So it was a new day!  I had 2 new riding partners Kieth and Michael.  Since we were not in contention for any bragging rights and we started waaaayyyyy back in the pack, we decided that our biggest mission of the day was to have fun and not get hurt.  We had some GPS technical difficulties as Michael had only just bought his 2 days before and Keith was using an App on his phone.  After a little while and a bit of group communications, we had it licked!  The riding was great and due to the slower pace, I really put a lot of effort in to practicing the Skills I had learned while with Chris Birch.  Power sliding corners, pre-loading my front end before obstacles and throwing my weight around in a completely different manner than I was used to.  It was amazing, it really worked!  I was Jumping cross ditches without slowing down and on the faster double wide trails was hauling some serious ass.  We raced the rain for a bit, trying and barely able to stay ahead of the ominous clouds that seemed to close in on us.  We managed to make the entire day without getting rained on.  Nearing the final 10 km I was getting pretty cocky and power sliding the dusty clay corners.  I got heavy on the throttle, hit a solid patch and launched myself and bike off into the trees.  I landed with a thud.  I was pinned by the bike and had hit a tree square on with my back.  I waited for the pain.....none came.  I wiggles my toes, everything worked.  The new Leaat neck brace and chest protecter/back brace had performed beautifully!  We stopped for a photo opp and plodded out for the last few km.

We slid back in to camp, exhausted and excited.  I was interviewed by a french canadian motorcycle show and got properly teased from the boys.  I yanked off my pads but never even bothered to change my clothes and we headed up to the pub for post race beers and Bullshit session.  I skulled the first pint so fast that I dont think it touched the back of my throat.  I was so hot that It damn near steamed when it hit my belly.  The night went well with festivities and dinner.  Davinder and I won the “Survivor Trophy” due to our never give up attitude and constantly fixing ours and everyone else bikes.  Davinder won a sweater and I got a little tool kit.  Davinder had the room laughing in his normal manner and after 3 or 4 drinks, I was just ready for the fire at our camp and some quieter times with friends.  We sat up until late into the night, bragging, and laughing.  we had completed our mission.  Davinder had managed to piece his bike together enough for us to head home in the morning and all I had to do was to change back to my street tires before heading home in the morning.  No problem, or so we thought.