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   Sunday morning was cool and overcast, a perfect day for racing. Hundreds of people turned out to watch motorcycles chase each other through the woods and over the hills. The races, called hare scrambles, are broken down into several age groups and classifications according to skill levels. The first race of the day is the little kids, some as young as three or four years old. What they lack in experience and skill, they make up for with determination. To me, this is the most fun race of the day. Some of these kids have been riding since they have learned to walk and show no fear as they zip around the course. They are as competitive as the AA and Pro- Class riders. They may fall over or spin out at times, but they jump back up and take off again. They are afforded the luxury of having people stationed around the course to help them up, something the older riders have to do without.

   The C class is always the biggest group. It also has the widest range of skill levels. Their course is longer and more challenging than the little kids and can prove to be difficult in places for some. C riders range from those that have aged out of the little kids classes to those just starting to race to some that have raced for a few years but have not as yet built up their skills to move up to the B group. Special observation areas are made around the course for spectators as this is entertaining to watch. There are many in this class, ranging from twelve years old to about twenty-five, that think they are better riders than they are. This is the age when people go through a stage where they think they are invincible. Some of the wipe-outs are spectacular. The observers in the crowd range from more experienced riders shouting words of encouragement as they wait their turn to race to the mothers cringing and wringing their hands as they watch the bikes flip over backwards and roll down the hill when the terrain difficulty exceeds the skill level of the rider. Surprisingly, there are few injuries in these races. This year, I only heard of one injury, a broken wrist, and that happened in the campground the evening before the race.

   The final race of the day is the AA and Pro Class. This is the longest course of around fifteen miles with parts that are extremely challenging. As their race started, the temperature dropped and light rain started. Before too many miles passed, the rain became heavier and the track became slippery. The adverse conditions did not seem to slow the pros at all. Perhaps that is why they are professionals. They can ride in any condition.

   The months of preparation paid off. Everything seemed to go smoothly. From the convenience of the shuttle service moving people around the farm, the good food at the food truck, and ample parking and camping areas, everyone said they had a great time. The only thing that could have been better is if the rain had held off for a couple of hours so the last racers did not have to get wet, cold, and muddy. Since I was not getting wet and cold, to me, it was a perfect race day.

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