wFo crew at the GMBIV

[wFo250]

I made the trip down to GMBIV not to race, but to raise money for the fund. I have never raced before and my two buds barely moto. Sheesh I barely moto! But ATM is changing that! I told them the gas & gate fees are on me... just ride! More at the gate is more for the fund..... It seems a quite selfish way to donate...seeing as I get to have so much fun..but I really wanted to meet all my 'imaginary' friends and shake the hand of Mr. Berg. The San Jac track is sweet....better than I had imagined. I only did about 60% of the jumps...(I'll be back)...but the dirt is sooo soft, I was getting roosted in the face by a KX450F and it didn't even hurt! My showerhead hits harder than that! Not a single rock...very nice dirt. Nocona has to fight for the title if you ask me.

I was relieved to find that the hotel I was booked into had power restored. And equally saddened to find that the utility workers had taken all the rooms! Even ours! Oh well, at least we had a place to sleep...........outside on the ground.
good thing I brought a tent.
Well, my buddies didn't think it was a good thing...I could smell a a mutiny in the ranks. This was not the weekend they were promised. Sleeping in a tent and sandwiches for dinner...? oops I forgot to buy sandwich stuff.

Saturday I assure the boys that things will get better as soon as we get out on the track. I was wrong. My bro rides all of 1/2 a lap on saturday. That's it.
...and my other bud Ronnie is giving it a go, but still kind of freaked by the other riders on the track. He's got some good skills but he's too caught up in being 'in the way' of the faster guys. He gets intimidated and pulls over too often.
By late afternoon saturday, it's "what have you gotten us into." I run into the porto-pooper and emerge as the BeerMonster. It gets a lottle foggy after that.

Sunday, Bro said I was um..a real meathead sat night...He is probably right, so... sorry Glenn, and everybody... He told me he had little interest in racing. He is unfamiliar with ATM and what it is about. All he knows is what I say about y'all and I bet he only listens to half of that. I say "I'm paying your gate fees just RIDE! It was his 31st birthday 10-2-05 and I was giving him the GREATEST gift of all ...a chance at the HOLESHOT! He was not amused. It got worse when I tried to duct tape #11 on the side of his black cr250! OH the humanity!! A real crime ..I was pressing my luck.(Thanks for the tape TsQ) I could sense them trying to weasel out on the way to the riders meeting. "Dude there's gonna be girls out there...you gonna tell me you can't run with a GIRL?" (sorry ladies we guys have to use that one sometimes)
My two friends have a better understanding of why this gathering is happening after the meeting. It is easy to believe, but hard to imagine how in an instant, your life can change. Life is in the works you do this day..for it may be your last day. It is how you spend your dash.
The meeting put things in perspective for us. We will ride for those who cant. I will finish without stopping.

The ATM/TT race was my first race ever. I sat at the gate practicing my MC shift w/ my heel, and I accidentally wound up in neutral when the gate dropped...rrrrRRIINNNGGGG!!! aww~! dangit! I clickit into gear and take off to the first turn.....Jedi you said it best "There is nothing else like it!" I was having a lot of fun out there. Thanks to all involved with putting on the event...we couldn't have ever done it without you. My fingers and forearms were screaming halfway through but I kept going.. I WILL finish this race without stopping. You guys who moto all the time probably laugh but 20 min is a LONG time running for me. My longest consecutive lap record is like ..three! At Nocona even! I pushed harder than I ever have before, and I was proud. I was also proud of my two friends..who fought the track the whole way through as well.
I never saw the white flag..I was just clawing my way around the track once more when I saw the yellow flag at the table. My first thought was.... uh-oh somebody crashed. Then I saw the gathering of bikes and I remembered.....somebody has. My newfound elation and pride suddenly turned to humility and sorrow. I don't know how to say how I felt. If there is a word for
laughing and crying and energized and exhausted all at the same time then thats it.

I will never forget my GMBIV I think in some small way I will never be the same.

Thanks again everybody for the kindness..I will try to deserve it. GodSpeed Motoman 393
--------------------------------------------------JohnD

[Satch0922]

Great write up Wfo! Glad you guys made it down there.

Those 20 minute motos are long aren't they!

[char393]

Hey John...

sweet write-up! I'm glad you guys made the trip down. I don't know who I rode with for a while..I think it was Ronnie? Anyway...tell him I said it was cool and I had fun.

[Big Maico 393]

John:

I'm glad that I got the change to meet you & talk for a short time!

I'm also glad that you got your bud's to ride the ATM moto & now know why we do this race every year, it about the dash & rembering those that no longer can ride.

[madcow393]

Very funny and very emotionall I was stoked to meet you too man. Can't wait till next year either.

If we gave out best GMB write up awards I'd nominate WFO for this one.

[Motodad393]

Hey John,
That is a nice write up and I appreciate you sharing your heart. Next time, let me know if you have no place to stay. I have room at the house - heck I'll even let you use the hose to wash up a bit! Plus I could have had a beer or two with you.

Thanks for being there - see you next year!

Best Regards,

Motodad393

[pragmatic393]

Great write up, John! Sorry you had to rough-it, I know its not the best camping weather.

Nice meeting you guys!

[pragmatic393]

Originally Posted by Motodad393

Hey John,
Plus I could have had a beer or two with you.

Thanks for being there - see you next year!

Best Regards,

Motodad393

I'll second that John, you may not know what you're in for; right Keeto

[psyklone393]

wfo!

nice write up, man. it was really good to see you there, and it was cool to meet your brother and see ronnie again. last time i saw him was out at mosier valley.

one of the last times i saw them on sunday they were talking about conquering different parts of the track, and you should have seen the smiles on their faces. you can't put a price on that, that sort of thing sticks with you.

and don't let them worry at all about not being among the smoking fast guys on the track, because i happen to be pretty certain that if the gmb 'race' was out on the trails it would be a different story altogether. it's all in what you're used to ... so drag them out to the track more often.

see ya soon!

-Z

[Dirtbikindad393]

Nice write up.

It seems I didn't get to meet you and the gang. I am glad you came down and hope you put it on the schedule for next year.

[char393]

Dane - did you meet the guy in red? If so..that's wFo..

[DPW]

WFO,


Good seeing you again and the crew. Very nice write up...that weekend flew by.

NO GMB trail rides....the trails scare me!

[MrsTwister393]

Great writeup!! Thanks Glenn for entertaining my son Saturday night Do you give lessons

[valverde]

Great write up!

Sorry you guys did not have a place to stay I had room at my place or could have left the trailer for you to crash in Saturday night.

[crfjedi393]

What a fantastic write up, John. What makes it so good is that each of us can feel exactly what you are talking about as you express your experience. That is also what makes us a family. Common experience and understanding.
Again, that was a touching expression of your weekend.

[crdude]

great right up wFo!!!

[Keetoman393]

Originally Posted by pragmatic393

I'll second that John, you may not know what you're in for; right Keeto

I have no idea what you are talking about.

John, great write up man. good to see another "convert" and hear their story.

[Imahoot393]

Looks like we missed each other at GMB. Hopefully next year you will be there again and we can get a chance to talk for awhile. I am glad that you were able to go and experience this! It is indescribable.

[wFo250]

Thanks again everybody!

Hey char next time you take a pic of me without my helmet on...smear a little vaseline on the lens will 'ya?

[Macho393]

WFO(John)seems to me you understand and felt what this is all about,outstanding and touching story