An update from the Numb Bum 24 hour race near Edmonton
Saturday, February 10th, 2001 4:00 PM Pacific Time
Chris just called from somewhere near the race. The race has started and he wanted to give me a quick update while he had the chance. He had to drive about 20 miles into a little town to call so there probably won't be any further reports. The race ends tomorrow at noon local time. There are about 35 teams participating.
Chris reports The Ice Holes team is doing very well. The fastest teams are doing a lap every 12 to 13 minutes. The Ice Holes are doing laps from 13 to 16 minutes. He feels this is a very good time, especially considering this racing is completely new to the team and even riding a dirt bike is new to some of the team members. Chris especially wanted to report that Rob Fulwell was doing great. On one lap he fell five times and still did a 15 minute lap.
Both bikes are still running. One team is riding Pat Dowd's CR250 and the other team is riding Trip's XR400. The only problem so far is keeping headlights in the CR250. That will be critical for tonight, of course.
Chris wanted to be sure I mentioned that Team Ice Holes has a larger motor home that the Speedvision Dream Team! This is the team led by Kevin Schwantz and other national champion riders. Chris thought the Dream Team was about 4th in the over 400 class.
There is also a Canadian team led by Steve Crevier.
There are apparently at least two classes; under and over 400cc. The organizers made the Dream Team ride the over 400 class. Chris wasn't sure what bikes they were riding.
He mentioned they missed the gearing for the bikes completely and were not as prepared as they would like to have been, but he is really happy with how well the bikes and riders are doing so far.
He said this riding is completely different than any they've done before. If you let off the gas, the bike instantly goes sideways. To get the bike hooked up you get on the gas. So that's how they are attacking the course; off the gas and sideways into the turns, then on the gas to get hooked up and on their way again.
How cold is it, you ask? Damn cold! It's the coldest its been all winter in the Edmonton area, Chris said. ( I just checked Yahoo! Weather for Edmonton. High today is supposed to be 10F, low tonight -7F, high Sunday: 5F! ) Chris says the best setup is a dirt bike helmet and goggles because it keeps your eyes out of the freezing wind. With the face shield cracked open on a full face helmet, his eyeballs were freezing! Ouch!
Oh, yeah. Outside, beer freezes in 30 seconds.