Dave's January column in Full Throttle Magazine.
What in the world is going on with this weather??? I have never, in my 33 years a native of Atlanta, seen such "wintry" weather for our region of the country. My dog's water bowl stays a frozen block of ice that I have to break apart and refill daily. I'm going through $10 worth of firewood almost day after day. The snowman I built a week before Christmas is still partially standing. The ice in the driveway has JUST NOW melted. I have not ridden the dirtbike in over 3 weeks because of either: cold, snow, ice, freezing rain, sleet, temps in the 'teens, nuclear war or whatever!
This is Georgia for crying out loud!!! We are supposed to be able to ride just about year 'round in comfort! The days have come where I look "FORWARD" to 40-degree temps. Unbelievable! Heck, a day over 32 degrees is a blessing, as of late. All I want is unfrozen ground so I don't have to ride on Georgia-Clay-Concrete when I ride the dirtbike. Whatever happened to average highs of about 50 in December? Who stole them? "How the Grinch Stole 50-degree Temps" should have been the title of the movie! Where's that crazy Global Warming thing?
Maybe I'm spoiled. So what! You transplants from the North who are used to near-zero temps day after day can keep that stuff up there! I want my days of 50 degrees all through the Winter--like it's supposed to be! I want to be able to go riding any day I choose during Winter with nothing more than a synthetic jersey and motocross pants with the usual gear; NOT a pair of Capilene long underwear, with glove liners, a synthetic balaclava (thanks to Patagonia). I can't ride like that! I feel like the Michelin Man out there all layered with those clothes. Gimmie back my 50's! Enough ranting about that.
Well, another New Year has arrived. I remember just last year when everyone was worried what was going to happen when the clock struck midnight December 31, 1999. What a JOKE! True, maybe it was because we were so well prepared that nothing happened, but, it seemed like such a big joke. It was all for media press more than anything. Hey, we gotta have something to write about!
Most of us have some zany "resolution" for the New Year that rarely get kept. What is yours? Mine? Hmmm… I resolve to make world peace and goodwill toward men. HA!! I resolve to eat right, get plenty of sleep and drink lots of fluids. Uh huh. Actually, I don't fool with New Year's Resolutions. Never have. Heck, I have enough trouble keeping my desk clean at work, much less making some big new thing up that I plan to do for the whole year!
For my fellow dirt riders out there, here's something to ponder for your New Year: Get in shape and ride as much as you can. Get some training to help you become a safer, better rider. There are several training videos on the market for those of you who want to improve your riding skills. Gary Semics and Gary Bailey are a couple of trainers who come to mind who have books and videos you can buy from any motorcycle store (hint hint). If you plan on racing this year--for the first time or the 41st time, get in racing shape! I know it's difficult to find time to do your day-to-day activities AND find time to ride and exercise. It is SO worth it though. Riding keeps you in shape all by itself. But, if you really want to get good and feel confident on the track, you must get in "race shape". That consists of muscular conditioning, nutrition, rest, and endurance training. You will feel good doing it and you'll feel better finishing on the podium above those "young bucks" who smoke cigarettes, drink plenty of liquor, and eat cheeseburgers every meal who rely on talent alone. Getting in race shape is not easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it.
Have a safe and prosperous 2001. Keep the dirt bikes a' rollin. The next time out on the road you see a dirtbiker with his bike in the truck (or trailer), give that biker a "thumbs up". And remember what he/she goes through to stay in shape, finds time to ride, and improves his/skills- as well as do the "regular" activities day after day.
See you at the next Roswell Dirt Riders meeting or group ride. Go to www.roswelldirtriders.com and check out one of the coolest offroad clubs in Georgia!