Raccoon Rally!!

[bwagner]

Well first and foremost I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to make it to NY for this years Raccoon Rally. It was a great event with a very nice turnout rider wise. I'll post the results tommorrow hopefully, and with any luck some pictures too. Riders came from all over and a pretty good time was had by all. There were a few complaints about the difficulty of the sections, but thats what it's all about, trying to do ride stuff thats difficult! The biggest surprise to me was the large sport and beginner classes. This can only mean one thing, our little sport just might be on a growth spurt. The weather was good, and there were no casualties to report(other than a few bike parts). It was certainly nice to meet a few new faces, and I'd like to ask if anyone from this forum was there, if they'd mind posting with their name,thier class and what bike they were riding. This might help me get a visual of who you are. Also, I'm open to complaints as long as they're well thought out and a valid issue, not just a rant about the moss or something. The nice thing about difficult sections is that EVERYONE in the class has to try them, not just you. So maybe next time you might be a little more prepared for this type of thing. Not saying that some of them weren't pretty hard, but they were all do-able. This posting is just a primer for the event, and more will be up in a few days . I'd like to thank all who made it one more time, and say make sure you don't miss next years event, there are going to be a few changes for the better of all of us. I promise you that.
~Bruce Wagner

[mikeschiavone]

howd u do bruce? gary?

[RomanR]

First off, I'd like to thank all the people that organized and made this comp happen, you did a great job. This comp was awesome, it was my first time going to this comp, and competing in expert, but man I had so much fun. I was riding a Koxx LevelBoss 1065 with white forks.

Got to meet tons of people, including some from this forum, which was cool. The night before i went to bed wayy too late because i was fixing my bike, so I went to compete with less than 2 hrs of sleep. I was way too excited and had lots of fun to worry about losing sleep though, it was great all day. I had heard before the comp that the rocks were gnarly, so I bought a new rear tire, which I waited till the day of the comp to install, only to find out it was too big for my frame. So I had to ride an old worn kenda kinetics, which made the sections much much more interesting for sure.

The expert sections were great. There were 4 sections, and 3 laps. Definately challenging, no doubt about it, but after all, they are expert sections. A few of them had some scary parts, but only a few riders managed to get far enough in the sections to get to those parts. I think most of the riders could have done the moves needed in the sections if the rocks were clean: the moss made the sections super tricky, but there was nothing to be done about that. The riders with skills managed through, and others like me slipped and slid all over the place, and stratoed at every chance. I definately learned lots about competing in expert though, now I know I really have to work hard to be able to do well. The sections were challenging to all of the riders, but like you said Bruce, that's what it's about. All the sections were of a good length, though the ones with the harder moves were also the longest.

Shaun Miller made it out, and I watched him warm up doing some very big moves. It's always cool seeing big name pro's at the comps. He was very friendly, and explained moves and stuff to the spectators and other riders. The rest of the pro's were locals from Ontario who I ride with often, and for 2 of them it was their first pro comp. They too said the sections were really difficult and had a tough time, but enjoyed the challenge nonetheless. I didn't get to see the pro's ride, since all the categories rode at once. At other comps I've been, the categories go at different times, but I can understand that at this one, the riders needed all the time they could get to go through the sections.

All in all, the sections were very well picked. They were definately more challenging that sections I've seen at other comps, but that made them interesting and made the riders really think hard about which lines to choose. Everything was timed well, and it all ran smoothly. I'm dissapointed I wasn't able to stay for the award ceremonies, but my dad wanted to head back home.

Again, thanks to all the organizers, checkers, and others who made the comp happen and run so smoothly. You all did a tremendous job, and I'm looking forward to going back next year for this comp.


Roman Rebellon.

[DanBowhers]

Hey,

I was in a maxxis jersey on a black planet x zebdi riding with Roman and Ben. Good sections (it seemed like they were either really easy or really hard, I dunno though I liked them because of that) good location (that I have been riding all week since I am at my girlfriends house nearby) and some good people that I hadnt seen in a real long time. Good event, I expect to be back next year.

[kwilson]

First to answer Bruces request, Kevin Wilson, old school blue Mongoose, Sport stock class. And a huge thanks to all who set up the event. I've been going to the raccoon rally for a long time, and this ranked right up with the bst of them.

Now, Dan Bowhers, I meant to get your info before leaving but totally forgot, I live in Buffalo and we talked about riding while you were here. I found a new place in the area that, as far as I can tell, has never been ridden before. Chuck Sherman and I rode Sunday morning after the rally. Send me an e-mail at kwilsonx4@verizon.net.

Kevin

[DanBowhers]

Well my info would be of very little use to you now, I am back in Boston and off my trials bike untill the next competiton (or Mike Umbarger makes me get on it) I rode with Chris Stephenson for hours at Thunder rocks on sunday, what time were you there?

[kwilson]

We didn't actually ride at Thunder Rocks, we went up to Niagara falls, to the 3 sisters islands in the falls rapids. The 3rd Island is all huge rocks, hours of riding without repeating lines, all within 100 ft of Niagara falls. Either Chuck or myself will post some pictures when we can. It was amazing!!


KW

[Matt]

Ahhh, i typically try not to comment in threads I have no business in, but that sounds like an awesome place to ride Kevin. Make sure you let us know if you get some pictures - or better yet, stick them in your album on this site :).

Matt

[DanBowhers]

I dunno, hate to sound like a dick, but I have always found Niagra falls to be kinda lame. I dunno though, it has always struck me as ridiculous comercialized and the fact that the falls change colors at nigh makes me sick. Whatever though, just wait for the video that has me and Stephenson's awesome practice session (masstrials 5...) maybe I will release it...if I ever sober up....GOOD TYPING FOR A DRUNK HUH?

[kwilson]

Dan,


For the most part I agree with you on the commercialization of Niagara falls, but the majority of that is on the canadian side. Only recently has the city of NF started to try and tap into the money that has, up til now, been going to the canadians. With that being said, the riding on 3 sisters Island was incredible, and that is about the only reason to go there.

KW