Posts
19
Joined
2/7/2014
Location
Brawley, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
12/5/2015 1:09pm
Anyone here ever tried desert racing? As in District 38 (Near San Diego) or District 37 (Johnson Valley, Yucca, etc.)? In my opinion, its a breathe of fresh air to get away from moto, and change it up. Pretty cool experience. D38 puts on some damn cool 100+ mile races down in the Imperial Valley.
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Though I don't do any thing competition wise any more, the desert events where a nice change of pace to be sure. I personally liked the moto thing a bit more, but there's not much that can beat a day/weekend in the desert on a beautiful winter/spring day.
Good times
Pit Row
Also, it doesn't help that we just lost about half of Johnson Valley to the Marine base. It really, really sucks and is very sad for those of us who know that valley and know the great riding areas that we just lost. It sucks.
Also, many of the older club members are just a pain in the ass. If you have ever gone on the D37 message board, you will quickly see my point. Most of them have a take it or leave it attitude and a lot of the people I have talked to don't want to deal with it. There was some insane thread where a guy mentioned that he thought that his trophy was a bit disappointing (It was an 8x10 of him during the race with whatever printed on it). His point was that he started racing later in life and worked to the point of finally getting a trophy and was a bit sad. Especially since the particular club is supposed to be the best..blah blah blah. That turned into insults which finally turned into what I read as physical threats.
All this being said, I would encourage anyone to give it a try. The CHEC series is awesome and Eric Kudla who promotes that the GXE and a bunch of other stuff is super friendly and always willing to help bring new riders out.
I'm a member of a D37 desert club that hosts a NHHA (national hare and hound). I race all the D37 desert races, the NHHA series, the D37 big 6 series, and the D37 summer motocross series too. I grew up in apple valley riding desert and its my whole life. We did just lose half of johnson valley to the marines, however we still have half of it, stoddard, slash-x, red mountain. Desert racing will survive and carry on.
Entries fee's have gone up. Its got more expensive. When I started desert racing it was $30 per entry. Now its a whooping $45 for the local races, and it's $58 for the national hare and hounds. Compared to SCORE and BITD that is seriously a drop in the bucket. I've also done other MX series and practice plus 1/2 classes sets you back $70-80 so the entry fee isn't the problem in my humble opinion.
I think a lot of it has to do with the long drive, and you're out on the bike for more than a 20 minute moto. We're out there for 70-80 miles, which can take 3-5 hours, sometimes more depending on the race. It's not for everyone. There's a lot of little sissy lala's who don't want to scratch their plastics, who are too scared to get up into 5th/6th gear, absolutely freak out in dust, etc etc. Motocross is already a tough sport, desert racing takes it to an entirely different level of tough.
However the satisfaction of finishing a real desert race is unlike any moto win I've ever had (although a 1st OA moto is awesome!) I also think that the lifestyle and appeal of desert racing is very nostalgic. The vast majority of people who race and go to the D37 desert races would give you the shirt off their back if you asked. Very good people, very good atmosphere, and very family friendly. Think of it as a mini vacation every other weekend with your best friends. You get to camp in the desert for the weekend, then race your ass off and push yourself to limits you never knew you had, and get the satisfaction of that little metal finisher pin that means more than most trophies you'll ever get. If you're racing for a big shiny trophy or want to show off to your friends and buddies maybe motocross is the way to go, but if you're up for a challenge and want to make some life long friends I would definitely say come out to a D37 desert race. Its a once in a lifetime experience and Id be happy to help anyone who wants to come and give it a try. Just shoot me a PM if you do.
I do realize its not for everyone...the speeds...the dust...the unknown...there is a HUGE pucker factor involved in hare and hounds. (I think Dirt Rider reviewed the various off road series-National Enduro, GNCC, WORCS, NHHA, etc. and said GNCC was the hardest...but that the NHHA's are the scariest...there is a huge pucker factor.)
But here's the deal...for most-probably 99% of the riders-the speeds aren't really that high (for the pros, fast A and B riders, yes)...and by the 3/4 point in the race its nothing but a trail ride because your to exhausted to even stand up.
woke up to about 6 inches of snow and ended up doing the same loop 3 times instead of 3 seperate loops because of the visibility. conditions first lap were just snowy, but turned to pure hell on lap 2-3. over a foot deep mud across salt-flats, whoops the size of a volkswagen, and sleet constantly fell just ruining my goggles and gloves. my whole hand was a blister. great times though, finished 8th overall and 3rd OpenEx.
Titan... we gotta meet up for a ride this year bro
the only photo's i got were from the finish
As far as D37, I'm severely interested in trying some H&Hs out but have no where to start, as I am rather unfamiliar with the organization.
If you want to try some more technical riding, try one of the Enduros. They are having one at The Ranch in Anza that will be as tight as can be. I think that I got my 125 out of 3rd about 5 times the whole day and I was in the top 15 OA.
http://www.district37ama.org/
love it
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