2006 Post - Season Recap

As I sit here and brainstorm for the season ending recap, I find myself thinking about how I am going to incorporate all of the great things that happen this year. What was it that made this year so absolutely exceptional? Was it being able to overcome the greedy oil companies and still make it to every race on my schedule, despite their demands for over three dollars a gallon for gasoline? How about being able to say that my bike was always prepared and I had enough heart to finish every single race I was in this year. Or the blessed feeling of crossing the finish line without getting seriously injured. Maybe it was learning what it’s like to race for three hours and having my Dad and Jimmy-B join the team with their pitting efforts? Or being able to say that my Dad still races dirt bikes and I get to see him out on the track, even if he sees me for a couple seconds!? Knowing the pride in being able to say that I raced for 8 weeks straight and the final four races were in four completely different states? For my first year in 250 B finishing Second Overall in the Pennsylvania State Harescramble Series and also Second Overall in AMA District 6 Harescramble Series? Competing in 4 National Events – 2 AMA National Harescrambles and 2 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) races? Along with racing select National rounds, being able to say that I raced with the best riders in the country, and at the Ohio GNCC – the world?
Or how about all of the nights on race weeks that I had to sacrifice hanging out with my friends because they just don’t know the disciple it takes to be competitive in this grueling endurance sport. How about the countless hours I spent in the gym working out, on the bike practicing, helping my Dad work on the bikes, packing for race weekend, the hours of travel time we spent on the road, unpacking and cleaning everything up and even maintaining this website as well as sponsor relationships.
I guess it could be one or maybe a compilation of all the achievements above? But understand that it’s not something above, a trophy or plaque that I received this year, or even my new bike that can show what exactly made this year so absolutely exceptional.
Being blessed with opportunities to be able to do what you love is something that often came to mind this year. I am so thankful for having the opportunity to do what I love and it’s all of the above day to day activities and achievements that I’ll look back on and be able to say that I truly loved what I was doing. I consider myself the richest man alive because although this isn’t my fulltime job, what I get out of this sport and everything that comes with it means so much more than money. Fear, adrenaline, discipline, self-respect, personal achievement, admiration, gratification and love are all things that money can’t buy. Sure it would be great to be a professional someday, sitting on the front line with red number plates, but it’s more than about being a business – it’s fun, and it’s all the things mentioned above that I will use to someday try to be at the top of this sport. Call me a dreamer, or you can call me whatever you want, even if I fall short I’ll still be thankful for the opportunities that I was given to be able to ride that bike, hang out with my Dad, or achieve my personal goals. It’s all the meaningful stuff that matters, the money is something that just makes you work harder to be able to continue doing something that you love…and if it was easy, well then – I wouldn’t do it. Or like a line out of my favorite quote from Jeremy McGrath, “you just can’t make the sacrifices without the love.”
I deeply appreciate all of your support and help throughout the year, everyone from my loving Mother, my radical Dad, my family, and everyone else (you know who you are)!
I can hardly wait for next season and if I write about it now then I wouldn’t have anything to write about over the winter. Sponsorship deadlines will be up soon so cross your fingers for some more support for the 2007 season. The PA State as well as District 6 banquets are coming up so I will be attending those. There are a lot of things up in the air for next year but as far as moving to the ECEA (East Coast Series) it is almost certain.
Thanks again for all of your comments on and about the site. I will post random but informative news and information throughout the winter and begin the new year with a 2007 Pre-Season Preview. Thanks again for everything that you’ve done to help me partake in something that makes me extremely honored to be a part of.