My Seattle experience

Sorry this is a bit long.

So I won tickets to this race with all day pit passes. I was stoked to get to see the guys before the race and before all the crowds showed up. However I missed my flight in the morning so I had to take the next flight which got me into Seattle at 12:30. Definitely bummed about that.

Once I got there I went straight to the pits. It was swamped in there. Hard to move, hard to stop and look at the bikes, the mechanics weren't out there working on bikes, nothing to work on since there hadn't been any riding. First guy I came across was Justin Brayton. He was just sitting on his bike in street clothes chatting with a few people. It was interesting to just listen to them talking about local tracks and riding. I made a book of some of the pictures I took in Indianapolis for the guys to sign. Justin noticed me standing there and asked me if I wanted him to sign something. He was super nice.

Then I decided to go check out the priveteers thinking it might be less busy. I was wrong. But I did encounter the 7dueceduece. Had him sign my picture book, he said it was "dope" that I took the pictures myself. I was also able to get my picture with him. Then the girl after me challenged him to a rap battle, he said he didnt battle. It was pretty funny.


I decided I would just try to hit the autograph lines since it was so packed that was about the only way to get close enough to see anything. I hit Justin Bogle and Broc Tickle first. Then tried for the Kawi boys but that line was outrageous and I heard they were only taking the first 95 or something. So then I found Cooper and Chad. Had a nice little convo with Cooper just basic chit chat and got my picture with him.



Then with Chad he seemed a bit quiet, maybe down or bored I couldn't tell. I told him he was doing a great job and he thanked me. He seemed noce enough just distracted. Cant really blame him with everything going on.



I then attempted the line for RD and Marvin, but they quickly cut it off. So I decided to go to the track, I couldn't handle the crowd anymore. It was so packes and cramped in there, I noticed that they normally have Eli's MEC trophy and bike on display. The trophy was there, but the bike wasn't. Also.didnt see a lot of the normal vendors there, didn't notice the clothing companies like Thor and Alpine Stars that are normally there. Maybe I just missed them.

It was weird to only have the one qualifying round, lots of downtime. Then when opening ceremonies started Dean Wilson was announced and there was no entrance. Everyone was confused. Then the second rider was announced and someone finally noticed they were walking through the stands. They didn't really do a good job of showing it on the jumbotron. It was hard to figure out where they were. It was just weird. I assume they did it to keep bikes off the track as much as possible.

The race was great, the crowd was great, it was loud and electric. People were jumping out of their seats cheering. It was just a cool environment to be in. I got so wrapped up in the race that I stopped taking pictures and I forgot I was supposed to rush to the pits at the end of the race.

After the race I hurried to the pits. I didn't realize how many people were gonna be there. I first saw Deano he was sitting there talking with his mechanic and his girlfriend, he looked frustrated. I didn't want to bother him. I stood around for a bit then Dean got up and signed some goggled and went into the trailer. Behind me Dungey was sitting there talking to his team surrounded by people. He wasn't interacting with any of them.

I decided to keep going and ran into Davi, he was chatting with some people. He gave them his goggles, then some kids ran up and asked for his gloves, the guy he was talking to told the kid to start up a conversation before asking for things. It was funny. He gave two kids a glove each and other kids groaned, he told them to wait he had more gloves, handed them out almost gave one to me but another kid came up, how can I compete with a kid? I did get him to sign my picture book though.

Then I went to hang out by Eli's trailer, wait for him to come back because he was the most important to me. There were quite a few people waiting around. There were some kids who had their mom stand there and wait while they ran around collecting plastics from other riders. I wish I was cutthroat like that haha. When Eli showed up I cheered because he deserved that, getting the red plate and all. He looked at me and smiled. Then everyone swarmed. I just waited patiently, I was in no hurry. I had him sign my book and asked for a picture. I just kind of hung around after that. Someone asked for his jersey he said he couldn't.



I walked back toward the front and ran into Jason Anderson, had him sign my book tried throwing papers at him, he laughed it off and was super nice about it. Then ran into RD and Marv. They were talking and a girl finally went up to Ryan to ask him to sign her shirt, he did and Marv did and then Ryan looked at me and said no more. I was super bummed but then someone else walked up to him and he signed for them and then looked at me again and kind nodded so I walked up to him and he signed my book, I told him he had a great race and he thanked me. Super polite, I think he was,jist ready to get out of there. Then I got Marv to sign and he complimented my pictures which was super cool.

The very last person I ran into was Aaron Plessinger, I just asked him for a picture. He was super nice. I congratulated him in his win and he thanked me.



So overall it was a very successful fun day. Listening to the guys talking and having small interactions with them was really cool. I wish I could talk a little bit more knowledgeable about bikes and tracks with them. I'll get there.