*~Casondra 787~*

Well I ended up sitting in the airport for over 4 hours waiting for the guys to come get me. We left for Calgary around 5pm, and drove for a few hours before stopping for some food in salmon arm. After dinner we drove another few hours into Golden, and stopped at a truck stop for the night. I ended up sleeping in the backseat of the truck, with only a sweatshirt for a pillow and a towel for a blanket. It was so cold I barely slept. I was woken to the sound of mark pounding on the windows, and Jody jumping up and down on the back of the truck. We grabbed some breakfast and I changed in the bathroom at the truck stop and we were on our way. We hit a lot of construction which gave us a chance to take some sweet pictures, I climbed out the sunroof of the truck a few times to get some shots. We saw some big horned sheep and a mountain goat alongside the road too! Somewhere in the mountains we spotted some snow alongside the highway and we stopped for a quick little snowball fight, and we got some amazing pictures on an overpass above the glacier river. This place is truly beautiful. I’m really glad I got to drive it instead of fly and miss all the scenery. We were planning on driving straight through the night and I’m glad we didn’t because it’s so much better in the daylight.

*~Casondra 787~*

Well, Round 1 of the Monster Energy Women’s Motocross Nationals is in the books!! I’ll catch you up to what I’ve been up to this weekend. On Friday, I arrived in Kamloops around 12:50 BC time… or 3 hours behind Ontario. When I was leaving Calgary I was texting with Amber, who I was planning on staying with and it turned out there was a big mix up. The Girouxs’ didn’t realized I was staying with them, or driving back to Calgary with them. I sat in the airport, calling everyone I knew was in BC trying to find a ride to the track. I was stuck there for a few hours before I called Derek at IMX, who suggested I rent a car.

I ended up doing that, and just as I was paying Kyle Keast showed up behind me. He said I could follow him and Johnny Silegren back to the track. A quick stop to pick up the Medaglias’ and we were on our way. They drove really fast, and I lost them at a red light. So here I was driving through the city trying to figure out where I was, no map and no clue where I was going. I stopped for directions, and they told me to just follow Westside for a long time. Well by a long time, they meant it. I thought for sure I was lost, and then I came upon a sign that said another 20km to the track. Finally I made it to whispering pines raceway!

I found the Girouxs’ and got my bike set up. I spent the night hanging out with Missy Hackett, and ended up crashing with her and her mom Carrie in their trailer. Thank you guys so much for that!!

Saturday morning I got up and got ready for my first ride on the Team Giroux Yamaha. Practise went really well, the bike hit a lot differently than the power of my Honda, but the suspension felt pretty good. I learned the track pretty quickly and was doing most of the reasonable jumps. Some of the jumps were just crazy, there was a 90 ft sand double that the lites pro guys were struggling to clear. First moto I had a pretty crappy start but the main point of racing the amateur day was just to adjust to the bike and track as best as possible. There were 39 girls on the gate, the largest turnout the women’s nationals have seen to date. Saturday is amateur day, or basically just a day for the women to get some seat time on the new track.

I finished out the moto with a 14th, and I was pretty happy with that, considering I had a total of 3 laps of practise on the bike ever. Second moto I crashed in the first corner with a few other girls, and could feel my finger bleeding in my glove. I decided not looking at it would be the best idea, and got up to finish. I’ve heard horror stories about people having their fingers cut off and not even realizing it until they take their gloves off and I was a little worried about that. I was feeling good and working my way up, until the front table top.

The girl beside me nose dived really bad as we were jumping almost side by side, her bike shot across in front of me and I smoked it as I came down the landing. All I know is I flew for a looong time! I was waiting and waiting to hit the ground and it felt like forever before I hit. When I did hit, I crawled off to the side as fast I could to check myself out before I got up. My head felt fine, my hip was a little sore but just minor. Then as I went to stand up, I could feel this pressure on my shoulders. I looked up and the Shrader’s mechanic was there making sure I was ok. As I was racing a Shrader’s Yamaha, he had met me earlier in the weekend and was watching out for me. The paramedic was next, and basically pushed me back down, and held my shoulders so I couldn’t move. I kept yelling at him that I was fine but he didn’t want to listen to me. Finally I basically shoved him off me and got up. The race was over by this point and I was pissed I didn’t get to finish, but at least it wasn’t the important race.

When I got back to the Giroux pit, I pulled my glove off to check it out. I had ripped my nail off and tore up some skin but it wasn’t missing, good news! As I pulled my gear off I noticed some small rasberries but again, nothing major so I was happy. I bent the clutch lever a little but no significant damage to the bike made Roland happy I’m sure haha!! That afternoon I met up with my good friend and sponsor Mark Perrin from MPI. He offered for me to stay at his hotel that night with Daryl Murphey from the CMRC. It was really nice to finally get a shower and a good sleep.

Sunday morning was the big day. We got the track early, and hit riders meeting at 7:30. Monster Energy had a big surprise for everyone, dropping their riders off by helicopter. We watched the pro practises and then it was our turn. For the first time, women are required to wear transponders this year. As we lined up for practise, they informed us that we would need to qualify, and that our practise times would determine if we made it in. So obviously I went hard, and pushed for the highest time I could. I felt good, and somebody said I was around 15th out of 35 with my qualifying time. Moto 1 came, and we were told that we didn’t in fact need to qualify, they had made a mistake, and we would need to pick pins instead. Everyone was pissed, we had gone hard and not taken the time we maybe could have to check some sections out more in depth. It also worked against a lot of the top qualifiers who may have picked poor pins.

Moto 1 saw a lot of crashes. My teammate Ami Houde crashed in the first corner and lay there the whole moto. It’s really sad having to drive by someone getting worked on all moto. She ended up breaking her wrist and will be out for a few weeks to recover. A lot of other girls crashed, or DNF’d as well. I felt off, I wasn’t able to charge hard, and the track was already brutal. I was able to work into a 16th place finish. While I wasn’t happy with this, I also have a lot of things that aren’t in place they should be. I definitely was not ready for this round, and I wasn’t planning on coming out until less than week before. It was a last minute decision, and I don’t have much time on my own bike even. I’m not on my own bike out here, and I don’t have my dad out here with me. My dad is at almost every single race with me, and when I don’t have him it’s not the same. He can read me, he knows exactly what we have to do to be ready.

Second moto went much the same, except I smacked my hand off a watering post that was really close to a corner. It really hurt and I have some nice bruising across it now. The track was totally mangled, and I was tired after the second lap. It was a struggle to keep the bike straight and in control. I finished 18th for a 17th place overall. Again, I’m not happy with that, but at the same time I feel it’s pretty decent consider I’m not where I should be to compete at this level. Had I been on my own bike I think it would have been a better finish.

We headed back to the hotel and crashed early, we were all super tired. The next day I dropped Daryl off at the airport and headed back to the track where Mark and the boys took down all the banners. I went for a nice jog down a cool little trail alongside the Fraser river with the mountains all around me. After clean up, Mark and I decided to get a hotel for the night rather than crash at the track. We drove around to probably 5 places before finding a reasonably priced one. It turned out to be a really cute little place and we had a good nights sleep.

Now its Tuesday, and the guys are still at the track cleaning up the banners and finish line. I had to bring my rental car back today, so I’m sitting in the Kamloops airport waiting for the monster rig to come get me. I hope I’m not here all day, as we are planning on heading to Calgary tonight. I’m really excited to drive through the mountains and see the landscape. And I’m excited to see my good friend Scorgie, whose place I will be staying at for the week. My brother is coming into Calgary Friday morning and will be helping me out for the weekend. I haven’t seen him since he left in April and it will be awesome to have him there with me.

This trip really is an adventure, and it’s incredible so far. I’m so proud to be a part of the moto scene, it really is an amazing place. I can’t thank the Giroux’s enough for letting me pit with them and having a bike for me to ride, and Mark for giving me a place to stay and helping me out on the line and just everything that he does for me!! Again, gotta thank IMX of course for making it possible!!

Wow, ok that was long!! I’ll try to update more frequently, sometimes it’s hard to get wireless.

Love Cas

*~Casondra 787~*

Here’s a quick update. Just arrived in Calgary, and I’m sitting here on our wonderful 3 hour layover with Colton Facciotti and Jocelyn Killough. We are counting the ogio bags, and playing spot the racers. We've already seen Tyler and Jeremy Medaglia's dad Derek, and KTM mechanic Mike.

I had my first experience with an airplane bathroom today. The first time I used it, it was pretty turbulent. I was thinking to myself man I really would not like to die in this bathroom. I made it out alive... but the second time I realized the bathroom is just especially turbulent. Note to self for next time!!

*~Casondra 787~*

It seems like every year for the past few seasons I come in with little support, and don’t plan on racing much… and then each season just seems to end up better than the last. Last year I didn’t plan on racing the series, and then next thing I knew I was under the rig at nationals for Team Honda Powerhouse. I ended up having my most successful season yet, bringing home a provincial title. It was two dreams come true in one season. Not only did I finally bring home a big championship, I got to pit in a rig, like a factory rider. If I had to retire after that season, I would have been happy with what I had accomplished.

This year started out much the same, with only my friend Mark of MPI, and my loyal and trusty IMX magazine behind me, it didn’t look like I was going to be racing much if at all. I also had hoped to be gone to RCMP training already.

So here I am, 3 races into the season with hardly any bike time, and I find myself sitting in the airport waiting for a flight to round 1 of the Canadian pro national championships in Kamloops, British Columbia. I can’t even describe how excited I am! I don’t feel that I am ready for the big time competition that the national series brings, I don’t have enough time on the bike… and I am going to be riding a Yamaha instead of my usual Honda.

Regardless, I am preparing to fulfil another dream that I have been wanting to do since the women’s pro national series was first announced. I am so excited to see all the girls out west, and probably some of my girls from around here too! I just got a text from Jocelyn who I am going to meet up with in Calgary on our layover.

The Giroux family has been amazing enough to offer me not only a bike to ride, but a place to stay and a ride back to calgary with them as well. IMX has once again stepped up to help me with the costs, they have been so incredible for me I can't describe it!! I am going to be meeting up with Mark from MPI once i get out there, and I know he will help me out as much as he can too!! I can't thank any of them enough for this opportunity!!

Stay tuned for all my adventure updates!!

<3 Cas

Welcome to the 2009 Outdoors

As I pack for Kamloops, Round One of the 2009 Monster Energy Nationals, I look at the calendar and say, Ill be home in 4 weeks. It’s a little crazy since I got off a plane at 11pm last night after flying home from being in California and Las Vegas for the past 10 days. It’s been a few weeks since my last blog, and Vegas Supercross was a great show. Time fly’s however as Alessi and Dungey have the points lead after the first two rounds of the AMA Lucas Oil Motocross Nationals. Im going switch gears into what I am being asked about on facebook and msn, My Vacation, no Vacation is a real vacation as the phone keeps ringing and emails keep filling the inbox, however I attempted to have a fun vacation before the season began and it was for sure one of the best trips I've ever had. I had 8 days to relax and didn’t relax at all, I saw the a good Angels vs Seattle Baseball game, Almost cried laughing at Dane Cook's show, Went to Disneyland, went Surfing, lost at some Blackjack, and went to the MTV Movie Awards. All in all it was an epic time.

Now moving to the MX side of things, 2009 is shaping up to be one of the best years in history for Motocross in Canada. The MX2 class, I like Beaton as a favorite to win, however Nye is back and Kawasaki also has a couple riders who should be able to make it up on the box a few times. One thing that I would like to see more of is support from the Canadian manufactures....Honda and Suzuki MX2 riders??? and what about supporting rookies and home talent? This year I expect there to be 5 to 10 Americans coming to Canada to race and these guys will be putting on a show. The top 10 guys in MX2 all look to be roughly the same speed. I will not be surprised to see a few American riders getting rides by the end of the season. MX1, I’m going to pick Carpenter and Klatt to come out swinging and split moto wins in Kamloops. MX1 is still a guessing game for the series, look for the same boys to be top 5, and possibly top 10 as last year.

This Sunday is the opening round of the series, Saturday in Kamloops there’s a Monster Energy Pre Party at TD's. All is welcome to attend if you’re in the Kamloops area! I’m flying out in 10 hours, so I better end this blog, until next week, keep on the gas!Remember the series goes Kamloops, Calgary, Edmonton and Mordan (MB), be sure to check out MPI as we travel across Canada on the Monster Energy National Motocross Championships Tour.

Lean on Me

I’ve been asked several times why I love going to enduros and off road races so much when I am all but incapable of riding the tough terrain myself. After lots of thought on the subject, I still remained without an answer, that is, until this weekend.
This past weekend was the season opener of the CMA Hare Scramble series in Port Colborne, Ontario. Not only is there a great, family friendly atmosphere, but while the competition on the track is fierce, it is left where it belongs: in the woods. The pits are a friendly, all for one and one for all, place, where weekend warrior mechanics (most often fathers) are willing to help anyone, even those in direct competition with those who they’re cheering for (sons, and increasingly daughters).
What reminded me specifically of this special camaraderie was when Mike Vandenhoek, the Pro #4, was forced to pit. His clutch was stuck. Mike’s dad was the first one to his assistance, followed by Dave Linton, father of #3 rider Tyler Linton, and “Poppa Hooter,” Chris van Hove’s father. Instances like this are not uncommon either, and it isn’t confined to simply the Pro ranks. On several occasions I’ve seen Pro fathers help morning and youth riders, morning riders with mechanical knowledge help Pros and other afternoon riders, and countless spectators, in both the morning and afternoon, help complete strangers with pit stops and gas, offering whatever assistance is asked of them. It seems that no matter who you are on the track, when you pull into the pits you’re a friend if you need help.
In 2008, again with Mike Vandenhoek (I hope he doesn’t think I’m picking on him!) , a smashed water pump took him out of the Wilberforce round. The #4 GasGas was taken off, in spite of what mechanical help could be offered by Poppa Hooter, Mister Linton and a slew of morning rider/weekend mechanics. But Mike refused to sit the rest of his hometown hare scramble out. Strapping on a reflective vest Mike went back out on to the course as a sweeper, helping riders who were stuck or lost get back to the pits.
At any given enduro there are numerous marshals, volunteer sweepers and spectators willing to help riders get through safely. One look at the Extreme Test rock crawl at the Parry Sound Grand Prix last year was proof enough.
Perhaps it comes from a sense of being part of an under exposure “sub culture” of motorcycle riding. While in Europe things are different, with large sponsors and big 53’ trailers, for the most part, here in Canada, factory rides are few and far between. With fewer than twenty Professional calibre riders with what can be considered “factory” sponsorship (meaning a dedicated mechanic, complimentary bikes and parts), the need for an all for one, one for all, mentality is perhaps greater than it is in motocross. Also, given the rough nature of the sport, riders require a greater technical knowledge; if your machine breaks down on a motocross track, you simply push it off the track and wait for help, when you’re seven kilometres deep in some dark trails you’re in for a very long push.
This is not to say that motocross doesn’t have a sense of helpfulness. Motocross, and all of its somewhat freakish off shoots, has a very family focussed atmosphere, where children are taught the value of being a good loser, and a gracious winner. There just seems to be an almost Karmic “I’ll help you when you need it, and you help me when I need it,” in enduro/hare scramble riding and racing. The size of the scene, small even compared to the Canadian motocross scene, makes it much more intimate.

The Times

They are a-changin’...
Bob Dylan sang those words almost four decades ago, and things are still changing. With the advent of the Canadian Enduro Championship Canada will finally have a truly national off road racing series, with events held in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Parry Sound, focussing on the World Enduro style race (with untimed transfer trails connecting timed, spectator friendly, “test” sites), rather than the traditional, single lap, extended loop enduros (such as the Corduroy Enduro). Not only does the multiple loop format allow riders to learn fast lines to pick, it makes the events much friendlier to spectators, and the more spectators, the easier the marketability of the product, in this case enduro races. With events in four provinces, riders will be given a unique chance to enjoy not only the natural beauty of Canada, but also the chance to compete against other racers from across the country. Canada is a massive country, with diverse terrain and an equally diverse talent pool. We have riders who are experienced with mud, some who are at home on the giant rock shield, and others still who find no trouble in navigating dense single track woods trails. And they will all find something they love, and perhaps loathe, in the course of the eight race series.
This new form of Enduro racing in Canada is sure to be a hit with the riders, and promoters are working hard to make sure that this series is a success from a spectator point of view. It is unsure whether it will be an Eastern or Western rider who takes the overall title, but what is sure is that this summer will be one of change, hopefully good changes, but definitely change.
Changes, this writer thinks, are long overdue. Canada deserves a national enduro series. Canadian enduro racer deserve the recognition that comes from a truly national series, the pride that comes from being able to say “Yes, I really am the best in all of Canada,” and the exposure that only a cross country series can provide.
I hope that everyone who reads IM and IMX, and who follows this blog, will turn out to their local enduro races, hare scrambles, or even a WEC event if one comes close to you. Fan/spectator support means so much to organizers, who put tonnes of effort into getting this series off the ground, and to sponsors who financially backed these races, in times that are less than optimal. But more than organizers, more than sponsors, fan turn out and spectator support means the world to the riders. They do it for themselves, let’s be honest, but to hear “Great ride,” from a spectator can turn a crappy day of being stuck in the mud into the best ride you’ve ever had.
First round takes place in Blairmore, Alberta, July 4 and 5; can’t wait to see you there!
- SuziQ

*~Casondra 787~*

Well this weekend at Auburn definitely did not go as planned. I think every time I have ever raced at Auburn it has been a muddy mess. Early in the week my dad had to go away for work, and was planning on being home Thursday. I got a call from my mom on Thursday saying that Dad wasn’t going to be home to take me riding, so I was going to have to find a ride. She took it to mean racing on the weekend, and passed it on to me. So I called up my friend Thomas, who was awesome enough to stop by my house and pick up my bike for me to take up to Auburn. After this happened I gave my dad a call, to let him know I found a ride. He had no idea what I was talking about, and wondered why I would have found a ride. Turns out, the call he made to my mom was for riding on Thursday night, for practice since we usually ride Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was just a mess of miscommunication. Cell phones can be our greatest friends, but sometimes the messages get lost in translation, just like that old telephone game from when we were kids. My dad ended up getting home from his work trip Friday afternoon, and he hooked up the trailer and we headed out. Again we took Jakey with us, and despite him being almost full grown now, he still thinks he is a puppy. He sat on my lap and drooled the entire 3 hour trip.

When we got to the track the sun was shining and it was nice and warm. The track looked mint and I was super excited to finally get to ride Auburn again after over a year of not being there. We had a nice bonfire with the Cook’s and Chantel stole my blackberry for some facebook catch-up. I don’t think I slept much that night, I don’t know why I just could not fall asleep no matter how hard I tried. The next morning we awoke to that familiar pitter patter on the metal roof. At rider’s meeting it was just misting and spitting a little bit but the rains were on their way. By the time practice started it was raining and the track was pretty greasy. The rain got harder and harder, and by the time the motos came it was a mess. When I was about to head down to the line the rain stopped and the sun started peaking out, but the pits and track were already sloppy. On my way down to the line, we had to cross through this big puddle, it was unavoidable. I had my dad on the back doubling him to the line, and as I plowed in my front wheel just dropped away from me and the back end slid away. There must have been some ruts hidden under the water I didn’t see and my dad and I went for a swim. I can’t even express how much it sucked! Here it was, stopped raining and I was soaked head to toe.

While we were waiting on the line, the head ref called us all over to check out the track changes. They had to cut out the back sections and the steep hill as it was dangerous and nobody was making it around. The starting line was complete mush. When I dropped the clutch for the start and started out into the slop, the bike just died. What an awesome way to start the day, fell in a puddle was wet, and I just stalled on the start. I got going but was already far enough behind. I was able to make some passes and work up to around 6th, but the track was a mess. I was pretty pissed with myself to say the least. I really hate mud!
Just after my moto, the sun came out and it the track appeared to be drying up a bit. Then the winds came. The pop up went flying into the neighbours trailer. Sorry Guys! The rain then started coming down hard. The track got worse and worse, and by the end of first motos the decision was made to cancel the rest of the day. 3 of my buddies, Matt, James, Garret and I took shelter in my trailer until the rains slowed down, and then we packed up and headed home. Overall it was a really disappointing weekend, and hopefully next race is a little better. I have a few weekends off to get some more riding time in for the next one.

*~Casondra 787~*

8:00 Saturday night I got the call. We were going racing! After debating all week whether I would be ready, and trying to get the bike fixed, we made the decision to go. I figured I was going to get my butt kicked, but I decided some points were better than none. I hopped online and bought my 09 membership, and rushed home to pack the trailer. My dad was awesome enough to have spent the day loading up for me while I was at work, and I just had some minor stuff to finish up. 6am Sunday morning as I was letting the dogs out, I felt that sickness I get on race mornings, and out came all my breakfast. I almost always get sick on race mornings, just nerves I guess. Sure enough, my dad took way too long to get ready, and as we were heading out the door, already late, the dogs took off and I had to chase them around until they finally came back. Jakey hopped in the truck with us and we were off. We got the track as riders meeting was starting. My poor dad had a broken toe and was hobbling around trying to help me get everything ready so I could get out for practice on time. Practice was typical gopher practice, Flat and soft. We ended up being last moto of the entire day, so me and Chantel hung out at our pits most of the day. By the time our moto came around the track was destroyed. Of course, I’m in terrible shape considering I’ve only been on my bike 3 times since November, and they schedule us last moto. I was really nervous sitting in staging, and picked my usual terrible pin. I had 37th gate pick, but there was only about 14 girls so I wasn’t too worried about it. I had a pretty decent start, and rode through the first corner about 4th, and rode to a 4th finish. My second moto went much the same, I went pretty sideways out of the gate but was able to catch up quickly and ride to a 5th place for a 4th overall. It was much better than I had expected to do, and I was happy with my ride. I’m also glad I went as I was able to see some amazing pro racing. Some of the top Canadian pros came out to battle the sands. I was especially impressed with Liam Ofarrel’s battles with the Medaglia brothers and Kyle Keast. I ended up getting pretty sunburned on my face, but overall I had a great day. I’m really glad I decided to go. Next weekend we head to Auburn for the first round of provincials and I’m excited to head back there after it being off the schedule last year.

*~Casondra 787~*

Friends and Rivalries

Tonight’s Monster Energy Supercross Finals will certainly prove to be a stellar ending to a ridiculous season long battle. Regardless of who takes the championship, the racing this year has done something special for our sport. The Reed vs. Stewart rivalry has brought us to our couch each weekend to watch them duke it out. Rivalries are what drive our sport, what drive us to compete for that win. But at what point do the rivalries consume us? The SX rivalry has certainly been healthy for our sport, bringing fans to the seats, and sponsors into the ring. Yet at the same time, it has pitted teams, and riders against each other. It is no secret that there is no love lost between Stewart and Reed, and now other teams and riders have taken sides. At home on our couch, it has pitted my dad and I against one another, cheering each week for our rider. My dad is a Stewart fan, and I’m a Reed fan. Tonight’s race is certainly one for the history books, and I can’t wait to see it play out live tonight.

On that note, the reason I’m writing about this topic, is because of friendships. On the Women’s Moto scene, most of the girls are close. We are all friends off the track, we hang out and we keep in touch over facebook and msn. I’m very excited to be sharing this blog with two good competitors and friends, Amber Giroux and Missy Hackett. I can’t wait for nationals to start here out East so I can see my girls!

This past week my longtime friend Cole came and picked me up for a ride at Gopher Dunes. I’ve watched Cole come from a cute little chubby kid on an 80, to a top contender in the Intermediate and B classes. The Campbell family has become a second family to me. They have done so much for me over the past few years. Once at the track, I ran into another person who has become like family to me, my little Nadia. The Zager family is another family that has done so much for me.

Without Moto I never would have the opportunity to meet such incredible people. It has provided me the opportunity to develop friendships like this. And while the girls are competitors on the track, they are also some of my best friends off it. We’ve found a way to “keep what happens on the track, on the track.” As the famous saying goes.

Unfortunately, I wrecked my FMF can this past week and my dad has been rushing to try and get it fixed in time for our Amateur National Qualifier tomorrow at Gopher Dunes. As I sit here at work typing this out, I’m hoping he gets it done in time. If not, I’ll see you all there anyway, I’ll be out with my puppy cheering on my moto family!

Ride Safe!

Love Cas