Over Memorial Day weekend, my wife Alice and I went to the 45th Kinetic Grand Championship in Arcata-Eureka-Ferndale.
There were about 25 entrants in human-powered vehicles of every description. The race covers 42 miles over sand dunes, city streets and Humboldt Bay, and riders have to carry all that they will need for the various challenges each terrain offers.
We were fortunate to run into Redding’s Dave Palin, who was pedaling for six-time race winner Dead Ant. He gave us some tips about where we might best view the race. I decided to group the pictures showing vehicles and riders over the course of the three days, from the sunny shiny start in Arcata city plaza to the rain-soaked third day as the racers neared the finish line in Ferndale.
Everyone seemed to have a great time, and all of the racers are to be complimented for their creativity, sportsmanship and determination. The race is held on Memorial Day weekend each year, so mark you calendars for next year if you’d like to check it out.
Banana Split earns style points. . .
. . .as does The Shoe
First-day leader Visualize Whirled Peas successfully navigates 100-foot Deadman’s Drop
Visualize Whirled Peas riding high
Driving rain no problem. . .
Six-time winner Dead Ant leaves Arcata Plaza legs up.
Dead Ant theme song, from Pink Panther: “Dead ant, dead ant, dead ant, dead ant-dead ant, dead ant, dead aaaant, dead ant. . .”
Redding’s Dave Palin riding shotgun for Dead Ant
Fire-breathing Dragon
(One spectator seen using dragon breath to toast marshmallow)
Water taxi cruises while sea horse is in trouble. . .
Athlete’s Foot rounds corner in Oldtown Eureka
These kids sure had a lot fun trying to tunnel underneath my chair!
Box seat at Deadman’s Drop
