Personal History
My Name is Jean-Pierre Bernier, but my friends know me as J.P.
I came to riding late in life, not riding a dirt bike until the age of 37!
Initially riding in the woods was a transition from mountain biking, allowing me to explore further, and see more.
Over the past 11 years (now 48!) I went from knowing nothing, and no one, to creating my own local community of riders, and becoming involved in a much larger family through NETRA.
Because of my love of riding, and open personality, I have brought both new riders into the sport, as well as to get people back involved who had not been riding in years! Each year I create routes, and guide riders for the NEAR event. North East Adventure Rally. I love taking the opportunity to show people our local trails, and make new friends. Every year I put thousands of miles on my bike both here in the North East as well as in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.
4 years ago, through one of these friends, I was introduced to racing. My first year of racing, through the NETRA Hare Scramble Series (15 Races), I managed to tie for 1st on points, and take 2nd place in the very competitive C-Senior Class.
For the 2018 Season, I set my sights on the Enduro Series, where not only did I win my C-Senior class, but also took 2nd place in C-Heavy, and after being promoted to B, took 3rd place overall in B-Heavy. 2019 had me finishing 2nd in the Enduro Series, and in 6th place in the Hare Scramble series where I was unable to make more than ½ of the races this season. The rider I battled with for first with is ½ my age!
I am a family man, with a loving, supportive wife, 2 high school aged sons who are both excellent athletes, and a small business owner who enjoys being a part of his small town community by being a member of our local Conservation Commission representing motorsports.
I am also a snow bike and backcountry snowmobiler. I am blessed to again be heading to Alaska this March to ride sleds in the backcountry again.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little more!
Riding Goals
I would love to continue growing within the sport.
It would be amazing if in the next few years I could manage to get my A card!
I would love to get to go ride Baja, the Tour of Idaho, and would also love to start rally racing!
Competitive Highlights
I have placed well in EVERY race I have entered, both in Hare Scrambles and Enduros.
Taken a Hare Scramble series Championship, and multiple 2nd place series finishes in Enduros against riders 1/2 my age.
In New England we have such slick, rocky conditions, that it allows us to become very competitive riders, regardless of the terrain!