Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1048523
26 Trail Rider 200 riders arrived and walked some of the course. It was a sand moto set up in prologue fashion with a large ravine jump at the start, some massive climbs, descents, lots of logs, res, rocks, water and dunes — you get the picture. Somehow, I end- ed up with a number in the 20's when I registered and the Pros were in the first 15 or so, like Alfredo Gomez, Mario Roman, Wade Young, Billy Bolt and so on. The riders took off one at a me with 30 seconds between each for a qualifying lap. My number came up, the flag dropped and I pinned it at the start. Quickly arriving at the ravine jump, there was a sign with a chicken on it for a go-around, or the ravine jump that lands in sand at the base of another hard climb. No one had taken the chick- en line yet so being an idiot, with thousands of people watching, I take off through the sand, pin it in third and luckily clear the ravine. Upon landing, I proceed to wash out and eat sand. I see tons of cameras going off as I pick up the bike and crank it up the climb, providing tons of entertainment. The rest of my six minutes of torture included fewer mistakes. The top 150 out of 200 qualified for the a ernoon's race and even though I managed to qualify, I passed on the a ernoon finale. I felt it best to nurse a football size bruise on my forearm and thigh, along with a freshly wrenched back and reflect on the fact I nearly spoiled my week being a dummy. Next me, I'll be sure to get some sand moto prac ce in! At the end of the day, the organizers took the results of the beach race, along with qualifying mes for those who passed on the final, to build the start list for Thursday's Forest race. Those who passed on the beach race qualifying en rely were placed at the end of the start list. I ended up around 142 nd to start the Forest race out of about 200. Thursday morning, I woke up bruised and achy. A er popping four Advil and having five cups of Turkish coffee, I felt good to go. The event orga- nizers promised a mostly fast and flowing good ride, with a four-hour max riding me. The results of the Forest race go on to determine the start list of Friday's Canyon race. It was another very hot morning and I was already heavily swea ng just wai ng for my number to be called. I had a