It only took a quick look down. The next instant I was in the giggle weeds and Ron was passing me laughing like a crazy man. I was lucky. The bushes were fairly easy to run over and the trail was only about 15 feet from my un-intended path.

The place was far away from Home Sweet Home Alabama. Those Cajun boys had served up a great trail. The arrows were all places in the right places. I had been there 2 weeks before at the Hare Scrambles. The soil was just right. The temperature was a little on the hot side (got to 86 degrees that day).

One of my "A" riding buddies had his enduro computer in a weird mode, it cost him an 11 minute burn on a check. Another AA rider got caught with his timekeeping skills in the dumpster at the end of the 3rd loop, it cost him all his points for that day.

When I didn't focus on hydration, it cost me the remaining miles after mile marker 94. I had to go back to the pits because I didn't drink enough water.

How many times have you heard a hot rider talk about being "Focused" and winning the event? I usually think in terms of my riding skills and physical capabilities. However when the trail is long and your mind goes away, your brain staying focused upon the task is the most important part of the event!

So how did my lack of focus affect my results? Well the three times when I didn't go into a fast section at the top of my minute probably cost me 2 or 3 points. When I was in the long test section on the 2nd loop and let my bike run outside of the power for a few hundred yards probably cost me another 2 points.

Lucky for me I didn't crash because of lack of focus. I did end up in the weeds several times, but what do you expect from a row zero ride? I did ride much better than the 1st Enduro this year. At the last Enduro I didn't check the wheel size after changing the battery in my Enduro computer. The odometer didn't work at all that event. I told myself that I have to focus upon all the bike preperations.

So get ready for your next ride! Stay focused on the bike, the trail and on your physical preparation!

RAD DAD