Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/935202
30 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com 60 teams registered and the pits were now buzzing with activity as bikes were fired up and everyone prepared for the race. There would be a waved dead en- gine start with the lines based on skill level regardless of the type of team format that you had regis- tered for. Team FAHQdue' elected to have Dariush take the start and they would swap riders with each lap estimated to be around 40 min- utes. Despite a minor issue with his start, Dariush quickly caught back up to the pack of racers as they left the line and rode out of sight for the initial conga line-like lap. After the start Chip returned to the pit to gear up, make final bike preparations and keep an eye out for signs of the first riders to go through scoring. In time, expert riders began to pass indicating that Dariush would soon be finishing his first lap. He pulled into the pits shortly after- wards, and while the "baton" was passed, he gave Chip some quick pointers about what to expect about the track. As Chip went out for the start of his first lap, he fell in behind an expert rider which he used to pace himself. With the line now spaced out, having another rider in front helped give forewarning of what laid ahead on the unfa- miliar trails. The course was shaped in a clover-like format which looped back to the center where spectators were standing cheering on riders and providing motivation to keep pushing. From Chip's Go- Pro footage, you can see the extensive traversed hills, ravine crossings and trails over leaf-covered ledge, but from what I'm told, the perspective of the extremity of changes of elevation is lost on the camera. Part of the trail covered three and four diamond trails with posted "caution - not