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Walker Sky Ranch
02-04-2008, 07:35 PM
http://www.friedneckbones.com/Trixie/web.jpg
Well, I know this report is a little late, but it is sometimes good to let a race sink into your mind and go over all the things that went well and the things that did not.

A little history first:
The Parker 250 is a motorcycle/AVT/UTV race held in Parker Arizona. This year is was held the first week in January. The course is approximately an 80 loop with varied terrain and FAST. This is not what you would call a technical race, it is more like a BAJA style race with sand washes and beat up fire roads.

So, I have raced this event a few times and have learned that you cant beat local knowledge and the ability of the locals to pre-run the course over and over again. so what I am saying is it is tough to beat the locals and good on them!

well, my race day started at 5 am with waking up at the main pit area and doing a little stretching and getting some fluids in my body. I should mention I race these events in the Ironman division "that means we do the whole length of the race solo" So, body prep is takes precedence in the morning, you don't want to be lacking any energy out there .. thats a killer. So after a little stretching and drinking, I take a slight bit of food, just enough to wake me up and will hold me over for the next 250 miles! Ok.. staging time 6:30 am, I am fuly dressed, and my Pit Captain "Bomber" has got "Trixie my bike" all ready and lined up at the start. We start Rally style every 30 seconds, I had first bike off the line in my division. I don't really like to be first off in my division, because you really have that feeling of being chased and that can interfere with your race plan sometimes!! Well thats the luck of the draw! So, I get the green light and I am off, and I try to settle into an 80% race pass within the first mile and get the body set for a long day.

Walker Sky Ranch
02-04-2008, 07:51 PM
I feel good the first 2 miles and the bike feels great, I am feeling like I could turn in a good time. I know I cant beat the 19 - 20 year olds, but thats not why I race.
I moving along and I know the closest guy behind me left the line 30 seconds after I did, and the fact that I have not been passed as I go by the 20 mile maker makes me feel pretty good and that I can hold this pass for the length of the distance. The course is a sweeping sand was for the first 20 miles and I love the rocky/sand washes, it's just like where I grew up and I am having fun!! That why we race.. to have FUN right!! Thats one reason, I will get into the other reason at another time. at mile 25 the race course leaves the sand wash and makes it way up on a ridge and across a rocky rutted road that leads to the ALT pit, this is where I slow down and got passed by two locals in my division. they where moving! I pull into the alt pit for a splash and go and I am in 3rd, hey.. well a huge amount of mile to go.. no worries, race my race and enjoy!
The rest of the race course is very similar leaving the alt pit is fast down a graded dirt road that drops you back into a sand wash for a few miles then over a rocky pole line road that is whooped out and feels like it goes forever "a real energy drainer" I make it through that just fine but in the back of my head, I know I have to go over that section again.. I roll into the main pit in the same postion as the alt pit 3 or 4th, but when you leave the pit you never know where your at, who went by when you where gassing? who did not have to pit.. Hey.. dont worry about it.. to finish well you must first finish! I tell myself aloud!

Walker Sky Ranch
02-04-2008, 08:36 PM
Long distant desert racing is funny, you can be out on that course with 200 other people and as the race progress even in a big loop race you come to areas where you don't see anyone for long stretches at a time and there is a sense of being alone, I like those times.. It seems like your really in the moment! Your just in the now, hurling yourself across the desert as fast as you can, Time flies by, and before you know it, it's all over and your crossing the finish line. Thats how the last part of the race went for me, Other then dealing with that section of whoops, :D that did drain what energy I had left, .. I crossed the finish line in 5th position, but with adjusted time I came in 10 and 14th across the line in a class of 66.

O6 Les Walker (41) Idyllwild, CA KTM RiderDown Foundation, Panolin Oil, Tire Balls, Rekluse, Ready Filters
10th IM E 3:43:16 52

I feel really good about that time.. and I am now 10th in the USA in the Ironman division for Best In The Desert.. I don't think I will be-able to reclaim my #03 plate from 06, but I will give it a try!!
Photos from the race
http://friedneckbones.com/parker08/walkerform.jpg

http://farioli.smugmug.com/photos/240554652-M.jpg


http://friedneckbones.com/parker08/walker_Panolinjpg.jpg

http://farioli.smugmug.com/photos/240554392-M.jpg

Thanks go out to
My Team
BOMBER ERIN ANTONIO AND RICK
you cant finish without a great crew..
PLUS..
RiderDown Foundation for being there for all that are in need!

char393
02-04-2008, 09:07 PM
I sure hope you keep the race reports coming! I thoroughly enjoyed that read and will no doubt re-read it a few more times!

From the sounds of your results, you're pretty fast! Congratulations on finishing and finishing well!

Love the pics too! You can never post enough pics, IMO.

50ccMoM
02-04-2008, 09:35 PM
I sure hope you keep the race reports coming! I thoroughly enjoyed that read and will no doubt re-read it a few more times!

From the sounds of your results, you're pretty fast! Congratulations on finishing and finishing well!

Love the pics too! You can never post enough pics, IMO.


Ditto ! Im so glad to have Les on board. I re-read it three times !!

Awesome !

Rdown291
02-04-2008, 10:59 PM
Great Job Les !!!

Tatonka
02-05-2008, 08:46 AM
Nice report Les - Congrats on a great race!! I can't wait for you to tell us about the "other reason we race"!! :thumb