Florida Trail Riders - August 2025

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florida trail riders.

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Austin Lanier | Photo by Photoman386

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2025

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AUGUST

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FEATURES WHO TO CONTACT

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PREZ SEZ

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CHAPLAIN’s CORNER

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25-26 SCHEDULE

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BOD MEETING MINUTES

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NC RIDING TRIP

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5 THINGS

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MotoPT

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TECH TIP

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ALORA RIDING TIPS

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EDITOR: KURT LUCAS ftreditor@floridatrailriders.org All content herein is copyrighted © by Florida Trail Riders, Inc. with all rights reserved, and may not be reproduced without permission. “FTR” and “Florida Trail Riders” are trademarks of Florida Trail Riders, Inc. Unauthorized use of these trademarks is prohibited by law.

Florida Trail Riders, Inc., P.O. Box 462 Yulee, FL 32041-0462

(352) 538-6291

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Christian Ferreyra | Photo by Garren Wright

AUGUST

2025

Area Directors & Club Info AREA #1 - Out-of-State, Panhandle Brandon St. John (912) 674-6127 ktmbrandon21@yahoo.com AREA #2 - Hamilton, Suwannee, Columbia, Baker, Union, Bradford, Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. Johns

AREA #7 - Seminola, Osceola, Orange Will Busick (317) 507-6636 willb763@gmail.com AREA #8 - Brevard, Indian River John Happel (321) 759-1474 ftrforester@gmail.com

James Benton (904) 589-0093 bentonracing116@yahoo. com

AREA #9 - Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands

AREA #3 - Gilchrist, Alachua, Levy, Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Lake

Brian Dugre (941) 893-7898 brian@mycentec.com

Allen Pearce (352) 339-5644 Allen.Pearce17@gmail.com

AREA #10 - Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin

AREA #4 - Flagler, Volusia Mike McGuire (386) 871-0666 makmcguire@yahoo.com AREA #5 - Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas Dale Ellis (407) 467-1196 dellis117ktm@gmail.com AREA #6 - Hillsborough, Polk West Anderson (863) 604-1868 jetster220@gmail.com

George Pollard (772) 349-6534 ktmgeorge811b@gmail.com AREA #11 - Charlotte, Lee, Glades, Hendry, Collier Ken Redford (239) 297-7170 redford_kenny@yahoo.com AREA #12 - Palm Beach Austin McAfee (561) 337-0998 amcafee379@aol.com AREA #13 - Borward, Dade, Monroe Max Rash (954) 609-1812 maxr@rivaracing.com Apollo M/C

Mark Bordelon (321) 794-0993 markbord115@gmail.com

Randy Rash (954) 931-5709 motodadfla19@aol.com

Big O Trail Riders Tommy Clay (863) 532-1952 tommy_clay@yahoo.com

Perry Mountain M/C Brad Belcher (205) 340-4298 perrymountainmotorcycleclub@gmail.com

Big Scrub Trail Riders Curtis Bell (386) 679-8201 curtbell@rocketmail.com Central Florida Trail Riders AJ Stagg ajstagg@gmail.com (407) 929-2114 Columbia Enduro Riders Ricky Dennis (803) 786-0051 mastercraft@bellsoth.net Daytona Dirt Riders Joe Carrasquillo (386) 615-0722 secretary4ddr@gmail.com Family Riders, Inc. Johnny Thomas (843) 553-1463 familyriderssc@bellsouth.net Greenville Enduro Riders Chris Poole (864) 617-4342 info@greenvilleenduroriders. com Nature Coast Trail Blazers Rob Swann (813) 731-5552 naturecoasttrailriders@gmail. com Old School Dirt Riders Ben Kelly (941) 650-1473 ftr90racer@yahoo.com Palm Beach Track & Trail

River City Dirt Riders James Benton (904) 589-0093 bentonracing116@yahoo. com Sarasota Area Dirt Riders Randy Faul (863) 244-3709 randt817@gmail.com Southeast Florida Trail Riders Frank Campbell (561) 951-3732 flawoods35@yahoo.com Sumter Enduro Riders Johnny McCoy (803) 481-5169 serma@ftc-i.net Suncoast Trail Blazers Cary Hunt 727-635-6228 suncoastbiz1@gmail.com Sunrunners Dirt Riders West Anderson (863) 604-1868 jetster220@gmail.com Tallahassee Trail Riders Mikey Rainey (350) 591-5386 trailriderstallahassee@gmail. com Treasure Coast Trail Riders Ken Harris (772) 370-4434 khei9862@gmail.com

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RIDER REPS AA/A ENDURO Mark Mannschreck (813) 310-2067 hondamm61@aol.com B/C ENDURO Sam Boydstun (407) 467-3951 woodsracercfl@rr.com SPECIALTY A/B ENDURO Ronnie Hames (386) 547-2397 ronnie@hbdmotografx.com SPECIALTY C/WOMEN ENDURO Elesa Berard (407) 376-7115 AA/A HARE SCRAMBLE Troy Gardner (561) 329-7866 troyracing41@gmail.com B/C HARE SCRAMBLE VACANT SPECIALTY A/B HARE SCRAMBLE Paul Lucas (305) 244-7531 happytimesamuse@msn.com

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OFFICERS PRESIDENT Randy Faul (863) 244-3709 president@floridatrailriders.org VICE PRESIDENT Pete Rose (941) 270-1189 vicepresident@floridatrailriders.org SECRETARY Bill Toreki (352) 372-1135 secretary@floridatrailriders.org TREASURER Kayla Vawter (863) 381-2649 treasurer@foridatrailriders.org HARE SCRAMBLE CHAIRMAN Randy Rash (954) 931-5709 hschair@floridatrailriders.org ENDURO CHAIRMAN George Tolson (863) 698-3837 gjtolson63@gotmail.com

SPECIALTY C/WOMEN HARE SCRAMBLE Holly Langford (954) 504-2659 hollylangford10@gmail.com

HARE SCRAMBLE REFEREE Jeff Hazeltine 941-468-7204 hsref@floridatrailriders.org

SATURDAY CLASSES HARE SCRAMBLE Derek Tremain (863) 634-8183 derektremain@gmail.com

ENDURO REFEREE Peter Magee (352) 262-4974 cr250m@bellsouth.net

QUADS Pete Rose (941) 270-1189 pwrracingktm@gmail.com

BUSINESS MANAGER Darlene Riggs (352) 538-6291 businessmanager@floridatrailriders.org

AUGUST

2025

PRES SEZ. X WORDS: RANDY FAUL

Calm Before the Storm As we close in on the start of our extended season with a couple enduros already in the books, the time to get our memberships and minor release cards is now. Both the FTR and Club sign up personnel are the very best out there, but to make it even faster and more efficient have your ducks in a row with all the necessary paperwork in order. Summer is still hanging on and we are losing daylight every day, but like most of us we still find time to ride somewhere.

Speaking of somewhere, I had the chance to go meet up with some Georgia buddies with one of them being a competitor near the little town of Pinetta. Some of you long time racers might remember that location some 15-20 years ago as a HS we had there. So, leaving at 3 am Saturday morning to be ready to ride by 9am was off the chart. The opportunity to ride some different terrain along with some guys that has the bug just as bad as I do out weighed the effort to make the trip. Also, that lady that I called out

on stage at the banquet, she loaded up and went also. From the ten mile loop single track on Saturday to the 21 mile loop on Sunday at a different location somewhere out of Thomasville, Georgia the experience was epic.

Thank You George and Brian for the invite and the superb hospitality. Going back to Croom seemed like a letdown compared to where I was riding at the weekend before, but it was seat time.

Oh, did I say that the temperature in Georgia this time of year is as hot if not hotter than Florida! Stay healthy and injury free as we all look forward to this season.

P.S. Stay off of ladders, if at all possible, as these things are very unforgiving, just sayin! Ask me how I know……

Thanks for listening Randy Faul

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CHAPLAIN’s CORNER

X WORDS: RODNEY BOYETTE

Hey FTR Fam!!

Rodney and Dani with Fuel Ministry here in the Chaplain’s Corner this month!

We’re fresh off Florida Fuel Camp 2025 and wanted to share a little about the incredible experience we had. What a humbling opportunity it was to invest in these kids for an entire week—not only through pro-level instruction on the bike, but also by pouring into their spiritual walk off the bike.

This leads right into what we want to share with you: Do what you love and live it for Christ.

What better way to show the love of Jesus than to reflect it in our everyday lives?

Proverbs 3:6 says,

¡Hola, familia de FTR! ¡Rodney y Dani del Ministerio “Fuel”, aquí en la sección de capellanes este mes!

Acabamos de salir del Campamento “Fuel” de Florida 2025 a principios de mes y queremos compartir un poco de la increíble experiencia que tuvimos. ¡Qué gran oportunidad de dedicar una semana entera a estos chicos, no solo en instrucción profesional sobre la motocicleta, sino también en su camino espiritual! Esto nos lleva directamente a lo que queremos compartir con ustedes: hagan lo que aman y vívanlo para Cristo. ¿Qué mejor manera de mostrar el amor de Jesús que en nuestro día a día?

Proverbios 3:6 dice: «Reconócelo en todos tus caminos, y él (Cristo) enderezará

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

This verse encourages us to bring everything to the One who gives life and every good thing. He will lead us in the direction we should go. That means everything— whether it’s grabbing the holeshot at Bartow to stay ahead of the dust cloud, hitting the step-up at Mondon Hill, making a business decision that affects your family, or stepping out in faith to trust your life to Jesus.

you, hand out waters, create a safe and fun place for the kids on Saturday nights, and lead a camp with 140 people to Jesus... and dirt bikes!!

We’re here to tell you: it’s worth it.

He always comes through in ways you could never imagine.

We’ll leave you with this verse: Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Five years ago, we were racing for ourselves at FTR, and we asked, “How can we do this with greater purpose?” Now, five years later, we get to see you all at every race—to love on you, pray with and over

tus veredas». Este versículo nos anima a entregarle todo a Aquel que da vida con toda clase de bienes, y él nos guiará por el buen camino. ¡Eso es todo! Ya sea conseguir el primer puesto en Bartow para adelantarse a la nube de polvo en la salida, subir el escalón en Mondon Hill, tomar una decisión empresarial que afectará a tu familia o dar un paso de fe para confiar tu vida a Jesús. Estamos aquí para decirles que vale la pena y que Él siempre cumple de maneras que jamás imaginarían. Hace cinco años, competíamos por nosotros mismos en FTR y dijimos: "¿Cómo podemos hacer esto con mayor propósito?".

Ahora, cinco años después, los vemos a todos en cada carrera para amarlos, orar

We are living proof that trusting in Him works.

We’ll see you soon—TRACKSIDE!!

With love, Rodney and Dani Boyette

con ustedes y por ustedes, repartirles agua, brindarles un ambiente seguro y divertido el sábado por la noche para que los niños se relajen y dirigir un campamento con 140 personas para Jesús y las motos. ¡Somos ejemplos vivientes de que confiar en Él funciona! Un versículo que les dejaremos es Mateo 6:33: "Buscadlo primeramente en toda su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas". ¡Nos vemos pronto en la PISTA! Con apreciación, Rodney y Dani Boyette

AUGUST

2025

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AUGUST

2025

ANNOUCEMENTS FTR is accepting Nominations/Volunteers for the Hare Scramble and Enduro Rider Representatives to the Competition Committees.

Hare Scrambles Committee:

Enduro Committee:

A/AA Displacement Classes B/C Displacement Classes Specialty (age) A/B Classes Specialty (age) C/Women Classes Saturday Bike Classes Quads

A/AA Displacement Classes B/C Displacement Classes Specialty (age) A/B Classes Specialty (age) C/Women Classes Interested persons should contact the appropriate committee chairman (EnduroChair@FloridaTrailRiders.org, or HSChair@FloridaTrailRiders.org)

James Muntz | Photo by Photoman386

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2025 -2026 FTR Competition Schedule *dates and locations subject to change

FTR’s BOD has voted to transition to a Calendar-Year (January to December) Season. So, for the 2025-2026 season, we will have a ONE-TIME 18-month schedule. After that, we will run from January through December. This was done to comply with AMA promotion rules. The approved preliminary schedule of 15 Hare Scrambles and 13 Enduros.

August 31, 2025 Enduro #1 Litlle Brown Jug Clinton, SC September, 13-14, 2025 HS# 1 DDR Ormond Beach, FL September 28, 2025 Enduro #2 Orange State Croom, FL October 10-11, 2025 HS #2 CFTR Bartow, FL October 25-26, 2025 HS #3 SADRA Bartow, FL November 2, 2025 Enduro #3 Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL November 8-9, 2025 HS #4 Sunrunners Bartow, FL November 23, 2025 Enduro #4 St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL December, 6-7, 2025 HS #5 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL January 3-4, 2026 HS #6 SCTB Brooksville, FL January 17-18, 2026 HS #7 PBTTR Okeechobee, FL Jan/Feb 31-1 2026 HS #8 TCTR Indiantown, FL February 14-15, 2026 HS #9 BSTR Lake Butler, FL March 1, 2026 Enduro #5 Straight Arrow Richloam, FL March 5, 2026 Enduro #6 Alligator Ormond Beach, FL March 14-15, 2026 HS #10 NCTB Dade City, FL April 11-12, 2026 HS #11 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL April 19, 2026 Enduro #7 Armadillo Lake Butler, FL May 31, 2026 Enduro #8 Cherokee Greensboro, GA September 6, 2026 Enduro #9 Little Brown Jug Clinton, SC September 20, 2026 Enduro #10 Diamondback New Augusta, MS September 27, 2026 Enduro #11 Orange State Croom, FL October 10-11, 2026 HS #12 CFTR Bartow, FL October 24-15, 2026 HS #13 SADRA Bartow, FL November 1, 2026 Enduro #12 Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL November 7-8, 2026 HS #14 Sunrunners Bartow, FL November 15, 2026 Enduro #13 St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL November 21-22, 2026 HS #15 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL

AUGUST

2025

Florida Trail Riders Board of Directors Meeting Highlights July 12th, 2025

President’s Report The meeting opened with a reminder that pit riding rules must be strictly enforced—no electric throttle bikes for anyone under 16.

A big thank-you was given to our Safety Crew for their continued hard work, and shoutouts went to several FTR supporters: - Scott Dawson and East Coast Printing for years of generous scholarship support.

- Austin Lasure of Freedom Cleaning Solutions and Ronnie Hames of HDB Graphics for their ongoing contributions to the FTR community.

A prototype of new weather-resistant FTR arrows was presented.

Clubs were reminded that AMA insurance requires endurocross sections to be closed off with solid barriers when not in use.

Vice President’s Report The upcoming 18-month season was a key topic. Clubs are urged to plan ahead and ensure proper staffing for spectator area enforcement, especially armband checks and pit riding. The pit riding rule handout

should be distributed at the main gate. Also, members are encouraged to stay alert for potential new race property opportunities.

Treasurer’s Report FTR's financials are in solid shape.

Notable updates include:

Sarah Redford – FGCU, Nursing Lance Rainey – FAMU, Agricultural Science Peter Churukian – Nova Southeastern, Biology

- Approval of $1,759.79 for Motorola radio service and repair.

Julia Churukian – Broward College, Aeronautical Science

- Purchase of new radios and accessories for $10,739.58 approved by the BOD.

Rylie Howard – LSU, Construction Management

Secretary’s Report Congratulations to our award winners: Pit Mom of the Year: Jessica McAfee Sportsman of the Year: Gage Strong Participation was down this year— look for more promotion next season!

FTR Scholarship This year, 11 applications were received, and five $3,000 scholarships were awarded to standout FTR youth:

Other Key Updates: - The new FTR website is live at FloridaTrailRiders.com (.net and .org also work).

- The RM Race Gas Program is a success and will continue next season.

- FTR has officially secured U.S. trademarks for “Florida Trail Riders” and “FTR”!

- Plans are underway to file for an ISSN number for our magazine.

- All members should review AMA’s updated Roadside Assis-

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tance policy, especially changes to vehicle eligibility and membership requirements.

Recent EC Actions: - Approved Motorola radio repair and replacement costs.

- Appointed Austin Lasure as Peewee Hare Scrambles Race Steward.

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in July, citing its alignment with the off-season and family availability.

Safety/Medical Team Report Donny Richardson confirmed the FTR Safety Team is ready for next season. He emphasized that all club members wearing official shirts must help enforce rules, particularly around pit riding.

Also discussed:

Enduro Chairman’s Report This past season hosted 9 successful enduro events. The MotoTally system continues to perform well.

We now have 15 working scanners and are in the process of building new clock stands.

- Media and photographers must be registered and wear numbered vests on the racecourse.

Hare Scrambles Chairman’s Report Reinforced pit riding concerns— again, no electric throttle bikes for riders under 16. A proposal to allow two work credits per rider for the extended season was debated but ultimately not approved.

- The SxS water tank unit (with firehose) is fully functional and will be present at all HS events.

Business Manager’s Report Discussion was held on the 2027 banquet location—Daytona was ruled out due to higher costs. The board agreed to keep the banquet

- FTR will provide official media vests—thank you to Corey Pierce for the suggestion.

Motions & Proposals Old Business: March 2025 BOD Meeting Minutes – Approved Race Entry Fee Adjustment – Passed (14-3) Race Steward Position Creation –

Passed (Unanimous) Tear-Off Ban Proposal – Failed (6-5) Sunday PM Rider Cash Awards – Passed (15-1) Calendar Year Season Shift (Onetime 18-Month Season) – Passed (Unanimous) New Business: Approved up to $5,000 for sign-up trailer repairs requested by Tim Nordle – Passed (Unanimous)

AUGUST

2025

The Trip That Finally Made It Out of the Group Chat WORDS: KURT LUCAS So this whole North Carolina trip all started last year at the Dade City hare scramble. We were sitting around the campfire, just bench racing and talking nonsense, when somebody threw out the idea of planning a summer riding trip up north.

At first it was just talk, the kind of thing you say after a couple beers, but once the seed was planted it stuck. After way too many group chat arguments about dates, houses, and who was bringing what, we finally locked it down.

Hickory, North Carolina.

Airbnb on a lake. Done deal.

The crew ended up being me, Seth Robbins, Clark Myers, and Dustin Kato.

We piled into Clark’s van, hooked up my trailer, and pointed it north. Poor Josh Tolken had to work the Thursday we left, but that didn’t stop him—he just ripped an all-nighter and drove straight through to meet us. That’s commitment right there.

The drive itself was an adventure. To kill time we decided to run through every single Fast and Furious movie in the van.

Nine movies of nitrous, family speeches, and cars jumping off buildings later, we were half braindead and quoting Dom Toretto like it was gospel.

When we rolled into Hickory, first impressions were… interesting. It’s one of those towns that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. It started as a small town, then kind of got big without anyone realizing it, but still kept that small-town DNA. Everyone seems to know each other, like you can’t walk into a bar or a restaurant without somebody saying hi to half the people in the room.

food and figured we’d check out the nightlife.

That’s when we found Dive Bar. The name says it all. It was dark, loud, cheap drinks, pool tables, and just enough character to feel like home base. We loved it so much we hit it every single night we were in town. But it wasn’t all bar food. One night we cleaned up a little and hit this lakefront spot for dinner. Sitting out there watching the sun go down over the water while eating good food was a nice change of pace from the usual “whatever’s open at midnight” meals we usually end up with on these trips.

First night, we got some

The weather, though, was

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17 lake, and after a full day of beating ourselves up on the bikes, nothing felt better than just jumping in the water to cool down. We’d grill, tell the same stories over and over, and then, of course, end up back at Dive Bar. Hickory nightlife isn’t exactly Vegas, but when you roll in with your crew after riding all day, you make your own fun. And we did.

brutal. We thought escaping Florida would mean a break from the heat, but nope—North Carolina had other plans. It was hot, sticky, and the kind of humid where you’re sweating before you even finish strapping your boots on. By the time we were geared up, it already felt like we’d ridden 20 miles.

Our first riding day was at Brown Mountain, and it set the tone perfectly. Compared to Florida, it felt like another planet. The place is a little more secluded and doesn’t have as many miles of trails as some spots, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality. We hit tight single track that kept you honest, technical uphills that made you work, and some flowy sections where you could finally open it up.

The best part though was when we found these big granite rocks. We climbed up them and when we got to the top, it opened up into this insane view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Everybody killed the bikes, pulled off their helmets, and just

took it in. Moments like that make you realize why you drag yourself and all your gear halfway across the country.

Day two was Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park. Now this place was a whole different animal. We linked up with Alex Lugar and Gavin Simon and decided to jump right onto the enduro trail. Calling it “hard” might be underselling it.

This trail did not mess around. It was nothing but roots, rocks, and climbs that seemed designed specifically to break your spirit. The type of trail where you’re out of breath before you’re even halfway up, and you’re wondering why you signed up for this in the first place. But man, that’s also what made it fun.

Watching your buddies struggle through the same garbage you just fought through never gets old. We were gassed, arms pumped out, and still laughing at the end of it.

Back at the Airbnb, life was good.

We had this place right on the

Looking back, the riding was unreal, but what really made the trip was the crew. Stuffing into Clark’s van with gear bags everywhere, quoting Fast and Furious lines until we hated ourselves, Josh rolling in like a zombie after driving all night, Seth cracking jokes that had us crying, Dustin always down for one more lap. It’s those little things like helping push each other’s bikes up a gnarly climb, roasting each other when someone looped it out, and then sitting at a bar in some random town like we’d lived there for years.

Hickory might not have been on my radar before this trip, but now it’s one of those places that’s burned into memory. Brown Mountain gave us the views, Brushy Mountain gave us the battle scars, Dive Bar gave us the laughs, and that lakefront dinner spot gave us a perfect calm moment in the middle of the chaos. Not bad for a plan that started as campfire talk at Dade City.

One thing’s for sure—we’ll be back.

AUGUST

2025

5 Things to Prepare Your Body Before a Hare Scramble

1. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job Start hydrating two days before the race, not just race morning. Mix in electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to replace what you’ll sweat out. A dry mouth on the starting line usually means it’s already too late.

2. Fuel with Real Food Skip the gas-station junk. The night before, eat clean carbs (rice, pasta, potatoes) with lean protein. Morning of the race, go for something light but lasting — oatmeal, eggs, or a banana with peanut butter. Keep gels or chews on hand for mid-race boosts.

3. Loosen, Don’t Crush It The week leading up isn’t the time for PRs in the gym. Keep workouts light — mobility, stretching, a short spin, maybe some bodyweight work.You want to feel fresh, not sore.

4. Train Your Grip & Core A hare scramble taxes your hands and midsection more than your legs. Farmer carries, planks, and pull-ups all pay dividends. Strong grip = less arm pump.

Strong core = smoother riding and better endurance.

5. Sleep Like a Champion Sounds simple, but it’s the most overlooked. Two solid nights of 7–9 hours before race day help your body recover and stay sharp. A tired brain equals sloppy mistakes on the trail.

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THANK YOU ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV M/C FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF FLORIDA TRAIL RIDERS OVER $100,000 IN RACE GAS GIFT CARDS EACH YEAR!

Photo by Gabriela Gamperl

AUGUST

2025 These Small Muscles Might be the Cause of Your Arm Pump

MOTO

PT

IMPROVE

YOUR MOVE WORDS: DR. MATT DAUGHERTY Orthopedic Physical Therapist and Racer

As an orthopedic physical therapist working with offroad racers, I've seen firsthand how arm pump can derail performance. One often overlooked factor is the tightness of the lumbrical muscles in the hand. A small group of muscles that most racers have never heard of.

These unique and essential muscles play a significant role in fine motor control, and when tight, they can create imbalances that exacerbate arm pump.

Understanding Lumbrical Muscle Anatomy The lumbrical muscles are four small muscles located in the hand originating from the flexor digitorum profundus tendons and inserted into the extensor expansion on the back of the fingers. Unlike almost every other muscle of the body, lumbricals do not attach directly to bones. Instead, they link the flexor and extensor systems, facilitating intricate hand movements by flexing the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and extending the interphalangeal (IP) joints.

For dirt bike and quad racers, the hands are under constant strain from gripping handlebars, clutching, and throttling over prolonged periods. This repetitive gripping shortens the flexor system and, when coupled with tight lumbrical muscles, can lead to imbalances between the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the hand.

The Role of the Lumbricals in Arm Pump Arm pump results from increased pressure and then reduced blood flow within the forearm muscles during intense activity. This leads to pain, swelling, and muscle fatigue, ultimately impairing grip strength and control.

While the focus often lies on the larger flexor muscles, the lumbricals can significantly contribute to this process.

Tight lumbricals disrupt the balance between the flexor and extensor systems by pulling on the extensor expansion, limiting full extension of the fingers and contributing to constant low-level contraction. This places additional stress on the extrinsic flexors (flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus), requiring more effort to maintain grip strength. Over time, this imbalance increases muscular fatigue and forearm compartment pressure, worsening arm pump symptoms.

Signs of Lumbrical Tightness Racers may notice signs of lumbrical tightness through limited finger extension, stiffness in the palm, or discomfort when trying to fully open the hand after pro-

floridatrailriders.com longed gripping. You may feel like your fingers can’t fully extend, particularly after a long race or practice session. Left unaddressed, this can lead to decreased dexterity and further performance limitations.

Addressing Tight Lumbricals to Prevent Arm Pump Stretching and mobilizing the lumbrical muscles can relieve tension, improve hand mobility, and restore balance between the flexor and extensor systems. Here are a few exercises to incorporate into your routine: Lumbrical Stretch – Curl the fingers of the hand you want to stretch, and place those curled fingers into the palm of your other hand. Next, overlap your fingers onto the back of your flexed fingers. Next, extend your MCP joint (knuckles) while keeping your fingers fully flexed. This is tricky so please take a look at the included picture.

Finger Extension Exercises – Use resistance bands or hand extensor trainers to strengthen the extensor muscles and counteract the flexor dominance.

Soft Tissue Mobilization – Massage the palm and base of the fingers to release tension in the lumbricals and surrounding structures.

Grip Variation – Vary your grip during training to engage different muscle groups and avoid overloading specific hand structures.

By addressing lumbrical tightness, racers can improve overall hand function, reduce forearm fatigue, and mitigate the risk of arm pump. This holistic approach targets not just the forearm muscles but the often-neglected lumbrical muscles that contribute to optimal grip strength and endurance. In the competitive world of off-road racing, maintaining peak physical condition in every muscle group counts – including the smallest ones in your hands.

Before acting on any information in this article, I recommend that you consult a physical therapist or physician for a general health and physical activity readiness screening. If you are experiencing pain while riding, it is always beneficial to have a complete evaluation by a physical therapist or physician. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at contact@motopt. com or call/text 904-395-5379. Let's IMPROVE YOUR MOVE so you can ride pain-free with MotoPT. Dr. Matthew Daugherty PT, DPT, OTR/L, MOT, DBA Associate Professor and Director of Residency Programs Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Manual Therapy Certified Intramuscular Dry Needling Certified

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AUGUST

Race tech tip

with Jesse Ansley Summer Bike Refresh: Get Ready for Next Season Summer’s the perfect time to show your dirt bike some love—especially in Florida, where many riders take a break from racing to escape the heat. Whether you’re grinding through the summer or parking it for a bit, here are a few key maintenance tips to get your bike dialed for next season:

Top-End Rebuild

Logging extra hours? Your engine’s likely due for a top-end refresh. A new piston and rings restore compression and power, setting you up for solid performance when racing picks back up.

Bearings Check

Bearings often get overlooked, but they take a beating from dirt and water. Summer’s a great time to inspect and replace them to keep things running smooth and prevent bigger issues down the road.

Suspension Service

Whether you're getting faster, gaining/losing weight, or just need a routine refresh, now’s the time to let your local suspension shop get things dialed while you're off the bike.

New Tires

Still running last season’s rubber? Fresh tires improve traction, handling, and control. In sandy Florida conditions, consider the Dunlop MX34 front or MX14 rear. Not every tire fits every track, so do your homework.

Fresh Look with HBD Graphics

New plastics and HBD graphics can give your bike that factory look. Perfect if you’re switching classes, picking up new sponsors, or just want a clean, updated style.

Take advantage of the summer slowdown to get ahead. A little work now means less stress later—and more time doing what you love: racing.

For over 50 years, TF Racing has been elevating the off-road riding and racing experience for countless enthusiast while building champions on and off the track.

Contact us today for a custom quote

2025

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ALORA Riding Tips with Alex Lugar Hey all, Hope you’ve been enjoying the offseason! The first round is fast approaching, and we’re gearing up for a long season ahead. For this month’s entry, I wanted to go a little more off-bike and talk about race preparation—a crucial piece of having a strong, healthy season.

For many, race prep means tossing in a clean air filter and changing the oil. But in reality, it’s so much more than that.

Racing dirt bikes is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports out there.

Showing up on race day anything less than 100% is a recipe for underperformance—or worse, injury.

Now, there will always be things outside of our control. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything possible to be ready. Race prep boils down to two key areas: the bike and the body. A couple months ago, I wrote about developing a proper training program—if you missed it, I highly recommend going back to read that entry.

Let’s start with the bike.

sprockets, and fresh tires. Then, go through the bike and check every bolt—tighten or torque to spec as needed. Before the first round, it’s smart to tear the bike down and grease all the important parts. That’ll help avoid mid-season issues like bad bearings or seized linkage. From one very unprofessional mechanic to another: it’s not as hard as it sounds! If you’re not confident, take it to someone who is. It’ll save you headaches down the line.

Next, check your suspension. Make sure the seals and fluids are fresh. The last thing you want is a leaky fork seal ruining your brakes—or your race day. Once that’s done, assess the engine. Keep track of hours on your piston, valves, or whatever components your bike runs. It’ll keep you on the track and protect your wallet from major motor failures. I highly recommend keeping a maintenance log with hours and notes on what’s been done.

Body Prep Your body is just as important as your bike. A well-prepped bike is worthless without a rider in top form.

water and add electrolytes throughout the week—especially with how hot the early rounds are. There are a ton of drink mixes out there; I won’t say one is the best, but look for ones low in sugar and high in quality ingredients. I personally use Liquid I.V. and Skratch—they provide quality carbs and calories. A good rule of thumb is one bottle of electrolyte mix for every bottle of water.

Carry that routine into the weekend and race day.

During the race, take in carbs through your CamelBak or bottles. We burn 2,500–3,500 calories during a 2-hour race, so fuel accordingly.

Nutrition Keep it clean throughout the week, but don’t drastically change your diet just for the weekend—your body won’t respond well to surprises.

Avoid fried, processed, or junk food, but don’t feel like you need to live off salads either.

Focus on nutrient-dense, easily digestible meals.

Midweek, I start tapering off high-fiber and dairy-heavy foods to avoid stomach issues on race day. No one wants to need a bathroom break midrace.

Bike Prep Take it from me—get your bike dialed in early. Showing up last-minute scrounging for parts or hoping the bike holds together is a great way to add stress—or wind up with a DNF.

We’ve already talked about what a good training program looks like, so I won’t go deep into that here—but seat time, cross-training, and consistency during the week are key.

Let’s focus on race week prep.

Breakfast (race weekend): eggs, some meat, and a solid carb.

Start simple: clean air filter, fresh oil, tight chain, good

Hydration Start early. Drink plenty of

Lunch: chicken and rice—simple and effective.

My go-to meals:

Dinner: steak, potatoes, and greens. Nothing heavy, and skip the rich sauces or pasta.

On race day, make sure you’re waking up early enough to eat a full breakfast and space out your meals. I aim for at least 2,000 calories before I hit the starting line—between breakfast, protein shakes, granola bars, and lunch. Fuel matters.

Sleep The most overlooked piece of the puzzle. We all love caffeine and late nights, but sleep is crucial. Even if everything else is perfect, poor sleep can wreck your performance. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night during race week—especially if you’re waking up early to travel.

Final Thoughts: None of this works if you only start Friday or Saturday.

A strong race weekend starts Monday. Keep your body on a schedule and stick to it.

Everyone’s a little different, but if you’re anything like I used to be, covering all your bases will make a massive difference in your results.

Can’t wait to see you all at the races! As always, you can find more info and tips at @alexlugaroffroadacademy on social media, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Best of luck, stay safe, and most importantly—have fun.

AUGUST

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THE ARCHIVES Excerpts from the August 1991 issue of the Florida Trail Riders Magazine.

Established 1971

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David Moeller | Photo by Glenn Gardner | 2014 Snake River Hare Scramble

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Jacob Tremain | Photo by Tyler Miller

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Dylan Varn | Photo by Zach Hodges

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