Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/122626
Left: The gloves and gear only stay dry for a few minutes before getting soaked in the first of several water holes. At least you get soaking overwith early. Above: The Mini Big Wheel Class knives through the first corner. Zach Toth would go on to take the win. wanted to start my day. By the time that I got up and going again, the places that I had gained had all come and gone. Once I was riding again, my first thought was: "At least I have hot grips to dry my gloves", another thing that was short lived. Apparently submerging them in water can cause problems with hot grips. Something shorted out and burnt through my grip, glove, and my hand. On top of all of this, I was suffering from a serious case of arm pump. Somewhere around the four mile marker, we came up on a long mud section, where police officers were directing us through. I would later find out that the police presence was due to the death of morning race competitor John Ruffo, who passed due to an unrelated medical condition. I would like to express my condolences to his family for this tragedy. laps with my head down, trying to catch the lead group. Coming into the field at the end of lap four I caught the second and third place riders: John Kelley and Nick Hunter. I was really hoping to get another lap, as things were just starting to click for me; unfortunately they called the race early – after only four laps and one hour and fifty-two minutes. When it was all said and done, Jsaon Klammer picked up where he left off last year by taking the win. Jason had a very strong off season with outstanding finishes in the first round of the GNCC where he finished 17th overall and then 4th overall at the Alligator Enduro. If Jason's early season success is any indication of what's to come, Rocks, roots and mud. That about sums up The Challenge. I finished lap one in seventh place. About four miles into lap two my arm pump finally subsided, and I was able to start riding harder. I caught Macritchie with about a mile to go on lap two. When we passed through the scoring barrels he stopped at the pit, and I cruised by. I was now up to fourth, and starting to push. I spent the next couple of April 2013 7