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GNCC Rd #9 - Somerset PA
The Geico Mountain Ridge - Round #9 of the GNCC Series and the beginning of the last half of the season. With only five races left – riders begin to feel the pressure – at least I do!!
Phil and I left early for this race…we wanted to be sure and sight see some beforehand. So, after I got off of work Wednesday evening we headed out. Thursday we were in a short distance from the New Rover Gorge which is located in West Virginia off 19. We have taken the time to drive down to the bottom of this bridge in the past and decided to again this year. It is so pretty and of course relaxing. We goofed off for a bit, took some pictures, anetnesd enjoyed the quis.
When we continued on our route we drove through where Phil had grown up and hit my favorite winery – Lambert’s – they are located in Weston WV and they have the BEST wine EVER! We had the chance to get a small tour and meet the owner who was so friendly…it was definitely a great time!
We arrived at the track Friday morning around 10am and headed straight to Tire Balls and MAXXIS…We decided to switch to the RAZR for up North conditions. I had tested them over the break and liked the control and handling they offered. So, for Somerset I would run the RAZR 2 front and RAZR rear. While speaking of setups – Laz at GT Thunder has new shock pistons available and I have the rear shock setup. Let me say – my quad handles better than ever. I am shocked – in my happy opinion there is no better suspension than what Laz/GT Thunder can offer. I am anticipating getting the front shocks updated with the new pistons and know I will not be disappointed.
That evening we headed for the hotel around 5:30…Somerset can be a confusing place to get around!! LOL!!! Wes Kraft joined Phil, Myself, and Chris Bovis with HiPer for dinner at a local establishment. It was a decent place with decent food although we debated as to whether or not they could “pull off” half the items on their menu – LOL!! And the “Smoke Eater” was an interesting device which was very LOUD!!!! I hit the sack rather quickly when we got back to the hotel – of course my anxiety was kickin’ – LOL!!!
The morning of the race was BEAUTIFUL – the weather was PERFECT…a great day for racing! I remained somewhat calm before the race and was “ready” come the 10 second call. I ended up with the hole shot and I remained calm and rode. After a few miles I found myself following Angel and Traci until I got hung up on a rock. A few riders went by but once I got unstuck I put my head down and before I knew I was catching up to the riders that passed. The second lap had bottlenecks in store…. The “rock garden” was challenging – I quickly learned to gas it and hang on!!
I thought I was in the top 4 and on the third lap I was behind Stephanie Parton – wide open third gear and a rock (I did not see in the thin mud) caught my right a-arm. It stopped me DEAD. I was thrown straight to the ground head first…in the rocks. I am not really sure how but I ended up on my back on a 3.5-4 foot rock which was jagged (so I am told by Joe with HMF – who witnessed the crash). He said he was stunned – one of the worst crashes he has seen in his years of racing.
I tried to collect my senses – and a fellow rider asked if I was hurt. I could not feel much right away so I nodded. After some time I decided I needed to get up…and as I did I decided I was going to “go”. So – I got on my quad and took off – slowly – the pain in my back and right leg were pretty bad. I got to the pits and Phil told me I was in the top 3-4. I was surprised…so I went on for the last lap. As the miles passed the adrenaline took over and helped me forget about the pain. I raced hard the last lap and brought home a third place!!
After the race Phil inspected the quad and the right lower a-arm was badly damaged and I was lucky the front end did not fall off. Again – the adrenaline took over- after all I had a great day of racing and had a great finish and the pain did not fully set in. On the way home however, I stiffened up and everything hurt. My neck muscles were so strained…bruising started (even on the side of my face from the helmet impact)…and my back caused me a ton of discomfort. Phil was an IRONMAN….driving till 3 AM Saturday/Sunday (lol)…we got home Sunday around Noon. From that time on I rested and must say I am feeling better. My right side is still bothering me – so better to be safe than sorry and I had X-Rays taken this morning. By the feel of it – if I can get the right side healed up then I should be ready to train and ride again in the next couple days.
I am looking forward to Unadilla…and hope to have another strong finish!!!
Jennifer
Phil and I left early for this race…we wanted to be sure and sight see some beforehand. So, after I got off of work Wednesday evening we headed out. Thursday we were in a short distance from the New Rover Gorge which is located in West Virginia off 19. We have taken the time to drive down to the bottom of this bridge in the past and decided to again this year. It is so pretty and of course relaxing. We goofed off for a bit, took some pictures, anetnesd enjoyed the quis.
When we continued on our route we drove through where Phil had grown up and hit my favorite winery – Lambert’s – they are located in Weston WV and they have the BEST wine EVER! We had the chance to get a small tour and meet the owner who was so friendly…it was definitely a great time!
We arrived at the track Friday morning around 10am and headed straight to Tire Balls and MAXXIS…We decided to switch to the RAZR for up North conditions. I had tested them over the break and liked the control and handling they offered. So, for Somerset I would run the RAZR 2 front and RAZR rear. While speaking of setups – Laz at GT Thunder has new shock pistons available and I have the rear shock setup. Let me say – my quad handles better than ever. I am shocked – in my happy opinion there is no better suspension than what Laz/GT Thunder can offer. I am anticipating getting the front shocks updated with the new pistons and know I will not be disappointed.
That evening we headed for the hotel around 5:30…Somerset can be a confusing place to get around!! LOL!!! Wes Kraft joined Phil, Myself, and Chris Bovis with HiPer for dinner at a local establishment. It was a decent place with decent food although we debated as to whether or not they could “pull off” half the items on their menu – LOL!! And the “Smoke Eater” was an interesting device which was very LOUD!!!! I hit the sack rather quickly when we got back to the hotel – of course my anxiety was kickin’ – LOL!!!
The morning of the race was BEAUTIFUL – the weather was PERFECT…a great day for racing! I remained somewhat calm before the race and was “ready” come the 10 second call. I ended up with the hole shot and I remained calm and rode. After a few miles I found myself following Angel and Traci until I got hung up on a rock. A few riders went by but once I got unstuck I put my head down and before I knew I was catching up to the riders that passed. The second lap had bottlenecks in store…. The “rock garden” was challenging – I quickly learned to gas it and hang on!!
I thought I was in the top 4 and on the third lap I was behind Stephanie Parton – wide open third gear and a rock (I did not see in the thin mud) caught my right a-arm. It stopped me DEAD. I was thrown straight to the ground head first…in the rocks. I am not really sure how but I ended up on my back on a 3.5-4 foot rock which was jagged (so I am told by Joe with HMF – who witnessed the crash). He said he was stunned – one of the worst crashes he has seen in his years of racing.
I tried to collect my senses – and a fellow rider asked if I was hurt. I could not feel much right away so I nodded. After some time I decided I needed to get up…and as I did I decided I was going to “go”. So – I got on my quad and took off – slowly – the pain in my back and right leg were pretty bad. I got to the pits and Phil told me I was in the top 3-4. I was surprised…so I went on for the last lap. As the miles passed the adrenaline took over and helped me forget about the pain. I raced hard the last lap and brought home a third place!!
After the race Phil inspected the quad and the right lower a-arm was badly damaged and I was lucky the front end did not fall off. Again – the adrenaline took over- after all I had a great day of racing and had a great finish and the pain did not fully set in. On the way home however, I stiffened up and everything hurt. My neck muscles were so strained…bruising started (even on the side of my face from the helmet impact)…and my back caused me a ton of discomfort. Phil was an IRONMAN….driving till 3 AM Saturday/Sunday (lol)…we got home Sunday around Noon. From that time on I rested and must say I am feeling better. My right side is still bothering me – so better to be safe than sorry and I had X-Rays taken this morning. By the feel of it – if I can get the right side healed up then I should be ready to train and ride again in the next couple days.
Amy McConnell (XCountry) Pic - check out her site for great GNCC Pictures!!
I am looking forward to Unadilla…and hope to have another strong finish!!!
Jennifer