Personal History
Like many, I grew up riding with my dad. My parents were divorced when I was six years old and I think the only thing he knew what to do with me was to take me motorcycle riding. It was his passion and easily shared with me. In those early days being the princess that I was, I didn't really like getting dirty, much to his dismay, but it didn't take too much time for it to seep into my blood. Riding and being at the track were the only things we wanted to do. If we weren't riding, we were clearing trails, working on bikes, attending our local flat track races or spending countless hours at the local motorcycle shop. Those limited times spent with my father riding are some of my most treasured memories.
As I grew older, I was sidetracked by responsibilities, work, marriage and raising two kids. After 23 years of marriage, we divorced and I suddenly was aware that I had no idea what I was all about. I was free of responsibilities and meeting the needs of my now grown children and husband. Asking myself what was it I used to love and have a passion for. The only thing that came to mind was motorcycles, but I didn't really know where to start. So I enrolled in a motorcycle safety course. Figured I'd get my license and buy a street bike, which I had never ridden before, except for that one time, my father put me on a Yamaha 125 Enduro back in the 70's, when I was about 12, and had me ride it home from the local shop. Stunts like this explain why my mother divorced him! Of course, stunts like this is what made me love him more.
Once I got my license, I was in pursuit of finding the perfect street bike, but was sidetracked by purchasing a Honda CRF230 instead. I'm no longer the princess that cries everytime I get dirty! I'm comfortable and familiar with a dirt bike. Fortunately, I was dating someone that helped me get started in the dirt world and I reached out to my fathers best friend that was still entrenched in the harescramble racing series that he and my father once created. I met with him to watch some of the races, when he started pushing me to enter. I couldn't wrap my head around competing. Everyone else was so fast and capable. I wasn't ready for that, but he encouraged me relentlessly to just ride for fun like "any Sunday" and you'll be fine, you'll learn and get better. I entered my first race shortly after that, scared to death, crying under my goggles at the start. I was nervous, scared out of my mind and thinking of my dad and how proud he would be to see me out there. I so wished he was still standing at the start with his gun held high, firing off to start the race as he did so many times back in the day. Diabetes took him way to early, but I knew he was watching and grinning ear to ear.
To my surprise and inevitable "oh shit" moment, I made the holeshot, but when we came to the woods, I backed off. I didn't know what I was going to do with all these seasoned riders on my tail. I was hooked, the competitive spirit in me thought, maybe I can do this after all. It was the most frightening and exhilarating thing I had ever done. So now, 4 years later and 3 bikes later, I'm wheels deep in it and wouldn't have it any other way.
Riding Goals
My goals for this year is to continue competing in the VCHSS Series with a 1st place finish! I want to improve my finish in the Sumter National Enduro in February 2018 and expand into the GNCC and Gas Sprint Enduro series. I'm participating in the Northeast 24 Hr. Challenge in New Jersey in July 2018 and planning a 1st place finish!
When I'm not racing in these series, I ride numerous Dual Sport events on my Kawasaki KLX250. I have a Suzuki V-Strom that I would like to do more off-road riding with. I have some modifications that need to be done to this bike and looking for some professional training in riding the bigger bike off road.
I've had the opportunity to train with Aaron Stephenson in his Cornerspeed School where I was able to experience a little bit of flat track. Shocked to discover that I was good at it. So much so, thinking that's what I should have been doing all along! I would like to dig a little deeper into that style of riding. Where I will find the time is the question!
Competitive Highlights
Raced several VCHSS races starting in 2013
Finished 4th in the VCHSS in 2016
Finished 3rd in the VCHSS in 2017
Placed 5th in my class in the 2017 Sumter National Enduro