Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1366987
20 Trail Rider There were a few bo lenecks on the steep rocky climbs but that Husky with its 17-inch rear wheel and big fat 5.30 Kenda Trackmaster made short work of even the steepest climbs; not a hint of drama. Somewhere around lap three, I caught a glimpse of a rider on a white Husky hot on my tail. Hav- ing pulled over too many mes over the years for a revving racer only to find out we were in the same class, I fed that big Husky the beans and let 'er eat. Once we got out into the open, my compe on was treated to a helping of coal roost that put out the lights for several others in hot pursuit of the big German. I gained a decent lead, but my friend on the white Husky reeled me in on the next lap, and we proceeded to duke it out pre y good, with both of us charging over the boulders in the bar-banging sec ons in fine style. With the white flag thrown, Howie's ride and I rode as one through the rocks and roots. In fact, I could feel his presence guiding me through the woods. "We got this, Howie," I belted out as I ripped my fastest lap on the way to the check- ered flag. The Anthracite was a special event in so many ways. Riding coal was a first and an interes ng sensa on — similar to riding sand with a bit more trac on. Sand with a binder. The hidden lumps of coal kept me on my toes. Like sand, best ridden with the thro le on. As one who's not too fond of heights, racing along ridges with such steep drop offs was a bit unnerving, yet interes ng. I thought it would have been a bigger deal than it was. My compe on on the white Husky who pushed me to twist it harder was long me vintage racer, enthusiast and collector, O o DeJager. Greatly appreciated O o. You made this old kid dig deep. So deep, in fact, that your editor Kurt won his very first 1 st Place finish that day. The phrase, "Al- ways a bridesmaid, never a bride," with so many 2 nd places over 4-plus decades of racing off-road, rang in my head for too many years. I'd been longing for a 1 st for a very long me. Thanks O o, even though we weren't in the same class; I really enjoyed the ba le! Huge thanks to Dave Kutskel for the invite and all the AHRMA Northeast and Mid-Atlan c crew for the hospitality, laughs and solid compe on. You guys rock!