Desert 100 2017

That time of year again, mud and motorcycles at the Desert 100. Clint and I loaded up his truck and trailer, and headed east to Moses Lake. We had learned our lesson from last year to never stay at the AmeriStay Inn (bed bug haven), so this year we upgraded to the Comfort Suites. We got checked in, and then drove out to the middle of nowhere, Odessa, where the race is held.

This year there had to be almost double the amount of people. The RVs and campsites extended out about 2 miles, it was crazy! So many more people, trucks and bikes than ever before. We checked out all the vendors, including our friend Jamey who was there to promote his law firm specializing in injury law. Clint got registered for the race, and then him and Matt went out on their bikes to practice the starting line.

Me, Jamey, Matt and Clint – D100 veterans

Matt and Clint ready to ride

View from the top of Jamey's RV

Pretty sunset

Clint and I headed back to our hotel that night while the rest of the guys stayed at the race site and camped in Jamey's RV. We were back the next day to hangout, as well as get Clint's motorcycle race-ready with a new sprocket and tires.

checking out vendor row

a new sprocket for the bike

Once again, we headed back to town to grab dinner (Clint needed his carbs to race the next day), and called it an early night since we were up before the sun the next day.

Clint carb loading at Denny's

sunrise in Moses Lake

Clint got all suited up, and headed out to line up for the race with the other 1,000 riders. They all parade along the street to get to the starting line, then they line up one by one standing about 10 yards behind their bikes. Once the canon goes off, they all run to jump on their bikes and take off. About three miles in, they all funnel through what's called the "hole shot". This year, Clint was so speedy that he was the 5th (out of like 1,000) to hit the hole shot, incredible!

pep talk from Matt before the race

Once the riders were out of view, Matt (who wasn't racing due to a back injury) sat in the pits with me while we waited for the riders to start coming through. The race is two 50 mile laps, so a total of 100 miles. After the first lap, riders stop to get fuel and anything else they need before finishing the second lap.

waiting in the pits for Clint to come through and
get fueled up for the second lap

Clint ended up not having the best race, even after that amazing start. At about mile 5, some guy wrecked in front of him, which caused Clint to wreck, and then also a third guy behind him. Clint hit the handlebars pretty hard and reamed his ribs. Having that happen right at the start of the race rattled him pretty good. At the halfway point, he still wanted to continue, but then got a flat tire just after starting lap two. So...not his best time, but still impressive that he finished. Out of all those racers, less than half actually end up finishing.

race finisher!

Once the race was over, we packed up the truck and headed home, until next year!