Have fun, but be safe!!!!

[cowboyona426]

Time for cowboy to get up on the soap box and do a little yakking

It's that time of year again, when many of us are pulling our bikes/quads out of the garage after a long, lonely winter being unable to ride them. And, for those of us who also snowmobile, it's that time of year when avalanches can sneak up on us at the most inopportune times. That said, PLEASE, PLEASE think about what you are doing out there! When we go riding, it's supposed to be about having fun and hanging out with family or friends. When someone gets killed in an avalanche or busted up all to heck on the trail/track, the fun stops for everyone involved! In the last two years, two young men have been killed in avalanches close to where I live (17 and 20 years old) snowmobiling. And I hear all too often on the two dirt bike forums I frequent about someone or someone's buddy getting seriously hurt while riding.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for pushing myself and trying to put that highmark down, clearing that big triple, or get up that steep hill, but there comes a point when you have to decide it's just not worth the risk. Maybe I'm a little whimpier than I once was because now I have a wife, daughter, and child on the way that depend on me, but I do look at things differently than I used to. No obstacle is worth losing your life over!
Sorry if this post bugs some of you, but after hearing last week that another young life was lost (avalanche, victim lived in the same town I do), I've been thinking a lot about this. PLEASE keep your head on straight, and come home at the end of the day to ride another day! Rant off, flame me if you must

[char393]

Cowboy....where's my pics?????

And yes...thank you for the reminder. Arriving home safely at the end of the day is a good thing!

[psycho393]

That reminder is never ever over stated.

We are here to have fun today, AND TOMORROW!

[yzernie]

Excellent post Chase. I too have been thinking about this since we here in SoCal have suffered recent deaths and serious injuries. As I grow older I'm just not willing to take the chances I once took.

It is ironic the perspectives of people. You are young, have a youngster and another on the way. Your perspective is you want to be around, healthy and be able to provide for them. I'm older and my perspective is this; my kids are grown and retirement is 4 1/2 years away. For me, I want to be healthy enough to able to do and enjoy the things I have postponed for many years because of the very situation you are now in.

Life is a wondeful thing but yet we spend a short time here on earth. Within reason and our means we must enjoy it.

[MotoMan]

Excellent Post Chase.

Thanks for the reminder.

[monkeyonahill]

Great post man. I agree it's really sad to see people pass away from doing the things they love..

I'll be having a freakin blast April 14th (70-80 mile Ironman Poker Run) and the 28th! got tickets to the Seattle SX! they're club seats too, great view of the whole track. Everyone have a great time startin' up them bikes for the first time if ya haven't already!!

[Keetoman393]

Like Vintage Dave always says, this is the time of year when everyone get's "Whiskey Throttle". Thanks for the post, Chase.

[The Baron]

I went to the track yesterday and they had the Beginners and Novices together and man was it hairy. I race the Novice class and riding with those Beginners was absolutely frightening! Needless to say I moved on up to the Intermediate/Pro practice and felt much safer. As long as I timed it right I never got passed the entire practice.

Just something for y'all to think about if you are a track rider. Beginners can do some crazy nonsensical things. Keep it safe and keep it smart.

[Florida 393]

The best advice I ever heard given to a new MX racer was "Hold your line" it just makes sense. If you will stay your line through a turn or even a straight the experienced riders will get around without taking you both down. The nervouses, er novices that shift around in a turn apex are the ones I stay back from. Chases advice is spot on this time of year, head the warning about going out and going nuts.

Bill

[Painless89t]

AMEN. I can't begin to tell you how many reckless things I see out there. Be safe ya'll. Happy Trails!