8-25-13
The first annual Greg Moss memorial race was a good time. Ryan and the rest of the Forest City riders did a great job laying out a fun course. They added a little extra this year as they put in an enduro cross section on the hill. The section took its toll on some of the riders, but was a great spectator spot to watch. Greg would have loved to see who had the skills to make it through. My day was pretty good. I got off to a decent start and was about 5th going into the first woods section. I tried to get around everyone as fast as I could so that the leader (Adam Bonner) wouldn't pull away from us. I finally got into second and tried to make a charge but Adam had to much of a lead by the time I had clear trail to put my head down and charge. I was slowly gaining ground to him but I just ran out of time. I ended the day in a strong second place with a pretty big gap back to third. I would like to thank all my sponsors and everyone else that has helped me this year.
Remember keep it between the trees!!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
The Dusty Stone Lake
August 18, 2013
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| The Start |
We made it back for our final race (round 8 of the series) at Sumit Lake Game Farm in Stone Lake, WI. Mother nature wasn't to cooperative for the course because they were in need of rain badly. It was going to be a really dusty race Sunday. Saturday I mountained biked the course as usual. It is a good light work out and just time for me to clear my head and see what the course has instore for us. Sunday rolled around and we were ready to come out swinging. I felt good and was ready to put in a good ride and see where I would finish. The AA class had some good competition and was sure to be a fight to the checkers. We have been working on the starting of the bike and it paid off because I actually left with everyone when the gun fired. I didn't get a great jump but I wasn't dead last like a couple of the races and since it was going to be dusty I needed a good start. I was in third after the first couple of corners and held that position off the moto track. When we left the track it was blindingly dusty. You couldn't see anything and had to tip toe down the twotrack roads until we hit the woods where it wasn't as dusty. I got into second fairly quick and was catching Dylan in the woods when we hit another road and he dusted me out. I had to let off a little so I could see and that was enough for him to get a gap on me again. It was going to come down to mistakes to get around some one. Unfortunately I made a little mistake and clipped a tree and it knocked me down. As I was just getting up and going Nate blazed a trail through the woods and made the pass on me and of course just dusted me out. It didn't help things out either that we were just starting to catch lappers so I had his dust and others to contend with. I decided to play it safe and try to ride hard but not over my head and finish the race without a big crash. I ended the day in third. Should have been at least second but that is where those little mistakes can turn into big mistakes in a hurry. I am going to put my head down and work on a few things to improve so I can get on the top step again. I would like to thank all my sponsors for everything they do and my family for being there week in and week out. Without all of you it would be hard to do what I love. Thanks Again!!
Remember to keep it between the trees!!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The summer bummer weekend.
8-11-13
Day 1
We made the five hour drive to the Indiana town of Roselawn. We arrived late Friday night, got settled in, and crashed for the night. Saturday morning was a little muggy. I went to sign up and got on the second row which was great because I wanted to avoid lap traffic. The first loop was basically just a parade lap to get the trail broken in. I tried to get myself ready for the remaining laps to put the hammer down and ride smooth and hard. I put in a good ride the rest of the race, but made a few small mistakes here and there that cost me the win. The top three were separated by seconds all day. I came home with a third place for the day.
Day 2
Once again it was a hot and muggy day of ridding just like the day before. I wanted to redeem myself by riding hard and coming home with the win. My day started off really well. I dropped a 1 in the first section and knew I was on pace for the day. The next test went well also, but I had a little trouble getting around a few riders. I rode this section clean and smooth and still on track to be where I needed to be to be in contention for the win. The third test is where I tried to ride hard and make no mistakes and try and gap the rest of the field. I did what I wanted to but so did Anthony. We both came out of that test dropping 3 points. After three tests we where tied. Tests 4 and 5 went well. Test five could have been trimmed better so I could have seen the trail better, but it was still good. I was in a battle with Anthony and probably only seconds determining who would come home with the win. On the sixth test is where my day fell apart, we were only about a mile into the section when a couple of us got lost. The trail apparently turned left but they had very few arrows and no ribbon or wrong way signs on the old trail they turned off of and we followed it for a ways. I turned around and headed back to see where the trail went and by that time already lost a minute on Anthony (we almost hit head on trying to find the trail). That test cost me a chance at taking home the overall for the day. The final test was the long test we had the day before and it was beat up. I tried to ride the last section hard and mistake free but a few mistakes cost me some time which wouldn't have changed the outcome for the day. I finished the race second overall. I would like to thank all my sponsors for their help and everyone else that helped out. Thanks.
Remember to Keep it between the trees!!
Day 1
We made the five hour drive to the Indiana town of Roselawn. We arrived late Friday night, got settled in, and crashed for the night. Saturday morning was a little muggy. I went to sign up and got on the second row which was great because I wanted to avoid lap traffic. The first loop was basically just a parade lap to get the trail broken in. I tried to get myself ready for the remaining laps to put the hammer down and ride smooth and hard. I put in a good ride the rest of the race, but made a few small mistakes here and there that cost me the win. The top three were separated by seconds all day. I came home with a third place for the day.
Day 2
Once again it was a hot and muggy day of ridding just like the day before. I wanted to redeem myself by riding hard and coming home with the win. My day started off really well. I dropped a 1 in the first section and knew I was on pace for the day. The next test went well also, but I had a little trouble getting around a few riders. I rode this section clean and smooth and still on track to be where I needed to be to be in contention for the win. The third test is where I tried to ride hard and make no mistakes and try and gap the rest of the field. I did what I wanted to but so did Anthony. We both came out of that test dropping 3 points. After three tests we where tied. Tests 4 and 5 went well. Test five could have been trimmed better so I could have seen the trail better, but it was still good. I was in a battle with Anthony and probably only seconds determining who would come home with the win. On the sixth test is where my day fell apart, we were only about a mile into the section when a couple of us got lost. The trail apparently turned left but they had very few arrows and no ribbon or wrong way signs on the old trail they turned off of and we followed it for a ways. I turned around and headed back to see where the trail went and by that time already lost a minute on Anthony (we almost hit head on trying to find the trail). That test cost me a chance at taking home the overall for the day. The final test was the long test we had the day before and it was beat up. I tried to ride the last section hard and mistake free but a few mistakes cost me some time which wouldn't have changed the outcome for the day. I finished the race second overall. I would like to thank all my sponsors for their help and everyone else that helped out. Thanks.
Remember to Keep it between the trees!!
Monday, August 5, 2013
Hixton Enduro.
8-4-13
We made our last trip to Hixton, WI for the year. You couldn't have asked for a nicer weekend for being outside and enjoying the weather. The SEWER club laid out a 6.6 mile course for the closed course Enduro. I mountain biked the course on Saturday morning and was excited to race it on Sunday. They cut in some new trail and made the loop more technical than it normally is there. The dirt was pretty good too, because they got some rain in the middle of the week. I drew minute one Sunday morning and typically that would be a horrible minute but with the closed course Enduros you don't have any lap traffic in your way and you can just ride the course. The first lap was hard to find the trail in spots due to some of the trail being new, but the rest of the laps were great. We did six loops for the day. I didn't really have any big mistakes except one time getting around a rider I caught a root and went down but got up quickly and kept pushing forward. I rode really well for the most part and I had a lot of fun on the course. I ended up taking the overall win for the day and would like to thank all my sponsors and my wife and parents for helping out each and every week at the races. Thanks!
Remember keep it between the trees!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Fox Valley report
July 21, 2013
Well we made another trip to Fox Valley Offroad Park for round 6 of the District 16 series. As I mountain biked the course on Saturday the trail was alot slower than the previous round and a little more technical too. The dust was going to be a factor so a good start would be ideal. Sunday morning came around and the sun was shinning they were calling for low 80's, but I think it was closer to 90 by the time we were on the line.
Fox Valley Off Road's website sums it up well (quoted from trackman 7/21/13 http://midwest-racing.com/2013/FVOR/7-21/7-21hs.htm):
"So now over 150 riders have raced either an hour, or an hour and a half and it’s noon. Ready for the afternoon AA , A and B classes to hammer a much more difficult course. ALL the ex section is ready, and a much tougher version of Rock Creek is now changed up to be included in their race. 1 hour, 45 minutes of fast paced, Log clearing, tree banging, excavator tire jumping action is to be had. 64 riders are lined up, its’ 12:30pm 11 of the 64 AA class which is the highest class in HS racing is set. JD Friebel (17), Alec Perry (99), Austin Wells (65), Shane Klimek (14), Kyleer Vance (97 returning after almost 2 years), Robert Kau (54), Pete Laubmier (28) Chris Hoffman (30) Travis Ward (51) and Matte Herrington (98) from both D16 and D17 ready to race. Missing today was Matt Dissell and Ryan Moss, both would have made this race even more interesting. Off the start, Kyleer showed he remembered how good he was getting holeshots, and Austin Wells equally as good was right in there. Alec Perry and Travis Ward were fighting for position into the corner with Perry edging Ward out in the first sections. This course today had 4 separate types of single track sections. Three of which were ravines that dropped from the top side of the property to the bottom which is about 150’ or more in height. Kyleer held the lead on the first partial lap as Travis got past Austin and Alec to hound Kyleer for the lead. On lap two Travis took the lead, while Alec, Austin, and Kyleer battled in the early laps. Austin went down and dropped to 6th while starting in last District 16’s Husky mounted JD Friebel was slicing through the pack trying to get to the leaders and make a charge. Quietly Shane Klimek was also making is way to the front. At the hour mark Travis had a about a minute lead, but this would soon go away as he folds his front end over and goes tumbling across the timber floor. Getting up and losing a good 60 seconds tightened up the race positions considerably. The last four laps were amazing. JD gets into the fray, that 4 stroke Husky echoing through the timber as he rides it hard and on the rev limiter. Everyone could see him reeling in the leaders and as he gets into 2nd place it’s only a matter of time before Ward would be the next victim. All the while, Austin, Alec and Shane are battling for every inch of real estate. JD on the white flag lap closed to with in sight of Travis and they both looked at each other in the EX section of the track. This meant the next lap and a half was going to come down to lappers moving nicely to the side and no mistakes. BOTH riders fastest lap times of the day were the last two laps. Think about this for a minute. JD being really close or 30 years old, Travis 17, Alec 19, Austin 19, Shane a bit older and their fastest lap times are the END of the race. JD pulled some of the fastest laps of the day at 9:31, he did that twice on the third to last lap and the last lap. Travis had consistent with 9:40’s pulled 9:38, 9:35; and the fastest of the day with JD hot on his heals a 9:27. Less then 12 seconds separated 1st and 2nd place after that long of a race is pretty interesting. Alec, Austin, and Shane more then once was side by side on the logs in the ex section jumping the tires at the end scrambling for the lines in the corner. Alec held on for 3rd, with Austin 3 seconds behind him! Shane dropped off on the later laps, about a minute behind with Kyleer’s “first” race back 2 seconds behind Shane in 6th. Travis Ward got his “first” overall win in AA class after only a ½ of season in the class."
Remember to keep it between the trees!
Fox Valley Off Road's website sums it up well (quoted from trackman 7/21/13 http://midwest-racing.com/2013/FVOR/7-21/7-21hs.htm):
"So now over 150 riders have raced either an hour, or an hour and a half and it’s noon. Ready for the afternoon AA , A and B classes to hammer a much more difficult course. ALL the ex section is ready, and a much tougher version of Rock Creek is now changed up to be included in their race. 1 hour, 45 minutes of fast paced, Log clearing, tree banging, excavator tire jumping action is to be had. 64 riders are lined up, its’ 12:30pm 11 of the 64 AA class which is the highest class in HS racing is set. JD Friebel (17), Alec Perry (99), Austin Wells (65), Shane Klimek (14), Kyleer Vance (97 returning after almost 2 years), Robert Kau (54), Pete Laubmier (28) Chris Hoffman (30) Travis Ward (51) and Matte Herrington (98) from both D16 and D17 ready to race. Missing today was Matt Dissell and Ryan Moss, both would have made this race even more interesting. Off the start, Kyleer showed he remembered how good he was getting holeshots, and Austin Wells equally as good was right in there. Alec Perry and Travis Ward were fighting for position into the corner with Perry edging Ward out in the first sections. This course today had 4 separate types of single track sections. Three of which were ravines that dropped from the top side of the property to the bottom which is about 150’ or more in height. Kyleer held the lead on the first partial lap as Travis got past Austin and Alec to hound Kyleer for the lead. On lap two Travis took the lead, while Alec, Austin, and Kyleer battled in the early laps. Austin went down and dropped to 6th while starting in last District 16’s Husky mounted JD Friebel was slicing through the pack trying to get to the leaders and make a charge. Quietly Shane Klimek was also making is way to the front. At the hour mark Travis had a about a minute lead, but this would soon go away as he folds his front end over and goes tumbling across the timber floor. Getting up and losing a good 60 seconds tightened up the race positions considerably. The last four laps were amazing. JD gets into the fray, that 4 stroke Husky echoing through the timber as he rides it hard and on the rev limiter. Everyone could see him reeling in the leaders and as he gets into 2nd place it’s only a matter of time before Ward would be the next victim. All the while, Austin, Alec and Shane are battling for every inch of real estate. JD on the white flag lap closed to with in sight of Travis and they both looked at each other in the EX section of the track. This meant the next lap and a half was going to come down to lappers moving nicely to the side and no mistakes. BOTH riders fastest lap times of the day were the last two laps. Think about this for a minute. JD being really close or 30 years old, Travis 17, Alec 19, Austin 19, Shane a bit older and their fastest lap times are the END of the race. JD pulled some of the fastest laps of the day at 9:31, he did that twice on the third to last lap and the last lap. Travis had consistent with 9:40’s pulled 9:38, 9:35; and the fastest of the day with JD hot on his heals a 9:27. Less then 12 seconds separated 1st and 2nd place after that long of a race is pretty interesting. Alec, Austin, and Shane more then once was side by side on the logs in the ex section jumping the tires at the end scrambling for the lines in the corner. Alec held on for 3rd, with Austin 3 seconds behind him! Shane dropped off on the later laps, about a minute behind with Kyleer’s “first” race back 2 seconds behind Shane in 6th. Travis Ward got his “first” overall win in AA class after only a ½ of season in the class."
Remember to keep it between the trees!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Dusty Stone Lake.
July 7, 2013
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| Don't mess with me. |
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| Little target shooting on Saturday. |
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| Ready for the action! |
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| Taking the checkers for the WIN!! |
Remember keep it between the trees!!
Monday, July 1, 2013
CMJ RACEWAY
June 30, 2013
We are back in action after a weekend off in Hixton WI. We arrived at CMJ Raceway Friday night. Saturday morning I set out and walked the course. Chris asked me to check the course out and make sure everything was marked and ready for Sunday. Since the trail was drying out a touch we decided to add a little more trail for the afternoon race. The trail was still pretty slippery Saturday but with the wind it was soaking it up slowly. By Sunday the trail was looking like it was going to be awesome and it was great on Sunday. There were eight AA riders for the afternoon race. Riders came from Minnesota and Illinois as well as our normal local riders and this made a very competitive class. When the gun fired I got a little anxious and touched the throttle to quick and snubbed my bike. I hit the electric start button and it fired right away, but I was sixth going into the woods. I tried to make my way to the front as quickly as I could and tried to relax and ride hard. By the third lap I got around Pete and took the lead. Was goal was to ride hard and smooth and not make any big mistakes. Nate was right behind me and we just started to pull away from the rest of the field. We pushed each other pretty hard if we race each other and that usually results in some fast lap times. Lap eight I had to stop for gas and Nate got around me. I knew he still had to stop too but I didn't know when. Nate ended up stopping the next lap and I was able to close right back up on his rear tire. I knew it would be a dog fight to the end if we didn't make any mistakes. But my day got cut short when we caught a lapper next to the interstate. Nate was able to get by clean and as I was wheeling a ditch the lapper pulled back in the trail without looking back and I ran right into his tire and that sent me ping ponging through the trees. I was able to get back up fairly quick but it was to much of a gap to recover from. I was happy with my ride up until that point but that is racing; lappers can hurt you or help you. I came across the finish line in second place. I would like to thank my family for all the help they do and especially all my sponsors you guys are what keep me going week after week. Thanks for all your help!!
Remember keep it between the trees!
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| AA Line |
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Taking the lead
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Remember keep it between the trees!
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