Going to Freestone for the first time!

mxrider225
Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 12:55pm
Woo. Ive been to unadilla and Broome tioga a bunch but since I moved to Florida and there's no Nationals here I'm like fuck it I'm going to freestone. First time I'll go out of the eastern time zone haha.


Any tips for Freestone? I guess wear sunscreen because it will probably be hot.
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mx_579
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mx_579 4/25/2012 6:33am
4/25/2012 6:33am
I'm thinking real hard about going too. I have never been to an outdoor national because they've been too far.
mxrider225 4/25/2012 6:38am
4/25/2012 6:38am
mx_579 wrote:
I'm thinking real hard about going too. I have never been to an outdoor national because they've been too far.
You should go man. Your already 8-10 hours closer then me. I'm 1100 miles each way to freestone.

They are awesome there's nothing like hanging over the fence and getting showered in dirt feet from your favorite rider.
bg22
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bg22 4/25/2012 6:39am
4/25/2012 6:39am
Lots of sunscreen and water!
mx_579
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mx_579 4/25/2012 6:45am
4/25/2012 6:45am
mx_579 wrote:
I'm thinking real hard about going too. I have never been to an outdoor national because they've been too far.
mxrider225 wrote:
You should go man. Your already 8-10 hours closer then me. I'm 1100 miles each way to freestone. They are awesome there's nothing like hanging over...
You should go man. Your already 8-10 hours closer then me. I'm 1100 miles each way to freestone.

They are awesome there's nothing like hanging over the fence and getting showered in dirt feet from your favorite rider.
Yeah it's only about a 6 hour drive from here and I have friends/family in Austin. I'd like to make the ride on a motorcycle.

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Shawn142
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Shawn142 4/25/2012 6:55am
4/25/2012 6:55am
I love the nationals and all, but my advice is don't. The terrain is completely flat and tree covered, you can't see more than a few turns in any one spot. The few prime built-up viewing areas are all in the sun and fill up long before the motos start. The only real elevated spot are the VIP grandstands across the whoop section that you need a pass to sit in.
Thelen20
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Thelen20 4/25/2012 7:01am
4/25/2012 7:01am
I go every year, lots of water, sunscreen and a ez up are a must! It's not the best track for spectating but there is nothing like being there!!!
brocster
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brocster 4/25/2012 7:06am
4/25/2012 7:06am
it is extremely hot! we bring mtb bikes and move around from section to section. they put a few more tunnels in so it's easier to get from one spot to the next. nothing like the nationals to really get the vibe of how talented/fast these guys are...
burn1986
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burn1986 4/25/2012 7:47am
4/25/2012 7:47am
Man, When you start thinking about going to one, there aren't any Nationals in the South.

05/19 Sacramento, CA - Hangtown
05/26 Wortham, TX - Freestone
06/02 Lakewood, CA - Thunder Valley
06/09 Morris PA - Hi Point
06/16 Mechanicsville, MD - Budd's Creek
07/07 Buchanan, MI - Red Bud
07/14 Millville, MN - Spring Creek
07/21 Washougal, WA - Washougal MX
08/11 Southwick MA - Southwick/ MX-338
08/18 New Berlin, NY - Unadilla
09/01 Delmont, PA - Steel City
09/08 Lake Elsinore, CA - Lake Elsinore

It would be nice to fit something in AL, MS, GA, or FL in there somewhere. There are a few spots in the calender.
GuyB
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GuyB 4/25/2012 7:49am
4/25/2012 7:49am
I'm sure the riders and teams appreciate you trying to fill in the blank spots on their race calendar. Smile
burn1986
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burn1986 4/25/2012 8:01am
4/25/2012 8:01am Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 8:05am
Oh, I know. OCD

I was thinking of Freestone, but if there's no shade or good viewing, it may be more miserable than it's worth. But there's nothing closer for thousands of miles.
Sherwood
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Sherwood 4/25/2012 8:08am
4/25/2012 8:08am
It gets hot...Like welcome to hell hot so bring water/an electrolyte substance.
GuyB
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GuyB 4/25/2012 8:11am
4/25/2012 8:11am
burn1986 wrote:
Oh, I know. OCD I was thinking of Freestone, but if there's no shade or good viewing, it may be more miserable than it's worth. But...
Oh, I know. OCD

I was thinking of Freestone, but if there's no shade or good viewing, it may be more miserable than it's worth. But there's nothing closer for thousands of miles.
It's all relative. If you like moto and want to see good racing, go. If you just want to whine about that it's too hot, or too hard to see, or it's too far, or I didn't get a pair of goggles from a rider, or the bikes don't make the sound that I want them too, stay home and watch it on TV. Please.
huck
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huck 4/25/2012 8:15am
4/25/2012 8:15am
burn1986 wrote:
Oh, I know. OCD I was thinking of Freestone, but if there's no shade or good viewing, it may be more miserable than it's worth. But...
Oh, I know. OCD

I was thinking of Freestone, but if there's no shade or good viewing, it may be more miserable than it's worth. But there's nothing closer for thousands of miles.
GuyB wrote:
It's all relative. If you like moto and want to see good racing, go. If you just want to whine about that it's too hot, or...
It's all relative. If you like moto and want to see good racing, go. If you just want to whine about that it's too hot, or too hard to see, or it's too far, or I didn't get a pair of goggles from a rider, or the bikes don't make the sound that I want them too, stay home and watch it on TV. Please.
May I add...

, stay home and watch it on TV.....then get on Vital and bitch about the TV coverage, the announcers, the 4 strokes, and everything else.
burn1986
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burn1986 4/25/2012 8:20am
4/25/2012 8:20am
I knew I'd get some pleasant replies from that. I've lived in east Texas, though and know how hot it gets there. It's plain miserable, especially when you add 4 kids and a wife.
GuyB
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GuyB 4/25/2012 8:22am
4/25/2012 8:22am Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 8:32am
huck wrote:
May I add... , stay home and watch it on TV.....then get on Vital and bitch about the TV coverage, the announcers, the 4 strokes, and...
May I add...

, stay home and watch it on TV.....then get on Vital and bitch about the TV coverage, the announcers, the 4 strokes, and everything else.
You may not.

Rather than posting angry diatribes about everything, I'd suggest they just yell at the TV. The person will probably feel better, and then no one has to read their angry posts.
burn1986
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burn1986 4/25/2012 8:27am
4/25/2012 8:27am
I wonder what the breakdown was with Gatorback in Gainesville, FL? I assume they have always been hard to work with since their National at that time occurred in the middle of the SX season?
Sherwood
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Sherwood 4/25/2012 8:30am
4/25/2012 8:30am
With everyone(myself included) talking about the heat, I'd also add its a fun race to go to because you really get to see who's in shape/who fades. If you go Mxrider you'll enjoy it.
carlosmacho
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carlosmacho 4/25/2012 8:41am
4/25/2012 8:41am
burn1986 wrote:
Man, When you start thinking about going to one, there aren't any Nationals in the South. 05/19 Sacramento, CA - Hangtown 05/26 Wortham, TX - Freestone...
Man, When you start thinking about going to one, there aren't any Nationals in the South.

05/19 Sacramento, CA - Hangtown
05/26 Wortham, TX - Freestone
06/02 Lakewood, CA - Thunder Valley
06/09 Morris PA - Hi Point
06/16 Mechanicsville, MD - Budd's Creek
07/07 Buchanan, MI - Red Bud
07/14 Millville, MN - Spring Creek
07/21 Washougal, WA - Washougal MX
08/11 Southwick MA - Southwick/ MX-338
08/18 New Berlin, NY - Unadilla
09/01 Delmont, PA - Steel City
09/08 Lake Elsinore, CA - Lake Elsinore

It would be nice to fit something in AL, MS, GA, or FL in there somewhere. There are a few spots in the calender.
That would be Lakewood Colorado. We already have to many races in CA.

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newmann
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newmann 4/25/2012 8:54am
4/25/2012 8:54am
You're from Florida, you'll be fine. Freestone is great for me as I get to go a few hours north and enjoy some better weather than I get here. Laughing A little sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water and gatorade and you are good to go. Wear some comfy shoes as you will want to constantly be on the move to see things from different areas of the track. There is no single good spot.
CamP
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CamP 4/25/2012 9:27am
4/25/2012 9:27am
It's not hot in Texas in May. Try Texas in August if you want hot.
clem
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clem 4/25/2012 9:55am
4/25/2012 9:55am
Everybody is spot on on the viewing. As far as the heat, being from South Louisiana it doesn't seem too hot. Like one guy said, brong some mountain bikes or something as they have plenty of trails and property to cruise on.
Denn700
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Denn700 4/25/2012 10:22am
4/25/2012 10:22am
It's only about 2 1/2 hours from me. It is worth the trip.
MMCDan
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MMCDan 4/25/2012 10:23am
4/25/2012 10:23am
As stated above, it's hot so you'll need plenty of water and sun screen and an e-z up is great if you want to haul it in. Umbrellas work great, as well.

We've done VIP passes and didn't feel they added much other than all-day access to the pits and some shade. The food and drinks provided were weak and in short supply.

It's difficult to find spots to set up along the fence unless you get there early. We usually find a convenient place to store our cooler, etc. and move around throughout the motos to the sections of the track we want to watch. As stressed above, it's not the most spectator friendly track so we usually move around constantly during the motos. The tunnels they added over the past couple years are very helpful.

Bring food! The vendors are limited and the lines are long during breaks so we usually haul in our own supplies vs. purchasing at the track.

It's pretty remote so don't expect to buy last minute items at the track.

Have a great time! We enjoyed our time watching and racing at Freestone.
newmann
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newmann 4/25/2012 10:52am
4/25/2012 10:52am
Pay attention as there are lots of drunks in golf carts all over the place. When they get out, their shithead kids take over and are WFO in them. Hopefully Tony Miller charges a mint to let them in.
Teej317
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Teej317 4/25/2012 10:52am
4/25/2012 10:52am
CamP wrote:
It's not hot in Texas in May. Try Texas in August if you want hot.
Spoken like a true Texan. I'm looking at going to Freestone and it will be my first time there or to any national for that matter! Can't wait!
TX24
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TX24 4/25/2012 11:25am
4/25/2012 11:25am
No doubt, Texas isn't as hot as FL. Going to a National is like riding or racing. If you only go on the perfect days, your not going to go very often. We get there Friday afternoon and stay until Sunday morning.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 4/25/2012 11:36am
4/25/2012 11:36am
Unless they change it, the wall jump into the whoops is definitely something you'll want to check out. You might have to rub elbows to get in there. There is always a couple of guys wheel tapping the top of it and landing in the whoops. Wilson and Milsaps both did it last year. It's unreal to see how they do that. And the whoops will sepearate the boys from the men.
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Arkmx 4/25/2012 11:40am
4/25/2012 11:40am
.

We will be there too.

I am working with the Miller crew this year and the boys are racing Amateur Day(s).

Bring you water & sun screen and leave your whining at home.... It's Outdoor Motocross!

.
bg22
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bg22 4/25/2012 12:16pm
4/25/2012 12:16pm Edited Date/Time 4/25/2012 12:17pm
burn1986 wrote:
Man, When you start thinking about going to one, there aren't any Nationals in the South. 05/19 Sacramento, CA - Hangtown 05/26 Wortham, TX - Freestone...
Man, When you start thinking about going to one, there aren't any Nationals in the South.

05/19 Sacramento, CA - Hangtown
05/26 Wortham, TX - Freestone
06/02 Lakewood, CA - Thunder Valley
06/09 Morris PA - Hi Point
06/16 Mechanicsville, MD - Budd's Creek
07/07 Buchanan, MI - Red Bud
07/14 Millville, MN - Spring Creek
07/21 Washougal, WA - Washougal MX
08/11 Southwick MA - Southwick/ MX-338
08/18 New Berlin, NY - Unadilla
09/01 Delmont, PA - Steel City
09/08 Lake Elsinore, CA - Lake Elsinore

It would be nice to fit something in AL, MS, GA, or FL in there somewhere. There are a few spots in the calender.
Just mapped out the entire road map for the nationals this year. 13,405+ miles, 9 days and 3 hours worth of driving! Washougal back to Southwick is quite the haul at 3k+ miles!
B_BRYAN83
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B_BRYAN83 4/25/2012 12:16pm
4/25/2012 12:16pm
CamP wrote:
It's not hot in Texas in May. Try Texas in August if you want hot.
From a fellow Texan, that is very very true.

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