Hurkey Creek, California

Bulltek Sports/Team Dirty Work made it's presence at this years 24 Hours Of Adrenalin held in Hurkey Creek, California (Idyllwild). The team participated in the 5 man 200+ category where much competition was present much like in all other categories. Among our participation in the team relay I have to point out that Team Dirty Work also had the presence of Ray Williams (Wrong Way Ray) participating in the solo competition. Ray is truly a remarkable man.

These events are truly special. In what sense? Basically the sense of true competitiveness is missing and replaced with the atmosphere of friendliness and fun. That is what makes this event truly fun and special. The team relay team consisted of Xavier Cintron (Captain), Rick Mitchell, Wiley Coyote, David Good and Scott Ray (Goldfish). Right on the money at noon on Saturday the race began with a 500 or so meter run to the bikes. Rick Mitchell decided to take the first run and thus a great relief for me as I didn't really want to lead this off. Rick was awesome. Coming out of the bunch in 4th or so and heading for a great run. Take note the first lap was very hard due to the amount of riders in the trail and all racing each other. Rick came in at a great time. I (Xavier Cintron) took the second lap and all was much easier as all I had to do was pass people which always makes one feel good. My goal after this point was to turn all my times under 1 hour which is very fast. After my good run came Wiley's turn and he too put in a great run. Scott's turn came up and he too turned in a great run. Then bad luck knocked at our door as it was David Good's lap when he was hit from the rear on the back side of the course letting a rider pass him when his wheel collapsed thus causing him to find his way back and being penalized a lap and loosing time on top of that. This pretty much took us out of the race overall. Sure it was bad but at no point did we all give up. Rick quickly saddled up and again put in a great run to save us one more time. My turn came up which led us into the night.

The night rides went rather well for us. I missed much of them after my run at 2am where I have to say I flew posting a time of an hour or under while many teams were running slower times than us. David Good encountered some bad luck again with his light coming loose but all in all we cannot ask for a better ride. Rick brought us into the day posting yet another great time and I took his relay in the cold morning. This lap for me was my slowest as I, well I goofed and started to bonk out, but came in at a 1:03 for a great time. Wiley took my relay posting yet another great consistent ride. From here on out we had to lay our strategy to get our last man out before noon for that last lap.

The strategy was written in a Dixey cup by me and well, it worked. It worked because Wiley put in a great ride thus giving us some room but the heroes were Scott and Rick. Scott normally ran a 1:30 or better time to say a safe time and for him to give the rider behind him some room he had to cut 15 minutes off his time! I felt too tired to go after Scott and not too confident I can be back before noon as I was afraid I would falter. Scott, surprised me and Rick. Rick yells - "He's here!" Scott put in a super run. Now Rick had about 1:10 to do a lap to put me out on the last lap. It was tight but we were consistent and good. Rick came in at around 11:56 am with 4 minutes to spare and putting me on the last lap. I again passed many riders and posted my last lap at around 55-56 minutes.

I cannot ask for much more from our team as we all were very consistent all day and when a few were asked to ride above themselves and meet those last deadlines they responded. We had our run into bad luck but it is bound to happen in such event. Next year we hope to be in the run for the overall to the end. As for our friendly competition between the local Woodcrest guys it went very well. All day we hoped they would win as we were out of it and they were in contention but it was not too be, sad to say. They put in great runs all day and night and we all hope they would win again this year.

The course was on the hard side. On paper it looked easy. The first climb was not too hard but like all the course it was narrow at many points and full of rocks thus making one pick the perfect like to stay on the trail. After the first climb we headed on a small rest area rolling and fast but as all areas were tight and narrow. No room for mistake all day. This took us to the area known as the "Meadow" where it looks flat and fast but I was more like slow and painful. The end of this lead to a small climb which like all was very tricky. This is the climb I really hated. This opened up to a great fire road which at night may I add gave a great open site at the stars. From here we started the first downhill. Very tight, full of ruts and overall dangerous for many riders. I as well as a few others had no problems in any of the sections and simply have to say flew, passing many riders on these sections alone. From the end of this short section we encountered yet another steep hill with a very nasty beginning. This led to the longest downhill section and ended in the terrible Hike-A-Bike which I have to say was very painful. I do not think anyone had anything nice to say about this section. On the top more fast tight downhill. It flats out and takes us to a sand wash and a road. From here we are at the campsite and head into the last climb which I really hated many times. Pick the right line here and ride. Don't and you're walking. From here it was another fast downhill run and the campsite was visible but yet far away for some. After making your way though some sandy sections it was the final stretch and the clock. Off the bike, run to the timing section, show your baton and off to another lap.

All in all a great weekend. Great people and great atmosphere. The organizers of this event wanted to lay out a friendly atmosphere and this could only happen as they all were very friendly. No officials or figures acting as higher than the rest but just plain people. This is what made this event nice. I hope it remains to be the same for years to come.

Randy Sheppard as well as Carrie and a few other regulars on the rides and Team Dirty Work riders also were present at this years event. Special thanks to Chuck, Pam, Wreck Nelson and all of those whom showed up to support us all.

Below are the team names of our friends competing. Look for them.

Bulltek Sports/Team Dirty Work - 5 Man 200+
Cool Bikes / Woodcrest - 5 Man 150-200
Cool Bikes / Woodcrest - 5 Man 200+
Bull Dogs - 5 Man 150-200
Ray Williams - Solo
Church of the Living Trail - Corporate