The Otter!

[MTBTHIS]

So who is racing? What class etc. ..

me... 15-18 DS!

[gonefirefightin]

I will be in the "sally" class at the geezer age bracket. I got a shiny new bell for my handlebars too!!!!

[Prettym1k3]

Haha... Brett.

Men's Sport, 25-whatever.

I turn 25 later this year, so I got bumped up an age bracket. Maybe I'll actually do well now. That and riding platform pedals should help.

*bling bling*

[bdamschen]

I'll also be in sport 25-whatever. Pray for no rain!

[Total Heckler]

DH Sport 19 to whatever.

I hope I dont crash this year on the road. I stacked on the little drop onto the road after the hip jump. My back tire stopped in the mud and put me over the bars onto the road. Goodtimes.

[E.T.]

Pro DH and DS. Hopefully it's not a mud bog this year...

[Total Heckler]

Pro DH and DS. Hopefully it's not a mud bog this year...

Best of luck man! Its cool to see a local doing so well in pro.

I think I met you at the first CCCX race this year. Hanging out with Justin Frey, Todd/Scott, and a few other guys under the Monster easy up.

[Prettym1k3]

Senior Heckler...

You gonna' be at El Toro this weekend?

[MTBTHIS]

Pro DH and DS. Hopefully it's not a mud bog this year...

yea good luck. as for the mud part, hopefully, sea otter will always be sea otter rain or shine. The Weather Channel Monthly forecast says it'll be pretty nice.... all we can do it hope. . . :wait:

[Total Heckler]

Senior Heckler...

You gonna' be at El Toro this weekend?

Of course. Ready to have my ass handed to myself again. I am hitting up every race I can this next month.

- CCCX Race #3 - Sunday April 1st 12:00pm - Salinas CA
- Seaotter Classic - Saturday April 14th 10:00am - Monterey CA
- CHDH Downhill Race #1 - Sunday April 22nd - Livermore CA
- Firestone Classic - Saturday April 28th 12:00pm - Santa Barbara CA

[MTBTHIS]

you guys not do Sandhill Races?

[bikerpunk98199]

jr.x downhiill 18 and under sport slalom

[The Mad Haderer]

ill be racing beginner dhxc and duel bmx...barring mud...otherwise ill watch...lol

[Prettym1k3]

Of course. Ready to have my ass handed to myself again. I am hitting up every race I can this next month.

- CCCX Race #3 - Sunday April 1st 12:00pm - Salinas CA
- Seaotter Classic - Saturday April 14th 10:00am - Monterey CA
- CHDH Downhill Race #1 - Sunday April 22nd - Livermore CA
- Firestone Classic - Saturday April 28th 12:00pm - Santa Barbara CA

Haha... you're a heck of a lot faster than I am. I just hope that on the flats, I don't bonk out like at the last race. CCCX DH #1 I was in terrible shape, and when I hit the bottom flat section I tired too quickly.

I'll be at CCCX and the Otter. I'm broke, so those races are testing my financial limits as is.

On the bright side, I've got new brake pads and a new fork. Hopefully that'll help me out a little.

We'll be there this weekend. Look for my truck with all the God-awful stickers on the back. Haha...

[Total Heckler]

I havent been up to Sand Hill yet. It looks like a lot of fun, but I think its kind of far.

What was your time on the last cccx race again? Mine was 6.20.30. I was so beat at the first pedaling section. I'm not fast. haha

I really hope I will be in good shape for the Sea Otter. I have been riding my cx bike a lot more on my lunches. Hopefully it will make a difference.

[Prettym1k3]

I didn't make it to the last CCCX "DH" (if you could call it that) race. I was in Tahoe sittin' on my butt relaxin'.

My time at the first race was really bad. Mistakes I made consisted of: completely worn down brake pads, walking up the hill a total of three times, wearing pants, riding my Mallets, and forgetting to eat lunch. I think I came in with like a 3:49 or something. It was depressing.

I've been pushing myself more and more on my bike recently, so we'll see if I can pull this all together and have some fun.

[DraVen]

Total Heckler


DH Sport 19 to whatever.

I hope I dont crash this year on the road. I stacked on the little drop onto the road after the hip jump. My back tire stopped in the mud and put me over the bars onto the road. Goodtimes.


wow i hit the same spot on my Hardtail last year and cracked a rib.. with armor on....

oh and im racing beg dh 19-25. im a noob so ill stay with beg class....

[Jeff P.]

Ill be running the beg. clydesdale XC with my brother. Were camping in lot 6 i think, should be a good time, beer FTW!
JP

[gonefirefightin]

I am thinking of doing the super D with my turner since I have been doing it several times this year in the CCCX.

[Total Heckler]

Yeah screw that spot last year. I do not plan on doing that again this year. I'm lucky i got away with lots of scrapes/road rash. I also scratched the hell out of my new helmet on that crash. I love full face helmets.

[surfinguru]

I'll be there....hoping for no rain in the Sport 35+ class.

[Prettym1k3]

I remember that drop on the DH course last year.

I didn't know it was coming, so I just had to plow through it and drop it. It scared the hell out of me, but I was moving fast enough to not realize it was up and coming.

[ss_storm]

I almost don't want to say what I am racing
:-)
DH 19-25 *cough* beginner :'-( :-P

[Prettym1k3]

After my CCCX run yesterday, I should DEFINITELY be in Beginner.

*sigh*

[Total Heckler]

I'm afraid of Sport 19-24. I'm going to get my ass handed to me.

[DraVen]

i guess ill see you on the hill ss_storm

[ss_storm]

How many of you will be there friday for practice? I got the day off work so Ill be there and Total Heckler did too

[Total Heckler]

Yeah we should all meet up and ride the course. =] I might stop to session a few parts.

[DraVen]

yea ill be there for friday practice and we can ride the course

[Brian HCM#1]

I'll be there....hoping for no rain in the Sport 35+ class.http://www.teamwrongway.com/y2k/profiles/lorent.jpg:disgust1: ;)

[ss_storm]

I am hoping I can still practice I cant get there till 1:30 on friday and beginner practice is 11-12 does anyone have experience? can I still push my way in?

[Prettym1k3]

I'll be there on Friday for Practice. I got the day off.

:-)

[Total Heckler]

Score. I'm stoked to have the day off too.

[Prettym1k3]

What time is Sport 25-29 (or whatever) practice?

[Total Heckler]

It is from 1-2pm on Friday.

[Prettym1k3]

Excellent.

I'll be 24 at the race, but turn 25 later on... so I have to race in the 25-29 category.

Does that mean I get to practice with the 19-24, and the 25-29?

:-)

[Xvert]

11-1pm, are they that technical if you stay longer than alotted?

[Prettym1k3]

I don't think so... Last year it was an unorganized retard-a-thon. Just like every year at Sea Otter.

[Xvert]

Projected showers on Thursday.

[Prettym1k3]

I heard light showers from today through Sunday. As long as it's dry for the 3-4 days before the races, we'll be fine.

[ss_storm]

eek PLEASE DONT RAIN!!!

[bdamschen]

no rain here yet... but really cloudy

[surfinguru]

http://www.teamwrongway.com/y2k/profiles/lorent.jpg:disgust1: ;)

Haha! Good one Brian. I actually didn't do so well last year though... :29 seconds off the pace. Maybe if you were the one in front of me, I'd have had more incentive to pedal harder. :biggrin:

[MTBTHIS]

the weather channel is saying showers wednesday and tinkles on thursday.

[Total Heckler]

...and tinkles on thursday.

Haha you said tinkles...

[BIGHIT8989]

Haha you said tinkles...

:imstupid: hehe you said Tinkles.....


its soo damn dry... it'd be nice for sum tinkle showers to Prime the dirt.

[wreckedrex]

Ill be running the beg. clydesdale XC with my brother. Were camping in lot 6 i think, should be a good time, beer FTW!
JP

And our dad will be running the beginner 40+ Clydesdale. It'll be the first time out for the lot of us, I can't frigin' wait.

Dan <= Jeff P.'s brother

[MTBTHIS]

duh...tinkles are better than sprinkles...everyone knows that...:busted:

[Jeff P.]

Werd...

And our dad will be running the beginner 40+ Clydesdale. It'll be the first time out for the lot of us, I can't frigin' wait.

Dan <= Jeff P.'s brother

[ss_storm]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/RClivin/weather.jpg

[Prettym1k3]

It would make sense that it would rain the week of Sea Otter... when it's rained like a total of 6 days this year so far.

*sigh*

[ss_storm]

Im liking the chances tho... thursday is supposed to be AM showers than sat theres a %30 chance and hey thats good enough for me and it could be tinkles :-P on the news this mornin the rain on sat they said that it may turn south and hit so cal so we can only hope

[Prettym1k3]

That's weird... I heard that the rain that was supposed to hit Silicon Valley turned north and is supposed to hit the North Bay tonight.

Haha... Meteorologists actually know nothing. I'm positive.

[bdamschen]

Yeah, if the chances for showers listed in Monterey are low, then they're even lower at Laguna Seca. It's usually more sunny and warm there than Monterey itself.

I've found that checking the weather for Salinas is usually a better indicator: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/ski/tenday/USCA0971?from=36hr_topnav_ski

and that doesn't look half bad.

[siege]

maybe sissy class...or unicycle class

[Prettym1k3]

I'll be racing tricycle class, ages 96-104, Men's geriatric.

[bdamschen]

I'll be racing tricycle class, ages 96-104, Men's geriatric.


Trike class racing tip: Take the huge basket off to save weight and run 24s out back to slacken it out a bit. Make sure the walker is securely tied down.

[Prettym1k3]

Trike class racing tip: Take the huge basket off to save weight and run 24s out back to slacken it out a bit. Make sure the walker is securely tied down.

I actually switched the basket out for a carbon fibre (yes, I spell it F-I-B-R-E for the 7337 style of riding) one. It's actually lighter than not having a basket at all.

Lock on grips were a must, and I did install some 14" drilled/slotted Wilwood 4-pot brakes on it, for that stop-on-a-dime power.

I'll have to order up some old BigHit wheels for the rear. Thanks for the tip! :lol:

On the bright side, I checked the weather report, and it looks like they're expecting dry weather starting tonight all the way through next week so the courses should be PRIME at The Otter.

[bdamschen]

It was just starting to rain a little in Monterey when I left for work this morning, so everything will be just a tad bit moist, perfect. I'll be heading out on a XC ride past Laguna Seca tonight on puddle recon.

Just found out from my work that I get thursday and friday off, I only asked for a couple hours each day to practice, but they gave me the whole thing! Whose going to be practicing those two days? I'll be there for sure 1-3 pm for sport men.

Oh, and Mike- two words: Cutting Brakes.

[ss_storm]

In Scotts Valley it POURED today lots of rain I really Hope this doesnt affect the otter too badly

[Prettym1k3]

No one posted yet who went and hung out/rode today at The Otter?

I'm curious as to the weather...

[Total Heckler]

Did you gues see these yet? Yum, looks like its going to be so nice!

http://mtbphoto.blogspot.com/

[GiantRider]

Ah man the course looks better than its ever been! To bad I cant race this year, bah to being a new parent,ha haj/k.Well good luck to all my S.C. locals!

[bdamschen]

Just got back. Got a few practice runs in a walked the course right before going home. The course is dry and dusty and fast. Weather was sunny and super windy to the point boosting too high off of some of the jumps would get you blown to the side a bit. Super fun, I'll be out there again tomorrow.

[Total Heckler]

I'm still here. (free wireless internet - SCORE!) but yeah like Brian said, its super dusty. But tomorrow its supposed to be raining so well see how much better it gets. =]

[byoung]

i think the course is going to be great with the rain. forecast is calling foe scatter showers

[MTBTHIS]

just got back today. Weather good....my slolam terrible:nopity:

[Total Heckler]

Just got back home. Before my race run I was adjusting my brakes and my rotor caught my finger. It cut in super deep and also made under my fingernail turn purple/black almost immediately.

On my race run a blew the first few table tops because I was trying to balance my bike away from my hurt finger and I think that cost me some serious time up top. After that, the table top before the little fallen tree hop I again messed up on my balance and stomped my foot down super hard. My calf is super sore now.

After all of that the rest of my run was really nice and quick. I felt really great and pretty quick through the bottom section. I ended up getting a 2:54.06. I heard the guy say I was in 8th at the time. I'm sure I have been bumped quite a bit since then, but I will just have to wait and see.

How did everything go with you guys?

[bdamschen]

Haha! Josh - your race run is going to be one of the faster times. Just after you went down the hill, everything got held up due to some guys who jumped on the course. Once that got going again, everything held up one more time due to some timing issues. I didn't get up to the starting gate until probably 11:20 or so.

During that whole time, the weather went to heck and it POURED. By the time we all got restarted, the course was pretty much turned into a river. Guys were tossing off their goggles mid run to be able to see better and mud was all over the place. I managed to pull down a 3:13.04, and I think the fastest guy in my class rocked a 3:04 ro somthing like that.

It was still super fun though. Everyone spectating was going off because of all the mud and slippage everywhere and it got you super pumped to ride harder. I could barely see and ended up with a face full of mud by the finish. Most fun I've had in the mud on a bike since I was 12.

[surfinguru]

Josh, saw you going down on your run. Saw the miss-hap at the first table and was thinking, "man, that's not like Josh?" Bummer about the finger man...ouch. At least you got a dry run in. I ended up standing in the rain for almost 45 minutes due to all the delays. (Typical SO.) Anyway, since I wear contacts, I had to stick with the gogs. I basically did the course blind. Hitting the double log step down was an exercise in faith. I saw the lip, but never saw the landing. I nosed it in pretty heavily, but managed to keep it together. Thank you 888!!!

I ended up with a 3:11:8' for 1st place.

The good:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/spaceman_spiffster/DSC_0151.jpg

The sketchy:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/spaceman_spiffster/DSC_0152.jpg

[Jeff P.]

Just got home, ran beg. clydesdale. I cam in 13th my brother beat me by 4 seconds. I believe my time was 1:33:07 or something like that. Awesome event had tons of fun and didnt crash...badly anyway... XC course was a sand pit but still fun. I didn't get many pics but hopefully i will be able to post what i have tommaro.
JP

[Raacerx]

http://fototime.com/%7BB82DE1FD-0E64-4A18-B9C6-783F587B49EC%7D/picture.JPG

http://fototime.com/%7BA902152D-8C9E-4C41-BC8A-C2D5647AB378%7D/picture.JPG

[Prettym1k3]

Did terribly. Fell off my bike on one of the last little off-camber areas. Guy behind me passed me. Another MAJOR indication that I'm racing out of my class. Snarled up my leg a little bit in the process.

I felt good up top, and felt good in the middle, but the rain totally and completely threw me off. My glasses were coated in mud.

F*ck poachers by the way... Stupid little groms. Apparently that is why we all got held up at the top for 30 minutes. Had they not jumped the course, I would have had a chance to race in the dry weather.

The Sea Otter DH is mayhem every year.

Will they ever be able to get it together? I think not.

[BIGHIT8989]

My otter was faily good. It was my first time racing as a Jr.X on the national Level. In DS I qualified 9th wearing my loafers hehehe (i'll post pics when i get em) made it into the 2nd round. first run was on the Blue lane (slower lane) and amado got a .3 Differential. 2nd run on the red lane, i was feeling good, all my practice runs on the red were solid and my qualifier was a 39sec. I wanted to get the edge on Amado at the top, so i added a few strokes into and down the right hand roller thingy. then washed out on that tricky left hander.... ubber bumbed. Good race Amado! :clapping:

DH- I didn;t bring my Demo due to a Broken rear hub, so in 3 practice runs i used my Commencal Meta 4x (course was little too rough for me) then a versus trigger (thanks adam for letting me borrow) then my friends V-10 for the 3rd practice run and race. out of the gate i came unclipped. then crashed or washed out in the first corner for and unknown reason. the rest of my run was pinned and flawless. I dun know my time nor my result.

Good otter over except for Saturday when it pissed with rain.

the Between the Tape premier was DOPE !!!! hella good movie! I can;t wait to buy it

[Total Heckler]

My otter was faily good. It was my first time racing as a Jr.X on the national Level. In DS I qualified 9th wearing my loafers hehehe (i'll post pics when i get em) made it into the 2nd round. first run was on the Blue lane (slower lane) and amado got a .3 Differential. 2nd run on the red lane, i was feeling good, all my practice runs on the red were solid and my qualifier was a 39sec. I wanted to get the edge on Amado at the top, so i added a few strokes into and down the right hand roller thingy. then washed out on that tricky left hander.... ubber bumbed. Good race Amado! :clapping:

DH- I didn;t bring my Demo due to a Broken rear hub, so in 3 practice runs i used my Commencal Meta 4x (course was little too rough for me) then a versus trigger (thanks adam for letting me borrow) then my friends V-10 for the 3rd practice run and race. out of the gate i came unclipped. then crashed or washed out in the first corner for and unknown reason. the rest of my run was pinned and flawless. I dun know my time nor my result.

Good otter over except for Saturday when it pissed with rain.

the Between the Tape premier was DOPE !!!! hella good movie! I can;t wait to buy it

Ah hey, I met you. I was Kyle's buddy. We met in the motor home.

[Brian HCM#1]

Josh, saw you going down on your run. Saw the miss-hap at the first table and was thinking, "man, that's not like Josh?" Bummer about the finger man...ouch. At least you got a dry run in. I ended up standing in the rain for almost 45 minutes due to all the delays. (Typical SO.) Anyway, since I wear contacts, I had to stick with the gogs. I basically did the course blind. Hitting the double log step down was an exercise in faith. I saw the lip, but never saw the landing. I nosed it in pretty heavily, but managed to keep it together. Thank you 888!!!

I ended up with a 3:11:8' for 1st place.

The good:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/spaceman_spiffster/DSC_0151.jpg

The sketchy:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/spaceman_spiffster/DSC_0152.jpgCongrats Rich!!!!!

Now if I may present you with this award.............

http://www.nitro-pak.com/images/sandbag-wh-200x200.jpg

;););););)

[Total Heckler]

Nice work Rich!

Yeah the top was pretty sketchy with me for sure. I sprinted my ass off towards the bottom when I didnt have to worry about jumps.

Anyone know of any sites with pictures of the non-pros racing? Maybe number 596 by any chance? =]

[surfinguru]

Keep an eye on brightroom.com over the next few days. They're the "official" photographer of the event, so it'll be interesting to see what they come up with/have.