Riding, Racing and Roundy Round?

Rehab....we don't need no stinkin rehab!

Well, here we go with another first! Riding and Racing in the Great state of Montana!  We are currently stopped off and visiting with a riding buddy, John Roberts (aka Montana John) as part of this thumb rehab tour. It seems since I broke the thumb it has transformed the trip into more rehab than racing as was originally planned.

I have ridden some new areas with John and a couple of new riding partners I met through him. Paul, who rides a KTM and Ken who is KX mounted both ride whenever the opportunity presents itself and I believe I became the excuse they used to go out riding one evening after work. I thought it was a bit strange that we were going out to ride at nearly 5pm, up into the hills and beneath the trees. I soon discovered that being this far north makes for very long days during the summer months. Pretty cool we could trail ride in the trees until almost 9 pm. The riding was a ton of fun and I got to see some of the seldom used trails that of course only the locals know. There was some great riding and some spectacular views. We came across some cool leftover mining equipment and even a sign warning of Wolves and Wolf traps! When was the last time you came across that on a ride? Definitely a first for me. The ride went well with no one getting lost, injured or breaking any bikes so it was a very good day of riding.  So that covers the riding part.

Next item on Montana John’s agenda was getting me to the local races that weekend. I was a bit worried about how the thumb would do on the mx track but agreed to give it a try. So out comes the KX 450 and I can’t believe my good luck. There is a practice on Saturday before the race on Sunday. Perfect, I will find out what I need to know about holding on to the big KX. It went well and I planned to give it a go the next day in the Geezer class (50+). Practice was pretty sloppy and the track worked in nicely during the first set of motos. The second moto was totally different as it dried out and reminded me more of our tracks back in California in the summer; Hard and slick. I was lucky to get two good starts and went 1-1 in the motos. Now we head on to part III of this tour.

So as I sit here watching hail the size of a quarter fall down around me I am mentally preparing for the final phase of this trilogy. I am also wondering what have I gotten myself into. You see the third part of this Montana John orchestrated plan revolves around me riding one of his FLAT TRACK bikes at a race. It seems Montana John is a long time flat tracker and has a whole garage full of flat trackers that obviously just need to be ridden!  I am beginning to think I got okey doked by agreeing to this escapade before I had even sat on or ridden even one of these bikes. I have never ridden a flat tracker before and he is already signing me up at a race.  So as the weekend approaches I am taking a look at the bikes and getting a few pointers. No practice, just pointers. I guess I will have to let you know how it goes when it is all over. Keep your fingers crossed, I am!

#33

“Never ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly”