Thank you to a specific forum member for giving me the idea to start a thread on this. I'll post a little about what I've done to prepare for this 545 mile race as well as a post race report on how it went.
So... Starting about a year ago I committed to competing in two Best in The Desert (BITD) races. The Silver State 300 and the 545 mile Vegas to Reno, the longest off-road race in the United States. Here's a quick run down of how Silver State went a few months ago.
Silver State 300: I pulled the pole position so I started in front of my class. I'm running in the Ironman Expert class, that means I ride all the races solo. No rider changes or anything. Really the only way to race in the desert IMO. I left the starting line at 6 AM and pushed probably a little too hard but it was my first race so it was to be expected. I passed people left and right until after the 2nd pit I lost my left axle nut around RM80. My whole class and the majority of everyone else (minus 4 wheel vehicles) passed me. Fortunately I found the nut and was able to limp it to pit 3 where it was torqued down properly. I finished the race 5th in my class. My goal was really only to finish but it was a bit disappointing because if I hadn't lost the nut I feel that I would have been able to stay in the pack and have a respectable finish. Not that mine wasn't. For a first timer everyone said I did exceptionally well.
With Silver State under my belt I began to prepare for the Vegas to Reno. Starting about 4 weeks out from race day (August 14th) I tore down the quad for race prep. Everything except the motor was gone through to be sure there will be no surprises on race day. Carrier bearings were replaced, axle inspected, new chromoly tierods, beefed up a-arms, heavier main coils for my shocks, new tires, all EFI wiring gone through, oil change, coolant flush, new radiator guard, new chain w/ staked master link, new sprockets, fresh grease in all joints, the list goes on and on. Everything that was used was replaced with new. If it didn't look or feel right, it was replaced.
My plan for the Vegas to Reno is to set a good pace in the beginning. I'm starting 3rd in my class this time so there will be a few guys in front of me but again, my goal is only to finish. Around RM300 I plan to take a breather. Eat something I can chew and not suck through a straw and just get off the quad and attempt to come back to reality. I know the course from RM440 or so to the finish so I'll know what to expect since it could be dark by then. One thing that is a wild card in this race compared to Silver State is the trophy trucks. They will catch me in the section I know but it's still sketchy. 800 hp trucks with a top speed of over 140 is nothing to joke about when your on a quad or a dirt bike. So I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
I'll get some pictures up in awhile. I have time lapse of race prep but it takes time to compile it all.
So... Starting about a year ago I committed to competing in two Best in The Desert (BITD) races. The Silver State 300 and the 545 mile Vegas to Reno, the longest off-road race in the United States. Here's a quick run down of how Silver State went a few months ago.
Silver State 300: I pulled the pole position so I started in front of my class. I'm running in the Ironman Expert class, that means I ride all the races solo. No rider changes or anything. Really the only way to race in the desert IMO. I left the starting line at 6 AM and pushed probably a little too hard but it was my first race so it was to be expected. I passed people left and right until after the 2nd pit I lost my left axle nut around RM80. My whole class and the majority of everyone else (minus 4 wheel vehicles) passed me. Fortunately I found the nut and was able to limp it to pit 3 where it was torqued down properly. I finished the race 5th in my class. My goal was really only to finish but it was a bit disappointing because if I hadn't lost the nut I feel that I would have been able to stay in the pack and have a respectable finish. Not that mine wasn't. For a first timer everyone said I did exceptionally well.
With Silver State under my belt I began to prepare for the Vegas to Reno. Starting about 4 weeks out from race day (August 14th) I tore down the quad for race prep. Everything except the motor was gone through to be sure there will be no surprises on race day. Carrier bearings were replaced, axle inspected, new chromoly tierods, beefed up a-arms, heavier main coils for my shocks, new tires, all EFI wiring gone through, oil change, coolant flush, new radiator guard, new chain w/ staked master link, new sprockets, fresh grease in all joints, the list goes on and on. Everything that was used was replaced with new. If it didn't look or feel right, it was replaced.
My plan for the Vegas to Reno is to set a good pace in the beginning. I'm starting 3rd in my class this time so there will be a few guys in front of me but again, my goal is only to finish. Around RM300 I plan to take a breather. Eat something I can chew and not suck through a straw and just get off the quad and attempt to come back to reality. I know the course from RM440 or so to the finish so I'll know what to expect since it could be dark by then. One thing that is a wild card in this race compared to Silver State is the trophy trucks. They will catch me in the section I know but it's still sketchy. 800 hp trucks with a top speed of over 140 is nothing to joke about when your on a quad or a dirt bike. So I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
I'll get some pictures up in awhile. I have time lapse of race prep but it takes time to compile it all.