the 5th of the high desert screamer/squash blossom classic was like all the previous years, cold at the start warm at the finish and dusty all around. but the course is still one of the best in New Mexico if not the best. it was my very first mountain bike race and it is still my favorite. when i came in after the end of the first years race i told my dad, "i want to race all 12 races next year". and so that is how it started. since i was the only under 24 rider there i got first by default and that was the best booster to get into any sport to win the first time you really tried it. the course that year and every year is smooth fast and seems to be a lot shorter than they say it is. the beginner loop is one of the most fun trails Ive ever ridden (besides south boundary). it has lots of fast sections with great corners that are hard to loose control on. there are lots of fun jumps too if you are one looking for air. everytime i ride it it gets that much more fun. the second mesa loop is a blast for those that have done dawn til dusk (my self included) you will know most of that part of the course since it takes the same trail for quite a ways. the scenery when you get to the top is always a pleasure. over looking New Mexico country side with a little peak of modern society. but the whole point to this very boring paragraph is that if you want to start racing all togther or have been racing other disciplines this is the best race in New Mexico to start on for sure.