Let me preface this post by saying … it’s going to be looooooooooooong. So grab a cup of coffee, a soda, a snack or something and sit, read and enjoy. 🙂
Today was Joseph’s first ever dirt bike class. Two years ago, Joseph started talking about dirt bikes and wanting to ride. We said “maybe when you are 9” and well, he’s 9. 🙂 So, off to the races we went.
The day was absolutely and stunningly GORGEOUS. It started off a little gloomy (which would have been fine) and was super hot by noon-ish, but the kids in the class were loving it.
We arrived around 9am (ok, 9:10am) which was “right on time” because it wasn’t to start until 9:30am. There was an expectation that this was a kids-only class, of 3-4 kids. We were greeted by Ike, the owner of 20/20 Racing Academy. Ike and his assistant Carolyn were our teachers, along with a teen motorcross phenom named Nick (who just happens to live less than a mile away from us!).
To start the class (around 10:15 — because the last kid was running late — and actually still wasn’t there until much later) the two boys, Joseph & Alexander (both whom pronounce their WHOLE names) got geared up! Helmets, goggles & appropriate eye covering was required. The boys also had to wear long sleeved shirts, long pants and over-the-ankle boots. You’d think they’d die of heat exhaustion by being covered from head to toe, but I think all that happened was the excitement and anticipation and fun topped the heat. 🙂 I can tell you that I have NEVER, EVER, EVER seen Joseph so excited about something. And so willing to try, try try.
Head size plays a large part in one ability to fit into a helmet. Some were too large. Some were too small.
And some were juuuuuuuuuuuust right.
Carolyn helped Joseph strap on his helmet. It wasn’t simple and he (and Alexander) both needed help.
All put together and Joseph was “one cool dude”
Then it was time for class. Ike started by talking SAFETY.
Dirt bike riding and dirt bike racing IS NOT AN UNSAFE SPORT. Just like Ron can attest, the danger is with everyone else. So, it’s important that YOU learn the safe and defensive way to ride. Ike discussed the T-CLOCK (Tires, controls, lines … other stuff) that each rider should follow PRIOR to riding. These are all things to check on the bike … to ensure they work PROPERLY. 🙂
Tires “T”
Controls
Lines…
Other stuff…
Then it was time to learn to mount the bike and to kick start it. But, there was to be NO mounting without helments and gloves and goggles. None whatsoever. So the boys suited back up…
Mounting the bike ALWAYS happens from the left side. The left. The other left!
And, kickstarting a dirt bike is NOT easy! It took a “zillion” tries to get it started. 🙂
Then, and only then, was it time to ride. 🙂 Can you say giddy with excitement? 🙂 You could feel it and see it just absolutely bouncing off Joseph. His attitude. His patience (a little at odds sometimes). His focus. Everything dirt bike. His interest. It was all there.
The first ride was on a 50cc bike … a “mini-bike” by Joseph’s physical standards. It was REALLY too small for him physically, but it had WAY too much power. After a few instructions, he was told to use the throttle gently and start and stop.
Well, what happened was he held that throttle and did NOT stop. Oops. The instructors ran and got him to let go…. he jumped off and started “leaving” and crying and all the usual “I suck” kind of stuff. Ron and I held a firm line about it and he tried again.
…starting and stopping over and over all the way around the circle.
And that time, he got it. Woohoo! Built that confidence right back up. Ron and I both think the little “error” was helpful though. It REALLY showed Joseph how powerful these little bikes can be.
The next step was to ride by themselves for a bit, around the track.
And then to go faster and start shifting! Yup! Shifting! He has to kick it from 1st to 2nd, then to 3rd and even 4th!
Neither kid got the concept of why they were shifting … despite repeated explanations. But they did it when told and managed to keep the bikes going at the same time. Joseph could shift and down shift rather well on his clutchless bike. 🙂 Ok… later on he could too… without using the clutch on the bike WITH a clutch. Oops. But he did get it!
The next task was to stand. Yikes! According to Ike, most motorcross riders almost never sit on their bikes. They stand. So, it was time to learn. The 50cc bike, however, was sooooooooooooo small that Joseph had a hard time standing on it while hanging on.
Then, they did figure eights and weaved through cones. All, successfully accomplished!
After a lunch break in which I had packed us a wonderful picnic including egg salad, hummus, grapes, apples, pb&j sandwiches, tuna & crackers, and gatorade, water and flavored water to drink, we got back to the fun. By this time, there were in fact three kids (and one adult — a separate and irritating story) participating.
It was time to work on obstacles. What you say? I have to ride a bit over a log? Hunh? Yup! You do! And Joseph did WONDERFULLY! I went into the trees to snap a few in mid “jump”.
By this time, Joseph was dying to try the bigger bike. He seemed undaunted by the fact that it has a clutch. And in reality, the little bike was irritating him because it was so darn LITTLE! So, with Ike’s permission, he was allowed to try. Ike rode behind him to get him started and into 1st gear,
then Joseph was on his own! And he did it! Now, Joseph was beyond thrilled!
Joseph took it upon himself to repeat the figure eights, “cone weaving”, standing, shifting and other practice things on the 80cc bike. I gotta tell ya, he never wanted to get off that bike. He could have ridden all day and through the night if we’d let him. When he did stop, I got to capture the “real” Joseph with his “cool”, well fitting bike.
As the day drew to a close … after 6+ hours of dirt bike riding and instruction, the fathers and sons took a few rides together. Ron, of course, was a natural. Joseph, of course, was ready to race him.
Joseph’s in the lead…
And that was it for the day. Of course, Joseph had a BLAST and we’ve heard nothing but “dirt bike this” and “dirt bike that” since. 🙂 Seems the deal will be that Joseph has to finish his black belt, then his taeKwondo money can go into dirt biking. 😀 He seems game with that too.
Of course, we had to have a class photo … so, from left to right … Alexander on the 50cc bike, Miss Carolyn, Gabriel on the 100cc bike, Ike, Joseph on the 80cc bike.
Money well spent. A day worth having.
If you want to see more photos, they are in the album and start here…
Dirt Bike Album, first photo
