Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I Poem That I Like

I told the Sun that I was glad,
I'm sure I don't know why;
Somehow the pleasant way he had
Of shining in the sky,
Just put a notion in my head
That wouldn't it be fun
If, walking on the hill, I said
"I'm happy" to the Sun.

-John Drinkwater

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Motocross Mayhem

Ten motorcycle tires each just an inch from the elastic rope.

Ten riders watch as the 30-second board is flipped to the 5-second board.

The combined high-pitch wail of ten machines as their riders wait…

Wait…

The elastic rope is gone.

The drag race to the first corner is mayhem.

The race is on…

This weekend, I had the privilege of experiencing this first-hand. I must say: it is addicting. It gives you such an adrenaline rush. It’s so intense. It requires so much focus. It demands so much will power.

Motocross weekend contained four classes: Kiddies, 250cc, Open Class, and Old Farts (age 40+). There were three heats per class. One heat is 3 laps around the 3.8k track (full of burms, jumps, ditches, whoops and even a lake). I was in the 250cc class with nine other riders.

1st Heat:
I only went down once (hehe). Was passed by about 5 or 6 riders, but regained my position and finished 2nd!

2nd Heat:
As I was getting ready to ride to the starting line, I realized that the keys for my motorcycle were gone. Either I had dropped them somewhere or someone had stolen them out of the ignition. Hot-wiring the motorcycle took a while so I started a lap behind. I finished last but still got points for finishing.

3rd Heat:
Somehow, early in the first lap, I got into first place. (I can’t even remember where I passed the guy who was in first-haha). The whole rest of the race, I could hear that determined rider right on my tail, trying to catch up to me and pass me. It scared me to death!!! Somehow, I kept my lead. I FINISHED FIRST!!!

I was so stoked! I got 2nd overall. I got a medal and a certificate.

I can’t wait for the next race (sometime in May)