Moto Tassinari VForce4 Reeds Review...

http://www.mototassinari.com/
seattime.co

Seat Time scores a big one YET AGAIN! Huge Thanks to SeatTime.co for the hookup with Moto Tassinari, and huge thanks to Moto Tassinari for coming through with an absolutely sick product!

I rode four strokes and only four strokes up until this year. And not just 4 strokes, BIG 4 strokes. I love the open class bikes- 450's, 505's, etc. "Overkill is underrated" my friends, and my bike collection as well as gun collection speak that truth. Two strokes confused me, and the thought of pre-mix and that strange magical ju-ju that happens somewhere inside a 2 stroke did not appeal to me at all. That was up until this year when I saw and felt how much lighter the 2 strokes are, and it peaked my curiosity. With the same overkill theme in mind, enter my beloved 2009 KTM 300 XC-W. I've only started my 450 enough to keep the oil circulated since I got this beauty. I call her Alice, and we have a strange bond. My 300 is a phenomenal machine in that it is such a simple build, easy to maintain, light, and will still rip your arms out of socket with a fist full of gas.

The KTM smokers come stock with VForce 3 Reeds, so I would by no means say that I was weak in the reed cage department. After all, they're carbon fiber, and anyone that has something bad to say about carbon fiber is full of crap. It's the end all solution to all things fast. But when I got on the phone with Moto Tassinari, I learned some more about the new VForce4 Reeds, and read about them on their site some more. They took their design, modified it to do its job even easier and more bulletproof, then made it specifically for my bike, the KTM 300. Lovely.

I get very excited when these kinds of things show up!

The install didn't take long at all, especially since I already had the rear shock off. Everything I needed was there, except a hand to hold when I put a perfectly good VForce3 reed cage on the shelf for inactive duty. I really liked the design. Just in your hand and on the work bench, the 4 seemed more prepared for the evils that an off-road bike sees.

I fired the bike up and let it warm up, then stood for a listen to see if I heard any jetting issues. Strangely enough, the engine already sounded different before i threw my leg over it. A little more throaty, a lot smoother, even at idle. Off we go... My practice trail starts with a drop off the parking lot, then a small booter out of the ditch. Immediately penciled it and almost came off the back! I just wasn't ready for the power to come on that quick. Into a turn, drift out with total control. Down the hill, weave the first tree line, open it up. WOW. If you're unfamiliar with the KTM 300, it's the unicorn of motorcycles except there's a chainsaw instead of a horn, and it's covered in scars with a strange look in it's one good eye. This thing is notoriously sweet from the showroom floor. Power comes on hard, but lasts long enough that it's spread out more than the smaller screamers. It's so torquey, you find yourself a gear low at all times, just looking for the times you get to light it up. Add the VForce4 cage, and it turns this bike into a whole new beast. It comes on smoother, stays strong longer, and gives the bike an even more capable feeling! I couldn't believe the change! I've ridden bikes with big bore kits, cams, all kinds of mods, and have never in my life felt anything that offered more improvement than this reed cage. I can't wait to ride this thing on some better terrain than my back yard, it feels so much more responsive and predictable. I even caught myself playing around with some trials moves on my big bike. It doesn't just add power like some may think. It completely modifies the kind of power you get from the bike. No more trying to predict the power curve since the power comes on so much sooner. My clutch feathering is minimal now, even a gear or two higher. With the change in the torque, I can just roll it on and it pulls great. Wheelies snap up quicker and more controlled, turns get riled up immediately without losing control or slipping, and the bike just generally has a more relaxed sound and feel to it. I absolutely love the feeling of capability it has now. This is a very cool part, and it really shows that Moto Tassinari is hard at work helping you get even more smiles out of riding! Thanks for an excellent product, and thank you very much to Seat Time for the hookup!

Woody of Seat Time repping the MT shirt, and yours truly dispatching a beer in the background- From the Moto Tassinari Newsletter!

Fall Products Video...

Here's a little video of the products available this Fall from Vita Brevis! Most of it is up on the website on the Gear page, so get yours ordered today!

Click for Vita Brevis Gear Page

Click for Full Size Video

RISE Shirts Released!

I am VERY excited about these. It's a design I've been dabbling with for a while now. The shirts are on a tri-blend fabric with a slim/ athletic cut. It's a very fitted shirt with a comfortable, soft feel. If you're right on the line between two sizes, bump up on these. They feel amazing and breathe great, so this will be a shirt you reach for often! They're available in the Gear store on the main website, so go get yours ordered today! We also have a women's specific cut in a different color combination, so you ladies can get in on some more VB radness!

Go to the GEAR page at www.vitabrevisclothing.com to order yours!

Tell your friends and get the word out about these shirts. I'd love to see them do well enough that I can re visit the design and release it in more colors!

2011 Barber Vintage Motorsports Festival- Lessons Learned

I have no clue how this actually came together with little to no resistance, but I'm VERY glad of it. My pops and I have wanted to get to this event for years, and we decided this was the year to make it happen. Strangely, though, the weekend fell on the same days as both my wife and I's first anniversary as well as my birthday. Hells yeah I wanna go for my birthday, but I tiptoed a little when it came down to celebrating our anniversary with a weekend of driving, racing, and oogling motorcycles. Luckily the stars all aligned and my wonderful bride showed me once again why she is the only woman that can deal with me and somehow enjoy it.

The weekend was full. A combined 1500 miles and 3 days at the uber-sick Barber Motorsports Park. It's no all-inclusive resort on the beaches of Jamaica, but we had a great time and came away with some excellent memories and a few lessons learned.

Lesson 1: Racing is sweet. It's the ultimate in pure competition, all-out badassery, and imposing your will on your surroundings. It's so clean cut- you start here, you finish here. Good luck. A whole world of things will happen between those two places, but the goal is clear: win. I've raced for a few years now, and it's always the same formula: for every minute of racing, there's at least an hour worth of stories to tell. It never fails. You see some of the most triumphant, dramatic, heartbreaking events unfold all within milliseconds of each other. Somehow, vintage racing takes us all back to the roots of racing, where it was far more pure than it is now. These guys are all on bikes that by today's standards are underpowered, clumsy, and have crap for brakes. But the cool part is everyone else on the starting line is dealing with those same issues. You don't know racing until 4 guys are going into a corner side by side, and it's a well known fact that everyone's brakes are shit and they're all 83% out of control. Love it!

The weekend was full of amazing racing, but two moments stuck out most to me. In Saturday's Century Race, a handful of motorcycles all 100 years or older lined up for two laps. After 5 miles of breakneck 25 mph speeds and watching these guys reach down to pump oil into the engines so they don't seize, the winner came through on a third lap. When interviewed, here's his response:

Announcer: "Why did you take that third lap after you'd already won the race?"
Racer: "Felt Good."

If that's not pure, I don't know what is! My other favorite racing moment was mid day on Sunday. A long time bad ass, Kevin Schwanz, was in a heated battle for the lead of an 8 lap race. He started off in fourth place, but was battling like a mad man for the win. He made two passes and the heat was on- he only had a couple laps left to catch the leader, and it was making for some spectacular racing for everyone watching. The battled stayed tense, then on the last lap, he came through for the win! Funny thing about it all- officials meatballed him from the start and he refused to come in for the stop-and-go penalty. Not out of ego or to protest their call, but because he was balls deep in a great race and wasn't going to give an inch to anyone! I thoroughly enjoyed that, and as a guy that will foot race you for a dollar in the parking lot, I'll drink a beer to the legend that is Schwanz and the attitude of a die-hard racer.

(Notice the flags)


Lesson 2: It's all about the journey. The destination is merely a pit stop. I know for our group, we enjoyed the traveling together as much as anything. There's nothing more capable of building a strong bond among people than spending several days on the road together. At the same time, we heard all kinds of stories of the road from people we met. Geezers on clapped out Beemers, Triumphs, BSA's, and any other kind of bike you can name that all rode to the event. If you're in need of an adventure, go set up a 40 year old motorcycle, gear up, and hit the road. You'll find a whole new definition to the word "adventure". Another way this focus on the journey manifested itself was in my rambles through the various pits, paddocks, and camp areas. I'm guilty of it, as are most of my racer friends. But here's some guys that are driving a quarter million dollar diesel pusher RV with a ten thousand dollar trailer behind it to haul their $2500 bike out for a race. Tell me these guys don't get it. A week of travel, a wonderful place to stay, every comfort you could ask for, and their entire family and even the dog in a lot of cases. That's a great way to do things. On the other end of the spectrum, I saw plenty of old VW air cooled buses with tents, chairs, and race bikes around them. Adventure is in the eye of the beholder, and it exists everywhere. The key is to play by your own rules and make sure it "Feels Good".

Lesson 3: This scene needs some young blood. I noticed a serious lack in younger enthusiasts. I turned 27 this weekend, surrounded by machines far older than I am. But in a sea of swap meet, I caught the all familiar glowing blue and yellow of a mid 80's Yamaha IT. It struck a chord immediately, and it was picture time. Standing there, it was hard to not reflect on my time with that bike. I could write a book on that era in my life. I didn't have the magazines telling me what was cool or what bike I should be on. I had this leaky, smelly, loud as hell dirt bike that was too big and fast for me, but I knew if I got it leaned just right, I could get on her and kick that starter over until it was play time. I still remember the day I found out you could buy gaskets and air filters. I'd always made my own gaskets from shoe boxes, and the air filter was the hood I cut off a sweater. Memories like that keep me going, and I love soaking up the stories from the vintage crowd that are along the same lines. And I especially enjoyed walking around the museum while my Dad told stories of either riding, racing, selling, or lusting after all these different machines I'd never seen in person. All that ingenuity, the chances the manufacturers took, and the things they tried to out do their competition. It's a far cry from today's scene and the cookie cutter bikes we all ride. In the past, a bike was redesigned every year- today it gets "bold new graphics". Don't get me wrong, I love my 2009 KTM and 2008 Ducati, but there's just something special about taking it back a few steps and riding an RD 400 or old Elsinore and realizing these gray hairs could smoke you with that machine and an open face helmet.

I'm not sure what it will take to get my generation back to the roots, or if it's one of those things that steadily evolves until we're old and gray and outdated, just like the machines we love now will be. But in the meantime, take a second to look back at what made this lifestyle so cool. And if you get the chance, throw a leg over something older than you and listen to the stories. There's a lot to be learned from our past, and a lot of these lessons will make for a better future in the motorcycling community. Race hard, find the adventures, and respect your fellow rider.

Caney Creek Enduro Race Report...

What a Race!!!

Enduros are always tough. Every single one of them. It doesn't matter if it's the rockiest, nastiest, toughest terrain or a cart path- you ride them all as hard as you can, and you know it at the end. This particular course, the Caney Creek Enduro, is put on by the Trail Riders of Houston. It winds through the Sam Houston National Forest, full of trees, sand, whoops, and some nasty roots. Conditions were a little dry, but somehow the dirt had a touch of moisture in it earlier in the day.

The drive down was easy once I got rolling- the dogs didn't want to cooperate with me leaving for the weekend. But I finally hit the road - new goodies on the iPod and everything I needed to snack my way to Houston for a race. Since this was a solo run, I opted to run my stinger rack on the back of the excursion and tent camp it, banking on mooching an outlet for my box fan (Thanks Ryan). Camp was set, bike passed sound check fine, and check in was smooth and easy- row 41. The Reynolds crew was in full effect, so I had a good time kicking back in my camp chair and chatting over a couple cold pre-race beers - as Papa Pierce likes to say "It's just pain killer and carbos." Good times were had and we all called it an early night.

Coming soon: "Enduro Cribs"

I knew coming in to this one that there wasn't much elevation (climbs) or technical terrain to be involved. It would be just like a skinnier Cycleland- lean back, pinch the seat, clench your butt cheeks and shut one eye as you pin it a touch faster than you're comfy with. I'd love to see the pro dudes go balls out on this stuff, because they smoke me like a turkey and I felt like I was flying. I went off course once, and took a spectacular 4th gear over-the-bars sandy face plant right before I realized my body and brain were done communicating. That last section was exhausting- same stuff, just more of it, and you need to keep the pace up. I pushed through wanting to puke and gasping for air and got the finish as hard as I could- a feeling I'm growing more and more comfortable with thanks to CrossFit Solus. Dehydration was a factor despite the two Camelbaks I went through. Temps in the 90s and Houston humidity will inspire some cramps. It was strange to pull my fingers off the bars after they cramped on in a pure hillbilly death grip. I felt good about my ride, just a little nervous about that last section "fade", but at least I knew I gave it all I had- the moment of truth comes later when they post scores and hope it was just as rough for everyone else.

And that was a strange moment. At first, my score was incorrect, only giving me a ONE second lead. That's absolutely ridiculous, especially considering we were on course for 5 hours. We sent the scores in for double-checking, and mine came out corrected, but still only a six second lead. 6 SECONDS!!! It was hard to believe, but that was good enough to bump me into first for the Open B Class win! A great day of racing, and thoroughly exhausted drive home. There's just no better feeling than putting it all on the dirt and it paying off like that!

Memory Lane: MY first dirt bike was an 86 Yamaha IT 200...

Klim F4 Helmet Review

As cool as everything seemed, I eBayed it.

Here in Texas, we have a little heat to deal with. That said, when it's time to get a new lid, I pay very close attention to venting and weight. I'm a sucker for murdered out black graphics and tough looking helmets, but after having my brain boil in a few, I've come to appreciate the better things in life- like a well vented and light helmet.

Enter Klim's F4. I was a big fan immediately after seeing the slick design and of course the orange. I ride KTM, so it's a well known fact based on solid science that all things orange are in fact faster and perform better than any other color. Add to that the slick vents and nifty graphics, and I was typing in the credit card number pretty quick. The closest shop to me is about an hour away, so I'm all about the shotgun web orders.

The box arrived, got opened, and dumped out all over the place- LOTS of cool stuff. The helmet bag was sweet, and nearly stayed with me. Also included was a spare visor, the nifty cold weather liner, and the breath deflector. Very well packaged and those goodies made it seem like a very adaptable helmet for Texas between our summer racing and winter series.

Problem was in the fit. If you're looking at one of these, go try it on first or make sure you have a backup plan if it doesn't fit well. For me, it sat up way too high on my head and left my jaw exposed. It also meant that those top vents were even higher up, which is no bueno for me. I'm already tall, on an open class bike, and you can see just how many limbs my head comes in contact with by taking a good look at my helmet. I probably would have lost at least that top vent pretty quick. For reference, my Troy Lee and Fly formula helmets fit like a glove.

Other than the fit to my head, it was pretty slick. I'd consider the usual riding you do and whether the vent clearance would be an issue. But as with everything, find somewhere you can go try it on and put your hands on it! There's no substitute for forming your own opinion on things like this. The Internet is full of opinions, junk, and a touch of decent info- but you'll learn more in five minutes of handling this helmet than you can reading for hours. Go check it out and go ride!

Well slap me naked and hide my clothes...

24 Hour Race was CANCELLED!!! It took a lot of wind out of my sails, so I went off grid for a little while. Did some camping, spent a lot of time with the crew, and I've been back to the designing board with some stuff I'd like to release in the fall. I'm looking at doing another nice fitted shirt with a design that I'm steadily falling in love with. I'd like to pair it with a batch of military caps also. Currently digging up the proper chassis to use, and making some good ground doing it. Come back soon to see the release of VB's latest and greatest- one word to describe it... RISE.

Alpinestars Tech 7 Boot Review...

Alpinestars Tech 7 Boots! Time for a review!

There's not much out there on these boots yet, so I thought I'd chip in. Aside from a little paragraph in Dirt Bike Magazine, I couldn't find a thing on these when it was time to replace my trusty old Tech 8's. If you're anything like me, you want to make sure everything you buy is worth it, especially when it comes to something as vital as boots!

I'm coming off a pair of Tech 8's that I've had since 2005. They were great boots. I did a LOT of MX, broke my leg in them, started racing enduros, kicked my way in to supermoto, and just absolutely mistreated them through a couple more seasons of enduros and hare scrambles. Absolutely no gripes with the 8's, just the price and knowing what kind of beating they'll take in our enduros and scrambles. I wanted something a little simpler with a different sole and much lower price tag for when I finally destroy them. I also went through a pair of Sidi Crossfires that felt great, but only held up for a year of supermoto racing, then retired.

The tech 7's look great! Good style to them, just like all the Astars goodies. I'm indifferent about the color change on the soles (went from black to white on the white boots). I opted for the white to help alleviate some of the heat here in Texas. The cool thing is Astars knows this and actually makes the white model a vented model! It's got some little screen vents on the side!

I love the buckles! They work great! I usually find myself half pissed by the time i get my boots all snapped up, but these go right in to place, are easy to grab and leverage, and adjust very easily. Also, they're beefy and seem like they'll stand up fine. Great construction and very user friendly, I haven't cussed a single time getting them on/ off.

Watch the sizing! Go somewhere you can try them on if possible. There's no bootie and they run a touch big. I went down a full size from my shoe size, and they're still a touch roomy. Hopefully when the weather breaks and my thicker socks go on, it'll get even more dialed! I actually intend to put some kind of comfy footbed in them also. I was spoiled by the bootie in my 8's before and miss the extra cushion for those hard dabs and the foot vibration my 300 gives.

Overall, Great boot! I loved them coming out of the box- so clean! Too bad they won't stay like that forever. I have a feeling they'll take their beatings well and give me a good lifespan. I like the fit, feel, and look very much, and the sole design doesn't look like it will come apart any time soon like some of the MX designs. This should be a great offroad boot!

If you have any questions, hit me up on VB's Facebook page! Go to FB and "Like" Vita Brevis Clothing!

32 Days!!!

Only 32 more days until the Texas Xtreme 24 Hour Challenge!

We're coming into the last month of prep time for the big race, and it's about to get nutty. I'm trying to think through every possible issue, detail, and scenario. We're gathering all the little goodies like lenses, socks, gloves, etc. We're also testing more gear and setups, as well as trying to dial in the nutrition. Looks like this thing is going to burn some serious calories, and I need to stay on top of that and be fueled!

Training has stayed right on track despite the heat. I wish it would break a little so I could get some more time on the road bike, but I'm not counting on it with it being August in Texas. I've tested the lights on my course, and they should be great. Kiwi even came up to stir up the dust for me while I practiced! We'll be trying to cram some more Hillbilly Hangout Night Sessions in before the big day. The core of my training, CrossFit, is steadily kicking my butt bright and early every morning with some evening classes thrown in to keep it mixed up. Loving that program and definitely plan to stay with it afterward! I'm even looking to compete with our scaled team at the Life as Rx Tour in Dallas this weekend!

But the big pull is the seat time... I'm sneaking off every chance I get to put some miles on Alice and get comfy in the saddle. She'll be undergoing final prep in the coming weeks with some fresh bearings and meats. I'm excited/ nervous, and looking forward to this beat down!

Starting to love Mondays... I get to go RIDE and usually have the place to myself!

Operation Alice!!!

59 days and an undisclosed amount of money later... SHE'S ALIVE!

What you see here is a bike that died a brutal death in a mud/ water/ pit of despair at the Train Robber's National Enduro. When she took her last breath, water was about 3 inches over the seat. The motor was completely trashed in the process, as well as every seal and bearing:

Luckily, that was the last race for a while on my schedule. Here in Texas, our off season is the summer when it's just too hot to get out and ride. I went at her with the pressure washer and commenced to tearing her all apart. I took my time and paid attention, and made a LONG list of everything that needed to be replaced. From there, I went ahead and added some things on there to make sure she cam bike like new. No point in leaving the opportunity for a weak link...

This was actually my first time to rebuild an engine, and I'm certainly glad it was my 2 stroke and not the 450. Proved to be fairly simple and I now have a much better understanding of what's going on in there!

-Hot Rods complete Crankshaft
-KTM Piston/ Rings
-KTM Main bearings
-All New Seals
-Gaskets
-NGK Plug
-Bolts
-O-Rings
-Pegs
-Moose Wheel Bearings Front/ Rear
-Moose Brake Pads Front/ Rear
-Moose Rear Sprocket
-Shock Bolt
-Woodruff Keys
-Spotless Flywheel
-KTM Countershaft Sprocket
-All Ballz Shock Bearing
-Trail Tech Light Wiring
-New Filter/ Cage
-Battery Tender Lead
-Electric Starter Motor Springs
-And some other goodies I'm forgetting

Ran her through the breakin process yesterday and set the rings- running like a champ so far!

Now for some Thank You's- Stone Motor Company plays a big part in all this. Also, as you're well aware- Vita Brevis Clothing. Huge thanks and props to SMS Racing!!! Josh and Haydn were a huge help with all my questions and parts needs. Thanks big time guys! Also need to thank my wife, Candice, for her patience and encouragement, as well as my RP boys for keeping the ball rolling!

www.stonemotorcompany.com
www.vitabrevisclothing.com
www.smsracing.net

2 Months Out...

Missed the three month update! That's alright though, been a steady grind of prep work. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, VB Racing has entered The Tejas Xtreme 24 Hour Race in East Texas this September. I'll be lining up in the Ironman class and trying to hammer out as many laps as possible in the 24 hour time period.

I decided a while back that the preparation was definitely key, so I've researched, trained, wrenched, ridden, and hustled like crazy to get ready for this event (and be better at life in general). After all, strong people are harder to kill and generally more useful, right? Now here we are at the 2 month mark. I'm still fairly close to on track. The only thing I'm coming up short on is ride time aboard my KTM. She's still being rebuilt, but coming together nicely. It's too hot to ride right now anyhow, but I'm hoping to start a weekly night session on my practice track here at the compound. Other than that, I've been grinding away at CrossFit at least 4 days a week. Some days I feel strong, some days I feel like getting hit by a bus would be a more desirable activity. But I'm definitely getting stronger and more agile. This training coupled with the Paleo diet has been a home run for me. I've dropped 20 lbs in the last 6 months! I just wish I had the discipline to go strictly Paleo and avoid the self-destruction that I jump into every weekend. But as Papa Pierce says, "Beer is carbos and painkillers!"

I geeked out and scored a closeout deal on a new Cannondale road bike from the local shop. Never thought I'd find myself on a road bike since I'm too gnar core for skinny tires, but turns out I love it. It's my guilty pleasure, and I haven't told any of my freeride buddies about it yet. If you guys are reading this, I'll race you right now, and no I don't wear spandex! I've got sweatbands, a mirror on my helmet, and a techno mix on my iPod now- it's like I don't even know who I am any more. But it does a lot of good to get out and stay acclimated to the heat, not to mention I can ride all over the place locally and don't have to transport the bike 45 minutes to a good trail. It's good stuff, and I'd recommend it to anyone considering a road bike!

On the mtb front, I've been hustling the SS rig all over. We slayed it with a ton of urban miles around downtown Austin for Fat Tire's Urban Assault Ride. Lots of white trash wheelies and some great food, music, and beer. I always forget how rad Austin is until I've got a pitcher of Lone Star in me and an earful of raucous tunes. Trail rides are happening about every other week, but will get more frequent if I can get my Element back from Candice! I've found myself out cranking Erwin Park in McKinney a few times with good results. It's a very entertaining 8 mile loop of fast hard pack with some great woods sections that's guaranteed to put a grin on your face! In fact, last night was all smiles as me and the CrossFit crew hit the trail in the dark with a few headlamps. That was an absolute blast and will become an integral part of my 24 hour training.

Life is Good, Summer is HOT!!! Big thanks to all the VB crew out there for the support and for repping the VB Gear! Get out and DO STUFF!

VB's Sinclair Kills it at Pikes Peak 2011!

HUGE props to Leeland Sinclair for his performance at the 2011 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb! He edged out the rest of the 450 Supermoto Class and took the win this last Sunday at Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs. A great follow-up to last year's "Rookie of the Year" award which he also won. His brother, Stuart Sinclair, also had a great day and took the win in the 750 class aboard his Aprilia. Great job fellas!

From the PPIHC.com website:
"The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of America’s Mountain; Pikes Peak! As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish...let alone win! "

Both Sinclairs ride for the Sisneros Speed Works/ Epic Motosports Team based in Colorado. Contact Eddie Sisneros or Kevin Bland for all your tuning, street, dirt, and supermoto needs!

Epic Motosports / Sisneros Speed Works

Train Robbers National and the nightmare following...

Whoof. Take a race that is usually good for a 50% dnf rate in good conditions, and add nearly 2 feet of rain. My personal first DNF since I started racing enduros. Saturday started well with a nice drive to Bismarck, Arkansas with Bloody J on board and picking up Kiwi a little east of home. We rolled in early to catch the 1st ever Awesomeness Competition that Seat Time was putting on. Absolutely loved how easy the new campground was to get to, and it set a great stage for the crowd that a National Enduro brings. As soon as we got camp set up, we rolled over to registration and the Seat Time setup for some Awesomeness...

The competition was a 100m sprint aboard the Concept2 rower, as well as a tire changing race. I was all over the rower, but it took some convincing before I jumped on the tire changing (one of my least favorite tasks). Glad I did, because I managed to get top three in both events! Highlight video quick edit with some Beasties tunes- Candice even jumped on board and showed her stuff on the rower!

Seat Time Awesomeness Competition from woodybepierced on Vimeo.

Saturday evening got a bit warm, but we had a great camp setup and the box fan proved once again to be worth it's weight in gold. Steaks were grilled (fully paleo legit!), and then Candice and I rolled over to check out the church service they put on before races.
About that time, the sun was going down and the lightning show began. We had a clear view of the sky, and this storm rolled in like a scene from a sci-fi movie. I actually had to say the prayer asking to please not be struck by lightning in a porta potty. Thankfully, I made it out ok and in time to see some more of the show before the rain started in. Soonafter, the perfect Saturday conditions were hurricaned away by yet another brutal storm. Total rainfall for the event was 22". 22 freakin inches. We laughed it off in the camper all night, then racked out thinking the next day would be ok.

Sunday morning was muddy, rainy, and showed no signs of improvement. Kiwi and I were on row 54, just in time to sit and wait through a downpour. Gear was soaked, grips were slippery, and goggles were useless- and the race hadn't even started. Knowing then what I know now, I would have turned around, gone to the trailer, and spent the day listening to the radio and snacking. But that just isn't my M.O., so off we went. It was miserable, so I'll keep it brief- Mud is an understatement, zero visibility, zero traction, brakes went out, and never think you know how deep a mudhole really is.

When my race ended, I was 23 miles in, and nearly 4 feet deep in water. The seat height on my bike is about 40 inches, and it was underwater. Not that nice clean water you see on TV, but the kind of shit you'd expect to stay in the cup if it were turned upside down. Down and out after that notorious gulping sound. I worked on the bike, wrestled it, and tried to make it do something for over 3 hours until the sweepers got there. Then had to get the sweepers un-stuck a couple times and we wrestled the bikes together for nearly two more hours before I was back to camp. Good news is by then I was so exhausted that my cussing fit had subdued to defeated grunts, and I was trying to get my head wrapped around the rebuild.

Which brings us to now...
FULL rebuild time. I need to restore this bike's badassness in time to get back on the horse training for the 24 race, so it's been a steady process of wrenching and bleeding both my knuckles and my wallet. Good news is she'll be like new by the time I'm done, and I'll have a much greater understanding of the inner workings of a KTM 300. Poor girl makes me want to cry every time I see her like this, but I know it's for the greater good.

4 Months Out...

Only 4 months until the Tejas Xtreme 24 Hour Race! To catch you up, It's an off-road motorcycle event that will consist of a 24 mile race loop we will race from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. And I signed up for Ironman.

It's really starting to feel real now, and I'm seeing the impending beat down just around the corner. This event is going to physically and mentally slaughter me until I'm talking mush and feeling like a bowl of pudding. Strangely excited! I've been documenting my preparation both for those of you that give a crap, as well as for me to go back and evaluate progress. Hopefully you guys enjoy this stuff! I covered my first lights session a few entries back, but there will be an entire entry regarding bike prep as I get closer to the race. For now, it's all about mental and physical prep for yours truly!

Physical:

CARDIO!!! As much as possible! Easy to say, brutal to do. I've been on the spin bike so much, I actually got a new seat and pedals for it. I even set up a stereo and screen so I can try to lose myself in a movie or some tunes to keep me pushing longer. But, I absolutely loathe that wretched machine of torture, I find myself dodging the back room where it sits, and trying not to even look at it when I walk through. I tried a trick Brantley uses, and started hitting the treadmill on the steepest grade it offers. I vary it between a fast walk and jogging pace, and also do some side stepping and walk backwards to keep all those auxiliary muscles working. Thankfully though, the sun has graced us a few times and I've found myself cruising through the woods on my Transition mountain bike. I LOVE the singlespeed setup, and it's a much more fun way to flex the heart than anything stationary.

But that was then, and this is now...

Crossfit is badass. Absolutely badass. If you don't know anything about Crossfit yet, open another window and hit their website and Youtube for a quick intro. Whatever strength you thought you had, it's nothing. This program will get results that your basic gym routine will never touch. It's all about flexibility, mobility, range of motion, endurance, core strength, mental focus, and pure kick-assery. Candice and I signed up at the local Crossfit gym, and we're hooked. Dustin and Kaylee Suitors out there will run you through the ringer and have you doing things you didn't even know you could do. It's high energy, competitive, scalable to any level, and will push you. I've seen more results in the last three weeks with Crossfit than I saw with 6 months at the regular gym. Team up this workout routine with the Paleo diet, and you'll see some change. I've dropped 6 pounds already and my pants are falling off my waist. I was flexible before, but it's getting way better. And the gnarly part- it's completely changing my riding! I feel stronger on the bike and can stay in attack position much longer now. And the leg and back cramps haven't happened since I started Crossfit.

I can preach this stuff all day, but check it out for yourself! Crossfit Solus is our local gym - www.crossfitsolus.com

Mental Prep:

Some cheesy movie I watched said "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity". Or something like that. Anyone, I'll never rely on luck and I believe we make our own opportunities in most cases, but there's absolutely no substitute for preparation. You wouldn't show up to a gunfight with a knife with high hopes. In my case, I'd prefer to show up a day early with a well armed mob and set up an ambush. I like to think through every scenario I can, and figure out the best way to prepare for each. The enduro races are great for this, as are the 2 day cross country events. But a 24 hour is a whole different ballgame. It's a mental and physical street brawl.

My Dad asked me a while back what my goals were for this race. My response was clear and simple. First thing, I want to win. Any racer that doesn't is in a foreign land on the starting line. Second thing, I want to either finish strong or find my personal breaking point. Of course I'd rather finish strong and feel great about my ride, but there's something oddly intriguing about going into something more difficult than anything you've ever done. I just can't help but wonder how it's going to play out.

A few days later, he asked me if I knew when/ how to quit. The answer to this one was quick and very clear. When the bike or I can't go on any longer. I don't think that I can, in good conscience, ride in to the pits and call it a day. If the bike breaks, you'll find me pushing it or wrenching. If it's real bad, I'll take off a wheel and carry it with me until someone official makes me stop. If it's me that bonks, someone will have to pick me up and/or drag me in. I'd rather fall over sideways trying to start my bike than sit next to it.

Questions like this are fun to think through. It's good to know how your mind works and what your own opinion is on things. I'll come back with more on prep as it gets closer. But for now, it's time to ride, continue the Crossfit beat down, and study the real bosses of the Baja Ironman class. Reading those stories has been a great resource.

More to come later!

BRAAAP!!!

Arky Trippin'...

First off, Happy Mama's Day to all the mommies out there! We had a helluva weekend ourselves. Once again, bachelor party time was upon us! But with amount of relentless debauchery that is our daily lives, we opted to do something a little different for our boy Kiwi. We went back to our roots and planned out an Arkansas trip to the very campground where a lot of us met, got to know each other, and have spent some absolutely epic weekends together! Byrd's Adventure Center in Cass, AR, was the setting for such a weekend, and proved to be a great spot to cut loose as always,

Friday started off with loading the Gnar Vee down with every machine we possibly could. I think the final number was 6 bikes plus all our gear, gas, etc. From there it was a nice drive up to Arkansas, taking note of just how flooded all the rivers were on the way. The scene was perfect- tacky dirt, green trees, and some potent elevation changes on the windy roads leading to Byrd's. We rolled in, set up camp right on the river, and took off for a quick jaunt Friday evening. The creek was deeper and rougher than expected, demonstrated by our very own champion superpro as he was completely submerged to the unmistakable sound of water being sucked into an engine. Some excellent field repair work later, the bike started back up and we were off for about 12 miles of ups, downs, rocks, and some very potent trails. As the sun went down, we headed to camp, got the fire started, and let the good times roll. Lots of laughs until we all finally bonked and called it a night.

Saturday proved great with a late start (an unusual occurrence for the racer types). I found a flat tire and got it fixed back up, then we threw on the gear, gave the newbies a quick lesson in moto, and threw our entire crew into a steep fire road to the top of the hill. Props to George and Kelly both for figuring it out so fast! Some great miles later, we set back for camp to get some lunch and were all blindsided by Bloody's bike seizing up on the road to camp. Absolute bummer considering it was just rebuilt. Thankfully, we had the 230 there for him to have some good times on. The rest of the day was exactly what you'd expect- BRAAAP!!! ALL DAY LONG! Good times were had, gnar trails were conquered, hills were crested, and logs were jumped. We even brapped some great water crossings and found some of the old enduro single track out there that provided some serious grin factor.

Saturday night was no less than awesome with a pow wow in the cold creek, then a killer camp dinner, and some adult beverages. Once again, lots of laughs, an obnoxious campfire, and a great end to a good day. Overall, an excellent way to celebrate Kiwi's nuptials and let some of the VB Racing crew cut loose for a weekend!

Seat Time Episode 16: Vickery Park

Our Boys at Seat Time mixed it up this week with a bar episode! Sponsored by VB, check them out!

Alpinestars B2 Bionic Knee Brace Review...

I'm usually a nut when it comes to product research. But when it came to this brace, there was no real world review of it yet to ease my mind. I'd seen it at the Parts Unlimited Dealer Expo on Supercross weekend and got curious. The features seemed solid, carbon fiber always trumps reasonable judgment, and my poor EVS web sounds like the tin man when I walk. Blinded by the bling and re-assured by the going price on eBay, I took the plunge and ordered one up. Worst case scenario, I sell it for the same I spent on it and try another brace. Best case scenario: love it, keep it, and try my hardest to wear it out. That said, after 30 minutes with it on and set up I need to say this: sorry eBayers, it's here to stay!

My knee brace back story...

Several years ago, I messed up on a mx track and snapped my Tib/ Fib. Took a full year to repair the bones, then found out that the ACL and MCL were both ripped beyond repair also. Docs opted to graft new bits from my patella tendon, take the rod and screws out of my tibia, and send me on my way for another full year of recovery. I hustled my ass off to heal up, went to physical therapy a LOT, and spent so much time on a spin bike that my blood still boils when I see those demonic machines.

When the time finally came to jump back on the bike, the last thing I wanted was a sequel to that whole leg debacle. It was then that I shopped out some braces, found the EVS Web, and never looked back. I was very pleased with it, but now that there are more braces on the market and the EVS reads like a timeline of destruction from the last five years, it's time to move forward. Enter the B2.

This thing looks great and is LIGHT! The UPS guy even commented on the weight of the box when he delivered it. I ordered the right leg, size large. Astars has a sizing chart on their site that was pretty helpful. For reference, I wear the large in the Web also. Another cool point comes from the included leg sleeve, hyper-extension stops, and the manual. For your basic chunk of armor, this thing is packed with features!

What I absolutely LOVE about the B2 so far...
- Did I mention how light it is?
- The snap system. Just set it up right once with the velcro on the straps, and then use the snap in feature from there on for the same fit every time!
- Flexy bits at the top and bottom lets the brace wrap to your leg and hold
- Hinge width adjustment! Gets that perfect fit at the actual knee joint!
- Skinnier profile, so my boots will fit better and have a better shot at keeping the debris out!
- I can use it off the bike. The patella guard is removable, and this thing is light enough to run, mountain bike, or even work out in.

Conclusion: Badassery and awesomeness can sometimes leave you with injuries you have to protect against. This thing does the job, keeps me confident in my knee, and feels great. Fit and feel is better than any other braces I've used, it's mega-adjustable for different conditions, and the price point is good. I'm absolutely sold and impressed. Get the right size, dial in the fit, and rock'n'roll! I can't wait to ride in it and really see the difference in feel/ weight. It fits snug from top to bottom, doesn't move, and finally lets me feel like my leg isn't about to explode. I'll report back after I'm on the bike and let you know how it holds up in the real test.

Episode 15 is Up!

It's that time again! Every week, my boys over at Seat Time sit down, drink a beer, and tell us what's going on in the off road world. Here at Vita Brevis Clothing, we like that kind of stuff, so we sponsor their show. Check it out- Episode 15: "Official Word"

Seat Time Episode 15 : Official Word from woodybepierced on Vimeo.

First Night Session...

Tuesday night was the night! My helmet lights finally came in last week, and I hadn't had the chance to really set them up and try a lap around Mullet Mountain yet. (Mullet Mountain is my trail here at the compound- business in the front, party in the back!) Tuesday night was coming together nicely as my to-do list was light, I was feeling strong again after the beat down from the Red River Enduro and my MTB ride, and the one and only Bob Ross was on the property! With Jesse, Chris, and Candice's help/ supervision, it was time to test it all out!

Lighting Equipment:
- Trail Tech X2 Halogen Headlight for the bike
- Trail Tech Dual LED Helmet Light Kit

My review of the lights is great. The X2 is nothing to take to Baja, but at a price point under $100, it exceeded my expectations. It has two bulbs, kind of a spot & flood combo. I can cruise around problem free, but these are more for auxiliary/ backup while I rely on the helmet lights. The X2 was easy to wire and includes everything you need. I really like the fact that you don't need to upgrade the stator to run it. That was the biggest turnoff for the larger race lights and HID's.

The helmet lights were a HUGE surprise. I've been digging around for more info on the Dual LED's, but couldn't find much real world experience. I finally decided to just take the plunge and give them a try. The price was good, and if they work I'm in fat city. If not, eBay them and take the HID plunge. And I'm very glad I did. I think they'll be perfect for the night riding/ racing that I'm looking to do. I chose this setup mostly for battery life. I was afraid to try the higher output lights and then burn through too batteries in one night. At $100 per battery, this isn't an option! The LED's have three settings, and should be able to run both lights for about 3 hours on the highest setting. This way, I should only need 3 total batteries for an entire night, which I'm comfortable with. The kit came with one, and I can steadily order the other two as the money is available. It's a lot less of a sucker punch to spend one bill at a time than several!
All that aside, the color of the lights is bright, clear, and crisp. The weight isn't enough to be concerned with, and their "toughness factor" is there. I don't feel like I run the risk of tearing them up. The throw isn't very far. I found myself really outrunning this setup somewhere on the upper end of third and into fourth gear on my 300. Luckily, my night rides will be in tighter woods where this isn't a problem. The kit included everything you need, as well as the wire to connect the lights directly to the battery. I'm going to set this up as a precaution, just in case it becomes necessary.

Riding with the lights:

The helmet lights completely trump the headlight. Once they're on, the headlight doesn't really matter. I opted with the jaw mount and a "boob" focus where both spots are side by side like a nice pair. I may try running them high/ low at some point just to see what it's like.
I was nervous about this first run since I'd never run lights before. My plan all along was to get used to them on the mtb, then graduate to the slower pit bike, then steadily try slow slow laps on the big bike. Nope. Straight on the 300 and full pace by the second corner! My trail is tight and has awkward corners that can be pretty tricky. It's a potent mix of tight woods with quick run outs, hard turns, and then more woods with creek crossings, rocks, etc. It blew me away how comfortable the riding really was. The helmet lights were amazing and gave me so much confidence. I could see the ground, through the turns, and the low branches just fine. It was only the high speed sections that left me wanting more light!
The only problem I can really foresee is the same as any other ride: eating it. Point fixation is much more intense, so you have to really pay attention and look where you want to go. I came out of the creek, tangled up the front end on a tree, and went over the bars pretty good. It took one of the helmet mounts right off. I'll be doing something about this soon. The mounts are strong, but I definitely want some safeguards (and probably extra mounts) for race day.

Overall, I love it. I can only imagine what kind of output the HID's and race lights can do. But for me, this setup should work great!

Race Update- TRIC Enduro

Yesterday was the TRIC (Trail Riders in Christ)/ RRDR (Red River Dirt Riders) Enduro in Muenster, TX. I love this place, it's by far my favorite riding spot! It's got great terrain, TONS of trails, and a section where quads aren't allowed. Not to mention that it's only 40 minutes from my house! And in North Texas terms, 40 minutes is basically around the corner.

Loved the course they mapped out for the race. It was way more technical than most people expected, but I really prefer that over the fast open stuff. Really enjoyed the 12 and 12.5 mile sections and the "grind" factor they offer.

Started the weekend off on the sidelines for Candice's Warrior Dash. She did great and represented VB Racing like the queen should- Covered in mud and hustling all the way through! Was great to hang out with some of the other VB crew out there too. Plenty of racers and beer drinkers to make me feel right in my element. Great job to all of you who did it, and I'm especially proud of my racer girl!

From there, we loaded up the car, got home, jumped in the Gnar Vee, and split west for the enduro. Cracker Barrel was excellent as always, and it was great as always to spend a pre-race evening with my team. The What !f screening was great. The projector worked well, sound was good, and the flick itself was amazing. Sunday morning was gorgeous with perfect temperatures, and there was a little moisture in the dirt. It was only my second ride on the 300, and I got to try out the new Moose Sahara gear also.
I'm bonding really well with the new bike, and not missing that extra weight the 4 stroke carried at all! Absolutely no mechanical issues, and it feels like a beast in the rocks (especially with the new tall seat). "Scratchillac" style is how I ride- I rarely ever stand up. Like I said before, the course was excellent. Was nice to get in that tight stuff and find a rhythm.
Woody must have been feeling like a boss all day- came away with third overall! Kiwi was on my row and finished strong with 5th in his class. I put together a good ride and left with 3rd. Very happy with my ride and looking forward to more!

Note the busted handguards and bent bars. Had to opt with the ghost ride approach on a climb in the last section. Got me to the finish though!

Other worthy notes:

HUGE thanks to all you guys and gals that came over for the What !f screening- what a great flick and good way to spend an evening out there! Mr. Troy Green is the Wheelie King, and big thanks to TRIC and RRDR for an amazing event!

For thos that haven't seen the trailer, here it is. Great Off-road video with an even better soundtrack! It's on my wish list!

What !f Official Trailer from Red Tide Pictures on Vimeo.

VB featured in Episode 13.5 of Seat Time!

Huge props to the guys at Seat Time! We appreciate the support this season, and had a blast putting together the Beastly Moto Adventure Weekend! Check out the intro clip for yours truly intro'ing the episode, and catch up on all the other great material Seat Time Has to offer!

Seat Time Episode 13.5 : Lonestar from woodybepierced on Vimeo.

Follow Seat Time at http://seattime.com or on Facebook!

Vita Brevis Clothing on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vita-Brevis-Clothing/161719900534748

Jump over to FB and add us to your Likes to stay in touch!

5 Months Out...

I'm proud to announce my BIG project for 2011!!! The Tejas Motorsports Texas Xtreme 24 hr Challenge takes place September 10 & 11, 2011.

http://tejasmotorsportsxtremeteam24hrchallenge.com/

This race is going to be an absolute ass-whoopingly awesome test of man and machine that I personally have been obsessed with all year. They've got a 24 mile loop of various East Texas terrain (read: sand, whoops, tight trees, and random gullies you'd never expect to run up on). The race will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and go straight for 24 hours. All kinds of terrain, all kinds of weird possibilities, and a nice heavy dose of night racing! The format will be 3 racers to 1 bike, 3 racers with 3 separate bikes, and the class I've entered: Ironman. 1 person, 1 bike, 24 hours of sheer bad-assery until I'm snivelling and crying in a cramped up ball of pain buried deep in the sand of East Texas.
 I'm jacked on the idea of this race. It's right up my alley, and I am having a blast preparing for this beastly event. I pre-registered back in January, and I never pre-register for races! I wanted to commit myself to this treachery early enough to have a chance at getting ready.

I'll be steadily monitoring progress through this site, and keeping you guys up to date on the preparation for this race, as well as our TSCEC (Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit) series that I'm racing.

In case you haven't made the connection yet, Vita Brevis Clothing has deep roots in the off-road racing community. I LOVE dirt biking, as well as most of the people involved. We share similar ideas and mindset, so VB has spread like a wild fire through racing all over the southwest. This blog is a great place for updates, stories, and the basic shenanigans that go along with our crew and the good times we have!

New Blog Site!

Welcome to Vita Brevis Clothing's Blogger site! I'm pumped to get on here and use some of the features available through this site to keep everyone up to date and informed on the happenings in the world of VB! Check out our homepage at www.vitabrevisclothing.com for all kinds of info, pics, and of course the gear page! Pick up some shirts, decals, and start spreading the word on what Vita Brevis is all about!

To roll back and check out all the old Blog Posts, you'll have to dig through the original setup at http://www.vitabrevisclothing.com/VBracing/blog.html

Cycleland 2011

Cycleland 2011! Last year, as I was laying in the sand exhausted and pinned underneath my bike, I thought to myself: I'm so glad this race is only once a year and I don't have to do it again for an entire season. Well, guess which race was scheduled first when the new series was announced! For my first race in my new class, and my first attempt to complete the long course at an enduro, we were heading to Cycleland in Nacogdoches.

The banquet was the night before, and what a blast! BYOB and a buffet with my VB racing crew... perfect. Knocked back a few cold beers, ate way too much, and hollered as loud as we could as Woody got his promotion to the AA Pro class. Managed to win a sweet ass Ogio backpack in the raffle, and talked Jeremy into sneaking a third dessert for me. Was great as always to get to spend some time razzing Wes McKnight and always a pleasure to have Papa Pierce in the pits for us! Overall, banquet was a huge success and everyone had a blast!

Didn't sleep very well the night before the race despite drinking a few more than we should have (strangely happens every race). I credit jitters and unsure expectations for my first bout with the new class. Woke up that morning full of strange energy, chowed down, and got geared up as it started to rain again. And it kept raining all day. Anywhere else, this creates a burden- but not at Cycleland! That place is usually covered with a baby powder consistency sand, but this weekend was tacky and perfect, even for the later rows! I knew it was going to be a good day after the first transfer section. Bike and body felt great (all credit to finally hitting the gym and riding my mtb), and I knew I was going to ride well. Got the pleasure of having an entire row to ourselves (Myself, Kiwi, Jeremy, and Bloody), which is always a good time. Sadly, Bloody's bike siezed up and sent him back to the pits. Then Kiwi took a header into a tree, sending him back to the pits with a broken bike, helmet, and headache. Jeremy and I forged onward and regrouped at a few checks, then at the beginning of the final section for the long course. He was worn, but holding strong- what a great showing for his first enduro! I got the joy of looking down at my bike in time to see the rear sprocket dangling and the last bolts stripped/ bent. Tightened up the three I had left, tried to ignore the completely deflated front tire, and hit the final section with intent of doing well. Took a few spills, traded places with a few riders throughout the section, and finally managed to limp the bike into the finish after 17 more miles. Wasn't even a hundred yards later before the hub broke and the sprocket was completely dismounted! Got it to wobble all the way through the pits, loaded up, and went down to check the scores. No clue what to expect, just curious to see how it stacked up. Walked up just in time to collect my medal and mug for 2nd in Open B! WAY PUMPED! I now take back at least one or two of the nasty things I used to say about Cycleland! Now on to fix everything I tore up so I can do it again!

Hammer checking out the new trailer graphics:

Bloody, Jeremy, Myself, Kiwi, and Papa Pierce checking everything over before the start...

New Hoodies and TORO update

Welcome to Thunderdome! It's going to be a great year for Vita Brevis! Racing is in full swing as we finish the TORO series and start in with the Enduro series. Hopefully we're all ready for the relentless beatdown that's sure to come! This last weekend was TORO at Bonita- a 14.5 mile loop of sand, whoops, and man-sized jumps! We had an absolute blast in practice Saturday, it was great to see everyone sending it on the jumps and pushing themselves! Pictures and results coming soon!

NEW GEAR!!!

VB Hoodies now available! Check the Gear page for other goodies and get your order in today!

Also, check out episode three from the guys over at Seat Time featuring a sponsor slot from VB! Brian Pierce and Jason Scmidt have teamed up and are doing some great things with http://seattime.co/

This is the best hub around for racing news, updates, cool videos, hot chicks, beer, and all things awesome! VB is proud to be a sponsor! Check out their site and come back often for their updates and weekly episodes!