[ALUG] Large load average when running dd to a CF card

Hi all, Any ideas why I get large average loads (8.82, 4.20, 1.80) when running dd that copies 2GB of data to a compact disk flash card using a USB disk reader in Fiesty (or whatever it is called)? If I kill dd, the load drops to more sane levels. It just hit 9.9 :( Thanks, Srdjan