Competitive Edge Racing!

 

 We have arrived!

I did it! I took the boys to the motocross track for practice! This was a huge event for me. Tom has been dying to practice on a real track. He desperately wants to race and the first step is getting to a real track and getting used to riding high speed with people around. I did not want to go. I don't know anything about racing or dirt bikes. I know about desert, hiking, parks, theaters, and such. So I was terrified about going to this track. About what? I'm terrified about being in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing, and people thinking I'm a fool. I know. But my boys aren't like that at all. Tom knew all about the track. He knew all the rules and regulations, how much it would cost, and how to get there. He's been riding around our area a lot and knows how to ride. And going on a weekday will limit how many people would be there with us and make it easier to start. My last hurdle was getting the bikes into the truck. I told them we couldn't go until they could get the bikes and gear in and out of the truck on their own. So they did. Twice. No more excuses. We were supposed to go last week but the bike broke down and it took time for the parts to come. But it was ready today!

I woke them up at 6am, as requested. Jake rolled over, saw the bit of light in the east and got in the shower to wake up. They had breakfast, loaded the bikes and gear, and were ready to leave at 9am. I reminded them that I was very nervous about this and that we needed to make this day as low key as possible. To me that means “Please don't argue with me if I'm uncomfortable.” It's usually where we have battles. I've tried a lot over the last 13 years to really think about what I'm uncomfortable about, or what is really making me nervous, and I'm a lot better than I used to be. But some things put me on edge and sometimes we just need to help Mom feel safe for a minute. They are the BEST at helping me! I could see a scenario coming up today and it would go like this, “I'm going over to this track!” and “I'm going to that track!” from each of them and they go in separate directions. This happened A LOT when they were little! I'd have to leave one behind. Ahh!! By the way, that didn't happen.

So we headed off across the desert to Hesperia! The guy at the gate was awesome. I told him we hadn't done this before and asked if there was anything we needed to know. He told us what tracks were best and when. He also told us we would be hooked and always want to be there. He was right. Tom rolled down his window and started asking him about the tracks. Tom directed me to the track we needed to go to because he had been looking at the maps of the place for weeks.

 

Ready to ride! Yes, we must have the camera on the very first ride.

 

Jake's looking pretty nervous.

When we got to the track, the boys unloaded the bikes and got their gear on. They were both shaking, they were so excited. The guy came by and opened the gate to the small track and watered it for us. He told us to practice there and then move up to the bigger track when we felt comfortable. Best part? He talked directly to the boys. That doesn't happen in many places and it always makes me happy to see someone talk to them about things they are doing instead of giving the instructions to me (the adult that has no interest and no idea what you're talking about).

 

Tom looking pretty satisfied with himself.

 

Jake needs to have some video of his ride too!

 

The smaller "Pit Bike" track.

They rode for three hours and probably could have stayed longer, but we were hungry. Jake was amazing. He has a small bike and doesn't go very fast, but he's always aware of other riders and makes it easy for them to pass. He was jumping the hills so much better by the time we left. Tom had a great time. He found it a lot harder to do than he thought it would be but he was racing a lot better and taking corners a lot faster after a few hours of practice.

 

Tom using every last bit of energy to get his gear off and loaded.

Note to self: save a bit for the load up at the end of the day. 

 

Jake lovingly putting away his precious helmet.

They were exhausted, but they got the gear packed away, and the bike loaded and tied down without a single battle. It was amazing! We stopped at In-and-Out for double doubles on the way home. They deserved it!

 

Best burgers and shakes ever. 

That is generally true of In-and-Out, but this time the rewards were much sweeter.

When we got home they immediately ran to tell Dad all about it. Then the downloaded the videos they made with their helmet cam. And went online to watch videos of other guys. Tom was watching one long one about tips from a pro and Jake was finding videos about how to do the “whoops” better. Now that they've been to a track they have new hooks for that information and can use it. I'm amazed at how their learning works. I'm so proud of them. They've done all this motocross stuff on their own. They find the bikes and buy them. They fix them. The watch the races and read all the blogs for tips. The watch videos and comment on them. They make their own videos. I'm just amazed. Best. Day. Ever.