Dirt Rider . Net Text Version Home
Pages: 1
NorthWest US or Canada desert racing
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
I'm about an hour east from Vancouver, BC and I've been wanting to do some desert racing for years now.. Where is the nearest desert racing held? I know there is some in Idaho but I'm hoping there is something closer, maybe even north of the border.. Anyone? I really want to do one this year. If I have to go to Idaho to do it, I just may.
Posted by: fatty_k---------------------
There may be some races in Osoyoos or Oliver BC. It is semi-arrid desert and gets smokin hot there. I am in Kelowna, north, about an hour and a half drive away. I have never ridden there but I know it is very desert like. However, I dont think there is any PNWMA races held there.
Posted by: Kelly---------------------
I have heard of a race held in north eastern Washington near the Chelan/Wenatchie. That's about two hours south of Osoyoos. I'm in Penticton and there are no races held in Oliver/Osoyoos area. Although it is a desert climate.
Kelly.
BBR220
Posted by: dog---------------------
There is a big desert race put on by Stumpjumpers in Washington every year. This year I think it is on the weekend of April 13th. They have a poker run on Saturday (1,500 riders or so) and race on Sunday. The race is usually about 100 miles and will have 500 or so riders. The mass start is something you will remember! This is the biggest desert race in Washington. The race is held along I-90 between Ellensburg and Vantage. This is about 1.5 hour drive East from Seattle.
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
I'll see you there!
Posted by: txvintage---------------------
I have to honest, I never associated Desert Racing with the great state of Washington.
Must be because of all of the rain and trees I remember from the two years I lived in Port Orchard.................:think
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
Yeah, I agree.. But if it's the closest thing to it, without driving 15hrs +, it's good enough for me. I've always wanted to try a desert race.
Posted by: Highbeam---------------------
I grew up near Port Orchard.Typical Western Washington weather. As soon as you cross the cascades and get to the flats it's like another state. It's either frozen or dry and either one isn't very pleasant when the winds pick up (every day). I'm sure there are some nicer more sheltered spots but the general rule is pretty dead and desert like. Really, a day and night difference from western washington. Does everyone ride both days at the "Desert 100"? Vantage is the closest town to the starting line.
Posted by: ironmtn_racing---------------------
Hey Cam,
The Desert 100 is a great weekend of dirtbiking!
It's not what I'd really consider desert racing but is the closest you'll find to it in Washington. Very fast, rocky, dusty terrain. Pray for rain the night before.
The Idaho round of the National Hare and Hound series is also a great race. Look for the "Rabbit Creek 100". It's a haul, you pretty much have to drive to Boise. Fun though.
Did you come down and race the filthy pup last weekend?
Take care,
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
Quote:
Originally posted by ironmtn_racing
<snip>
Did you come down and race the filthy pup last weekend?
Take care,
|
Thanks for the info! I didn't make it to the filthy pup, I discovered a crack on my left radiator that I'm currently having repaired. How was it?
Posted by: ironmtn_racing---------------------
It was pretty good for a filthy pup. Certainly wasn't easy but at least the weather was nice.
There was quite a bit of new course and most of it held up pretty good.
Too bad that Herling Island conficts with an NMA event this year. I was really looking forward to racing their again.
We'll have to hook up one of these days.
Talk to you soon.
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
Which NMA event is conflicting?
How does it compare?
Posted by: Honda Rippin'---------------------
I'm going to the race held on the weekend of April 13th. Although, I won't race in the desert 100, seeing how I have no racing experience and definately don't have the bike for it, I'll try my hand at the junior harescramble. I suppose I'll see some of you guys there, my dad plans to take our camper and spend the night but with 1500 riders, where are they going to put everyone?! The nearest town is probably Quincy or Ephrata so I guess we'll see. Oh, I've got a couple questions since I don't have a clue what to do when I get there. I need numbers for my number plates but my dad keeps saying "What if you show up and there is someone there with the same number". Does that matter? Does anyone know about the junior harescramble and explain it to me in better detail. I have an idea of what it is, but what is the real objective? As you can tell I've never raced before and I don't have my hopes set very high, but I need a little guidance before I go. Thanks guys!
P.S. Kelly-I live in Chelan, and I haven't heard anything about a race that you were talking about. No tracks or anything here but I could be wrong. Alot of trails but they're really gnarly and I wouldn't want to race on them.
Posted by: ironmtn_racing---------------------
Hi "HR"
Don't worry about numbers. In most cases you get a punch tag when you sign up. The tag goes on your handlebars and you get a punch at each check point. They take your tag at the end of the race and score you according to the number of punches and your finish position. Run any number you want on your bike.
The Desert 100 weekend is a lot of fun. The Saturday event is a poker run. You get a chance to run a lot of the same course that's raced on Sunday but you can do it at your own pace. They have one checkpoint setup with free hotdogs and sodas so you can even have lunch on the trail. Don't worry about camping. Plenty of space. It ends up looking like a small city by Sat night but you shouldn't have any problem finding a place for you camper.
Cam - The conflicting event is the Starvation Ridge Spring GP. A great race course if the weather cooperates. Basically a freeway carved through sweet rolling farmland. Really slippery/muddy if it rains and pretty dusty if it's really dry. Fast either way. They have a couple hill climbs that are nearly 5th gear pinned.
Take care
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
The Herrling Island race was this weekend, the weather sucked and I didn't go. How was the NMA event? That sounds like a really fun course! Or is it coming up soon? If so, when/where?
Posted by: ironmtn_racing---------------------
Cam,
You ever have one of those days where you're not sure if you're coming or going?
Your right...this was the weekend for Herling Island. The conflict was with an event at Washougal. If it's any consolation the weather here sucked to. The race was pretty much a death march through the mud. Very very slippery mud! Yuk.
The starvation ridge event is weekend after next near Goldendale Wa. If you look at a map, Goldendale is south of Yakima near the columbia river.
Anyway...be safe!
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
Ouch, that's about 6 1/2 hrs away..
But it sounds like a lot of fun!
I'll keep a tab on the weather and if it's looking good, I'm sure it will be worth the trip.
Posted by: zilla---------------------
I believe there is a National Dez race in Murphy Idaho this year.. This would be a real desert race.. There are also a bunch in Utah at Jerico, put on by the USRA.. The SageRiders put on a great National in April, again in Utah..
Clic Here Good Luck
zilla
Posted by: firecracker22---------------------
It's not really desert but . . .
The Spring Mud Fling near Spokane, WA is 3 hours of fields and rocks and mx. It's a great high-speed race, cheap entry, limited classes, 2-man team race. There are no trees and no hills just fields with rocks. It's very easy terrain to skilled riders but I have fun out there every time I go. There's a thread about it with links in the Places to Ride forum.
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
What weekend is this Spring Mud Fling?
Wow, you Washingtonians have a lot of great sounding events.
Posted by: Hondaxrguy---------------------
Cam, it is March 24th. If you want to come, and need a partner, I'm looking for one.
Let me know!
Jeremy
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
Jeremy, thanks for the invitation. I'm a motocrosser (wuss) so I can't commit until/unless I'm guaranteed good weather. If you're still looking for one within a few days of the race and the weather is looking good (doesnt need to be perfect but not rain or snow please ) we'll talk.
Posted by: Hondaxrguy---------------------
Sounds good. I'll keep ya posted if I find someone.
Jeremy
Text Version Home
vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2009,
Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
vB Easy Archive Final ©2000 - 2009
- Created by Stefan "Xenon" Kaeser
