08/25/2019
Finally got to go today! The conditions were super tough today. Really dry and dusty. A 4-kick start allowed me the chance to take home about half of Panaca’s dust in my lungs! The first loop was a good mix of sand washes, silt beds, and tight trees. I missed a turn about 25 miles in due to dust and gave a big bear hug to a tree which bent my shifter almost to my foot peg. I could shift up with my heel and down normally so I continued to push, but had a few tip overs from accidentally hitting neutral several times.
I came in for a pit from .m.stout and , we bent my shifter back to a usable place and I headed out on the second loop.
The second loop was such a blast! I made up a few positions and found some clear air to cruise to the finish in. It was much more open and flowy than the first loop with more sand washes, some high-speed sections and some technical climbs.
I learned a lot, had fun racing in a place I’d never been, and I’m looking forward to the next one!
Summer break is officially over! 😁
