A kids gotta race

On our Facebook page I like to find out what the moms, and dads, want to know.  Tonight one of the answers was "Where to find races" and "national caliber" races specifically.  

We are in Texas, and I have just started traveling with Dirt Bike Mom and MX Outfitter to races, so I am constantly researching where to go. And I'll be honest, finding races is easy.  Finding races of national caliber, such as Loretta Lynn's, is not so easy.  Loretta's is kind of the pinnacle for the young racer, and from what I can tell (and I am certainly no expert) you kind of work your way back from there.

Let's took at it like this, AMA  is kind of like the NASCAR of the motocross racing community.  As far as I can tell, AMA is in every state sponsoring races.  Here we have other groups/series, but AMA is everywhere.  Loretta Lynn's is the National event.  To get to Tennessee, you need to win the Regional, to get to the Regional you need to win the Area.  To win the Area, you just need to be experienced enough at winning to win.  This is the  2013 LL Area Qualifier & Regional list.

AMA also sponsors State Championships.  To get to the State level, you go through your districts.  The districts are drawn by AMA.  And, again, to win the district, you just need to be experienced enough at winning to win.

I have found a great resource has been the track owners and/or managers.  They know all things racing if they have been around for a few years.  They want to get the big races at their tracks and they can give you some direction.  It is also a big feather in their cap to be able to say that " ___  is the home track of  ____ who won ____."  And lets be honest, we don't mind letting our kids train where champions also train!

Finally, there are the local races.  Again, Texas is really all I know, but we have a good community of tracks that, for example, are currently having an AMA Texas Winter Series that consists of 5 races at 4 different tracks.  This is great experience for your rider and is base level.  I have bookmarked a long list of tracks and sit down every month on a specific day and go to their calendars and make my list of who is doing what.  To make my list of tracks I used DirtWerkz state directory and went from there.  Once you get to looking at track schedules, you will find a series that will lead you to another track, and next thing you know, your calendar is full!

Blessings!




 

When in doubt

This week on our Facebook page the question was asked "how do you  responded when family does not agree with your decision to let your kids ride motorcycles?"

And the responses were all worded very differently, but were unanimously in agreement, that
1) this is valuable family time
2) this sport is dangerous, but so is anything else kids do
3) its better than too much TV time or getting in trouble time unsupervised
4) we give them all the safety equipment available and trust God to do the rest.

Personally, agree with all of these, but probably most with the last one.  I know firsthand how tragedy can strike.  I have also experienced extreme loss when everyone was doing everything right.  On the other side of that coin, I have seen miracles happen before my eyes.  Things, protection, that only a power greater than mere humans could provide.  Things that could have only come from God. 

So, if you are ever doubting your decision to let your kids ride, ask yourself if they do it for you or if they truly enjoy it.  If they are having fun, then put them in the best gear you can afford, say a prayer over them, and put 'em on a bike.  God has it planned out.  It doesn't matter what we do, what we say, where we live, or how much money we have.  God has a plan, and trusting him with our children is the best thing we can do.

Blessings!

A 2-stroke or a 4-stroke? That is the question...

One of my sons has a KX85.  He has been riding 2-strokes since he has been riding bikes.  But now, he has got a "bee in his bonnet" and wants a 4-stroke.  When I ask my husband, he says that on a 2-stroke, every second stroke is a power stroke, and on a 4-stroke, every fourth stroke is a power stroke...then he explained a lot of other stuff that makes my head spin.  This has led me to do some research on 2-strokes and 4-strokes.  I thought I would pass along what I have learned.

If you haven't heard, there is a debate over what is better, a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke, and what I have found is it all depends on who you talk to.  We shall discuss, but you may just need to jump in and ride both to decide for yourself. 

Basic 2-Stroke Info:  
In the 2-stroke engine, the spark plug fires once every revolution of the crankshaft.  It produces twice the power of a 4-stroke engine of the same size.  The 2-stroke engine is much simpler than 4-strokes, with lighter construction and fewer parts. You have to buy two-stroke engine oil, measure it, and mix it with your fuel.  They are believed to wear out faster because lubrication is not as efficient as in a 4-stroke engine with heavier oil.  They use more fuel because the unused fuel is exhausted with each cycle of the engine.  And they pollute the air more because the unused fuel is exhausted with each cycle of the engine. 

Basic 4-Stroke Info:
4-Strokes engines generally last longer than 2-stroke engines because of the more efficient lubrication of moving parts.  They use straight fuel, and less of it.  Their engines are believed to pollute the air less than 2-strokes.  Construction/assembly/operation of the engine is more complicated. More moving parts means more things that can go wrong.  And 4-strokes are half as powerful as two stroke engines.

There is a ton more info out there - articles, you tube videos, etc.    And just as many contradicting opinions as info. I say just take a chance.  Pick a bike you can afford, get to be friends with a rider that has something else and take his for a spin.  But most importantly, just have fun and enjoy your time on the bike.

Blessings! of the same size.  

Monster Energy Supercross 2013 Season

If any of you follow us on Facebook (@ Dirt Bike Mom) you know that we watched the Monster Energy Supercross season opener on Saturday night.  It is so much fun!  Fun for us because we watch it as a family.  Of course it comes on at 8:30 in Texas, so I try to have everyone showered before it comes on so we can make it to church the next morning...a girls gotta plan ahead.

The big bike Main Event is what we all stay up for, and on Saturday it was a nail biter!  The guy that has got to be my favorite racer, Trey Canard, was back.  Trey had an accident early in the 2012 season.  A really bad one, and was out the rest of the season.  He was amazing Saturday!  He held first place till the last lap until Davi Millsaps blasted by him and was gone. 

I have to tell you, these guys are making 20 laps around this crazy track.  Have to be EXHAUSTED! when they are done.  I had never thought about the strategy of winning a dirt bike race until last weekend.  It's just like anything else I guess.  Hang out close to the front till the end, and then, find it in you to blow past anyone between you and the finish line.  If the guy in front of you is more tired, not expecting it, whatever... you got yourself a win.  Congratulations Davi!  That was a really nice win!

Now my guy, Trey, was also really impressive.  To be honest, when I heard he would be back this year, I really just hoped he would be in the top 10.  That is a very respectable place to be.  Like I said, this kid was in a BAD accident last year.  (watch his journey back http://revival41.com/ )  To be back on a bike at all is a miracle in and of itself.   To be racing in front of millions of people on TV in a huge arena with the top guys in motocross is a pretty intimidating feat.  The combination and coming in second - HUGE! 

There were a few times he got tapped by other riders.  The first time, I really think it spooked him and he backed off.  You know how it is if you have ever been in a wreck.  The first few times back in the car on the open highway with all those other crazy drives is kind of creepy and takes some getting used to.  Trey did an great job!  Yea for Trey!  LOL!

So the next race is this Saturday on the Speed channel.  If you have a rider, want to be racer, or a racer you definitely need to be watching.  We are fortunate enough to live in Dallas, so we will get to go to the show in February.  Check out the Monster Supercross schedule.  You may get lucky as well.

My guys watching the race on Saturday.  Just like being there.

Happy 2013!

Happy New Year!  Can you believe it is 2013?  Have you written any checks yet or had to write the date on anything?  It always makes me laugh that I am still wanting to write the last year on things like in June!  LOL! Does anyone write checks anymore?

Well, we are believing that 2013 is going to be an incredible year!  We are believing God has great things in store for us and Dirt Bike Mom.  There are so many amazing things coming this year and we can't wait to share them with you!

First, I have to share with you how we finished 2012 out.  On the Saturday after my boys got out of school for winter break, we had a one.  My husband and middle son, Mavrick, were headed to the track that they ALWAYS go to on Saturdays, but it was late and they were only going to end up with about 30 minutes of ride time, so they turned around and came back.  While unloading the bikes, my son took a fall over a brick they use to stop the trailer and fell and broke his arm.   After a few days of wearing a splint, and having Christmas, we were finally able to get him in a cast.  He chose a black cast (it was up for debate for a while because he is a Kawasaki man and had to decide between black and green) and his ever so creative dad added some Monster swag to it.  I have to admit, it does look pretty cool.  He says that he doesn't want his friends to sign it and make it look all junky.  And he kind of wishes that he would still have it when the Monster Supercross is in Dallas in February, but that would be much too long to have to wear the thing!  We did all agree that a 30 minute ride would have been better then a broken arm.  :(

In other news, we are going to start 2013 off with a new look.  A design that we can all be happy with and that will visually make more sense.  We hope everyone loves it as much as we do, and we hope to see it a lot more as we are out and about!

Another really exciting thing happening in 2013 is Dirt Bike Mom will be coming to a track near you!  Well, depending on where you are of course.  We have started working with some tracks in the state and surrounding states (TX, LA, AR, OK) and will be track-side for many races this year!  We are very excited to get out and meet our people!  I personally can't wait to visit with the other Dirt Bike Mom's and hear what you ladies have to say!  So be sure to let us know where you are and where you think we should show up.

Well, that's all for now.  Blessings!

The right bike for your kid

My older boys are in 6th and 7th grade.  Mavrick, is 11 and weighs about 85 lbs soaking wet, and is about 4' 10".  He has been riding continually on two wheels  for three years now.  He has in just the last few months felt comfortable enough to move from a 65 to an 85.  We purchased the 85 for him in the spring.  To be honest, he just wasn't ready for it.  His legs weren't long enough to keep the bike upright.  The strength in his legs weren't strong enough to start the bike.  And mentally, it was a lot more bike then the 65.  It really wasn't until about the first of August that he was able to "fit" on the 85, and now he loves it.

I say all this because when you have a kid that doesn't start riding a 50 at the age of four or five, it can be difficult as a parent to put them on the right bike.  AND just because it fits does not mean that your kid is ready for what he CAN ride. He may have the desire to ride a bigger bike, just make sure he has the ability.   It's kind of like being at the water park during the summer, "just because you CAN wear it does not me that you SHOULD wear it." 

My boys have a friend from school that wants to start riding with his dad.  This kid is probably about 115 lbs and about 5' 2".  He was telling my boys that he and his dad were going to get 250's.  Now Michael, my cautious one, said to his dad "Mr Cash, Johnny is gonna kill himself on a 250."  Johnny is almost 13 and never been on a dirt bike.  He may fit on a 250, but he is in no way prepared for the power he could get out of a 250.  While I don't expect Johnny to kill himself, a broken arm wouldn't be surprising.  Then there is also the chance that he won't be able to handle it - the weight of it, the power, starting it, shifting it or riding it.  What happens is Johnny gets frustrated and just decides that it is not for him and Mr Cash has two 250's sitting in the garage till he puts them on Craig's list.

I guess what I am trying to tell you is don't let egos get in your way of the right starter bike for you or your kid.  Just about anyone can ride an 85.  Find someone who has one and take it for a spin.  Then move up until you find the bike that fits your body and your ability.  I promise your experience will be much better!

Wear your boots!

Yesterday, my oldest son, Michael, went with Mark and Mavrick to ride their bikes.  Michael rides a quad now, that is, when he rides.  We found out in the spring of 2011 that Michael has Juvenile Arthritis in his feet and legs.  He was on an 85 then, and I think it kind of scared him, not only because the bike was bigger (he had just come off of a smaller bike), but also that it is more difficult for his body to heal if he does get hurt.  Michael has always been extremely cautious, so he decided that he would be more comfortable on a quad.

Michael doesn't have a passion for it like Mavrick does.  Or even his dad for that matter.  They both enjoy the speed and the opportunity to cheat an accident.  Michael's cautious side prevents him for getting too crazy.  More often then not he will decline the invitation to go riding with them.

But yesterday he went.  They offered him the opportunity to video some of the riding, and his creative side won out.  Now Michael has all the gear that the others have, but for some reason doesn't think he needs to wear it.  Even his boots.  He always wears pant, never shorts, but usually his jeans and not his riding pants.  So yesterday he wore a new pair of jeans and the tennis shoes I bought him month ago for school.  They had a great time.  Everyone was glad that he went and he is even excited about going with them again soon!

However, when Michael woke up this morning his feet were in real pain.  It had been months since he had been on his quad, and he was on it for several hours yesterday.  Between the standing and gear shifting, he really had irritated the arthritis in his feet.

Keep in mind, on a quad the foot pegs are quite a bit larger then the foot pegs on a bike.  It is so important to use the proper gear, on a bike or a quad.  There is a reason the boots have the soles and are stiff and go up to your knees.  Whatever you are riding, wear your boots!  It is just not cool to go to work with your feet hurting on Monday morning because you decided you didn't need to wear the $300 pair of boots in your gear bag.  And it's really not cool when you have a burn scar on the inside of your leg because you burnt it while your boots were in your closet at home.  Just wear your boots!