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These track changes were made about a month or two ago. It flows pretty well and it's fun.

@cwtoyota the last time I was there they had rollers after the step up

It's a lot of fun. I am thinking about riding Ward Creek MX next weekend. If you haven't tried it, it's worth a look.

@@cwtoyota oh I forgot that was open, yeah I used to race there but haven't been there for like 15years maybe I'll see ya there, I'll come say hi if I make it there

Thanks! Yeah, I try not to jump too deep on the road jump so it's easier to catch an inside or middle rut in the corner. I framed it that lap and the rear end tried to come around.

The chuck sun jump, catcher's mitt corner and Leech's Lump were taken out to make more infield space around 20 years ago. The track has changed, but it's still a lot of fun to ride and race.

Thanks, were the same age. I do a lot of mountain biking in local trails including sprints and big climbs to stay on top of my fitness. Flowing with the track is a big part of being efficient too. Racing more and maybe some coaching could help

Yeah, I was 5th overall for the day too.

Actually I'm in my mid 40s now but I stay fit and keep the mindset of a tough young man. For the past two years I've been mountain biking for about an hour at the hottest part of the day. I used to be a runner too, but some knee injuries have held me back from that.

@@cwtoyota man good on u! I raced from 9 to about 27, made it to 125 intermediate, then stopped and took 16 years off, and have now been back into it for the last 9 months, one of the biggest things I notice is how much harder it is physically at 44 as opposed to 20 something, I'm actually surprising myself how fast it's coming back and how good I'm getting again BUT my stamina is awful despite being strong and in good shape, I get arm pump after half a lap and body tired after a lap if I'm pushing at 100%, working on it but damn its tough at 44!

@@spread4me75 I ride with my core and legs and a pretty relaxed grip around most of the track. Good chassis and suspension setup helps, but getting your riding technique back will help the most with arm pump. I believe most people's arm pump comes from gripping the bars too tight. At our age great technique can make up for a lot and I'm always trying to learn or improve.

You shred man!!!! Keep killin it 🤙🏻

They were working on a new national start gate, so we used the old / amateur start last Saturday. We'll start on this gate for amateur races during national week as well.

@cwtoyota that's awesome!!!! And I also heard that the old timers races this weekend are using the new gate as well.

The gate is always there, the other one is usually only for the pro national

This is the old starting gate from the 1990's era. It still gets used every year for the amateur racing the week of the national. This year, they are replacing the starting gate and moving it forward about 20 feet and the work was being done Saturday while we were racing.

@@lancerambert I'm aware of that gate location, but it was removed before my first time at the track in the mid 1990's as a teenager.

Keep the starting gate there for nationals or put where it was in the 80s see who has a good start

Thanks!

I prefer a dusty and dry Washougal to a wet-slick condition, but sometimes the weather gives us a bit of both.

A few people dropped by our pits to say it's a super cool bike. The new shock is a game changer and I love riding this bike. Burnt Ridge was always a favorite of mine and it's awesome that they re-opened.

That's really cool. If you need some inspiration or some good ideas, there's a build thread on VitalMX for this bike. www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/1990-KX500-Classic-Looks-Modern-Handling,1394778

Glad you enjoyed it. I love riding Washougal any chance I get. The track crew and the whole staff there do such an awesome job.

Thanks! I always try to make some different lines work out for more passing opportunities and to be safer on track.

Thank you! Washougal has been my favorite since I was 15 years old and I still feel lucky to live nearby.

Mid day we got a little rain, so it was slick and the track was slower. I looked for some traction around the edges and wherever the hard, shiny clay wasn't exposed.

You were fast on Saturday. It seems like the combined gate drop was unfair to the 25A class.

Well I should get a better start and then not fall down! Plus I’m 39 so just trying to hold my breath in 25+ for now!

@@olinj144 39... I thought you were getting pretty close.

Thanks! That was a big error! @DialedMfg suspension saved me for sure!

Thanks!

Thanks Chris!

Thanks Mark! I'm really enjoying the 350F now that I have the forks and shock dialed in.

It rained for a few minutes mid-day, all the second motos were slower than the first half of the day.

I had one at highway 14 and it kept me awake the three hour drive.

Mark, you're right. I think this is the best engine in the sport of motocross for us normal folks. I adapt to a bike pretty quickly and tend to ride through the torque if I can. So far, I haven't even considered a sprocket change and I'm up to about ten engine hours. Today I raced at Washougal (I'll be uploading some videos over the next day or so) and had to wring the bike's neck a little bit more with the great traction and bigger hills. I've done the air-boot from the 2018 KTM 350SX-F, the GasGas MC250F muffler (no internal baffle), a two stroke filter cage and I cut the flap off of the inside of the airbox lid to uncork some extra torque.

The lower mount gives more excitement for sure. I run a chest protector so I can mount the camera on it for the Washougal amateur days because the AMA doesn't allow helmet mounts anymore. I've uploaded a few of those videos and I used to have a helmet side mount for my older camera. I'd prefer a smaller camera like the GoPro Session (if they even make that anymore).

The 350 is really the magic engine size and it revs so hard it's nearly impossible to find the rev-limiter.

Go pros never do justice

It's a fun bike and very comfortable with the modern suspension.

No problem. I'm excited to have these up for sale and to race this GasGas 350 next year.

Yeah, many of the jumps have changed and it's flipped around. The track is under new management since my last visit. I don't think I've ridden there since spring of 2021. I have heard complaints about the track prep recently. I enjoyed it, the ruts and chop helped me improve the suspension setting on this new bike.

@@cwtoyota is it still under brent??

It's a fun track. Just watch out if it rains, that clay becomes very slick.