Quick Fill #8: On The Road Again

The opening round of race season can mean a lot of things for a lot of people.  For me, opening weekend of race season has always been a bundle of nerves and excitement as I anticipate who's been doing what in the off-season and where I match up to that.  It has always consisted of making sure my bike is ready to go; my boots, helmet and gear has all made it in the bag, spare parts are in tow and of course, my start blocks.  This year, however, opening round of race season means something completely different, yet still triggers butterflies.  This year, race season means making sure press releases make it out to all of the right people.  It means compiling event media lists, preparing race reports and of course making sure Quick Fill is posted on Thursdays.  This year I will be diving into the opening round of race season "adult style", and I'm actually okay with it.

Don't get me wrong, the second I get my dirtbike onto the rich soils of West Virginia...'err whatever the dirt is here, you had better believe I'm going to ride laps as long as daylight allows...(and work allows, of course).  But the point is, the opening round of a race season is just as exciting whether you're a rider, spectator, worker, team manager or fan.  That's what is so great about our sport; there are so many different reasons for a person to be involved that it becomes a family affair.

I am so excited to finally get the opportunity to meet the GNCC family and experience off-road racing at its' best.  This is not only my first time traveling to an event with Racer Productions, (with the exception of the time we ran out of gas in Indy), but also my first-ever GNCC race.  I'm going to take close notes this weekend because I plan to race a GNCC or two before the season is over!

Just a quick message from "Dan the Man": the tentative ATV and BIKE start orders are posted on the GNCC website, so go ahead and check those out before you head out on the road!

So we talked to Rodney Smith about the Suzuki dealer demo rides that will be featured for the first time this year at five events: Westgate River Ranch, FMF Steele Creek, Parts Unlimited Loretta Lynn's, Can-Am Unadilla and Amsoil Ironman GNCCs.  Instead of doing them on the day of an event, they will take place on the day after the event for select Suzuki dealerships.  Rodney explained, "That gives clients the opportunity to test the machines on the same rough terrain that the Pro guys rode the day before." The first demo will be next Wednesday, following the River Ranch event.

BNR/GTTHUNDER Rider Kevin Yoho will make his pro class debut in FL this weekend on his number 13 machine.  After several years in the XC2 class, Kevin has earned a spot on pro row for 2011. Yoho has been working harder than ever in the off-season and plans to make a mark in the XC1 class this year.

Here's Shan Moore.

Thanks Jen. I spent last weekend at the national enduro in South Carolina, which ended up being a pretty interesting race. I think there were a few surprises, including Steward Baylor Jr., who finished fifth overall after running as high as fourth. Steward actually tied for the second fastest time in the second special test and was in the hunt for a podium until the last few sections when he had some problems.

Defending enduro champ Charlie Mullins had a bad day and was sixth, after having a stick jamb a hole in his radiator in the fifth test of the day. Meanwhile, Cory Buttrick was a little off pace due to getting sick midway into the race. C-Butt told me that he had been feeling ill earlier in the week, but that he thought he had gotten over it. However, he said he got so tired in the fourth test that he felt like he was going to fall asleep and then he also threw up, so he was definitely still under the effects of some kind of sickness. Hope he is over it by this weekend because the big daddy kickoff is upon us!

As we mentioned last week, Mullins was riding a 450 KTM at the enduro instead of the 350 he was slated to ride. Charlie said he feels the bigger bike suits his style. Meanwhile, Cory looked pretty good on the 350, before he started feeling sick. It will be interesting to see the two bikes in Florida on a more wide-open course.

While I'm on the topic of KTM riders, Kailub Russell was at the enduro in South Carolina. He was catching a lot of flack for not riding the event, but it looked like he was in pretty good shape and ready to go for next week. Kailub told me he's been riding and training at Zach Osborne's place in South Carolina at Club MX. Kailub said he has worked out a pretty program and he really likes the new 350. "Coming off the 250F, the 350 feels awesome," were his exact words. Sounds like a warning for the rest of the class!

Thad DuVall was on the gas in South Carolina, as well, but he's still adapting to the enduro format and hasn't gotten used to the "stop and go" procedure. Thad rode a YZ250F with a 290cc Athena kit on it for the tight woods, but says he will be on the big 450 for all the GNCC rounds. While in the Am Pro Yamaha pits I spoke to Dale Steggy and he said the Paul Whibley is looking pretty good too. We all know that Whib's biggest asset is his mental and physical toughness and that should be a big advantage in the whoops of Florida.

Bart Hayes is still telling me that David Knight is slated to ride the Georgia GNCC; they are just waiting on a bike. Knighter just won the opening round of the British Enduro Series and I can't wait to see him at the Georgia race.

We'll pass it over to the fitness guy, Robb Beams.

Hey everyone, this week we are going to discuss the 2^nd Key Component that GNCC riders need to focus on in order to finish long races strong: Aerobic Endurance.

Components #2: Aerobic Endurance

When you think about your aerobic energy system, you have to think about the root system of a tree.  The more roots the tree has, the more water and nutrients the tree can take in and become stronger.  Workouts that are low on the intensity scale (relative to your personal max heart rate) and slightly longer than normal in duration will "grow" capillary beds within the body of the muscles.  These capillary beds are what become responsible to providing the necessary oxygen for your working muscles.  This system also becomes responsible for the removal of lactic acid (a byproduct of burning glycogen during the energy cycle).  Between providing oxygen and removing the lactic acid within the blood stream, there isn't a more powerful physical adaptation that you could put your body through.

On a side note, this is the biggest limiting factor to human performance.  It is for this reason that aerobic workouts encompass the majority of your training volume - regardless of the training cycle.

During your longer than normal workouts, all of your internal systems (cardiovascular, pulmonary, nervous, endocrine and energy production within the mitochondria of the cell) are adapting to the stress of exercise and becoming stronger.  In addition to the strengthening of your internal systems, you are causing adaptations to occur at the mechanical level (tendons, ligaments, fascia, muscles and bone), which will support your faster efforts later in the season.

If your program has not been addressing these energy systems, please contact me and I will forward some specific workouts that will enhance these energy systems without leaving you too fatigued come race week.  For more information, please visit www.completeracingsolutions.com.

Passing it along to Hoop-a-Loop, who's become a part time resident of Florida for the time being.

As I write this, I'm in the passenger seat as Krista drives us down to Okechobee (I'm working!) for the FAR/Husqvarna team photo shoot. This will be the 3rd year in a row we've shot the photos for Fred Andrews' team and it's become kind of our ritual before we head to River Ranch. I spoke to Fred a bit and he told me that both of his XC2 guys Jason Thomas and Morgan Moss are really on the gas--how crazy would it be to see not one but two Huskys on the box at a GNCC this year?

The big unknown for the Husky team this year is Simo Kirssi -- the big Finn actually isn't even in the country yet after having some troubles getting his VISA, so we won't be shooting him until Monday. Best of luck to the off-road veteran as he makes his way into the states.

On Monday we got the chance to shoot the team photos for the JG Off-Road/Geico/Honda team of Jimmy Jarrett and Scotty Watkins. Both guys looked really good on their new Honda rides, and with the addition of Honda to the team it seems like everyone is kind of revitalized on that team and really anxious to get the season underway. It's definitely awesome to see Honda make a comeback into GNCC Racing and I'm really stoked for JT, Gretchen, and everyone at the team that they were able to secure that deal and were able to come racing again. The pits definitely wouldn't be the same without them and the big Geico rig, and it sounds like with the support of Honda they should be around for a while longer! If you want to check out some wallpaper-sized photos from the shoot, click here.

One last plug before this weekend for the GNCC Fantasy League over on www.offroadfantasy.com! We've got the rider lists up so you can go ahead and start making rider selections for the River Ranch race. If you haven't signed up there's still time, so get over there and do it! It's only $10 to play for the whole year and we're giving away a brand new Yamaha TTR-110 courtesy of Obermeyer Yamaha to the overall winner, not too shabby, right?

And last but certainly not least, Rodney Tomblin.  As he searches for the Big Foot in the Florida wild.

Thanks Jen.  Are you ready to go GNCC Racing? Row number 1, ready to roll in T....................well you know the drill. It's really, truly, honest to goodness just a couple of days away and the 2011 Can Am GNCC will be under way.  It's funny how 30 days ago seemed so long ago and now here we are making the yearly escape to the sunshine of Florida and the annual Bike Week festivities.  If you are like me and from the northern part of the country and you were thinking about sitting round 1 out, I would rethink that idea.  The reason is that the sunshine is just what the doctor ordered.  Dig out and head down if you have only a couple of days to burn because mid 70 degree temperatures and sunshine will make you feel like a new person.

I made my way to River Ranch on Monday night along with the rest of the crew in preparation for the kickoff of a fresh new season.  If you have been watching the news then you know that Florida seems to be burning up literally.  A word of caution for you as you travel is be prepared to detour as sections of the interstates and roadway may be shut down due to smoke from the all the fires.  I am not sure what the current situation is but these fires have been popping up and could at any time so just allow for some extra time if you are on a schedule.

The trail crew hit the road last week and made their way to Aonia Pass to do line things up for round 2 the Maxxis General GNCC.  Welcome aboard 8-Time GNCC Champion Barry Hawk to the crew.  Barry dove in head first eager to learn and excited with the new opportunities.  I was talking to Barry in Georgia and asked him what he thought and he asked me; "Did you ever pound one of those T-post things?" and I said "Oh yeah! Lots of them."  Then he raised his hat and said "Did you ever get one of these?" as he displayed a big knot on the top of his forehead.  I said "Nope, but I have come close."  He said the bad thing was that it was the biggest heaviest pole pounder we have and I know that had to hurt pretty bad. Welcome to the crew Barry!

The trip down for Trail Boss Jeff Russell was an eventful one and thankfully he gave us a heads up as he left out earlier than everyone else and was unfortunately stuck for about 3 hours in the middle of a closure of the interstate because of the smoke from the fires.  I also drove down sections of the roadways where the fires were burning right up to the pavement.  Conditions are very dry here and that means everyone will need to very observant and mindful of what we are doing with anything that may produce heat or spark.  This includes no open fires and no smoking in the woods.  I caution all smokers to make sure you extinguish your cigarettes fully and don't throw them on the ground.  Again put it in your pocket or trash bag you are carrying on your belt and dispose of properly.

If you are traveling through Yee-Haw Junction on your trip to the ranch be looking as you cross Route 441 on Route 60, if you have a few moments and are looking for a sandwich or a cold drink on your way in and if you are into history, I urge you to stop by the Desert Inn and Restaurant.  The place is packed full of history and is listed on the National Historic registry.  It is just a neat place to check out for anyone who enjoys things like that.  It is about 20 miles east of the ranch and if you are looking to get off the ranch on Saturday or Sunday evening this would be a neat escape.  The owner Jimmy told me they are having karaoke those nights and that he would stay open as late as we want to hang out.  Do I see a tradition about to start?  If nothing else begin a tradition as I have and stop by for a quick bite on your way in.  If you are in a bigger unit parking may be tight but there is a truck lot at the Pilot about 100 yards away.  If you park there you will have to cross a two lane highway but it is a 4-way Stop if memory serves right.  At least be sure you toot your horns to say hello on the way by.

The start of a new season is also a good time to start new habits.  So as we go through the season I would like to set a challenge to all racers, pit-crews and race fans to do your part this year in helping keep the woods clean of trash.   I noticed over the past couple of years working with the trail crew how much of an issue this is really becoming.  I realize that spectator turnouts are getting bigger as the sport infects more and more fans, but we as a racing nation really need to start setting examples.
A few of things that may help include:

1. Anything you take with you into the woods or fields, bring it back and place in a trash can.
2. Carry a small trash bag or plastic shopping bag with you to place your trash in.
3. If you see trash on the ground bend down and pick it up and put it in your bag or a trash can. (Even if it looks like it has been there for years.)
4. When you pack up to leave bag your trash around your pits and then leave it or drop it by a trash can or dumpster.
5. If someone drops something on the ground just politely walk over and pick it up and just smile. (Living by example will go farther than dogging them for being a litter bug)

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - SET THE EXAMPLE!

If you haven't had a chance to read this week's Tuesday Toolbox then I suggest you do it now.  I spoke with the GM of River Ranch and there is all kinds of information pertaining to this week's activities off the track here at the ranch.  I suggest the Air Boat Rides as you will see some exotic wildlife from plants, birds, fish, alligators and more.  Bring a camera and you are sure to get some great shots.  The Marina restaurant is also open and offering another great menu.  I know last year there were some buffets that were very tasty and I for one am looking forward a great dinner right at the race track.  Also there will be plenty of concessions trackside including Chris and Gary Dellapina from the Finish Line Café serving up all the trackside favorites.

I got a call from Glen "Jody" Pritchard former Senior Class Champion top morning over-all contender and he told me that he had just finished a series of treatments for his illness and that he had been cleared to go race.  He said he didn't know how he would feel as far as endurance but was looking forward to just getting back on the quad and riding some more.  Glen also said he figured he would get beat up pretty badly in the palmettos but it would be worth it.  I am not sure if Pritchard is planning to try and run the whole series or just select event.  One thing is for certain, I am sure he will keep it interesting.

I also got a note from Olaf over at Off-Road Viking about a recent video they we put together of the 2011 Am-Pro Yamaha team for your viewing pleasure. Randy talks about everyone on the team and how well everything is going heading into the 2011 season. And with that we'll see ya in Florida! (offroadviking.com) The video is a must see for anyone who is a race fan.

I have more but you need to get out the door and on your way.  We can talk about when you get here.  If you are on the fence about the trip this year, let me give you a little push....Sunny and 75.....see ya soon.

Till next time, God Bless Your Hearts and All Your Vital Organs!