Here's my story...

TORO is a hare scramble series, but the combination of rain and terrain made this one easily on par with a tough enduro. I've never been so worn out in my life.

I was running a Dunlop 952 on the back that has about 40% left... which turns out not to be enough for this race. I was mid-pack off the line, so I wasn't too worried. I just took my time and tried to maintain my position.

The first creek crossing was massively rutted, and no space between ruts to make a new one. It was quickly getting crowded. Then, about 5 of us immediately notice an alternate to the right, and take it. No problems there and we motored on...

Unfortunately, the second creek crossing would cost me at least 5-10 minutes. A certain amount of creativity in navigation is a necessity in these conditions, a lesson I learned the hard way. Ahead of me, Brian Bailey takes a line to the left up the other side and after struggling for a second, loops it out in a rut. Fortunately, he is able to quickly get the auto-clutched 105 back in line and takes off. I decided to take a line to the right and inevitably also get stuck in a rut. I had to wiggle the bike sideways about 10 times to get it out of the suction. This wasted a LOT of energy.

Most of the rest of the course was uneventful, though sketchy in many spots. All of the creek crossings were knee to waist deep.

All of my class had passed me at the 2nd creek crossing, so my plan was to pace myself, get some energy back, and turn up the volume in the flowing sections. I also took the hard line down deadman's drop to try to make up some time.

At the end of the first lap, I was 8th. Oh well, I just want to finish at this point.

I know that I'm about 2 miles away from where I got stuck last time, so I try to conserve energy and take in as much life-blood from my Camelback as I can.

This time, the 1st creek crossing gets me. I saw CodyY struggle for a second at the top, and in my rush to catch him I tried to take the same line. Alas, I am not auto-clutched and it ended up being a less than stellar performance on my part. I get stuck on a root and decide to back down into the creek. I turn around in the creek and take the alternate... something I should've done the first time.

I never would see CodyY again as I'd just wasted another 5 minutes and more energy. Still, my only goal was to finish. Hopefully this would be the last lap. Soon after that, 1S passed me and it was sealed. This would be the final lap.

There were a few more alternates marked this time around, as I imagine the TORO staff did not want to spend much more time getting bikes unstuck. I took every alternate I saw... except the marked "hard" downhill on deadman's drop. All I needed there was gravity.

Some time after that, I came once again to a section of trail that parallels a very full creek. There are off-camber rocks and roots that will send you straight down about 3-4 feet into the creek if the rocks even get the impression that you are feeling cocky with the throttle. Well, I guess they got that impression with me.

With 3 guys in front of me crawling along, I try to slowly pass over a rock as the line in front of me moves forward. Then, something happens. My back wheel kicks over violently and throws my bike down to the left, toward the creek. OH SH!!!!!!T!!! In a split second, my instinct was to look up, and maybe, just MAYBE there would be something to keep me from going swimming. A HA!!! A tree limb!!! Just in reach! I reach out and grab it as quick as I can. It snaps, but holds together and I do a tarzan swing over the creek, and back to the shore from whence I came, all the while spinning quickly about 4 times around. WHAT A RIDE!!! I quickly shake my jitters off and get back on the bike.

Again, my only strategy is to finish.

About 2 miles from the finish, I pass Brian Bailey walking back to his bike with a gas can. I ask if everything is OK, and he assures me that it is. Soon, a guy I passed about 200 yards back starts catching up again. Ok, gotta go!!

At the finish, I'm happy to see the checkered flag. It was a 7th place finish, but I sure earned those 14 points.

I was absolutely beat... more than I have ever been on any other race or ride before.

See you guys at Jacksboro in 2 weeks!!

BTW, kudos to everyone out on the track directing us to the best lines. That was a HUGE help!

FUN are you kidding me some where I lost the fun part. Maybe it washed away in the creeks or still stuck in the mud. It was the hardest thing I think I have done so far. Dave now come on it was so much fun when you were stuck in the mud or when you got to the finish line you fell over laughing right NOT from being totally worn out and couldnt hold your bike up. Well at least we know what happened to the recon. LOL well THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK TORO TEAM.

what a killer race . It was very tough, I definitely got my moneys worth. I sure am proud to be part of such a great race series. TORO rocks!!!!