TSC Round 5 at 3 Palms MX

Round 5 of the TSC is headed to 3 Palms in Conroe, and this is the one everyone has been circling on the calendar. It is the final regular round for the South Texas region, so the pressure is definitely on to secure those last few points. Being right there in the Houston area, it always draws a massive gate. We are running the Main Track, which is the big, open layout that most people associate with this facility.

The dirt is that classic Texas river bottom mix. It is heavy on the sand, meaning it gets rough and stays rough throughout the day. When the crew gets it wet, it develops those deep ruts that can swallow a front wheel if you are not careful. The layout itself is built for speed. It has wide lanes and big jumps that give you plenty of room to move around, but you have to be smart about your lines once the track breaks down and the square edge bumps start showing up.

If Kyle Swanson was standing on the side of the track during practice, he would be watching our foot position in the ruts. He always preaches about staying balanced and not getting lazy when the track gets technical. He would want us looking two turns ahead to make sure we are not just reacting to the bumps. At a place like 3 Palms, he would emphasize keeping the bike in the meat of the powerband so we can clear those big tabletops even when the dirt gets soft and slow.

This round is for the guys who are not afraid to work. If you are chasing a championship or just want to see where you stack up against the fastest riders in the region, you have to show up. Before you head out, double check your sprocket bolts and make sure your suspension is dialed for high speed chop. It is going to be a long weekend under the sun, so bring plenty of water and maybe a spare set of tires if you are picky about your edge. It is going to be a battle to the finish.