With a list of injuries adding up over the last few years. It has been a popular question among the non motorcycle riding family and friends cuircut.
So, for those that dont understand why I chose this path.....
Lets begin with my personality. In most cases I'm a fairly passive individual. I'm usaully quiet and reserved, at least until challenged or provoked. I dont like to fight or even argue. I am however, very competitive!! I'm not verbally expressive though. I dont like to give my competitors
anything to chew on.
I crave physically demanding endurance sports and motocross is it. It is said that motocross is only second to soccer in the world of physically demanding sports.Believe it.. Motocross is challenging, it's tough and it gets my blood pumping like no other! I know because I train, ride and race with a heart rate monitor. I have kept myself in great shape as a result. With the demand that riding motocross has put on my body, It has also driven the need to do complete body workouts. Which consist of weight training, bicycle workouts and a good healthy diet.
Once a competitive distance runner, I have always lived by this quote " A runner is stoic, too slight of stature for direct fighting. If he wins, he wins by attrition, perseverance, by being the first one to finish because he is the last one to quit."
I am an extreme individual in both body and mind. I am very hard on my self. I expect nothing less than perfection. I hold very high standards for myself. Once I decide to do something, I give it everything I've got. I dont quit till it's done... I hate failure. I cant stand it when a person says they cant do something in fear of failure.
Yes, I am a risk taker, there is no doubt about that. Perfect example: I took the Greatest risk in life one could make by joining the Armed forces. I am a Proud Military Veteran who gave a few years of his life to help Protect and Preserve the Rights and Freedoms we have today as American Citizens!
We take a risk in almost everything we do life weather it is eating, drinking, walking, driving, work, playing sports... The list is endless..
Now, I could just sit back, hang out, watch TV,get drunk and eat junk food every day..... Sorry, thats not my style. That in itself is a slow death waiting to happen!
If it wasnt Motorcycles, it would be BMX, Down hill Mountain biking, Skydiving, Rock climbing, Scuba diving, Kayaking down some wild river...Gee, come to think of it, Ive done all but the kayak deal! Thats next!?!?!
I said it before and I'll say it again, I like extremes, it is what keeps my life balanced. I dont smoke, I dont do drugs, and I dont abuse alcohol! I ride a motorcycle to get my high!
Yes, I do have a family. Family always comes first. I take great Pride in my family and the life my wife and I have been able to provide our children and ourselves. We have worked very hard to get what we have. I'm not about to throw that away. My wife and I have always taken the necassary precautions to ensure that we will continue to have the means to survive no matter what happens! I am very fortunate my wife supports my active life style. She understands my needs and and honors them, just I as I do for her and my boys!
When I have the free time, It will be spent riding a motorcycle. I have no intentions of giving it up either! Untill the day comes that we can no longer support such a lifestyle I will continue to ride.
Recently I have sustained a couple of major injuries as a result of racing and riding my motorcycles. There are consequences for taking such a risk, and obviosly I have discovered them. But that does not mean I have to forfeit my desire to ride motorcycles as a result of some bad luck. Oh its dangerous all right. But so is living LIFE! There are lessons to be learned here. Going forward I have to look at where the mistakes have been made and fix them. It's not like the Greek God Zeus threw a thunderbolt from the the sky's above down upon me, to cause me to lose control of my motorcycle and in-flicked bodily harm! Simply put, I listened to my competitive side, rode too hard, got tired, was in over my head and made a costly error. Rather than listen to the rest of my body and slow it down, I pushed myself too far and paid the price. We all take risk in Life. Think how many times you had accidentally, or even taken a chance, and ran a red light while driving your car or truck.
Now consider the consequences.
Lastly, I dont have a death wish, and I certainly dont like getting hurt, believe me. Id much rather be healthy, earning an honest living, waiting for the weekend and looking forward to my next race or ride day! Please, by all means dont lecture me about the risk involved in what I choose to do! I would not do it to you.
No buddy I know wants to live a life full of regret. Should have, would have, could have??? My bucket list already started. I'm not waiting till it's too late. You only get one shot. Make it a good one! Life is too short to worrie about the past, you have got to live for today and plan for tomorrow. Learn from your mistakes and move on. So please stop worrying about my life and get off your butt's, get out there and enjoy your life before its too late!
Open for Practice? Local MX track Links in Northern California