In fourteen years time this race has become one of the single greatest mountain bike races in the history of the sport. For one short weekend, a mountain bike city grows up out of the desert graze-lands and host more than 2500 racers, support crews, and spectators in a stunningly beautiful, completely remote venue and then, in two days, it’s gone.  The 24 Hours of Moab, is a world-class event that draws teams from all over the world.   The racing was marked by outstanding performances, mighty winds early on, and a determination to have fun, come what may. In the tent city that surrounds the pits and timing tent, more than 2500 racers and support crew endured the cold night and blowing sand.

I would like to thank my sponsors for making this all happen.  I rode my Specialized S Work Epic up and down some of the most demanding terrain myself and the bike has seen.  Of the 7 hours I spent on the bike, 5 were in Darkness.  The new DFR LED lights made the night riding both easy and fun.  When most riders were slowing down or walking the difficult decent, the beam pattern and brightness allowed me to stay on the bike and descend at daytime speeds.

Ogio and Domani Trailers provided us the creature comforts of home.  With freezing temperatures at night, the hot showers, plasma Tv’s, full kitchen and beds for the team allowed us to stay strong through the grueling event.

We have Beat the Baja, and now have beat the 24 hours of Moab.  Endurance Racing is a challenge of the mind, body and soul.  As much as you battle the competitors you battle yourself even more.  My youngest daughter asked me why I continue to participate in these events and I had to pause and give it some thought.  These are memories we should not live without, these are times when you learn who you truly are, and these are opportunities to experience and do what other people can’t.  In a difficult economy 1600 racers traveled from all parts of this world with their family and friends to win or just finish this race.  They did it for their own specific reason, but the common one was “To Do What Other People Can’t”.

See you next year, maybe I will Iron Man both the 24 hours of Moab and the Baja 1000

Todd

Here are some additional images and links.

2 Seat Video’s

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=D2DFR#play/uploads

Single Seat Video

http://www.dragonfireracing.com/dragonfire-production-based-corr-bitd-and-score-legal-side-x-side.aspx

Drive Dash Nessie

Nessie Front Suspension

DFR Nessie

DragonFire Racing to Broadcast Live in HD at the Sand Sports Super Show Sept. 20th.  We will be introducing our latest products as well as Products from many other Vendors who are present at the Trade Show.  The Live  Link will be on www.dragonfireracing.com with the newest products from the show starting Sept 20th.

This system ROCKS! New 2nd Generation looks, performs, & rocks even better!  No compromise here with the perfectly designed 3″ main speakers with additional tweeters for full bodied sound.  The weatherproof bullet housing has powerful built-in true 50 watt amplifier & includes a volume & on/off control switch.  Convenient swivel adjustment gives you the freedom to position speakers in any direction you choose.  With a full plug & play wiring harness, noise purifier & standard 3.5 mm jack, simply connect your iPod, MP3 player, satellite radio, personal CD player, etc, & ride on.

Works for UTV, Motorcylce, & ATV Applications by ordering our mount kit for your specific application

View More Info:

http://www.dragonfireracing.com/dfr-billet-speaker-kit.aspx

Last week I was able to attend The Colorado 500.   This is a Kawasaki Team Green Sponsored Charity event that takes us from Aspen to Telluride and back.  A trip that crosses mountains that exceed 13,000 feet, and a trail system that allows us to runs over 700 miles of Single track in 5 days.  An event that has now sustained 34 years of riding, and reminiscing with great friends, and the chance to meet some new ones.

This year I have the privilege to spend another great week of riding with Team Green.  Larry Roeseler made my week interesting, making sure we took the most difficult trails, like Green Lake, Little Mill and Alpine Loop all in the same 160 Mile Day. 

Reid Nordin and Andy from Team Green worked on every Manufactures bike the entire week twice a day, and made sure my KX 450 ran flawless the entire week.  I want to thank Alan from Baja Designs for making me a one off street legal kit for my bike, and Andy from Team Green for putting the new race map in my computer.  The Bike is the best bike I have ever had the chance to get on, and fall off of.

I had a chance to ride with Randy Hawkins this year, and brought my first Rookie Jack McCormick from DragonFire.  Jack was kind enough to put a handle bar in his quad in the first 5 miles of day one, just enough blood and pain to allow me to keep up with him all week.  If you have never had the chance to ride with some of the greatest Racers of all time, this was an amazing week. Last year I sat on the top of Alpine loop with LR and Malcom Smith and this year LR and Randy Hawkins. 

There is always some great stories, it can start with too many Avalanche’s in the bar the night before the ride, or a bee putting LR in the Lake City Clinic on Day 4.  The best part is someone always gains from another’s misfortune.  Jack, my Rookie, now holds a title that few, if any people can say they have done. Jack is one of the first people to ever help LR ride his bike.  Not that LR found a difficult section and needed assistance, but instead got stung by a bee in Lake City and had to go to the Clinic for some medical assistance.  Jack made sure LR and his bike got to the Clinic and then like any good friend left him there.  Like and true Rider and Friend once he saw LR in good hands he continued his day riding.  We saw LR again that evening, had some beers and went riding again the next day.   As many years LR has been in Baja you can’t imagine a bee sting stopping his ride.  5 years ago he rode the last two days of Dakar with a broken Ankle.  I even rode with a hangover the next day. 

Special thanks go out to the Colorado Trail Preservation Alliance www.coloradotpa.org and my buddy Riggle for keeping these trails open for all of us to ride.  If you want to keep these trail open and have a chance to join us next year, please go to this web site and make a donation. 

This event and the countless charities and people that benefit from this annual Journey would not happen if it was not for the countless hours and passion of the Dallenbach Family and Friend.  Wally thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.