The team emails were flying today about the possibilities of a double header race weekend. Having done quite a few of them in the past (on dirt bikes) I can honestly say they are very rewarding and also very hard. Not just the racing, but you have all of the planning, chores and driving to do...sometimes driving through the night to a different state, that can be tough! ha! The things I vividly remember are:
1. Conditions. This weekend would wreak havoc in terms of rain and mud. I would probably have about 10 pairs of goggles fully rain prepped ahead of time so that at least I wouldn't have to deal with that Saturday night.
2. Bike Washing. If it's dusty then the wash part is quick, maybe an hour. Then it's time to change air filters, oil and tires. If it's raining, then it's probably 2 hours and about $20bucks at the car wash to clean all the mud off the bike, boots, and gear. Oh, and as and added bonus, you just KNOW you will be pulling on WET boots in the morning if you don't have an extra pair... ahhhh, something nice to look forward to when you are already tired and sore! When I was really poor, you even got to pull on the same sweaty gear...To be young and tough again!
3. Tires...Oh god, on the Moto's we run these foam inserts called "mousse tubes" that are flat resistant since they are solid rubber. They are like wrestling with a pissed off wild boar...covered in butter. If you are lucky you have an extra wheel-set to swap. If you are REAL lucky you have a practice bike to race one day and a race bike for the other day. I usually wasn't that lucky...
4. Accommodations. Do you know how fun it is to pitch a tent after being exhausted from day 1? Luckily we usually worked out a hotel to mooch or a house to crash at. But in the events we weren't so lucky...well it was pretty crappy.
5. Morning of Day 2. EVERYTHING IS SORE. You wake up and think, I can barely move, how can I RACE today? In the end it always works out because you are often times stronger than you know, but finding that out is definitely a toughie!
6. Satisfaction. On the drive home you feel relieved for making it through, stoked for having done it and you try not to think about the roached equipment, dirty gear, and all the post race work to do at home...I find that if you beat your pals, the last part is MUCH more bearable!
In the end, double header weekends have been some of the most fun and memorable times I've ever experienced!
As for this weekend, I'm cool racing once on Sunday :)
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