November 23, 2007

The 2007 Tecate Score Baja 1000 or the 1296 is over!

MOTO 4 MS was one of the six solo efforts to finish out of twenty-six.

It was a long and very demanding 1,296+ miles that took me 52 hours and 38 minutes.  That is 2 days 4 hours and 38 minutes with only 4 hours of sleep.  I started the race with a ton of anxiety, and excitement in Ensenada. The race course was great due to heavy rains the night before the race.  All was well until mile 51 when I hit a big whoop and  went over the handlebars and broke four ribs.  I laid there for about 20 minutes or so trying to catch my breath and wonder what had just happened.  I gathered my strength and carried on, the rest of the first day went well.  Darkness set in and my first night racing was filled with wild sights and crazy thoughts as I cruised in the dark desert.  I reached the first section of asphalt around race mile 368 as the 800+ hp monster trophy trucks with speeds of 120 mph began to catch me.  The race was going along just as planned except for the broken ribs!

Race mile 429 was finally time for a rest, I snoozed for an hour and let my mechanics, Tim and Cisco change the tires and look over the bike.  The little nap and fine dining  filled me with the extra zip I needed for the night racing to be less intimidating.  I set off toward Coco's Corner ad midst the bikes, stock trucks, trophy trucks, Baja bugs and Cars.  The ride was going great again!  I did see Santa Claus in the middle of the night among the tall cacti.  Mile 493 the sunrise was amazing, I caught back up to my crew and napped for another hour.

After more food a great visit with my crew and another new set of tires, I set off to ride down the west coast. My ribs were feeling pretty good and my pace was adequate to finish within in the 53 hour time allowed.  I made myself rest at every Baja Pits location (every 60+/- miles) and get off the bike for a few minutes.  The second day was going well,  my pace was slow and the pain was getting stronger as I grew more fatigued.  Just as night fell and I reached Loreto (race mile 920) my camel back blew apart and my pants filled with all the water.  Oh yeah, and I got a rear flat tire.  I rode the flat on into Loreto where my crew replaced the wheel and I changed into dry clothes.  It was going well until I fell asleep or just lost concentration, and found myself down again on my side.  This time the pain was severe.  My ribs, my scapula?  I struggled to stand the bike back up, and barely made it to the next meeting site at race mile 984.  I was sitting on a chair at the Baja Pits when my crew pulled up.  I was ready to load up on pain killers and head home, when  Maile jumped out of the truck in pink wig and filled my spirit with so much motivation, I found the fight to carry on.  I did not want to let the people down who supported this crazy effort.

The next 309 miles was the most difficult thing I have ever tried to do and accomplished.  Every movement especially on the motorcycle caused extreme pain.  I was given the energy from some unknown source, some where deep within and unexplainable.  Thanks to Mark Winkelman for the words of wisdom before the race.  I marched along through the night at a turtle's pace through deep silt beds and 60 miles of sandy whoops.  Whoops hurt without broken ribs!  The pain was becoming unbearable.  I came upon my crew again and got a 30 minute nap or so.  Maile kept whispering that to finish the race I had to go.  It was really hard to leave a warm camp fire and my dear friends for a cold dark desert.  As the sun rose I found yet another burst of energy and picked the pace.  It was looking like I might finish.

At Todos Santos and with only 70 miles left in the race the pain had become the most intense thing I have ever experienced.  That simple 70 miles was kicking my ass!  I could barely walk, see, or ride.  Every bump was killing my spirit.  I was trying to stand but my legs had no more strength left in them.  I was crawling along when some guy signed me 15 with his hands.  I wondered miles or minutes?  Either way I did not think I would make it.  Somehow I stood up and rode the fast as I could, faster than normal without broken ribs. 

I pulled into the finish line with only minutes to spare.  I was surrounded by my crew and friends and began to melt.  WOW I made it! I did it!!!

It would have not been possible without Maile Rehnberg, Cisco Oldani, Tim Kolady, Marni Walsh, Gavin Skilton and, Mike Murdock..  Thanks Val Sarofim for the support and belief I could finish this crazy race.  Thanks Janet for all the jet fuel!  And thanks to all of you that gave me encouragement and support.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

I owe you guys something that is unexplainable to all others who where not there.  Thanks for giving me this experience of my life time!

I went to the Hospital on Wednesday November 21st in Jackson.  Four broken ribs!  Two completely separated and misaligned and two fractured.

It only further goes to show that we can push through adversity and  pain to reach our goals.  Please give thought to MOTO 4 MS and support this foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.

Thanks for the support,

James Curzon

November 7, 2007 - The race is only six days!

It' not only a race

It's Planning Vision Courage Intelligence Dedication

Pre-run to know the land

Anxiety to begin the race - Emotion Adrenalin Dust - Speed Strategy Experience

Patience Frustration Pits Friendship Competition Rocks Desert Beach and MORE DUST!

October 30, 2007 - We made the pre-run safe and sound.  It was an adventure from the start.  The first night in Mexico my truck with three motos was ripped off from our hotel.  A high speed Mexican chase in my underwear has given me a new appreciation for grabbing some pants before running after crooks.  We were able to get all of the gear and truck returned after a lengthy battle withe the Mexican Police.

We pre-ran all the way down to Cabo San Lucas.  It is a long haul on a dirt bike.  No problems and I have a better appreciation for the scope of this race.  1,300 miles non-stop is going to be a test of my will and strength.  I will return to Ensenada the first week in November to do some more pre-running and prepare to start the race on November 13th.

October 6, 2007 -  2007 Tecata Score Baja 1000 - "For four decades, the sport of off-road racing has been defined by one signature event, the annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The race is one of the world's great motor sports icons, an endurance adventure thankfully unchanged in an often overly sanitized sport. The Baja 1000 and off-road racing shares a heritage as rich and colorful as the diverse group of people and machines have taken the green flag in Ensenada every November since 1967.

The Baja 1000 is an epic race of speed, sleep deprivation and lunacy. Two-time winner Parnelli Jones once described it as “a 24-hour plane crash,” and that’s the easy part. Besides navigating treacherous terrain at an accident-waiting-to-happen pace, competitors also have to overcome logistical conundrums, wandering livestock, traps set by devious spectators, and the occasional drunk trying to drive the course backward.

The 1,000 miles of pavement, brush, rock trail, desert and dry lake between Tijuana and La Paz was first covered as a day-and-night-long expedition by a pair of intrepid American motorcyclists in 1962, and the first Mexican 1000 Rally was staged five years later. Sixty-eight vehicles started; only 31 finished, led by a dune buggy and a dirt bike. These days, the race is called the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.  The 40th annual event starts in Ensenada on November 13, 2007."

MOTO 4 MS will be pre-running the entire 1,300 mile course starting October 16th.  We will be racing in class 30 and the race bike number will be 309X.  Your support will be greatly appreciated.

September 3, 2007 - Jim with Moto 4 MS competes in the World Off Road Championships (WORCS) series in Monticello, Utah finishing 6th in class 30B and 5th in Class 40A.

June 3, 2007 - Jim with MOTO 4 MS competes in the Baja 500 race held in Ensanada.  The team of riders sponsored by Mark Winkelman  from Texas finished a respectable 11 place in the pro class 30.  Thanks Mark!

March 1, 2007 - Ty and Jim with MOTO 4 MS return from a 8,000 mile motorcycle tour from Wyoming to Costa Rica and back.  Their adventure took them down the pacific coast of Baja, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.  They then returned through the interior mountains to see some amazing volcanoes.  The two month journey was also enjoyed by Bob whom was met along one crazy road in Mexico.  Thanks Ty ans Bob, what a great trip!