Full Moon #2 Amelia Earhart Park | By Eric Norris

“Charge lights! Charge Lights!” was all that ran through my head during the days leading up to Down to Earth’s Full Moon #2 night race @ Amelia Earhart State Park. Having had such a blast at the series opener, I was anxiously counting the days until we were back in the saddle with nothing but our lights and some help from the full moon to lead the way.

Not so fast! Different from the opener we had potato sacks waiting for us at the starting line and a 30-40 yard dash in them that kept us from jumping on our bikes and getting into the trails. I’ll take this moment to say that I could care less for this kind of start. So let this be my plea to let us start out on our bikes just as we did in the series opener!

The horn blows and we’re off! Taking part alongside me was team rider Alex Serrano. Unbeknownst to all of us, he is an expert in the sack.             ßThis space was left intentionally to allow your mind to go places with that one. No but really, he took off and was first to the bikes! I was about halfway there still trying to figure out what the heck I’m doing in a potato sack jumping up/down like a goon.

Alex continued his great start and was in the top three flowing well while apart of the lead pack. Unfortunately in the later part of his first lap he had mechanical issues and had to pull over. This had put him out of contention of making a move pass the top two, however wasn’t going to stop him from finishing the race.

I, on the other hand, went into the trails about mid-pack. Apparently I lack the DNA string in potato sack jumping. I immediately was stuck behind some slow traffic and fought it for the first couple miles. About halfway into my first lap I finally was able to get through and put the hammer down. I knew I had some major catch-up to play but I was determined and was feeling really strong. Apparently I was so determined I wasn’t paying much attention to arrows, just running with the throttle wide open, and ended up blowing by a bypass and went the wrong way. CRAP! After about 5 minutes of going the wrong way I determined no one else was around me and I soon realized what I had done. Almost just called it quits, but I figured what the heck, let’s ride. So I did some back tracking and got back on course. I ended up getting stuck behind the same traffic that I was fighting the first part of the race. No Fun! I felt like nothing was going my way, but continued to keep a positive attitude (at least I think I was) and finished the race not caring where I placed.

Fun isn’t over! With his first race in 40+ age group, Alex Serrano felt the wood on the podium! Bringing home a respectful 3^rd place and some more motivation to keep training hard.

Back to training now for the next LaRoota #4 race at Oleta. I'm still looking for some revenge there so look out!

Cape Epic 2012 Highlights

Who says stage racing is only for roadies? The Absa Cape Epic race is an 8 day, 781km race in South Africa that draws 2 man teams of racers from all over the world. Definitely a different twist on MTB racing

Check out some of the highlights from Stage 2!

World Cup XCO #1 Highlights

Well life gets in the way sometimes and we couldn't get out racing this weekend. But the Best pro's in the world sure did!

Check out this 4 minute highlight clip that shows the best of this weekend's action

UCI World Cup XCO 2012 #1 Pietermaritzburg Live

Wake up early and catch the first World Cup race of the season live at 7:50AM EST ON 3/17 and watch the best riders in the world kick off their season.

Or if the video breaks go to http://live.redbull.tv/events/33/ucistop1-xc2/

Race Report: Markham 100 2012

Eric G here. Been awhile since my last post but I was back with the team in action at everyone's favorite race to practice self torture in, the Markham 100!! Seriously though it's a great event put on by the Volunteers and Trailbuilders that maintain South Florida's premier MTB trail to raise funds to keep the trail always looking great. Thanks to events like this, Markham is always ready for riding.

The race course was actually pretty tame compared to other events. Many of the advanced sections were bypassed for more intermediate sections that flowed nicely, that while never too easy, made it more feasible for riders to actually complete the 100k (7 lap) event. Alex, Eric N and myself were present for the event. We're waiting on new team kits, but were happy to be showing off our new tent, courtesy of Bike Tech, our new sponsor! (More on that soon)


Racers were motorpaced down a 3/4 mile fire road into the first trail. The 3 of us managed to get a decent spot towards the front, but didn't kill ourselves to get there. I found myself in a pack of Sport riders which was quite a refreshing change. As a regular Base racer, our class sometimes doesn't have the "finesse" of some of the faster riders. So while in this Sport pack, I found myself flowing with them, not worrying about who would crash in front of me and just concentrating on keeping up. Was it fast? YES. I knew I had to back off eventually if I hoped to finish the race and after about 3/4 of the lap I said adios to my pack and continued on my own pace. I'll wrap up my uneventful race here. I'd gotten sick exactly 6 days prior to the race. I started the event fully congested and with coughing fits so I knew my chances were slim to even finish. I lasted about 21 miles before I called it a day and played pit man for the rest of the team.

Meanwhile Alex and Eric N continued and actually had a bit of a duel going. Alex was usually leading, but Eric wasn't far behind. Master Motivator that I am, I played that fact to each of them to keep them pushing as they came to pits "Alex, here comes Eric. Better not let your nephew (he's 28 though) beat you!" or "Eric, he's not too far ahead. Go get him!"

This continued until the end of lap 5 when Eric came around first and Alex was nowhere near. 4 hours in and bodies began fighting them. Eric's back was going and Alex had a bit of a headache going. The two had stopped in the middle of a lap for a breather. When they got rolling again, Eric had the better motor and left Alex in his dust. Could the junior (noob) team member be the days winner among the team ranks? He came into the pits after 5 laps and trying hard to stretch out as he may, his back was gone and it would be his last lap. Alex came around a few minutes later, and with a bit more of my Xen-Like Motivation (Lying) and a bathroom break, Alex would head out for his 6th lap. And wouldn't you know it, after a dry, but windy event, the skies opened up and drench anyone still left on the course. Alex finished his lap a muddy mess, but commented that the rain invigorated him and actually made his lap easier! Unfortunately this would be the end of Alex's race after just missing the last lap cutoff time by a few minutes.

Final results were a little skewed as a lack of a Sport Solo option in registration put many Sport riders with the Base riders. Considering that Alex and Eric N would finish a solid 15th and 18th overall in Base Solo. My mere 2 laps put me in 39th (Ugh...) More importanly, team bragging rights go to Alex until the next endurance event we all participate in!

Next up is a split team weekend. The Eric's will be heading to Gainesville for US Cup #1 while Alex and Julio will stay home for the Oleta 60. Don't have pics for this race but we hope you enjoyed the race report. Check back soon for reports from this weekend's action!