This was supposed to be a one and done deal. A bucket list thing. But I'm already making grand plans for a better race next year! Why go back? It's addictive. It's very difficult, and there are times during the race that you curse the decision to do it. But win or lose, when you're sitting at the restaurant that evening stuffing your face and telling war stories, there's a tremendous sense of accomplishment. And for me personally, I feel like I had a great opportunity to get a bronze medal and blew it. So I want to go back for redemption, even if its only in my own eyes.

So what makes it so dang difficult? Here's the short list:
1) Throughout the race you ride through a bunch of trials training and competition courses. Not death defying pro level stuff, but still very technical and strenuous to the average rider on an enduro machine.
2) It's SLICK. There's more rock there than just about anywhere I've ridden, and they ALL feel slick. It's almost as if they ooze moisture of their own at all times, lol!
3) It's southern TN in August for crying out loud! That means hot and very humid. And based on my experiences as a fan and now a racer, rain almost always plays a part.

Here's my list of keys to doing well:
1) Fitness is #1. Can't stress this enough. You have to work your hind end off in the months leading up the race if you wish to be competitive.
2) Technical skill is a very close second. Riding on slick rocks and roots is a skill. And it involves a number of subtle tricks that can be understood by anybody, but only truly learned through experience IMO. Without this skill you will find yourself using a great deal of precious energy pushing and pulling your bike across stuff.
3) Bike set-up is a solid third. Again, it's all about conservation of energy and time. Everything on your bike needs to be optimized for these conditions if you want to be at your best. Tire selection, power delivery, engine temperature management, clutch pull, grips, pegs, bars, etc etc.
4) Line selection can make or break your day, so it deserves a mention. In general you gotta keep moving to qualify, but it pays to take a moment before the really hard sections to assess risk and difficulty. There are a few times when picking the wrong line can cost you really big.

Thanks for watching guys! And next year somebody remind to put my spare camera battery in my fanny pack! Actually, I already started a to-do list for 2019 and its item #1 :-)