Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/935202
February 2018 17 Even though it was bone-chilling cold, everyone had a good time. It's like the old saying, "Any day you can spend on your dirt bike is a good day." After the last couple of years of being preoccupied and unfocused come race time, I was determined to give this year's race my undivided attention. This was a new year and I wanted to start it out on a positive note. I was also on a new bike — a KTM 250 EXCF — and I was eager to ride, especially since Limited Decal hooked me up with some sweet graphics. I figured I could at least look fast. I was really excited when Billy told me he decided to split up the C riders from the A/B riders. This meant I wouldn't need to be looking over my shoulder worried about some blazing fast rider breathing down my neck. On the line were some of my awesome ride buddies and a few of the ladies from Becca's women's ride clinic. Being a woman rider, you never know who's going to show up. Our classes usually aren't huge so when you get more than five it's pretty exciting. I lined up on an inside line. I couldn't see how I was positioned for the first turn because of the other classes in front of me. When only a couple of classes remained, I felt like I was over about three bike lengths too far and adjusted my position. I was focused. Usually I'm lining up wherever just to be chatty with my buddies but this day I noticed we were all in our own spots. All of us seeming focused on that start. The time was now. – I heard the 10 seconds announcement and envisioned getting to the first turn fast. My usual goal is grabbing the Holeshot. I always say it can be my one moment of greatness. When the green flag waved I heard a brief hesitation in my bike but made up for it by twisting the throttle hard. I jetted to the first turn, never hesitating or worrying about slipping in the slush. I kept focused and grabbed throttle in the sections I felt confident in and chilled the throttle where I felt I could lose it. The conditions were definitely slick; the keys to the race were controlling the throttle and the brakes, being easy on both and staying smooth. I pretty much never looked back or pulled over, something I famously do, but not on this day. My first lap was going really well until I came upon a hill where a bunch of guys were stuck. It was frustrating because it seemed like it was just a couple of guys at the top hung up causing everyone to be stuck. Yes, there were slick sections on this hill but there was grippy dirt also. As I sat on my bike inhaling lots of two-stroke smoke and waiting my turn to advance, I saw my buddy Amanda Knapp taking this pure awesome line in the snow to the right, blowing past me and the others. When she had to cross out of the snow onto the trail on the top of the hill she tipped over and couldn't get her bike to start. I saw someone going to assist her as I squirmed my way passed the grouping. I was