My trip to Utah started off pretty much just like any other Utah National Hare and Hound trip has. Ryan, My dad, and I piled in the motorhome and took turns driving while Ed drove the big truck the whole way and followed us up to Jericho.
On the way, we had to stop at Chris and Patty Blais’s to drop off some equipment that my dad had built for the NHHA trailer. While we were there, Morgan Crawford was working in the garage, and we surprised them with lunch while Chris and Morgan continued to work in the Garage. They had about 5 different bikes torn apart, and were working to get them finished before they left for Jericho.
After we had left, we stopped in Vegas to pick up Jerry Jones and continued on to Beaver where we stayed the night. Friday morning we woke up early and finished the drive into the staging area where we were overwhelmed by the organization that the Sageriders had incorporated into their event. We were greeted and immediately informed on the schedule of events for the weekend, and where I could ride to warm up. Hospitality like that is a big thing when you have traveled as far as we did.
Around 11 am Ryan Smith, Josh Smith, and I went riding and found what was probably the biggest jump in Utah! It was pretty cool, and fun to sow off in front of the locals for a bit, but the day before was really about the business and we spent some time playing up in the Juniper Trees. These things are unlike anything else where ever we ride, and it was important for me to get some seat time in them, including a couple crashes to get used to the feel of the dirt.
Race Day - Utah
Having the race time at 11 am is a good thing as it let us really get a good night’s rest. Ryan had to get up at 6 to help with signups, but I got to sleep in till about 7 o clock. When I got outside Ed had the bike ready, and at 8 Destry, Gary Sutherlin and I went and pre-ran the bomb. It seemed like all of the faster guys had a good line off to the Right of the start, but I was happy with a line on the far left. After about 8 runs and more sand then I was really hoping for it was time for the riders meeting.
They told us a bit about what to expect, and what not to do, and that was about it. As soon as it was over, we all rushed to the start line, and luckily no one had taken my line. It seemed like out of nowhere that the banner was up and then they were off! I say they because literally everyone but me was off. My bike didn’t light and It was three kicks before I too was following behind. It took me literally about a ¼ mile and I had taken my first soil sample. AND IT WAS A BIG ONE.