Riding Garrett's 393.

[crfjedi393]

This is a tough one to write about. An all-American family of four: husband, wife, son, and daughter, experienced one of the worst tragedies imaginable September 22nd, 2002. For me, this was just another day. My son was a typical 7th grader and we enjoyed our weekends riding. I think he rode a CRF230 at the time. I wasn’t a member of any Internet Forum and didn’t have the least concern about what the arrogant online yahoos had to say about my bike or anyone else’s. It’s not like I wasn’t Internet savvy or anything. I was actually finishing my degree online so I suppose I was pretty much tuned in to the necessities. Surfing Internet forums wasn’t one of them. It was a full two years after Garrett’s death that I became aware of the GMB Memorial Race. My knowledge of it actually came through Kirtwell via a mutual friend. He is m2g4b on TT and ATM. He doesn’t ride with us anymore but I’m thinking he will in the future. Anyway, I read Mr. Berg’s letter to Garrett on TT and was flat-out crying before I was half way through it. I joined ATM and PM’d Mr. Berg. I have no idea what I said. I just felt a need to make contact. His letter to Garrett hit me right down in the core of my very being. After reading it, I knew I could be in his shoes in an instant. I could be feeling the very same agony and sense of loss all because I chose to let my son participate in a sport that I love. I did some soul searching and talked with Clint. We decided we would continue to ride and race. We also decided to make the next GMB. We actually made the planning meeting in March and I knew then that I was among good people. This is a cause worthy of support.
Having said that, I want to express my surprise at being asked to ride the 393 bike during the ATM/TT class at GMB VI. That bike should be ridden by someone with skill and strength. I’m old. I act young and I do things that most people my age wouldn’t even think about, but I know my limits. I like my little CRF250 and I race it almost every weekend. But Garrett’s YZ450F is ONE MEAN MACHINE! I didn’t even try to digest the fact that I was riding the very bike he was on the day he died. I didn’t want to ride Garrett’s bike for that race but I most certainly didn’t want to say no to Mr. Berg. I have the utmost respect for him. He is a very strong man both mentally and spiritually. So I let the big lump in my throat just sit there and I went to the line on the 393. It would take a solid weekend on Garrett’s bike for me to get comfortable racing it. However, I did the best I could when the gate dropped and felt an incredible rush of power at my fingertips. I had a goal to stay on two wheels so I was a little conservative when we got to the first turn. In fact, the bike didn’t really want to turn like my CRF so I just took it easy and worked on the corners as they came to me. Buuuuuuttttttt………… I dipped a little too far inside where the peg-deep slop was back in the back and I felt myself going down. I was determined to keep the bike running so I never let go of the bars. I flopped over in the muck and got it inside my goggles and helmet. Had to ride the rest of the moto without goggles but I kept the bike running. Small victory. Lots of folks passed me. I wish I would have felt comfortable enough to ride the bike like it should be ridden. I knew with certainty I could clear the triple step-up but track conditions and the fact that I was unfamiliar with the bike prevented me from doing so. It would be ridiculous to do something rash during that race. And I was also constantly aware of the fact that the rear tire would bust loose at the slightest twist of the throttle in those slick corners. I use to think I knew what “finessing” the throttle meant.
I must add this about the second moto. b-bike393 rode shotgun just behind me. I still had much trouble cornering and I would glance back in each corner. He was right there. Sometimes I would just see a red fender or maybe only a shadow. But he was right there. I know I roosted the heck outta him and I apologize. But it was one of the coolest feelings I have ever felt to know he had my back. Thank you, Boyd for that memory that will last a lifetime.
I didn’t then and I still don’t feel worthy to ride Garrett’s bike but I am extremely humbled to have experienced the honor. The other riders that sat on top of the triple step-up with me honored Garrett’s bike no matter how slow the rider was. I appreciate that.
Thank you, Mr. Berg for dealing with this pain each October. You are an inspiration to many.

[pragmatic393]

Jedi, you have a way with words Reading this makes me think "what a great person you are"

You are a great Dad who leads by example and have raised a fine man

[Grieby54]

Wait... so that was you I was sitting next to on the line talking to? I had no idea...

When the gate dropped I got out and I felt HORRIBLE because I knew that I took off left and was right in the 393 bike's line, but since I had a good jump, I was hoping that I didn't hit the front wheel or anything. Did you make it out alright? (This was the first ATM/TT moto)

[crfjedi393]

Originally Posted by Grieby54

Wait... so that was you I was sitting next to on the line talking to? I had no idea...

When the gate dropped I got out and I felt HORRIBLE because I knew that I took off left and was right in the 393 bike's line, but since I had a good jump, I was hoping that I didn't hit the front wheel or anything. Did you make it out alright? (This was the first ATM/TT moto)

I didn't know it was you either. Yeah, you almost took Garrett's front tire out but I backed off real quick and was fine. Don't even sweat it. It's all good.

[Grieby54]

Originally Posted by crfjedi393

I didn't know it was you either. Yeah, you almost took Garrett's front tire out but I backed off real quick and was fine. Don't even sweat it. It's all good.

What'd we talk about? Dunno if you read my thread about the K.O. and not remembering half the day. All I remember is lining up one gate away from you (the broken gate between us), talking to you a bit, and jumping out in front of you.

[Grieby54]

Oh and in my defense... my first crash messed up my bar mounts so my bars were all kinds of crazy off.

[crfjedi393]

I don't have a clue what we talked about. My mind was on other things. And no need to defend yourself. It ain't the first time I've bumped tires off the line. Seriously, don't think a second thing about it.

[yzernie]

David,
Nice read. IMO and contrary to your own belief you are definately worthy to pilot the 393 bike. Mr. Berg carefully chooses.

[b-bike393]

David,

I agree that when Mike Berg asks you if you want to ride Garrett's bike, all you can say is Yes Sir. Then let the emotions flow.

I didn't plan on riding shot-gun with you on that second moto. It just happened. When things sorted out from the start I found myseld behind you and "The 393". By the time we made the last table on the back of the track I was thinking to myself that it would great to watch you and Garrett for the entire moto. Ya, I passed you guys after that same table on the second lap but all I could hear was the "THUNDER ALLIE" barkin at me after every trun. When I waved you past me I knew I would have to be on my A-Game in order to keep up. The fact you had difficulty making the 450 trun like you CRF just leveled the playing field so I could follow.

As for the ROOST. Yep I felt it every time you twisted the throttle. What compounded that feeling even more was I had forgot to put on my chest protector for that moto. ( insert my age here) However I would'nt have missed it for the world.

Thanks for the ride Dave. I too will treasure it always.

[crfjedi393]

Originally Posted by b-bike393

David,

I agree that when Mike Berg asks you if you want to ride Garrett's bike, all you can say is Yes Sir. Then let the emotions flow.

I didn't plan on riding shot-gun with you on that second moto. It just happened. When things sorted out from the start I found myseld behind you and "The 393". By the time we made the last table on the back of the track I was thinking to myself that it would great to watch you and Garrett for the entire moto. Ya, I passed you guys after that same table on the second lap but all I could hear was the "THUNDER ALLIE" barkin at me after every trun. When I waved you past me I knew I would have to be on my A-Game in order to keep up. The fact you had difficulty making the 450 trun like you CRF just leveled the playing field so I could follow.

As for the ROOST. Yep I felt it every time you twisted the throttle. What compounded that feeling even more was I had forgot to put on my chest protector for that moto. ( insert my age here) However I would'nt have missed it for the world.

Thanks for the ride Dave. I too will treasure it always.

Thank you, brother.

[Freak]

Great read. The pics and the storys of the past weekend almost makes me feel like I was there.

[Keetoman393]

Great write up, Jedi. Be proud, brother.

[char393]

David,

That was a great write up. Thank you for sharing the experience with us.

The humility you show just furthers my belief that you are one incredible person.

[OLDMXRACER 393]

Thanks for sharing that Jedi.

[MrsTwister393]

[crfjedi393]

Thanks Wobbie!