What a year...Sitting here having my second Headstock Indian Pale Ale from Nicekl Brook Brewing and feel like i need to just take a step back and reflect.
Last Ride: I believe I am in week four following the feeling of a..."POP" in my left hamstring that occurred after my shakedown ride of the KTM in Limerick Forest. The ride really had to be done. The suspension decided to GRENADE, front AND rear, and needed some TLC. The TLC was provided by SSS tuning in Frankford ON. Joe Skidd is the man! As soon as I got it back, time to see how the bike performed. Loaded it up on a Sunday and off to Limerick Forest where there was a light dusting of snow on all the trails and roads. After about an hour of FUN FUN FUN...I popped out of the trail and was just nonchalantly planting left foot to redirect back into the trail when bike got out from under me and....the sensation I hope to NEVER feel again...*POP* Good news...was close to trailer...picked up bike knowing this may NOT be good and was able to get all loaded and get MOST of gear off(none from below waist), pop tow ALEVE and headed home to assess the physical damange. GREATER NEWS..am sitting here typing after what I thought may have been a much more significant injury and feeling more confident after completing a 5 k brisk walk. Looking up.
Back tracking....
Since the Hammy issue...KTM is now equipped with ice screws from ROYAL DISTRIBUTING (all lugs covered) and have ordered 200 proper GRIP STUDS for the rear. We have legitimate WINTER here and playing has to come with SOME kind of motosport so.....either ice riding or some light trail riding WILL happen. XC skiing will be HEAVY on the itineray for fitness as we have SNOW and LOTS of it.
Recap of 2017: Kinda kicked ass.....First legit season of racing in Vet B and feel I had a chance at the podium in each race except Parry Sound. Have learned that ANYTHING can happen in racing and in hindsite pretty happy with the year. What would I do differently....well...perhaps not drink a NEW energy drink I've never tried before and race a track that I have done dozens of hours of training on thinking the loop would be similar...FreeFLow retribution in 2018 WILL HAPPEN. Easy recap...great experience
2018 GOALS: More FUN, Less structure is the name of the game. Planning events around the KEY one which is the Northeast 24 Hour Enduro. This is the time when I start to go on a tangent about fitness, eating clean...blah blah..blah. Really...Life is short and I dont't PLAY to get PAID so....I will do what I need to do to NOT DIE and make sure I get some running in...some pushups...pullups....core shit...play on the INDO board and certainly get some winter riding in when the weather isn't minus FRICKIN' 30!!!!
So Universe....forecast for 2018? Experience..Plain and simple. Choose the events that are on the calendar that I REALLY enjoyed like RJ's, Anthill, Freeflow and MINI-Pine. THese PLUS the 24 hour are a good base. I will certainly check out a couple others but really want to spend the summer getting the "old guy" out for some casual rides. My father is 70....yeah....its true....and he is enjoying the KTM, as am I, and hope to get some good rides now that he has had a year under his belt. He's ready....who knows...maybe the old guy and I will do some road trips.
2018 Will be GLORIOUS!!!!
