A New Day

Glen Helen was a rough start for the nationals for me.  In a nutshell, it went like this:

Saturday I missed the first practice due to a bike problem, so I hit the track for timed qualification (five laps) with no prior track time.  I managed to run a 2:50 lap time, which was about 20th quickest, but since I was in the B practice with more fast riders, I did not qualify and had to run the consi race.

I got fifth in the consi.

In the first moto I had a typical horrible start.  I was around 35th, but moved up inside the top twenty by the second lap.  I kept rolling, moving up to the rear fender of Vuillemin for 15th on the third lap.  I tried to get aggressive in the sand but crashed in the process.  I got up quickly, took off and promptly went over the bars due to a stuck front brake caliper.  I returned to the pits for moto two.

I was packing my gate for moto two when my mechanic mistakenly left the start gate area.  The AMA would not let me race and DQ'ed me for my bike leaving the start area.  That rule is stupid and is set up to watch people fail.  No signs, no warning from the guy standing at the gate, just a quick DQ.

I drove home.

That was my weekend.  I hope Hangtown goes a little better.  I am not in too much of a writing mood right now, but will catch up with this blog again soon.  Thanks for reading.

Ryan

Dry Run

Hello big, big world.  It has been a very full week of preparation leading up to Glen Helen.  After the SX banquet, the family and I headed back to PHX for a little R&R.  That lasted a day or so, before going back to my hometown of Albuquerque to visit family and partake in my mother's belated birthday party.  Unfortunately, I had to leave ABQ in the middle of my trip to attend the 2009 FLY Racing photo shoot.  I left late Thursday and returned Friday afternoon.  The party was on Saturday, and it was great to see my mom enjoying herself so much.  She is always glowing when her grandchildren are around.

The Clark family returned to PHX on Sunday, just in time to celebrate mother's day with my mother-in-law.  Actually, I watched the kids while they all went to a movie.  The way I see it, every day is mother's day.  Just kidding, honey.

This week was more moto related.  Jesse and I drove to Glen Helen for testing and I also did some riding with Steven Stultz, Destry Abbott and Taylor Roberts.  My bike is working GREAT.  At Glen Helen, my lap times were a click off the top guys, but I think it is time I can find over the next week.  I am hoping for a great start to my motocross season.  

That is about it for now.  I am trying to do a sprint triathlon in the morning on Sunday, so I will update if that comes to fruition.  Thanks for reading and have a stellar weekend.  And congrats to Mr. Nappi! (I'll call him that so he doesn't whack me Danny).

Leaving Las Vegas

The final SX of the year took place tonight at Sam Boyd Stadium.  Things started off rocky as Kyle Partridge knocked himself out in the second practice session.  It turned around later, with Kiniry pulling a huge holeshot in the West Coast Lites heat and finishing a strong fifth.  

I crashed in my heat, leaving the LCQ as my only route of main event entry.  I had a horrible start, but worked through the pack to pick off Jeff Gibson with two turns left for the second and final transfer.

In the main I was railing.  I was literally feeling better than I have all season, moving up through the field steadily and finding myself in 12th at halfway.  I clipped a tuff-block and bent my brake pedal around lap 14, which caused me to take about a 35 second pit stop to kick it back into a usable spot.  I ended up 15th at the end, but I rode awesome and gained a grip of confidence tonight.  I am really looking forward to outdoors!

RC