This past long weekend my son and I headed to Fallen Timber for the much anticipated hare scramble “ Moose Mountain “ put on by the Second Gear Club.
I always race in the Sportsman’s division as I “ have to go to work the next day “ , “ pay the mortgage” whereby I really only race to enjoy my time away from the real world and to spend time with my dirt bike enthused son of 13 years.
This wasn’t to be my first race as I do participate in Corner Grass ( for the last three years ) and although I do consider myself a beginner I do / did place in the top ten at the Compeer Carnage ( as I call it, again in the Sportsman’s division )
I have taken part in Jay’s riding school and take pride in the fact that every time I ride at Jay’s I try to conquer another obstacle and I hope to, with a little more practice, be racing the smaller obstacle course at next years event. My son, although smaller in physical size, is just about on par with his old man in skill
Keeping that in mind we signed up for “ Sportsman ” and awaited our parade lap.
I was shocked at the riders meeting to find out that there was only the one loop ( 11km long ) and we were all riding it ,,, the PRO’S , EXPERTS, the VET’S , the SUPER VETS and that the only difference was as a Sportsman we were to ride for one hour whereas some of the others rode for two.
WTF!!!!!!!
So off we go,, fun , fun fun, for the first 1/4 of the loop, some creek crossings ( never did that before ) more creek crossings ( again fun )
![Applause :applause:](./images/smilies/applause.gif)
Kudos to the sweepers as they were the only reason we made it through the parade lap. I was embarrassed to say to one sweeper “ I never realized I was this poor a rider and told him of my participation at Corner Grass,, of which gathered a reply ” Corner Grass isn’t a real race “.
My son and I made it through the parade lap and that was enough, my son and I both took some hard falls and broke some plastic, yet I was extremely pissed not at myself or the new found condition of our bikes but rather at the Second Gear Club.
I saw this to be nothing more than laziness on behalf of the SGC, one loop for all !!. I realize the effort that goes into putting on such a race but to map out one loop and put everyone on it was stupid
![Thumbs down :thumbsdown:](./images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif)
I met and spoke with at least 15 people whom shared my feelings over this, some simply quit the race and packed up there (I can't type without swearing. The word that I used is one of GC's 7 words that you can not say on television.) and left.
I simply have a hard time thinking that a club supporting” family environment “ would do something so idiotic.
Later that day after probably realizing there mistake they offered a make up race on the kid’s loop. WOW that was fun,, all in all I thought the event was poorly run, waste of money and with all likelihood my last Second Gear Club Event.
I have quoted there division outline for you perusal
“ Sportsman closed-to-club class is designed for the first time or beginner level racer. This is an advancing class to the main CMA sanctioned event. This is an opportunity for riders to compare their abilities to other riders and to learn how to follow a course and the skills that differentiate between trail riding and racing. The smaller classes are also less intimidating and they have the comfort of extra sweepers to help them out on the trail if they need it “
Ah that feels better, perhaps if you were there could you please post your thoughts
Kindest Regards
The Goose