Round 4 - NEPG - Dragons Back 2023 - Row 102

Row 102. Been off the bike for a month but raced Dragons Back today. Overall had a good time. I struggled on test 4 and here and there on every other test. Finished 8th in my class and 266th overall. 49th in the B overall. Filmed on a DJI Action 3.
Course was pretty rough choppy and rutted out. I enjoyed it much more than the sand whoops at Sumter though. We got poured on the night before a few times in 15 minute spurts. This is the same property we raced the snow mudder Round 1 VCHSS Oak Ridge so I was expecting it to be another mudder but the sun came out today and really tacked things up a lot more than expected. It was still slick as shit but nothing compared to that snow mudder. The roots were brutal today though super slick and tons of off camber roots which will bite you if you aren't careful.
Raced my 2018 250XC. Keihin carb JD Jet kit for 0-3000ft their recommended settings. KYB spring conversion in the old air forks set up by Worth moto. Shock is OEM shock done by total control suspension. I ran my 13T front sprocket and 50T rear sprocket today. Bike felt so much different. I got pretty bad hand cramps on test 4 and I think it had a little to do with how much snappier the bike was but overall it felt really good. 3rd gear runs out so much faster now. I used to run 14/48 just to tame the power down to try and help avoid getting those hand cramps I always get but at the end of the day I think it's doing more harm than good running that gearing. Tires were M59 front with a tube at 11psi and AT81EX rear with tubliss at 5.5psi.

[@patdickenson1793]

Nice Job Scott! ‘23 Dragon’s Back ranks up there with one of the most challenging races I have done. Course conditions, slick roots, logs, hills… so much harder than previous years.

[@SkinnySkinch]

Thanks Pat! I enjoyed it. It was def rough and I have some blisters to show for it but I prefer this kind of stuff all day over terrain like Sumter sand whoops. Glad to see you guys out there racing again!

[@trentrichardson1848]

Nice ride Scott. Your videos always inspire me to to get in the woods more.

[@SkinnySkinch]

Thanks Trent! You gotta get one of those freshie KTMs out to a race here soon

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Great ride Scott! That looked rough man.

[@SkinnySkinch]

Thanks Donnie! It was pretty rough but I enjoyed it!

[@MudFarmers]

Great video....wished you'd gotten that transfer slick hill

[@SkinnySkinch]

Thanks I forgot my extra batteries so I had to shut the camera off after every test this time. I woulda loved to film that Dragons back transfer

[@southeastAF]

Strong work

[@SkinnySkinch]

Thanks!

[@Tankerman]

When I said “ try not to molest any trees” I didnt mean to try and molest your fella riders🤣. Another good run buddy.

[@SkinnySkinch]

😂😂😂 he laid down right in front of me he was begging for it