A Beautiful Mess

This whole mess started when I was 5 and my bicycle broke. I remember it vividly as I was in the kitchen asking my mom for a new bike when my dad over heard the conversation and volunteered to buy me a motorcycle. The next weekend we were headed to the local Honda dealer and shortly after that I was sitting on a brand new 1990 Honda Z 50. I rode that bike everyday after school and soon going around the pine trees in the front yard was just not enough. My father was a farmer and thankfully for me a motorcycle enthusiast that built me a little pee wee track on the farm. As time progressed so did my little pee track that turned into a full blown motocross track that most kids would envy. Soon my father starting riding with me and before you knew it we were both racing and having the time of our lives. Living on a farm has its advantages for a young boy who loves to ride. I was never surround by the city lights only open land and acres of possibilities. Every week the whole family would pack into the camper and go racing. I can remember dreaming of being the next “McGrath” and riding till the sun went down with my dad and cousin Gannon. Every summer my family would take a vacation to an outdoor national like Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, etc…. Racing was my life and it brought us as a family closer and gave my father and I something we both enjoyed. After eight years of racing and too many broken arms it was time to move on. I just turned sixteen had wheels under my feet and suddenly girls where on my mind instead of checkered flags. I still follow the sport just as closely as I did when I raced. The passion I have for the sport of motocross and supercross has giving me something to look forward to as each new season brings a new challenge. This passed weekend at the Jacksonville supercross I was able to meet my hero Carmichael and chat with Windham and Reynard for a bit. I was in a hotel full of riders, mechanics and managers and to them this just another weekend at the track but to me it was so much more. I’m a fan at best and hopefully my son will be a fan and we can start this whole mess over again.