013 Sponsor: Rekluse

I am excited to be running Rekluse products during my 2013 race season.  I will be using their high-quality clutch cover as well as their friction clutch plates.  It will be nice to run such a high quality clutch cover since the stock ones wear out so fast from my boots.  For more information, go to rekluse.com.

Winter Riding

Stickman Graphx

The racing season is right around the corner.  This past weekend, I got to ride with 3 AA riders, Ben Smith, Glenn Cordova, and Des Conboy.  I have always been intimidated when riding with faster riders, but I now enjoy the challenge.  For the past year, I have treated it as a game when I ride with faster riders and each time I try to stick with them for a longer period of time.  Early in the day, I was getting left behind by the AA riders, but was able to stick with them by the end of the day.  It was nice to get on the bike, make some suspension changes, and shake off the rust.

In addition to riding, I have been working hard on designing graphics with Alex Engle over at Stickman Graphx.  I am waiting for responses from two sponsors and then I will get them printed.  In the last week, product has showed up from Kriega USA, Acerbis, Mika Metals, DT-1 filters, and G2 Ergonomics! I can't wait for the first enduro.  And lastly, I have recently joined forces with offroadviking.com so check them out for some articles I will be writing this coming season! BRAAAAPPP!

Ebay Deals

I am one of those people that loves to find good deals and recently came across a deal on two different wheels.  Since KTM wheels are now silver, it is hard to find any black wheel sets with polished hubs.  I came across this wheel on ebay and couldn't pass it up.  The wheel showed up at the door today, and I took the time to clean and polish it.  Next step is to get some rim decals from Stickman Graphx.  This will help keep the rim safe from rocks and keep it from getting marked up during tire changes.   I am now looking for another black 18" rear wheel so I can have a spare set during the season.  When you travel as much as I do, you don't want to go home from wheel problems.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

2013 Sponsor: Kriega USA

I am happy to announce that I will receive support from Kriega USA in 2013 and will be wearing their  Kriega Hydro 3 enduro pack and R8 motorcycle waist pack as well as using their haul loops.  They offer the ultimate hydration systems and I am excited to use them in 2013.  With the long enduros and sometimes not seeing a gas stop for 40 miles, the 3 liter pack is the ultimate package.  For more information, go to http://www.kriega.us/products/.

Another Day in Paradise

Hand-built tire rack with storage area

For 2013, I am hoping to make my blog more involved and informational so that people who follow it will come away with some good ideas that they can start doing of their own.  One of my biggest pet peeves as a rider and mechanic of my own bikes is a dirty shop.  I will never work on bikes if they are dirty or if the shop is dirty.  It has become a regular thing for me to clean the shop twice a week by vacuuming and wiping down the surfaces.  In addition to keeping the shop clean, I also like to keep everything organized so it can be easily found. This past weekend, I rearranged the shop again and put my home-made tire rack in the middle of my work benches.  Previously, it had been hidden by the family trash cans but now it's easily accessible for storing wheels and tires.  I also added two more shop lights so that it isn't as dark when working at night.  My next plan is to make a suspension holder that will stand on the side or front so that I can safely store forks and shocks.

Pit Posse Bead Breaker and Tire Changing Stand

Another thing I have gotten recently is the Pit Posse bead breaker and tire changing stand which will help with making the dreaded Techtube/Bib Mousse change.  To make things easier, I mounted mine on a 5/8" thick piece of plywood which keeps it weighted down.  A more intensive route would be to mount the tire changing stand to the cement floor and have quick-release pins so that you can easily pop it on and off.  That is all for today, but I am going to try to document more of the day-to-day shop and race preparations for the 2013 season.  Pictures are always cool so I will take more!