Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1542196
Ka e had taken a Hard Enduro-focused clinic with me over the summer. I remembered seeing a video of her perfectly cleaning a really big log. This gave me hope. Unfortunately, I didn't really remember the clinic, as I had been concussed out of my mind at the me. But she made the mistake of asking how I was doing when I saw her at the final round of NEPG, and I basically word-vomited my en re situa on at her, then somehow convinced her to come race EnduroCross! She drove to my house the week before, had an all-day lesson with me on my track, then loaded her bike into my van along with Meg's. And even for all the struggling my two newer riders faced, they loved it, and said they wish there was a women's amateur class, because they'd come back again and probably bring some friends. So maybe you'll find me in purgatory instead of hell. Nikki Russell was the last addi on. I've known her since she was on a 105cc, kicking ass at TKO. I knew she had the ability to compete straight-up in the pro class; she just needed a li le convincing. Much to my surprise, a day a er I sent the text out of the blue, she decided to go for it. She'd never flown, but flew from Tennessee to Sea le with her gear bag and rode my spare bike. To be honest, I was way more worried about her 45-minute layover in Chicago O'Hare than I was about her racing… but she made it. The other Avengers, who were out on a fun trail ride with my friend Mon Sorem and I, all let out a cheer when I got the text that she had landed in Sea le! She ended up placing fi h, go- ing home with a giant cardboard check and a lot of memories. This gave us ten riders. The most we'd had on a gate in at least six years. Five of which (including myself) I was responsible for. I have never paid less a en on to my own racing in my life. Usually, that's all I think about on race day. Here, on the other hand, I was busy playing the role of promoter and team man- ager. I had a lunch mee ng with my boss at Rieju to discuss my plans for next season. I had some inter- personal confusion with my ex, who I wasn't sure was my ex or not. I was so busy I almost forgot I was racing. 12 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com The Avengers The Avengers Sweeten, Turner, Gu sh, Hall, Emmich, Bykerk-Prochnau,Russell and Kennon Sweeten, Turner, Gu sh, Hall, Emmich, Bykerk-Prochnau,Russell and Kennon (Not pictured, Lerwell and Galbraith) (Not pictured, Lerwell and Galbraith)