Remembering Those Who Rode 2006 - Post Ride Reflections & Thoughts

[crfjedi393]

Other issues have been pressing but I have finally taken the time to put into words my reflections on GMB V. I apologize for the delay. I was disappointed at not being able to make the meeting at the Berg’s Friday night as I know it is a great experience even excluding the fajitas! It was nice to read about it from those of you who were there.
We were up before daybreak Saturday morning and headed to the track. It was still being prepped when we got there and we slowly started unloading and gearing up as many familiar faces started appearing in the early morning fog. Clint made his way to the track and quickly dialed in the triple step up as I was still spending a little time shaking hands and visiting. I recognized Cody Strout immediately from the photos. He’s one strong individual. It was my honor to meet him. Josh and Shell, it was Saturday night before I officially met you and all I can say is “Welcome to ATM”! You’ll fit right in. I also recognized Dan, RRsis’s husband, because of his height. He’s definitely a basketball player. Easy going and laid back guy. I finally got out on the track and started turning laps. It’s tougher for an old guy to dial in more than one jump at a time. You might say I was “pacing myself”. Just when I thought I was about ready to step it up a notch, I stripped my front sprocket. I knew it was getting worn but I decided it would last a couple more rides. I was wrong. With directions from popfhure, Big Maico, and Vintage Dave, Keeto copiloted us to a shop where I picked up two front sprockets and we were back in business in a couple of hours. I turned some laps with b-bike393 and was about ready to start dialing in the table top before the triple step up. Buuuuuutttt……. I landed on Wysong and messed up my radiator. Bent my Flatland Racing braces pretty bad but they saved my radiator. Tiny, tiny leak but nothing that would keep me from racing Sunday. Nobody hurt but more time wrenching in the 194% humidity. Okay, FINALLY ready to hit the track again when everyone else is about through riding. I think Mxmike was out there but I didn’t know it at the time. I made 4 or 5 laps to make absolutely certain I had the table top down and then I started making runs on the “behemoth”. Three laps in a row I came off the table in 5th gear and had my mind set that I was going for it. I backed out all three times. However, the last time I backed out was when I KNEW I had the speed and stability to get over it cleanly. For that next lap, it was nothing but confidence. I launched off the table, hit 5th gear in the air, and pinned it. I cleared it and it felt GOOD! But let me tell you this. 5th gear pinned is FREAKIN’ FAST!!!!!! I cleared it one more time and I was getting tired so it was time to call it a day. Satch and tskwared are fellow +40 riders who had cleared it earlier in the day for the first time and Satch was there at the exit with a high five. Several of us who only ride Splendora twice a year have been working on that jump. Mission accomplished.
Sunday started with the same foggy welcome and we were signing up by 7:00am. I was trying to capture as much video as possible and I even got a little of RRsis393 signing her brother up for the expert class. Robbie isn’t much of a talker but he never acted as though he wasn’t happy about being there with all of us nobodies. He put on a good show and I will include some of it in a vid later. I already shared my lap on the 393 and will just say “Thank You” to Mr. Berg once again. I am honored.
I raced the +40 class and went down in both motos. I think I was too relaxed in the first moto. I honestly didn’t care about my placement when I saw how fast these guys were. There were no other local races so it seems many of the local talent showed up and kicked some booty. In the second moto, I was just plain worn out. No reserve energy whatsoever. I think I got 9th overall. My only real accomplishment is chasing down the Tooth Fairy, wings and all. You’ll see that in the vid as well.
Jr.’s piston rod broke in practice so I let him ride my bike in the ATM/TT race after I rode with Macho and B-bike a few laps and he looked good. I appreciate the ride guys. It was touching.
The very last moto was the expert class and I ventured out onto the tunnel jump where Satch was flagging. We watched Olschoolfool put on a SHOW! Don is fast and we were hootin’ and hollerin’ at him. However, he was in the same class as Robbie Reynard. He actually got lapped but he is still my hero! If I remember correctly, this was a 20 minute moto and I would have gotten lapped at least three times had I been out there. OSF truly rocks! Intermission, and I was up on the gate again. Pretty soon after my second moto I headed out to the backside of the track and picked up a flag on an unattended jump. I stayed there until the motos were over and I’m sorry I missed saying good-bye to many of you. I’m not complaining, though. Satch and Keeto flagged ALL DAY and they have my respect. Thanks guys! Some of us that were left got a bite to eat and headed to the hospital to check on MotoMan. He wasn’t out of recovery yet so Clint, my niece, and myself headed back to The Woodlands. Big Maico sent me home with what was left of the spinach dip. To Macho and Keeto. Macho, it was GREAT meeting your family! I don’t know how you trapped Christie but you are one lucky dirtbiker! I am partial to girls so I love Abbey and Christian. They are gorgeous, sweet, and have perfect manners. But I must say Marshallman is one cool cat! He rides a Honda.
One last thing. I was very pleased to meet yzernie at last. He is a gentleman and he knows how to handle that blue bike. Thanks for looking me up as you were heading out, bro!
Sorry for the long post.

[Macho393]

I got to watch all three of you jump it for the first time. It was fun watching you guys jump it from on top of the triple. Just wait till next year. I will have insurance and I promise I will............................put my bike in 5th gear.
thanks for the kind words about my wife and kids. As for catching my wife......it was easy............I ride a YAMAHA! J/K Jedi love ya man.

[Woody_393]

Before I forget everything I learned while I was in TX, I better get it posted.

I first off want to say that I had an absolute BLAST! To start things off I was met at the airport by "who's your daddy" and B-bike393. After some hugs and hand shakes, we started looking for my luggage, when B-bike asked if the pink one was mine? Right then and there, I realized that I was in for some good times. B-bike is a pretty funny guy. Not to mention one of the coolest peeps you will ever meet. His boss is very cool too, although, after telling Suzette and Mr. B-bike that I didn't like to hug, she made me practice hugging Which went ok, I guess Anyway, Meeting and getting to know the b-bike family was awesome. They just don't make the b-bike vintage very often, but when you they do, it's good stuff. Two of the very nicest people you will meet on the entire planet, and I mean it. If you get the chance make sure and introduce yourself. You won't regret it.

Anyway, I stayed at the Bergs and had a great time on their couch, which I slept very well on. I got the chance to get to know Mr. Mrs. Berg a lot better, and to say the least, that was one of the highlights of my trip. You are looking at two people that work like a well oiled machine. He talks and she ignores It was really quite funny to see them together. Not to mention Mr. Berg is one FUNNY guy. I he made me laugh on more then one occasion. You really have to hang out with him for a while to catch some of the stuff he says, but when he drops a one liner, it's usually funny.

The funniest one liner he said that that he has to use on Shannon on occasion is "Don't make me show my a$$" which means, don't make me show you my bad side... I don't think shannon thinks it's funny, but from my point of view it's very funny. Anyway, my point is I've got a very special place in my heart for the berg family. Being around all of them at all hours of the day was a pleasure to say the least. Certainly my favorite part. Besides, they put up with ME for 3 solid days, and just ask anyone, that takes some special people to do that

I also met and re-met a ton of you. Another highlight was Macho. He and I have always not exactly seen eye to eye, which is okay, but we do see eye to eye on GMB and what it's all about. It was great to give Mark a hug (did I just say that ) and see that he and I are not that different at all. Mark is certainly a great person, and besides that his Wife and daughters are VERY cool. His daughters would NOT leave me alone. They felt it completely necessary to tease me to no end. I loved it, and will always remember them for taking pictures of me in the most in-opportune moments Thanks Girls. You really made me smile and added some additional fun to the trip. That is as long as my pictures don't show up on myspace

Thanks RRSis for coming, and bringing your brother. LOVED watching him rip that track up. And it was great to finally meet the Internet Forum Posting Princess of the NET.

Cody and his family. What a stud cody is. I can't think of anything else to describe this awesome young man. He's tops in my book.

VET and his lovely (she wouldn't stop teasing me either) wife. Talk about some good grub. Very nice too.

crfjedi and his son. It was GREAT to finally meet you two in person. Great people for sure.

Riderdown.org and all the guys that stand behind it. I really got the chance to get to know them, and their purpose, and to say the least, I support it 100%. Great guys.

Bobby (racer92) from Zooktalk. It was great to meet him and talk a little web forum administrator talk. It's not often you get to meet someone that does what you do, and loves bikes too. Great guy.

Of course Jim, Doc, and BoxVan It was so nice to meet all of you. I've met Jim before, but I don't remember much of it. Kinda like he was too "busy" to hang with us much And watching Doc fly around the track with his wings, was priceless.

DBD/Big E and their posse. It's always good to see you guys again.

I just realized that I could go on for hours and not get all of you in. So let me just say THANK YOU ALL!!! that were there. Special Thanks to the Bergs, and Mr. & Mrs B-bike for putting up with me. Oh and my Diet Coke Buddy I had a blast running around looking for nice cars with you. Err were we looking for way out? I can't remember now.

until next time,
Woody_393

[b-bike393]

This has taken far to long to post but all I can say is life has thrown us a curve ball here in Oregon and things are a "Little Out Of Hand". Nothing I'm quite ready to express but lets just say Karen and I are facing anything and everything that comes our way as a strong team of THREE. God, Karen & Myself.

Now back to your regular scheduled programing...

For me this years GMB was more of a HUGE family gathering then any year so far. I still remember the very first time I layed eyes on Mike Berg and the feeling of love I had for that man. Well, seeing Mike is now and always will be a highlight to every trip I've been blessed to make to Houston. I got to make a special "One-on-One" trip with Mike soon after arriving at his home this year and I will always remember that trip. When a man opens his heart the way Mike does it always has a positive effect on my soul. Thanks for taking that time with me Mike. I love you my friend.

This year, just like last year, Suzzett has taken Karen under her wing for some good ol "Texas Shopping". I love to see the look on my wife's face when those two show up after a full day of doing what ever it is you guys do when your spending my money. Suzzett, Karen loves so very much the time she gets to have with you.

Like I've said, this year was more like a family gathering. So... when we met Woody a.k.a. HUGGIE BEAR at the air port I treated him just like I would a brother. I started off with one slam followed by another. Man was that fun. Really though, Woody is a heak of a guy, as well as quick witted. It didn't take him long to start flinging it right back.

My brother Dane had blessed me with the privilege of taking his bike on the "Lap-of-Honor". Dane... All I can say is that touched me deeply. You already know this by how I was looking at you as we crossed the finish line but the rest of our ATM family needs to know what you did for me. When I seen your face there on the tower I had goose bumps the size of grapes and a fog on the inside of by goggles. I love you my brother.


Macho; Meeting your family was a highlight of my trip. Your wife and kids are tons on fun. Your girls are adorable and your son is a chip on the ole block. In the next few years you will have your hands full with all those boys knocking on your door. If you need any help putting a bit of fearful respect in those young men let me know, I’ll be there in a heart-beat. Also, thanks tons for letting me twist the throttle on you yellow beauty. I never would have thought that a 250-F could be that much fun to ride. Yes, you did see a HUGE grin inside my helmet on every lap.
The first time I came to the GMB you started our relationship off by treating me like a friend and from that we are now just like brothers. Thanks for being my family, my friend, my loved brother.


Ernie; I should say something like… “The Man, The Myth, The Legend”.
But this fits better; AWESOME. In every way Ernie is one person you will be all the better for knowing. His demeanor is that of a very caring man who is engaging with his conversations. It takes no time at all with Ernie and you know he is a person of integrity. Besides that... He is one fast moto man too.

Seeing Cody face to face was priceless. Not till then could I take in the zest for life this young man has. Every time I seen him he was busy. I can't remember ever a moment that whole weekend when this fella was sitting still. Wow, to have his energey and outlook a person could move mountians. And I'm sure those mountians are being moved today. You are an inspiration to me Cody.

When Mike asked me to follow Shannon around Splendora to see if she could handle Garrett's 450 I was not ready for what would well up inside as I watched from behind when she rolled over the top of the triple sep up. Just as Shannon hit the upper lip of that jump she pumped her fist into the air. Even now I have a hard time keeping back the tears when I see in my minds eye the raw emotion expressed by this young lady.

That's it for now. I'll try to get another post when time allows. Just know this. We (Karen & I) are thinking of you all and we miss you more then ever.