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The
Mountain Ridge GNCC ATV Race Report
Round 9: September 1st, Somerset,
PA
Snowshoe, WV (9/3/2007)
- William Yokley finished 19th overall, 13th
XC1 Pro today in the inaugural running of the
Mountain Ridge race in Somerset, PA. There were
245 total racers in this race including 23 XC1
Pro riders.
Summary:
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#5
William Yokley |
It’s been a busy time for me during the summer
GNCC break. Our twins were born on July 16th,
and they had to be monitored in a hospital in
Louisville for three weeks. We stayed in a nearby
hotel and basically spent day and night with them
in the intensive care unit. They are now home
and all is well, and are gaining weight and healthy.
I have been training and getting my bike dialed
in for the last five races of the season. I felt
confident that everything was working well and
looked forward to this race. We arrived Saturday
morning to 48 degree weather, a far cry from the
heat and humidity we had in KY all summer. The
day was perfect, sunny and heating up to the low
80’s.
The start flag dropped and I got a mid pack start,
and by the time we got to the woods, I was up
to 7th place. I passed a few more and was in 4th
about mid way though the first lap. I arrived
at a mud hole and swerved to go around it; unfortunately,
my front wheel got hung on a log and spun me around
wedging it in tight. It took me a couple of minutes
to get it free and on my way again; by then I
was behind all the pros and half of the pro-am
riders. I pushed hard to make up time and passed
a few in the next couple of miles.
Then my day got worse! The track had rocks everywhere,
similar to the WISP event with all sizes and shapes.
My bike, suspension and tires were working great
in these conditions but I hit a tall sharp rock
that wedged in between my skid plate and frame.
I was in 3rd gear and the bike stopped in an instant,
sending me over the bars into more rocks. It happened
so fast that I wasn’t even able to get my
arms out in front to cushion the impact. I face
planted head first which rang my bell big time,
thank goodness for my Shoei helmet! I thought
I was hurt pretty bad at first, my back and neck
took a lot of impact. My goggles were broken and
useless.
I made sure that I could at least walk and move
everything OK, and attempted to get going again.
I must admit I really didn’t know where
I was the rest of that lap completing it in 18th
place. I got a new pair of goggles and headed
back out. Lap 2 and 3 were not much better and
I was in 17th beginning the last lap. I began
feeling better on the bike and moved up to 13th
by the finish.
My weekend was not what I hoped for, but my bike
is working better than ever and my fitness level
is very good. I will continue to work hard and
get ready for the Unadilla, NY race in two weeks.
I like that track and I will be ready!
www.YokleyRacing.com
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