Posted: 9/18/18
In Part 1 of the Axialfest 2018 Skeeno Report, I showed you the sights and sounds of Day 1, or Wednesday, at Axialfest 2018. In Part 2, I recapped my Thursday at Axialfest 2018 where I visited more vendors, saw more people trailing, checked out the Concours builds, and finished the day off with the CKRC Dollar Dash!
This is Part 3 of the Axialfest 2018 Skeeno Report. In this edition, I will be running the Altra Ultra 5K, checking out more vendors and trails, monster trucking, parading, and finishing up with a nighttime trial run. Come see what I saw on Friday at Axialfest 2018.
My morning started off with Mista Tree cooking us breakfast, so I would be fueled up for the Altra Ultra 5K.
Tree had the brilliant idea to reheat the sirloins and have a little steak and eggs for breakfast. It was delicious.
After fueling my belly, I was pumped and ready to run! My servo was upgraded after Axialfest 2017, so I was confident that I could finish this year.
Looks like a pretty good crowd already, and it was only 7:30 a.m.
Even Mr. Cru Jones looked a little sleepy, but he woke up and ran the Altra Ultra 5K, too. Hey, #47, that was my number last year.
Two things I want, a new set of Lone Peaks and a 2018 Altra Ultra 5K FINISHER plaque.
I noticed quite a few runner sporting gators. I took that to mean they were serious.
Question: Should gators be color coordinated or mismatched to stand out? Asking for a friend.
Mr. Hobby Wing aka Swanky Su aka Charlie Sue aka Charlie Suanka was ready to test out his new Hobby Wing brushless setup; totally programmable by Bluetooth, sweet!
A little National Anthem before lighting the lipos!
Ready to go. I think there were 64 of us this year. Are you running the Altra Ultra 5K next year?
Mighty Mike T headed out WAY before me.
That's MTB legend Mike Bier, I mean Mark Weir, in the far lane. He had prior commitments and couldn't attend the whole time at Axialfest 2018, but he made sure he stopped by just to run the Altra Ultra 5K.
It's a bad sign when you have a mechanical before the first turn. I hope they get it sorted and get back out there quickly.
I didn't do much running through the river bed. All the rocks made footing a little sketchy and I didn't want to risk a twisted ankle, so I settled for a quick walk. Also, it's difficult to jog, drive, and take pictures all at the same time.
That's Half Link in the rear. I tried to keep pace with him, but he eventually left me in his dust.
The DWTS Crew set up a little fun log jump obstacle be their campsite. You could crawl it to the right or send it to the left. Best believe I sent it every lap. I wasn't scurred.
This hill was the Widowmaker. It was steep and made you see stars by the time you got to the top, especially once you were over a mile in on your second and third laps.
At least there was some relief after the climb in this downhill section.
There's that dang Half Link again. I thought I was about to catch him here while straw hat man did some trail maintenance.
You had to keep your ears open because there were logging trucks running. You didn't want to run out in front of one of those. Luckily, marshals were on the look out for you and let you know when it was safe to cross the road.
Ben Thomas tried to catch me here in the old waterfall section.
Since I wasn't in contention to podium and was just out to have fun and finish, I decided to take a small detour and drive through the MyTrickRC highway. Glad I didn't get stuck on the broken bridge.
Just as I was finishing the second climb on the Widowmaker, my daughter texted me.
She reminded me to stay hydrated, and not die.
Thanks, Skeeno Jr. I took a moment to take a sip from my water pack.
There's Mr. Chris all awake and running wild.
Hmm, clear dirt, should I play it safe and take the high line?
No, SEND IT!
My Tekin RX8 held up without an issue. Are those waterproof?
Wait, are those scale buildings on the Altra 5K course? I better stop for a picture.
Last lap. I stopped to admire my Bomber snaking through some various obstacles. These Axial RR10 Bombers definitely work well.
I did it! I finished! Thanks to Tristan Judkins for the photo. I ran the whole race with my phone in one hand and the controller in the other; those are the sacrifices I make to bring you the Skeeno Blog.
Heck ya! Got my plaque. That's going on the wall of fame in my garage.
I knocked almost 20 minutes off my time for the last 5K I ran, and the course was really more like a 6.3K.
And I got a Finishing Selfie with Mike Bier!
The 2018 Altra 6.3K finishers! Who won? I guess I'll have to wait for the awards ceremony to find out.
After the Altra 5K, I had some time to check out the trailing and some more vendors. I noticed the REEF's RC guys finally at their spot and got to ask what those cables were for. They told me they were to lock up their rigs when they weren't around, so they didn't drive off on their own, smart!
The trails were pretty packed in the morning.
Even Mr. Tree was out wheeling his Yota.
The Bay Bridge was very busy.
It was a long drive across, but not as scary as the Golden Gate bridge of last year.
Shh, don't wake that camper in the tent.
I can't believe MMA star Jamie Varner is an RC fan.
Getting off the bridge was easy.
These slick rocks are always more tricky than they look.
These two were having a good time on the slick rocks.
More people on the handicapped accessible trail.
This was the start of the handicapped accessible trail.
OG Chino was still rocking his Half Cab and twin sticks. I don't think he even noticed me he was so focused on this section.
Feel the Powa! of the Power Wagon.
Looks like Registration is closed for lunch. #flossanddab
Back at the DWTS camp, Big Country and all his homies were set up and wrenching away.
It's like a sea of RC in there.
Is that a DWTS bumper sticker?
Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers. Enjoy the scenery and appreciate the beauty of the mountains.
As the sun rose to mid afternoon, the temps also rose and people left the trails to try to stay cool. Under this bridge was a good chilling spot.
I was only able to catch a few hardcore drivers out in the heat.
Mr. Tree approves of this 4Runner.
Some of the rocks in this river bed were crazy big.
Smile guys.
I'm not sure if this is an action shot or a flex pose.
He's headed into the Unknown.
Wait a minute, his rig wants to cool off in the river, too.
It must have been refreshing, because this guy jumped in, as well.
This is right about were I got hot and headed back for some more water and a snack.
One thing I learned from our Austrian Axialfesters from a few years back is that they are not used to seeing big trucks on the road. Even Average Joe and the Canucks were impressed with the 37" tires on my trip up to the first Canadian G6. At Axialfest, there are big tires everywhere you turn your head. RPP has big tires.
Rivas's A.T.A.C. 4Runner has pretty big tires.
This FJ40 has big tires.
This YJ has big tires.
This XJ has big tires.
KOH Champ Mr. Scherer definitely has big tires.
The Prairie City SVRA approves of big tires. But, remember to use proper trail etiquette.
I'm not sure where she's riding, but that helmet and elbow pads say, SEND IT!
Hey look, Magnaflow came again and brought some cool stuff for tomorrow night.
I was lucky to spot Axialfest OG Brokenib out on the trail.
He is still running the iconic Blue Bastard.
I wonder if it's still on 6S?
The SPOD crew was following close behind.
Down by the river more people were running the Knights Customs trail.
This trail was popular with the kids.
This Wraith is packed and ready for the long haul.
This little girl was in a hurry. She got a little annoyed when her father took a little too long on an obstacle.
Dude, no cell phones when driving. Don't you know the rules?
Luckily, we were off road, so no tickets this time.
A fellow educator on the trial with his newborn. I had a good time chatting with him and his wife.
LOOK OUT!!!! DINOSAUR!!!!!
These crazy aliens drove by like they weren't even scared.
What the heck? Is that the 1:1 Bomber? You never know what you'll see at Axialfest.
PS The Bomber has big tires.
This guy was brave enough to save the submariners from the Jurassic Mosasaurus.
The Dinosaur patrol is a little late. The Raptors have already escaped.
This was a great looking XJ.
Rage at the River!!! There was quite a party going on by the overpass.
This crew was enjoying the cold tub. I kinda wished I had on my swim trunks. The water looked great.
It's always cool under here with the breeze blowing off the water.
Yoga by the river?
Yup, more cooling off with the kids.
Same idea but a little more controlled for the littles.
I spotted this scale garage next to the road. I loved the scale Ledgestone under the window.
A couple years ago I spotted this teardrop at Axialfest. It was in the initial stages of its build back then.
It was a little more polished now with even more modifications to come. I wonder what it will look like next year.
Those skeletons were still pickin and grinnin.
I didn't notice this scale garage at MyTrickRC when I ran by during the Altra 5K.
Wait a minute, what's this?
The Monster Jam?!?!?!? I almost missed it.
I'm always amazed at how difficult such an easy looking course is. Competition makes the trigger finger get whiskey throttle.
Elio and Pham look pretty serious.
The kids were definitely serious.
The kids love watching the carnage of the Monster Jam.
Photo finish jump!
Time for highest air.
This guy blew his lid off.
Hmmm, cool trophies. I don't know what the classes were, but you can see the winners below.
I swear, I turned around and the parade was just cruising by. I almost missed this, too. There's so much going on at Axialfest. Fun is everywhere!
Is that a mile long Axialfest train? It sure did feel like it. How long is a line with 2,000 people in it?
The Monterrey Bay family was back again. I recognized her pink livery from last year.
At dusk, Tree, Mike, and I set out for a trail run.
I see Mr. Tree back there trying to keep up.
Dang, this day seemed extra long. I woke up extra early to Altra 5K and stayed out late trailing into the Great Unknown. See you in Part 4 of the Axialfest 2018 Skeeno report where we Rock Race and end a great week with the Axialfest 2018 Awards Ceremony and Raffle.
