Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1528606
Day 6 final Moto Day 6 final Moto I never realized silt could be wet. Before this, I thought it was impossible by the laws of physics as I understood them. This wet silt covered hidden rocks sca ered like Russian landmines that would unpredictably throw you sideways with similarly explosive velocity. Upon exi ng the test a er the first pass, some notable quotes from the top wom- en included: "Terrifying." "No, I'm not hurt, just my pride." "unhappy mu ering in French" "unhappy mu ering in Italian" Objec vely the worst thing I've ever ridden." and, "Wow I f@#&ing suck at dirt bikes." My clearest memory from day one, was a frozen snapshot of my second pass through the test of terror. Flying down a hill. My feet, off the pegs and high in the air. The bike, sideways. Sphincter clenched. I make direct eye contact with a trail- side photographer. I see the fear in his eyes. He drops his camera (thank god for neck straps) and takes three steps back. With heroic, white-knuck- led effort, I bring the bike back around and ride it out. I felt like stopping to tell the photographer he shouldn't have worried, this was already the third me during this test I'd executed that par cular move, and I'd probably do it a few more mes be- fore we were done. Upon seeing the scores, I regre ed not stopping be- cause it wouldn't have made much difference. Day Two included the same tests and transfers as Day One. I made some suspension changes and stopped fearing for my life, though they were not enough to improve my scores or enjoyment—that would have re- quired a hovercra . The day was otherwise unremark- able and indis nguishable from the day that preceded it. Day Three ini ally brought some hope. The enduro test resembled an enduro test, and both cross-tests were fun. I have never been so happy to see a rut in my life! My scores were not ac vely distressing. We had a long, pleasantly gnarly transfer through the mountains, though it eventually degraded into unpredictably deep mudholes and was bypassed for the second loop for the women and club riders and everyone on day four. But then, halfway through the second enduro test, something didn't feel right. At first, I thought it was the re spinning. Oh, the li le lies we tell ourselves. By the end of the test, it became apparent the clutch was slipping. I stopped at the end of the test to get my pack. Shouldn't have, because the hot plates fused themselves together and now the bike wouldn't go anywhere.