Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1366987
Flashback! The Perfect Ride May 2021 5 Ever have that perfect ride where everything goes as planned? A seamless ride? Well, your buddy Kurt was graced with one epic ride at the recent Anthracite Cross Country event in Pennsylvania last month. How and why this transpired? I'm not exactly sure and be- gan thinking about it. As one who's a s ckler for bike prep, I felt I really dropped the ball on this one. Other than washing my old buddy Howie's Husky that I raced at the White Lightning, I'm ashamed to admit, I didn't do a thing to it. Nope, no air filter service, gear lube changes, and I never even checked air pressures. I'd been busy with other projects, along with ge ng the April issue to print, and I just plain dropped the ball. Feeling somewhat ashamed, I began to jus fy my lack of a en on to my prized ride by thinking of what these old machines went through during a Na onal Enduro or even an ISDT compe on. Tires had to last a minimum of 150 miles per day, along with filters and gearbox lube. Heck, I'd only ridden 50 miles or so on that bike at the White Lightning, and in reality, it should be good to go. As for gear, I'm also pre y anal about gear selec on and condi- ons of the day. We've all experienced that ride where your boots are pinching your feet and your new super-cool riding pants deliver a nasty case of monkey bu . For the Anthracite, I chose what gear I've been the most comfortable in, basic Fasthouse pants, my favorite boots, Sidi Atojos and my old smelly Klim F5 helmet. As for a hydra on system, I've tried the latest and greatest, but for some strange rea- son, they've failed on me and I'm back to my trusty Link Drink. Gear? I was comfortable with. Come race day, I was preoccupied with pictures, cha ng with race buds, and as a result, a bit late in prepping for the gate. Yes, I was excited to be out riding bikes with like-minded folks, but I just didn't have my head into racing. With a mindset of just riding my own race, or "trail racing," I planned to enjoy and be conscious of the condi ons. Dangerous, we were told. Now at 59-years-old, I've done my fair share of racing, and I don't get too excited about it. I enjoy the compe on but also enjoy riding dirt on a daily basis and rarely ride over my head. With a le -side kick Husky and kicking with my right leg, a hole-shot would be a pipe dream. Prepared and watching for the green flag to drop, surprisingly, the old Husky fired immediately, and I hopped on and let 'er eat. Tossing the big 430 into a loose rocky corner with the thro le on, the big Swede stuck like glue. Why, I don't know, as the Kenda Trackmaster on the rear has seen more than its fair share of abuse and really shouldn't have worked that well. Tossing lumps of coal like Santa at a sno y kid, I poured it on and con nued to climb the steepest of the steep with zero effort. As for the ght single-track li ered with rocks and roots, my well-worn Kenda Tri- ple-S cky front never displayed even a hint of deflec on. What I've always enjoyed about woods riding is the unexpected, not knowing what's around the corner. Woods racing is a different story; with no sight lap, the first lap is a learning curve. With a full lap under my belt and zero drama, I began to twist it harder. The second lap was even be er than the first, with me and Howie's Husky riding as one around that nasty course. By the third lap, I felt I was powered by some unseen force. No arm pump, not wind- ed with Howie's bike behaving like an extension of my limbs. Upon entering the scoring tent and seeing the white flag, I gave 'er a li le more and that's when it all came together. I was riding the perfect ride. How and why, I'm not en rely sure. Was it the fact that I was comfortable in my kit? Were my well-worn res ideal for the condi ons? Was it the fact that I was aboard the perfect tool for the job? I don't know, but man alive when it all gels, it's one incredible feeling that's for sure. Magical in fact!