Figure to keep the two somewhat separate from the pics....
I had a great practice day...4 runs, 1st being goos and the last one was good. The two in betweeners had two traffic jams @ both of the hard right steep switch backs.
Race day practice was AWESOME!! I killed it. Race run, in Sport 40+, we ran toward the end. I started out of the shoot, hit the mud hole rut, hit the rock, was too slow so I had a couple of pedal strokes, hit the next log up to the flat off camber, and slid. It was a mudhole and all I can guess is I didn't carry enough speed. Either way, it took out my rear brake and my rear was grinding. I was told I did not completely drop, so I took off, a bit tentative with no rear brakes. I decide to try to finish the race because my tires were working great and hooking up great ALL weekend, So I figure I could fade my front breaks and
I decided to go for it, and finish the race. On the second hard right switchback, I took the inside line, and finished destroying my rear derailleur I coasted the rest of the way. I managed enough speed to carry me through the last rock garden with a a couple of leg kicks, Fred Flinstone style....By the time I hit the last little drop, my chain, rear derailleur, a couple spokes decide to no longer spin....
So I dragged my bike across the finish. I FINISHED THE RACE! It was a largely expensive race run...But damn it, I finished. I also did not place last.
Now, for the expensive part. Fixing my bike....$$$$$
I had a great practice day...4 runs, 1st being goos and the last one was good. The two in betweeners had two traffic jams @ both of the hard right steep switch backs.
Race day practice was AWESOME!! I killed it. Race run, in Sport 40+, we ran toward the end. I started out of the shoot, hit the mud hole rut, hit the rock, was too slow so I had a couple of pedal strokes, hit the next log up to the flat off camber, and slid. It was a mudhole and all I can guess is I didn't carry enough speed. Either way, it took out my rear brake and my rear was grinding. I was told I did not completely drop, so I took off, a bit tentative with no rear brakes. I decide to try to finish the race because my tires were working great and hooking up great ALL weekend, So I figure I could fade my front breaks and
I decided to go for it, and finish the race. On the second hard right switchback, I took the inside line, and finished destroying my rear derailleur I coasted the rest of the way. I managed enough speed to carry me through the last rock garden with a a couple of leg kicks, Fred Flinstone style....By the time I hit the last little drop, my chain, rear derailleur, a couple spokes decide to no longer spin....
So I dragged my bike across the finish. I FINISHED THE RACE! It was a largely expensive race run...But damn it, I finished. I also did not place last.
Now, for the expensive part. Fixing my bike....$$$$$
Shake and bake!!!
I clocked a 33 on my race run. 
Wish they had more trails though and would allow freeriding. I wouldn't mind getting back there next year. 
Nice to meet Mancil finally and though I didn't get a chance to say "hi", I now know who SK6, Manimal and a couple other of you monkeys are. 
