In the wee hours on February 28 , 2003 the Speedball's packed thier bags & headed south leaving the SNOW behind ! The first fifty miles was done in 4x4 mode as Mother Nature did her best to stop the Speedball Express from escaping her wintery grasp! But by the time I spun & slipped & slid my way to Richmond , Va. the roads were in GREAT shape!
Along the way , I met up with Dennis White & Jim & his girl friend Tammy at a rest stop next to the N.C boarder. With an exchange of hand held walkie-talkie's the next 800 miles was spent bantering back and forth on the walkie-talkie's & assisting one another as we negotiated our way along I-95 south. The friendly chit chat made the trip go fast & by 6:00pm we were sitting on the front porch of our motel sipping a cold beverage in our shorts & t-shirts. As we sat around relaxing , plans for tommorrow were formulated & after feeding our faces , it was time to let the Sand Man do his his thing & all turned quiet as ZZZZZZZZZZZZ's filled the ajoining rooms!
As usual Speedy Racer was up bright & early getting his gear together & at 6:00am rousted the other Speedball's from the warm confines of thier beds. After a hot breakfeast at our local Steak & Shake all nite diner , we headed off to Ocala National Forest to get in some ride time & to prep our quads for tommorrow's GNCC Race at Laplatka, Florida.
At our normal parking area alongside Rt# 40 , we were also joined by Chuck & his 440 Cannodale for today's ride & prep session. After Jim's 502ex got a few minor problems resolved , the loud roar of sport quads filled the air & sand began flying in all directions as the sport quads dropped the hammer & BLASTED out across the vast network of trails contained within the Ocala National Forest.
Dennis White & his 650 Kawasaki Pararie 4x4 had to ride his ass off to just to keep the sport quads dust cloud in view! On a few occassions , even this tactic did not work & the sport quads had to back track & locate out fast , but outclassed 4x4 rider. In the next 3 hours , we covered 65 miles of these beautiful tight twisty trails & fine tuned our quads for Sunday's race.
After lunch it was time to head north for a practice session on the new GNCC track & to see IF we needed to make any last minute adjustments or equipment changes to our quads? Upon arrival at the track , Jim's 2x4 PU had to be rescued by Dennis's 4x4 Nissan PU from the black muck that was EVERYWHERE!!!!! Even big 4x4 rigs towing big trailers became victims of these very mucky conditions in the pit area!
Once our rigs were safe & on somewhat dry land , it was time to take a few practice laps on a shortened course . This would reveal WHAT the conditions would be like on Race Day & changes could be made on our setups. From the time I enetered the first mud hole & as I enetered the woods , I knew tommorrow would be TOUGH!!!!!!!!! These black mud holes had NO bottom & were super slick! The trails were very tight & filled with roots & stumps from cut down pine trees! After a few laps , I realized I better make a few changes & get a good nites rest! This GNCC race would test MAN & MACHINE to the MAX!!!!
After cleaning some of the muck from our quads , we retreated to our Silver Springs motel & washed up & headed out for a good meal at a local steak house in Ocala , Florida. Tammy's uncle had recommended this eatery & we were not dissapointed as the food & service was excellent! With bellies full , it was time to retreat to our rooms & once again let the Sand Man perform his majic & before too long ZZZZZZZZZZZZ's filled the nite air!
Sunday March 2 , 2003 & it was time to get up & feed our faces & head off to Laplatka , Florida & race the first GNCC race of the year!!! YEHAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Excitement filled the air as our happy group headed north after a quick bite to eat! Jim once again had to be extracted from the MUCK entering the pits & was fussing & fumimg about the lousy pit conditions! HA! HA!
Our bellies are full of butterflies as we put on our gear & head off for the starting line. As we line up in our respective classes , I see almost every type of quad you could think of lined up in row after row . Next to me is a girl Factory rider aboard the new " 700 V-Force from Kawasaki being photographed & attended to by her mechanic. The girls & " Super Senior's " will blast off first with about 400 WILD & CRAZY youngster's coming next in waves every two mintutes as each successive class is started. At Deep Creek Lake last year I was nearly run over by the youngster's as they caught up with us in the woods at a nasty bottle neck , so I wanted to get a good start to AVOID this same situation !
As the flagman signals the 10 second signal , I get ready to hit the start button & blast off into the first corner. I time it just right & as the flagman drops the flag , the 400ex roars to life & the RACE begins!!!! 20 or so quads slam into the first turn with the grinding sound of metal against metal filling the air! NO ONE backs off as each & every rider fights for track position! Within a few hundred yards the pack has thinned out somewhat & almost single file as we enter the first patch of woods. The pace is CRAZY at best & gets worse as each riders looks for the best line & are NOT bashful about banging you out of the way , in thier quest to gain track position! Halfway through the first lap , I am surprised that the youngsters haven't been up my butt & hollering for me to pull over so they can pass ! Looks like they are finding this as difficult as I am! HA! HA! By the completion of the first lap this BRUTAL course has taken its toll on many riders! At the start of the second lap I see quad after quad broken down , with some dejected rider with his hands in the air waving in disgust at his or her misfortune! As the 4x4's root out each & every mud hole deeper & DEEPER , more & MORE sport quads ( including myself ) are becoming buried & stuck in more & MORE deep nasty mud holes!!!! This AARP body is fading fast under these conditions! I'm a tough old bird , BUT these conditions are really beginning to take thier toll !!!!! As I muck my way near the Finish line & the completion of the second lap , I sure hope this is a TWO lap race & NOT a three lap race ! The swamps look like a battle field , with broken down quads filling the woods at every turn & some mud holes littered with folks too weary to extract thier sunken & bogged down quad ONE MORE time from the grips of this black muck!!! BUT I see the WHITE flag as I cross the Finish line check point & bravely push on , NOT knowing IF this AARP body can survive yet ONE MORE lap under these BRUTAL conditions????? Each & every bump sends pain thoughout my body , but I press on & attempt to focus on the course ahead. Halfway through the third lap , I come upon the # 2 rider in my class & I get excited!!!! MAYBE if I ride hard , I may even trophy IF my 400ex & I survive the next 6 miles????
Just as I think I'm about to overtake the # 2 rider in my class , a 4x4 BLASTS past me in this VERY mucky section & fills my entire helmet , goggles , ears , eyes & nose FULL of MUD!!!! I can't hear, see or breath!!!!!!!! I veer off the track & by the time I can resume racing the # 2 riders is GONE! DAMN!!!!! But with steely resolve, I push forward & contiue towards the finish line! 1/4 mile from the finish line I bury the 400ex in a DEEP mud hole & feel the last of my energy slowly drain from my body! SO close , BUT not quite there!!!! The screams & cheers from hundreds of spectators lining the track give me that LITTLE surge of strength & with the wild cheers & screams filling my ears , this AARP somehow finds the strength to lift the 400ex out of this last deep mud hole & continue onto the finish line! I DID IT!!!!!! Probably the TOUGHEST thing I've every done in such a SHORT period of time in my LIFE!!!!!!!!!!
Once the muck had been cleansed from my body & dry clothes exchanged for the mud caked rags of the race , I head off to see how the other Speedball's fared?? Jim & the 502ex had a tough race! First he became disabled in a mud hole & spent 15 minutes being pummeled by other riders & then lost his entire rear brake assy. to the swamp & was forced to withdraw after two laps & a 25th place finish in the Novice class. Matt aboard his Warrior finish 12th in the First Year Rider class after two laps . Caleb Bailey DNF's after his clutch failed 15 minutes into the race. Bobby Gardiner rode hard & smart & took a well deserved 6th place in the tough 4x4 Modified Class. Chuck took home a respectible 7th place in the Novice Class on his 440 Cannondale. Speedy Racer survived the swamps & took home a plaque for 4th place in the Super Senior Class on his 400ex. all in all it was a decent race day for the Speedball's , but we ALL vowed to return next year & do BETTER!!!!!!!!
After returning to the motel Sunday afternoon , it was time to check out our quads for race damage? The 400ex did not fail me , BUT the race took its toll!!! BOTH tie rods were bent like pretzels from bouncing off trees & other quads , rear carrier bearings destroyed , rear brake pads gone & even brass mounting brackets burnt in half ! Thanks to Jim & his generosity & help , the 400ex was back to full strength after almost an entire day of repairs. Jim attempted to locate a new rear brake assy , but costs proved too steep , so the rest of the week, the 502ex would have no rear brakes. Other members of the Speedbll's took thier wounded quads & head back home for much needed repairs & would not join us for the rest of the week in Ocala National Forest.
The rest of the week the Speedball's would enjoy the vast 400,000 acres of the Ocala National Forest & BLAST & cruise thoughout the National Forest & enjoy all the beauty it had to offer.During the week , we would cover almost 500 miles within its boundries & discover many new and exciting things as we traversed its maze of trails .
Monday was spent with John Bailey , Matt , Dennis & Tommy as we ventured north to Lake Delancy & points beyond. Jim would spend the day restoring the 500ex to riding condition , Speedy Racer would continue riding his wounded quad & complete needed repairs on Tuesday. Chuck's Cannondale had burnt up all his brakes as well & was having parts delivered to get ready for next Saturday's Georgia GNCC race.
With a full day or riding of planned , our merry group headed north towards Salt Springs, Florida through the trails of Ocala National Forest. John Bailey was itching to challenge Speedy Racer & his 400ex , so it didn't take long for these two quads to drop the hammer & begin the mad dash!!!!! YEHAAAAAAAAAA! With a slight mist , dust was not a factor & the pace north remained brisk for the entire morning. By the time we had reached Salt Springs , Florida , everyone was ready for a cold drink & something to munch on . After a refreshing break , it was time to hit the trails again. Tommy & his 450 4x4 Forman acted as rear guard & Dennis aboard his 650 Kawasaki Pararie kept a watchful eye on the youngsters. The folks in the rear weren't witness to the wildlife , but Speedy Racer saw all types of creatures scurry across the trail as we cruised & blasted our way across the vastness of Ocala National Forest. I could hear Matt & John squeal with delight each & every time I dropped the hammer on the 400ex & challeneged them to a Speedball run down some trail that twisted & turned & let us power slide sideways as we clicked off mile after mile . By afternoon fuel was becoming a concern , so I headed off south in the direction of our trucks. While Speedballing down this really fast trail , all got real quiet behind me , so after not hearing anyone for 15 or 20 seconds , I reverse course & discover THREE quads had shut off & needed to hit " reserve " to continue or trex southward. Everyone restarted ok except John's Warrior , which made a funny sound & died! Nothing we did could restore life to this quad , so Dennis latched onto the defunct quad & headed off to the trucks.
Once back at the trucks , John's dad is called & informed of the demise of the Warrior & before long the Warrior is loaded & homeward bound. Tommy & I are NOT ready to call it a day & with the 400ex carrier bearings making some rather ugly noises , we refuel & head out into the late afternoon for Big Scrub Campground.
The trip across the gas lines goes by fast & within an hour or so Tommy & I have arrived at Big Scrub Campground after a few detours to check out some inviting trails. The rain is starting to come down heavier & HEAVIER & before long we are riding in a full fledged monsoon downpour!!! Darkness is falling quickly to complicate matters , but a direct & straightfoward path to the trucks is selected as to eliminate ANY chance of getting lost in this torrential downpour! The last few miles to the trucks are very difficult as the trails & roads have turned to a gooey MESS!!!!! The quads veer from side to side & are extremely difficult to steer!!! It is with GREAT relief that the lights from RT # 40 are spotted & not long after , we are loaded & DRY, WARM clothes caress this AARP body after 100 miles !!! Needless to say , the HOT shower & WARM bed will be greatly appreciated this evening! Upon arrival at the motel , Jim informs us that the 502ex minus rear brakes will be ready for action tommorrow. Good news for these tired & weary atver's! After a little Chinese food from a local eatery , its lights out for Speedy Racer! ZZZZZZZZZZZ's
Tuesday morning is spent rebuilding the 400ex & thanks to Jim's fully loaded trailer , a spare carrier bearing assembly is installed & new rear brakes complete the repairs. Tie rods had been reformed Sunday nite. By afternoon we are blasting across the Ocala National Forest & once again enjoying the wonderous beauty of it all! Tommy & the 450 Foreman joins Jim & I for todays jaunt , while Dennis , Chuck & his dad head south to check out one of Florida's theme parks. For an afternoon ride with only three riders , we cover alot of ground & enjoy the peace & tranquillty of a mid week ride with no signs of other ORVer's anywhere to be found! The day ends on a grand note & both race battered quads are now up to almost prerace condition & ready for a serious ride on Wednesday.
Wednesday morning can't come too soon ,as we want to get in our first FULL day of riding & traverse the Ocala National Forest from north to south & find MORE new points of interest. With a bright sun greeting us as we fire up our quads & head north , the spirits are high & the pace brisk from the start. Jim is itching to drop the hammer on the 502ex after a day of repairs & relaxation. VAROOOM , VAROOOM , echos in my ear at each turn as Jim goads me into dropping the hammer & starting one of our famous Speedball runs!! The goading gets its desired affect & before long the sand is flying in all directions as we BLAST down the trails at WARP speed!!!! YEHAAAAAA! Slamming into each & every turn FULL BORE with monster rooster tails being spit into the air! BOY this is FUN!!!!!
Its doesn't take long for our happy group of ATVer's to reach Salt Springs, Florida . Once a few refreshments have been consumed & tanks topped off , its off to Lake Delancy & the beauty of it lake side views!
Once the lake has been viewed & its wonderous beauty enjoyed , its time to head south , but not before a stop at " Cactus Jack's " pub & sandwich shop. Speed Racer stands guard over our prized quads , while the others shoot a few games of pool , drink a cold beer & munch on a few pretzels. We DON'T usually drink on the trail , but ONE nice COLD beer won't add any added risk to our atver's.
The stop at Cactus Jack's has rejuvinated our merry riders & before long we are once again enjoying the beauty & trails of Ocala National Forest & headed south! Along the way Mother Nature treats us to an occassional glimpse of more creatures that inhabite its lush undergrowth. Quail , rabbits , chipmonks , turkeys & other creatures run before our quads & dissappear quickly before they become a victim of our ORV's. By the time we reach our trucks , 85 miles has been logged & most give up for the day & load up & head off to the motel to refresh & relax. Tommy is heading home to Virginia & is done for the week & thanks us for a great time! But Jim & I refuel & head out to explore & do some more trail riding during this beautiful day. After waving goodbye to Tommy & Dennis , Jim & I head south toward the far end of the park & to chase one another across mile after mile of tight twisty trails. The miles click off fast & before long we are at the southern most portion of the park & start the return trex northward , but via a tricky , but neat set of trails. On this particular route you must find a path around the bombing range that is located in the center of the northeast section of the Ocala National Forest below Rt 40 . As the sun begins to set low on the horizon , we are confronted with dead end after dead end & with Jim's 502ex having NO headlights , we are forced to ride on a few rough , BUT numbered roads to enable us to find the correct trail before nightfall. Halfway up this one numbered road that circles the bombing range , we come upon a two wheel drive S-10 PU which had buried itself in the soft sand , halfway up the hill !!!!! SOME numbered roads are NOT meant to be traversed by normal vehicles , but only 4x4's! So we stop by & NO WAY can we help this wayward man & his wife stranded in the middle of NOWHERE!!!!!!!! He has contacted the local 911 folks , so we go about our way finding the way back to our trucks before total darkness settles down upon us. Once a trail headed off in the right general direction is located , its only a matter of time before we arrive safely back at our trucks & pack up after 140 miles have been logged today on our trusty quads. What a GRAND day!
Once back at the motel & our bodies are freshened up , its off to feed our faces & relax for the evening . Time to then catch some ZZZZZZZ's
Thursday , Jim & I would ride & once again head north to Salt Springs, Florida & shoot pool , eat some pizza & drink a nice cold soda & shoot a few games with the daughter of lady who tends bar. After a hour or so banging balls around , we mounted our quads & headed south. The amazing part of today's ride was that during this ride I spotted two large dog like creatures standing in the trail , staring at me! As i slowed up & stopped , I was dumbfounded by WHAT I saw!!!!! TWO COYOTE's were staring me down!!! Definitely a first for Speedy Racer!!!!! Being a very shy & elusive animal , Jim never got a chance to share in this view , as the critters very quickly dissappeared into the lush forest that surrounded the trails. Wish I had a helmet cam for such moments in life!!!
The trip back to our trucks was spent going about as FAST as we could without risking life or limb , since today would be the LAST ride aboard our quads till we packed up & headed home Saturday morning. It was definitely a RUSH as the trees flashed by in a BLURR as the the miles quickly clicked off & our trucks came into view!!!! WHAT a way to end the riding portion of our trip!!!!
The warm shower & fresh clothes are a welcome relief after a hard day on the trail. Off to Walmart , to pick up a few supplies & while there Jim & Tammy greet me & ask if I want to accompany them to a nice hangout & shoot some pool?? Being tired , but ready to join these great folks for a little fun & adventure , I fire up the Chevy & follow lead to the local hangout & what it has to offer.
The place is hopping by the time we arrive & the pool tables are lined up with quarters for the next pool shark in line. I place my quarters on the rail & play , but make a hasty exit after losing to a superior player. My mind wasn't on pool , but what I had ordered from the waitress & before long was feasting on my steak & side dishes. As I consumed my delicious meal , I watched as pool shark after pool shark strutted his stuff as he did his best to vanquish the player holding the table. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening & a very nice way to finish a wonderful day!
Friday morning at 4:00am Dennis packs his bags & heads north to Virginia. Wishing him a safe trip home & thanking him for his help ,I catch a few more ZZZZZZZZZZZ's .Before long ,its time to grab some breakfeast & head to Daytona Beach, Florida & view the sights & sounds of Bike Week!
As we cruise into Daytona Beach , Florida , BIKES of all shapes & sizes are seen lined up against the sidewalk & cruising up & down the boardwalk. Locating a parking place in this mayhem is difficult, but we luck out & find a place not too far from the action.
Bikes by the THOUSANDS are everywhere!!!!! Its a blast as we take in the wonder of it ALL!!!!!!!! Halfway through our tour , it rains & blows SO HARD that dozens of bikes are toppled & laying on top of one another across the city !!!! Some folks are NOT going to be happy !!!!!!! This was a nice way to end our weeks vacation in Florida!!!! We sure had an ACTION packed & exciting vacation !!!!!!!!!!! GNCC racing ,500 miles of beautiful trail riding in Ocala National Forest & " Bike Week " Daytona Beach , Florida!!!!!!! Hope MORE of you can find the time & money to join us next year for this winter migration to the Florida sunshine & ALL it has to offer! Till next time this is your fearless leader & AARP atv buddy bidding you a fond farewell!!!!
SPEEDY RACER
GREAT ADVENTURE
