A day with Jason Raines in Travelers Rest, South Carolina

The family was calling last weekend. My wife had planned a surprise birthday party for her sister near Atlanta for the last 10 months and I had to miss the closest National Enduro to my house, the one in Fluvanna, Texas. I was bummed. No ifs or but, I had to go to the east coast. The good thing was that I talked to Jason Raines about his Full Circle Training School and realized that I was “only” going to be 2 hours from his place in Travelers Rest, SC. I set up an appointment to spend a day with the Yamaha factory pilot and thought writing a story was going to be a good idea to promote his business and to see Am-Pro Yamaha/Randy Hawkins facility.I left bright and early for my trip on Hwy 85 North towards South Carolina. Jason met me at a local store to drive me further to the famous shop of Randy Hawkins. I had a picture in my mind after seeing the movie Time to Ride several times. I expected it to be in the middle of nowhere, but to my surprise it was less then a mile from the main road. Jason told me that the shop was very quite at the moment and no other riders were present to train or hang out. At times more then a handful of riders can be found at Randy’s place to prepare for the upcoming season.
After a quick tour of the shop, shaking (dirty) hands with Dale Stegall and fixing a flat tire on Jason’s road racing bike, we walked over to the building next door that was converted into a nice gym. Here is where Jason spends lots of time in the off season and 3 mornings during the season. Here is where Jason told me the in and outs of his Full Circle Training School. Once you sign up Jason will assist you with getting lodging needed for the two or three day training school. Once you arrive, he will talk to all participates (maximum 4) and gets an idea on their skill level, how often they practice, workout habits and the goals they have. After this he will take the students to the gym with lots of workout equipment and free weight. Jason: “Some people say they work out several times a week, but compare to what I feel is needed to be in shape, they realize that their workout intensity was not high enough”. In the Full Circle Training School class they will work out for a total of 2 hours every day and Jason will show them all he knows about being in the best shape you need to be for a three hour race or Enduro. He believes that nobody can be in shape to go a 100% for a three hour Hare Scramble and therefore he teaches you also the mental aspect of fatigue. 

Jason and I have now spend about 90-120 minutes in the gym, mind you that I did not work out (I came up with the excuse that my luggage was complete full with my kids toys) and that we were now ready for lunch. From the gym we drove about 1 mile to his house where I met his dad Darrell (mechanic of Jason), his wife Emily and his daughter Prestin. Lunch was already on the table and I was starving from not working out.

After lunch we loaded his practice bike up on his F250 pick up truck and headed for Randy Hawkins ‘ parents business to ship a package. From there he showed me the work shop were the Yamaha Am-Pro transportation rig(s) are stored and maintained. Jason and his dad are the drivers of the Yamaha GNCC rig and are responsible for setting up and braking down before and after the race the. Jason rolled into this function when he was hurt a few years ago. The “old” NASCAR like 18 wheeler was parked on the side to reduce overhead.   

After this we drove a few minute to the training area where Jason normally practice in the afternoon and here the where the hands on part of the training school happens. During class will take a look at every body’s bikes and will give advise about bike setup. He will look at your sag, suspension setting and handlebar/lever position. He showed me around the practice area which is very diversified with a motocross track, Endurocross section, hill climbs, woods and rutted turns.  

If you have seen Time to Ride, you should remember the hill that Shane Watts and friends are fighting with; this will give you an idea of the riding area. Jason will teach you how to go over small and big logs. “Many riders asked me why they should practice a log crossing if they never encounter this in a GNCC race. I tell them that if you can cross a big log you will master good riding skills that will cross over into other obstacles”, Raines stated. Beside logs, he will have you do some rocks, hill climbs, down hills, turns and work on proper body positioning. By the time you’re done with his 2 or 3 day course you will be a better rider. No doubt in my mind. Jason has the knowledge and disposition of a good teacher and if you are open for some criticism you will not be sorry you made the trip to Travelers Rest, SC. At least I didn’t and I didn’t even ride a bike.

The day came to an end with a great Italian dinner and before I knew it I was back on my way to Georgia to join my family once again. It was time to start thinking of packing my bags and return to Colorado the next day.

Erik Nijkamp      

More info www.jasonrainesfullcircletraining.com

Side notes:

-Jason slept on the couch at Randy Hawkins workshop on and of for 2 years before he decide to move to South Carolina permanently

-Jason is very close to his dad. Darrell Raines raised his only son Jason practically on his own and now also move to SC to be his mechanic. Darrell temporarily stays at a guest house on Hawkins’ property.

-Randy Hawkins has plans to turn his Union SC property into a permanent off road facility like the Millsaps is to Motocross.

-Australian 4 day Enduro Overall winner Chris Hollis stayed at the SC earlier late last year to prepare himself for the season.