Jubilee Jam Race Report
July 22nd, 2007
I woke up at 9, slpped my alarm clock, donned my uni gear, and headed out to the open road. Went from Pekin to Brimfield, IL, another boring four wheeled ride that lasted 40 minutes or so. We soon started seeing the big brown Jubilee College State Park signs everywhere, which was good, because we really didn’t know how the hell to get there. We found the entrance to the park, and drove down a nice little path lined with pristine trees to the massive improvised car lot. We parked and checked in at the Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association (Hereby called pamba) tent. I talked to some of the bikers, saying this was my first time at Jubilee, keep in mind that I have yet to show my KH24, they all think I’m a mtb’er :D. They told me it was pretty harse but fun, and they told me I’d have to walk some of it (Boy, were they wrong!) They also asked if I was a novice rider, I told them not really, but I don’t think they believed me, because I was not all spandexed out like they were. I then headed to the car and grabbed my steed, a 2007 KH24, still nice and shining with its blue luster. I could literally hear the jaws drop to the floor :D. I mounted up and headed back to registration tent. I could feel the staring eyes on my back. I headed to the starting line, and the bikers let me go to the front of the line to start first. I heard the GO! shout from the guy with the clock, who is the pamba race organizer, Jamie Higgins. I took off at a faster pace than my usual, maybe 9 or 10 mph, and headed down a couple of twisting dry singletrack. Roots slowed my progress but heightened the joy of the ride. I headed down a couple steep descents followed by equally steep ascents, many of which I had to peck up, exhausting me further. I came across the first patrol biker, who kept track of time as well as took pictures. He said something I will not soon forget, “Are you f**king kidding me? Awesome work man! Much respect!” and he snapped a few pictures with a big smile on his face. I let bikers pass me and asked how much longer to go to some of the more experienced riders, they said about 7 miles, crap! I wiped the sweat from my brow and continued on with my riding. I climbed more harsh ascents and went through a couple of 2 foot drops and over some big logs. I saw another of the patrol guys and took a rest to talk with him. I asked him if he’d like to try, and he said that he cound’t because it’d ruin his clipless cleats. Too bad 
could’ve had another convert. I resumed my ride again, and asked how much longer again, the guy told me 4 miles approx. He was right. I went through another set of twisty turning singltrack, and ended up coming to an open patch of the trail, I could tell it was about 11ish, and I pedalled harder so I could relax at the finish line. I came to the last bend, where a cameraman sat, with his camera totally focused on me, ignoring the three bikers near me. Hehe :D. The last bit after that was a 50 degree or so ascent which lasted for 150 feet, ugh. I fell at the last 6 feet, much to my disappointment because I was still showing off for the camera :(. I climbed to the top and mounted again, rode another 200 feet across the finish line and looked at my time, 56 minutes, woot! I completed the 9 mile loop! I recieved uprorious approval from the crowd, giving me the energy boost I needed. Being the natural performer that I am (aka a showoff :D) I still did a couple of tricks for the cameras of the 120+ bikers that were there. Most were simple, like 180s and 180 unispins, 1 foot, backwards riding, etc. But I also pulled off a 6 foot gap off of a picnic table, which was photoed with me in the air, looking good as usual 
To make a long story short, I had fun, got publicity, and had no negative comments the entire day, also, I beat 12 bikers
Austin Little
I don’t know if I’m ready for a 9 mile loop on a 24, even if it were level!
