We arrived at about midnight, which seems to always be the worst time to arrive anywhere. Everything looks haunted and unstable at that time of day. There's a wooden bridge there that looks so old, but we didn't crash through it, so I guess it's fine.
It rained a little overnight, but I wasn't really worried. I thought the track would be fine by the time I got out there.
There I was, lined up with the other AA class riders, waiting for the rifle shot. Yes, I entered the AA class, hoping to win some $$$ back. As you will read, some circumstances prevented that from happening.
The start went ok. I think I was midpack, or a little toward the back. I wasn't getting dropped too bad, so I was happy! Well, happy until a little bit after the start. Ha. I crashed into a tree and pretty much ruined my front fender. And I hit my thigh pretty good in that crash (it still hurts to walk).
I got going from that and had another mishap on the first lap. I lost control and went into a bunch of smaller trees. Somehow I had one tree stuck between my front fender and wheel, and another tree stuck between my rear fender and wheel. It took me a while to get out of that one... Tugging and pulling.
And I couldn't just end the first lap without crashing another time! Ha.
Second lap: mindset of a new man. I now know the track. But not really.. I got to a creek crossing that was pretty deep in the middle. And where do you think I went? Yep, into the middle. I got stuck so bad. It felt impossible to get out. I pulled my bike up into a wheelie and tried pulling to the side with all my body weight. No cigar.
I could just leave the bike in a permanent wheelie at that time. Somehow I got the rear wheel free! Man, I didn't want to get stuck anymore. My hopes of an ok finishing position were out the window.
I got through the third lap without any major problems, so I was pumped on that! The fourth lap went almost as good, if it wouldn't have been for a tree rooted hill. I was stuck there for a little bit with another guy nearby stuck as well. When I got free I felt bad for leaving the other guy. Oh well.
So I finished 12th out of 14. Somehow two people had more mishaps than me!
The drive out of there was way more pleasant in the daylight. We drove through a town that had a brick road, so that was pretty cool.
Man, hare scramble's aren't that easy. But the fun part is finishing! Or is it the ride? Both. If you don't crash too much, that is.
See ya! -Greg
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