Personal History
43 year old dad of two boy’s 12 and 14 yrs old (both just started riding YZ 85’s and loving it)! Started riding when I was 12 years old and raced during high school in Anchorage, AK back in the 80’s – started on a 74 YZ 80 and then moved up to a 82 YZ 125. Moved after high school back to California and bought an RM 250 – rode for a few years and met wife. Motocross was retired for a period of time, would go out to a buddies house and ride from time to time but hadn’t owned a bike until last year when one of my friends sold his 2006 RM-450 – would just go out to ride from time to time at my friends house where he’s got a motocross track. Then after ski season I joined Over the Hill Gang – Sierra chapter motocross club. Sense then I’ve been riding each and every race in the bay area and central valley. Started out hauling my bike on the back of My Ford Exhibition with a single bike carrier. My boy’s had been trying out little Honda 70’s and liked dad was riding, the kids quickly outgrew the abilities of the little 70 – 3 speed auto so out came the wallet, found two YZ 85 bikes and cleaned them up, put new exhaust system on the 2007 bike (the other had already been done). New tires, chain’s, sprockets etc… and we now have three bikes. Next issue was getting bikes from A to Z, went out and purchased a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer (white, lots of room for stickers!). Then last weekend after about a month of searching also purchased a Toy Hauler – Sandstorm - 23 feet of sticker space. Found myself spending nights at hotels because would need to spend night, figured could use the money from having to eat out and hotels and apply it towards a toy hauler. Kids are happy and loving it and we are now a traveling motocross crew!
Riding Goals
Goals:
Already accomplished one goal, after 2nd race was bumped from Beginner class up to the +38 Novice class - much more competitive.
Next goals:
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Start finishing consistently in the top 5 of our group.
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Another goal is to practice at min. once per week if not twice and race twice each month (even during the dead of summer)!
Competitive Highlights
Back in my youth – was racing once a week in Anchorage, AK – during one moto was leading the pack and was flying around a corner, hit a smaller jump which then lead up to a big hill. If you launch off the bigger 2nd jump the rider would end up in the lake as at the bottom of the hill was a sharp turn which then lead back up the hill. When I cleared the first jump I cased pretty hard on the second jump and my right foot got knocked off the peg. By time I got onto the rear break and front break I was at the top of the second jump. As I was applying the break it caused the big to lunge forward and landed on me which knocked me out cold and broke my collarbone. After a night in the hospital I was flown home from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Of course when I came to first words out of my mouth per my friend Ed was “Is my bike ok”?
Last month at my second motocross race after about 20+ years of not racing they had me riding in the 38+ beg. class – I took the hole shot and rode well, all the practicing is paying off – according to my son I cleaned house, closest rider behind me was about 10 to 15 seconds. After that race I was informed I have been bumped up to Novice. Which of course they hadn’t raced yet so I went right back out and raced another 6 laps – still hot and sweaty from my first moto when everyone was fresh and rested… didn’t get a hole shot and finished towards the back of the pack but had so much fun – it’s such a rush lining up bars to bars and everyone heading for the corner knowing you can either come out of that corner screaming or possibly in a pile up.
Always looking forward to the next race – visit the club web site at least once a day if not more! What a great group - can't say enough about "Over the Hill Gang" never thought I would be so involved - 110% into Motocross and will be until I die!