Updates from Javier Bustamante

US Army Reserves Here I Come!!!!!!!!

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:18:17 GMT

That's right folks!! As of February 10, 2009, I enlisited into the United States Army Reserve!!

I have contemplated returning to the military for awhile and after speaking with a recruiter, I signed up and was sworn in 2/10/09.

No, it's not the Marine Corps but due to my full right arm sleeve tattoo, they didn't want anything to do with me. Oh well, I still love the Marine Corps. They taught me alot and made me the person I am today.

My family and friends have been very supportive and I would like to thank them as well as SSGT. Durham of the USAR Recruiting Station, Fremont, CA.

SSGT Durham pointed me in the right direction and unlike most recruiters, he didn't lie or tell me anything I couldn't verify.

My '09 season has been cut short yet again. Lucki...

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:50:05 GMT

My '09 season has been cut short yet again. Luckily, this year it will not be due to injury. I am an Army Reservist and we are currently getting ready deploy to the Middle East. My training and current change in work schedule has left me no choice but to ride when I can and unable to attend races.

My 2008 Race Season: OVER

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:10:33 GMT

Yes, that’s right!!! On Saturday, June 14th, 2008, I broke my collarbone up at Northstar. I had been hitting Livewire and clearing it all and throwing down some whips when a few guys I was riding with decided to hit Boondocks.es, that's right!!! On Saturday, June 14th, 2008, I broke my collarbone up at Northstar. I had been hitting Livewire and clearing it all and throwing down some whips when a few guys I was riding with decided to hit Boondocks.

I came into Boondocks with a lot of confidence since I had gotten my Intense SOCOM tuned right and I was feeling comfortable on it.

I came into the trail pretty darn fast and was doing well until I hit, what the EMT's called, Big Daddy. I came in too fast, hit the lip, landed and got squirrelly. I realized this and bailed but flipped over the bars, landed on my right forearm and that's when I hear the loud "pop." I proceeded to use my right side of my body to cushion my fall on the rocks that are strewn about Northstar.

After a painful ride down in an EMT truck, I was unceremounouisly dumped off at my truck and I was able to tolerate the 1.5 hour drive home with some help from Mr. Vicotin.

Emergency room x-rays revealed it was a fractured clavicle and so on. I received a shot of something and it blew Vicotin outta the water!!!

Today, I saw Dr. Wall over in Orthopedics. He put me in a figure 8 brace and prescribed more norco. His prognosis is 3 months!!!!! 3 f'ng months!!!!! His reasoning is that he wants me to be 100% and not reinjure the collarbone and have to have surgery.

Well, that's my story!!! I was all stoked about reppin' EVOMO, 661, SDG, Intense, ODI and Maxxis in late August while on my 7 day Whistler trip but that's a no go.I

Officer Down, 12/19/07

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:30:04 GMT

Today, 12/19/07, marks another dark day in the history of my department. My friend, Detective Vu Nguyen, was shot and killed by a suspicious subject during a foot pursuit. I learned he had been shot when I arrived at the station today and was getting ready for regular patrol duties.

He will be missed by his friends, family and coworkers. I remember him as a smart, hard worker, always willing to help you no matter what.

You can view further information at sacsheriff.com

What The Heck?! Part II

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:44:52 GMT

This is just a brief overview of the disease. If you would like more information please go to :

scleroderma.org

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Scleroderma is not contagious, it is not infectious, it is not cancerous or malignant.

The diagnostic process may require consultation with rheumatologists (arthritis specialists), and/or dermatologists (skin specialists) and require blood studies and numerous other specialized tests depending upon which organs are affected.

There are an estimated 300,000 people in the United States who have scleroderma, about one third of whom have the systemic form of scleroderma. Since scleroderma presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, diagnosis is difficult and there may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases as well.

At the present time, there is no cure for scleroderma, but there are many treatments available.

What The Heck?!

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:33:31 GMT

This blog entry is in response to a few grumbles that I’ve overheard about me racing sport class downhill and winning my races.

THIS IS NOT A “WHOA IS ME” ENTRY, NOR IS THIS AN EXCUSE. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD EXPLAIN WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.

**I apologize in advance if this is long. I want to put as much information into this blog entry.

2005: After entering a few downhill races and podiuming, I figured I would give racing a go for the 2006 season.

At the end of the 2005 season, I started noticing that my hands were very stiff and hurt so much that it kept me up at night.

I figured I had carpel tunnel syndrome but I just soldiered on and attempted to ignore it.

2006: I had high hopes for the ’06 downhill race season. I was getting support from several sponsors and my family.

I found that my hands as well as all my joints were very stiff and hurt so much that there were days when it hurt to walk.

I couldn’t train as my hands hurt and I had crashed a few times because my hands would not open and I could not apply the brakes.

I grumbled all the way to the doctor’s office. The doctor initially thought I had carpel tunnel syndrome. A few more tests and a specialist later revealed that I did not have carpel tunnel syndrome.

More tests…and in June of 2006, just a month shy of my 30^th birthday, I was diagnosed with scleroderma.

I was devastated. I was alone in the doctor’s office and was told that I have a disease that is life threatening and that THERE IS NO CURE.

I was prescribed methotrexate. This is a chemotherapy drug. Yes, a chemo drug.

At the time, I was approximately 190lbs, with an average body fat of 5-7%. I lost 15lbs but I still kept the body fat percentage, as I was able to ride my road bike and run.

At the end of the season, I was ready to sell my bikes. I was going to give up but I put my trust in the treatment and support of my family.

I only raced 4 times and each was torture. I had bumped up to expert class and could not keep the pace like an expert should.

2007: I had been taking my medications for several months and at the beginning of the season, I began to train hard.

I put my miles in on my road and trail bike. As I said above, I was 15lbs lighter and on the bike, I felt it immediately. I felt faster on pedal sections, I actually loved climbing on my road and trail bikes.

I saw immediate improvements in my downhill riding. While on the bike, I was able to move around and adjust position more, pedal out of turns harder and faster and I wasn’t carrying the extra weight so I was able to skip across rock gardens instead of plowing through them.

My hands still hurt but the pain was manageable as I learned how to live with it and the treatment I was receiving.

So far the 2007 season has been good. My confidence is back and I’ve placed first in every race I’ve attended except for one. I picked the wrong line in my race run and crashed, putting me in fifth but I was still on the podium.

The 2007 season is almost over but I have high hopes for 2008. I am very confident that I will see even more improvements in 2008.

I have decided that I will step up to expert class and even though I know it won’t be easy, it will be fun and that’s really what this whole thing is all about.

2007 GSXR 600

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:30:44 GMT

Last weekend, Saturday, I picked up my brand new, all black, Suzuki GSXR 600 or as everyone dubs them "Gixxers".

I rode dirt bikes since I was about 7 or 8 years old and stopped riding because I had joined the Marine Corps at 18.

About a month ago, I decided I wanted a sport bike and started checking them out. I never told my wife and pretty much kept it to myself. After I decided on the Gixxer, I just had to decide on a 600 or 750. Since I haven't really ridden anything but bicycles for the past 14 years, I figured a 600 would be enough for me...not too mention the 750 doesn't come in all black.

The current mods to the bike are merely cosmetic at this time as I am getting used to riding a motorcyle again. They include a Competition Werks rear fender eliminator kit, a Progrip tank pad and Shogun frame sliders.

In the works is a CarbonFiber Works rear hugger, chainguide and heel guards. After I get those put on then the Yoshimura pipe and ECM will be installed.

Cougar Mountain Classic

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 09:20:47 GMT

July 7th, 2007:

I race the Cougar Mountain Classic DH race at Infineon Raceway Sonoma, CA.

The course wasn't hugely technical but it was fun. There were better berms and jumps, along with a little bit of rerouting. The doubles and whoops at the end were awesome!

Compared to last year's race (Nationals) at Infineon Raceway, this course made last years course look even worse. I hope they keep it up for next year.

I placed 1st in sport DH Men's 30-34.

Northstar June 29th - July 1st

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 23:41:25 GMT

June 29th: Opening day for Northstar. After a year layoff, Northstar finally reopened the mountain to bikes.

Along with my buddy, Robert Grappo, we managed to make it up on the opening day of Northstar. It was a good day and there were a few changes to some familiar trails. After the obligatory warm up run, we got over the newness of Northstar and rode our brains out.

Robert crashed, his bike stopped shifting correctly and he flatted. Luckily this all came at the end of the day so we cleaned up and headed back to Roseville to fix his bike.

June 30th: My wife and I drove back up to Northstar as we planned on staying the night in the village. All went smoothly and the riding was good. Robert and I went about riding the race course and trying to find the quickest lines. There were no 'super secret' fast lines and I worked on my cornering and staying smooth.

July 1st: Race day! After shaking off the alcohol induced fog from the night before, Robert and I registered for the race and went up the mountain. We both got a few warm up runs before race time.

The race went smooth for me as I tried to stay loose, kept breathing and concentrated. I know I could have had a better run. I turned in a 5:14 race time which was good for a 1st place finish in my class.

I have already registered for my next race, which is the Cougar Mountain Classic held at Infineon Raceway Sonoma, CA. July 6th - July 8th.

CHDH Race #1 & #2

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 22:38:50 GMT

April 22, 2007: This was the 1st Corral Hollow Dowhill Race. The course was tacky and fast. It had a few pedal sections and a super fast G-out that got riders up into the mid 40 mph range coming down it.

I placed 1st for race #1. I felt good and my only fall came in practice trying a new line right out of the start gate. My speed on the G-out was 44mph. The winning speed was 47mph.

June 10, 2007: This was the 2nd Corral Hollow Downhill Race. The start of the course was the same but it was changed a bit after the nice rocky section. There was a sweeping off camber left turn before a double, a few more bermed sections and the G-out had a differant line.

I placed 5th for race #2. I felt good during practice and decided to change my game plan at the start gate. I tried a differant line (same line I had crashed on race #1 practice) and slammed hard.

I quickly got up and jumped on my bike. I knew I had hit hard but I kept going. When I got to the finish, I realized that both forearms and the inside of my right arm had some pretty cool road rash and my hip had a nice, big bruise. That's when the pain set in.

Oh well, you can't win them all but at least I never quit and I podiumed.

Corral Hollow Downhill Race #3 is September 9th. I can't wait!!

2007 Sponsors

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:29:47 GMT

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A HUGE THANKS TO MY 2007 SPONSORS!!

Crank Brothers Pedals: Innovative, simple and awesome!

Freestyle Watches: Awesome watches that can take a beating!

Gamut Chainguides: These guys rule! Chainguide is easy to set up, is light and runs smooth!

Maxxis Tires: Not much to say about their tires as they have been around a long time. Let their kick ass reputation speak for it's self!!

Morewood Bikes: Sick wicked folks to deal with, light and stiff frames and great customer service!!

ODI Grips: The industry leader when it comes to grips. Period. End of story, no questions asked.

SDG: Super light, durable and easy to adjust I-Beam seats. Should be an industry standard. So easy, a caveman could do it.

SixSixOne: Great body armor, gloves and assorted riding gear for mountain biking and motocross.

Sun Ringle': Light, strong and reliable wheels.

Utopia Optics: Sick goggles and sunglasses.

2007 DH Race Schedule

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:18:01 GMT

For 2007, my current Downhill race schedule will consist of 8 local races:

Corral Hollow DH 3 race series in Livermore, CA

1) April 21-22, 2007

2) June 9-10, 2007

3) Sept 8-9, 2007

Northstar At Tahoe, CA

1) July 1, 2007

2) July 29, 2007

3) August 19, 2007

4) Sept 9, 2007

5) Sept 23, 2007

Officer Down, 10/27/06

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 16:41:10 GMT

I awoke in the early hours of the morning on 10/27/06 to a phone call from a close friend telling me a fellow deputy had been shot in the line of duty. When I arrived at work and got ready for normal patrol duty I was told that Deputy Mitchell had been shot and killed.

My prayers and thoughts go out to his wife and son.

This was taken from the press release on my agency's website, sacsheriff.com

At 3:27 a.m. this morning (Friday, 10/27/06), a Sacramento Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the South Bureau conducted a vehicle stop at Meiss and Dillard Roads on a white Chevrolet van with one occupant.

Approximately seven minutes later, the Sheriff’s Communications Center conducted a welfare check on the officer, without a response units responded to his location.

The initial responding unit arrived at the location approximately 20 minutes later and found the Deputy with a gunshot wound to his head. At that point, officers requested emergency medical aid for the Deputy and initiated a large perimeter to begin conducting a search of the area. The Deputy was transported to the UC Davis Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 4:45 a.m. as a result of his injuries.

Currently, an ongoing extensive search of the surrounding area and the southern part of Sacramento County is being conducted by multiple agencies including the California Highway Patrol, Sacramento Police, Elk Grove Police, Folsom Police, Rancho Cordova Police, Amador County Sheriff’s Office and numerous other law enforcement agencies.

As a season pass holder, I received a letter from ...

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

As a season pass holder, I received a letter from the general manager of Northstar at Tahoe. It basically stated that the lifts and the mountain will be closed for the 2006 mountain bike season confirming the widespread e-rumors going around. The letter further stated that this was only temporary and will reopen for the 2007 mountain bike season. With Northstar closed for the 2006 mountain bike season, it took a local riding spot from us as well as a local downhill race series. I planned to purchase a season pass, as always, and compete in the local downhill series. The 2007 season holds some promise and I will be one of the first in line on opening day to purchase my season pass.

Northstar at Tahoe

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

As a season pass holder, I received a letter from the general manager of Northstar at Tahoe. The letter stated that the lifts and the mountain will be closed due to construction for the 2006 mountain bike season. This confirmed the widespread e-rumors going around. The letter further stated that this was only temporary and will reopen for the 2007 season. With Northstar closing down for 2006, it took a local riding spot from us and a local downhill race series. I planned to purchase a season pass, as always, and compete in the local downhill series. The 2007 season holds some promise and I will be one of the first in line on opening day to purchase my season pass.

Cougar Mtn Classic 2/Nationals

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

I was able to qualify and attend this year`s Nationals at Infineon Raceway Sonoma, CA. At Friday`s practice, I put in as many runs as I possibly could. Lines were ever changing and there were a couple of corners I thought I could work on. Saturday, race day, I only did two practice runs and then waited at the top for my race run. Race run finally came and I felt pretty smooth but I could have been faster. I kept the bike upright and had no crashes so the day went well. I placed 6th, missing the podium by tenths of a second.

Bigfoot Classic

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This was my first experience with Team Bigfoot. They put on a great race and had great attitudes. Everyone from the people working on the course to the people BBQ`n the free burgers were super nice. The course was loose and dusty (think Northstar w/out the rocks)and kept you thinking about what was next. I placed 4th in the 30-39 expert class and am happy with the results. I really enjoyed the race and hats off to the Bigfoot crew!!

Sea Otter Classic

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The Sea Otter Classic was a great experience. This was my first experience at riding a big venue. I raced the Expert DH 30-34 year old class. I placed 24th out of 40 riders. Some people say that isn`t too bad considering the conditions and the fact that is was my first expert race. Me? I felt like I could have done better. The course didn`t call for a full on DH bike and I suffered on my Turner DHR. This course was more for a 6" travel bike. The course was muddy, windy and rainy but I had alot fun regardless of my placing. I have never really ridden in mud and the course was definately full of it. I met alot of great riders, whether they were the elite pros or beginners. I will definately be back next year.

Corral Hollow DH

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This was the first race of the season. I raced 19-34 Men Sport and came in 5th with a time of 2min, 2 sec. This race was a great warm up for the upcoming Sea Otter Classic where I will be racing in the expert class. I definately will be back next year. The CHDH was a great race with an awesome course. The promotors (rideSFO.com) did a great job for their first attempt.