Sitting in the starting grid my heart rate starts to climb. All I can see of the racers around me is the fire in their eyes as they sit on their machines ready for battle. Ahead lays 50 kilometers of the steepest, tightest and wildest single-track trail. As the starter fires his sawed-off shotgun into the air, we snap our bikes to life and are off!

Each year the Pacific Northwest Motorcycle Association ( www.pnwma.com ) hosts a number of events throughout BC and Washington. I was joining in the fun at the famous Monkey Wrench 100 now in its 20 year. The Monkey Wrench is the brainchild of the West Coast Dirt Riders Association with help from the Fraser Valley Dirt Riders Association. These two clubs work together to create a course that will test the pros but not break the spirit of mere mortals like myself who were tackling their first off-road race.

There were 25 guys in my category and one woman who is one of the top riders in BC. The first test was the start line that lay at the bottom of a 100-foot hill. As the gun fired I snapped my bike to life and took off. Dust, rocks and dirt flew at me from every direction and at the top of the hill the single track started. Already the lone female and I were stuck behind a stalled rider. I guided my way through some trees to pass them both and was elated at my crazy line. As I followed the guy in front of me I was so pumped. Here I was locked in a battle with 26 athletes all aboard these crazy machines.

The first test came at km 3 when the trail turned downhill with a steep sharp chicane. As I dove into the turn I noticed a rider diving in from the right. It was the awesome woman rider who had decided that straight lining the steep rock face was more fun. She slingshot passed two others and me. The race was on!

For the next 20 km we hammered back and forth. I would pass her she would pass me. I would get stuck then she would. It was awesome. Suddenly I felt the presence of another rider breathing down my neck. Instead of holding back someone I moved over to let them past. I was shocked to see a little grommet ease by me on a little Yamaha YZ 80. There was no way I was letting this little pip squeak go. I put him in my radar and followed him down the trail. Suddenly we were held up by some crashed riders and as we waited for them to clear I yelled at him, “how old are you”, he replied, “fourteen”! I nearly fell off my bike but was so pumped to see a kid his age doing this. However I was even happier when I passed him as he was down in some trees after missing a turn…he would later pass me back and I would never see him again until the finish.

At the half way point the trail got tighter and muddier. You now could not tell who was who as each athlete was covered in a thin layer of dark chocolate mud. Keeping upright was also a challenge in this slick environment and I watched as two guys endow over their bars into a giant pit of slop. I would then have to quickly adjust my line so as not to follow in their path.

Into my second hour I started to lose all dexterity in my body. The bike was starting to take me for a ride instead of the other way around. Just when I thought I could go no further I popped out to the finish line. The checker tore my tag off and said I was done. I looked at her and said, “Thank God”, the whole finish line erupted in laughter. This was one of the most crazy, challenging and awe-inspiring things I had ever done! Beer ME!

Adventure Dave Norona wishes to thank GA Checkpoint Yamaha for dialing his machine before the race…and for putting it back together after! He supported by Advil, Helly Hansen, PowerBar. www.davenorona.com