Going beyond just a hobby...

The Cherokee National Enduro in Georgia was prime. Just enough rain Saturday afternoon made for really good conditions and the layout had just the right amount of flow combined with tight stuff and 37 slick roots. 

If I am being a realist, I was good enough for 2nd (again), but I somehow snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the final section of the day in “A” +50, when @ryan_moss24 had bike trouble. Take it when it’s there I suppose.

Lil Bit (Brantlee Hees) put the little blue bike on the podium in the 65 race but confessed we need a little log crossing practice this week. Tuesday he gets his wish.

Again - thanks to everyone that keeps the ship afloat. 

#franktour26 #inittowinit #dontstoptryin 

This could be a lengthy post, but I’ll condense it and not throw in too many “if’s & buts”. 

3rd overall and 1st in “A” Vet at the Richmond FMHSC over the weekend. Had a banger of a race with Mitchell Moore for an hour or so - reminded me of some stuff from 20’ish years ago. I finally capitalized on him tipping over in a slippery creek and used that opportunity to get out of his sight and stretch out a lead.

I ran this trip solo, so I had no pit board or indication of where I was in the OA. As the boys say these days - “just doin my laps”. At these races, the checkered flag falls at 2 hours on “AA” class time (not on the leader). I’m on row 3 which means when I finished lap 6, the checkered was out and my time was 1:58:59. “If” I had ridden “A” or “AA”, I’d have been able to go another lap. See where I’m going here? The overall winner, was 53 seconds ahead of me after lap 6. His last lap pace slowed by just over a minute. Second OA, dropped off by 3:40ish the last lap. So “if” I’d have done everything exactly the same but ridden one of those other classes, I might be blithering about a bigger win than that of the Vet class. “But” - if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all be happy at Christmas. Who the hell would want to hear about a 55 year old winning an overall anyhow? 

#franktour26 #callmeacloser #keepthemhonest 

Good times at the Great Plains Windmill Run. Hero dirt, lots of ruts, tons of line options, and nearly zero rocks to dodge. Just the way I like it. P1 in “A” +40. 

#franktour26 #properracetrack #californiawashjob 

I’ll try to find the positives in my riding yesterday at the National Enduro in Mississippi. Uhm - I won the Supertest at the end of the day, so there’s that. I fought it in the really tight stuff, and there was plenty of really tight stuff. In reality, I was a 4th place guy but I managed to find myself in 2nd in “A” +50 when it was all said and done. If they’re gonna give it to you, take it. 

#franktour26 #whysotightbro #excusessuck 

After four days at Loretta Lynn’s Spring Ride helping with Sherco demos, I headed to Texas on Saturday afternoon for the Great Plains XC. I did myself zero favors by not being there to ride practice on Saturday and felt like a fish with no water for about 2/3rds of the race. The dust in the open areas was brutal - twice on lap one, I came to a complete stop because I couldn’t see my handlebars. That kinda set the tone for me - I talked myself out of pushing too hard and I was content to just ride it out. Better days ahead. P3 “A” +40.

#franktour26 #gladitsover #allonme 

While I rode a good bit better at the second round of the National Enduro series in Oklahoma (than round one), I was again on the receiving end of another ass whippin’. I ended the day 2nd in “A” +50 in what was a dry, dusty, hot, and windy day. My Sherco 300 SEF was dialed but I simply didn’t ride it fast enough. Good news is there’s always another race to try it again.

#franktour26 #betterthanlasttime #babysteps 

P1 Vet “A” It looks like this was the only dry race this weekend in the Central US. Strangely enough, it actually could have used some more rain, but overall it was pretty dang good. Back on the two stroke this week and it was a really fun choice. Had a bit of a sluggish start and really had to be patient and search for passing opportunities. Overall, I had a smooth and consistent day and my bike was barely dirty.

#franktour26 #dontdentthepipe #californiawashjob 

The Great Plains opener was a proper ass kicker of a track. Soft dirt on the river banks is always a recipe for a rough track and this one delivered. Very physical and very busy. My Sherco 300 SEF worked flawlessly, made my job as easy as possible, and allowed me to have some energy in the tank late in the race. My last lap was my fastest. Wish they were all like this one. Thank you to everyone that supports what I get to do.

#franktour26 #bringonthepain #notarockinsight 

P5 +50 “A” Simply put, I fought it about as much as I can remember fighting it. I never felt like I was “racing” - more like “surviving”. Maybe not riding an Enduro since 2021 had something to do with it. Not sure, but I’m certainly glad it’s over. Regardless, it was nice to be back and chat with some old friends again. Thanks to everyone that continues to be a part of my program.

#franktour26 #whysotighttho #shoulderwidth 

The Great Plains race in Hennepin OK served up awesome conditions despite being surrounded by rain most of the week. I got into the lead early into lap one but didn’t have the pace to stay there in the faster grassy areas, and slipped back to second. I stayed close for a couple laps but had a silly crash in the creek section when I hit neutral. From that point on, the gap between @meltdust and I, stayed close to the same and I finished 2nd again in A +40. The reality is, I have to be on my game to be able to have a shot at beating him. It’s easy to make mistakes when pushing the limits - this race was an example of that. It’s been fun trying to keep him honest. I’ll keep doing that.

#franktour25 #bridesmaidagain #keeptryin 

9 days - 4 races - 4 states - 4 series. Nah, I don’t race that much anymore I guess. Just on weekends.

The Great Plains race on Saturday had pretty sweet conditions but I could NOT get comfortable in the rocky stuff that made up the first 3 miles. It took me till 3/4 of the way thru the race to finally “get going” and although my last two laps were competitive, @meltdust was in another zip code by then. P2 in “A” +40 (again). 

Sundays Forward Motion race is currently tied with my favorite of this year. The track got burned in within a couple laps and got sticky and really fun. I rode the “A” class and started at the back. I took what I thought were 2 goods lines early on, and moved back 2 more spots. SMH. I chipped away, found some places to pass, pressured some guys into mistakes, and had a quick final lap, ultimately finishing 2nd and just a few feet from the win. 

Saturdays race time was 2:26 and Sunday was 2:15. Bonus points for each race being under 100 miles from the front door. I was home and had my bike washed each day, before dark.

#franktour25 #howoldareyou #weekends 

Lots of rain in my area of the country this past weekend, so it seemed like a good idea to leave. 

Hit the MidSouth XC GP in Kentucky on Saturday afternoon. 2 moto format - slick, rocky, off camber (my favorite) - won both “Masters A” motos after having to find my way back past several “B” riders who found a hot line on lap one.

Drove 3 1/2 hours to Indiana for a MWXC on Sunday. Still slick, still rocky, still off camber - then it rained and got more slicker. Yeah, more slicker. Didn’t ever “gel” with the track and received a proper ass whoopin’. 3rd in “A” +40. 

Overall it was mostly fun going to places I’ve never been before - and certainly better than watching it rain from the couch.

Free life advice - if you’re going to do something stupid, like cut the course, don’t put your name & number on your jersey.

#franktour25 #stayonthecourse #prettyghetto