"I Can Still Get Down Like Frank Poncherello on a Motorbike"

I have had the chance to ride my Kawasaki KX450F three times now, and I can honestly say that I like it better than any other bike I have ridden. The engine is ridiculous, and it is still stock inside with a Leovince Full Titanium system and a 51 tooth Vortex sprocket. To me, the chassis feels very similar to my 2011 Honda as far as ergonomics.  The one marked difference is that it seems to track a lot better exiting the corners.  I only have one complaint so far, and that is that the increased horsepower is wearing me out a little quicker than the Honda.  I hope after a few weeks, my body will have adapted to the power and ten pounds of extra weight.  I have yet to ride the bike on a Supercross track (since the suspension is still stock), but I believe the power will come in quite handy there as well.

Other great things seem to be happening, as well. I have picked up some support for Supercross, although a lot of the companies that have supported me in the past are still non-commital, so I am worried about that a little.  I am hoping that next week will bring some great news.  I do want to give a huge thanks to all involved thus far.  I am going to list this if that is cool, because these are the people that have enabled me to even race this season.

Rich Moss from Mastel Linens - Title Sponsor of my efforts
North Valley Honda/Kawasaki - Great group of guys to works with, and they stock a ton.
Leovince Exhaust/Ted Campbell - A great friend, fast rider and amazing products.
Enjoy Mfg - They supported me back in the early days, and we have re-united the team.
RK/Excel - They have supported me for almost ten years with the best products and support.
Steve Fox/Hoy-Fox Toyota - does anything he can to help, and has since 1999.
Dunlop Tires - the best tires available.
Dragon Optical/Kenny Adams - one of my best friends and longest supporters.
MotocrossCoach.com/Justin Buckelew - Justin is an amazing coach, friend and person. No better.
SpeedworldMX/Dan and Randy - enabled me to have a facility to prepare for SX.

I know this list will grow before the season, as it takes a village to support a Supercrosser.  I want to also thank my family, especially my girlfriend and my children for believing in me.  I am also blessed with so many great friends who support me through thick and thin.  My turbulent few years have weeded out my true friends, and I am grateful to know there are many that will never leave my side.

This is going to be a whirlwind of a week. For those of you who don't know, my girlfriend and I are expecting a baby any day now.  It will add more chaos and craziness to our lives, but I am so looking forward to meeting my new little one.  Being a father is what I am best at, and it is what I enjoy more than anything in life.  Thanks to Captain Morgan and Rainbows at the Aloha Grill in Huntington Beach, I get another child to practice this parenting thing on.

There's a contraction, I gotta go.

If I Shave My Mustache, Hawaii Will Sink

Time lapse of me at 28 and 33.

Halfway through Movember and I am feeling pretty good.  I mean, at 33 years old, one would think that growing facial hair would be kind of an afterthought.  Keeping in mind I hit puberty around 28, this whole facial hair is new to me.  I had a pretty wicked pisser handlebar stache for the FLY photo in 2010, which is likely why there were no photos of me in the casual wear catalog that year.  That is likely one of the many reasons I wasn't asked back for the two subsequent shoots.  But seriously, my facial hair is a bit sparse, so I am fairly proud of what I have working right now.  I still have a solid 17 days of November left of grooming this baby into something that Tom Selleck would be proud of.

Tom Selleck is my facial hairowin.

I have been working quite a bit this week.  I feel spread pretty thin, however.  I can't really focus on one thing in particular, which is frustrating.  I spent a few hours on the tractor, putting some finishing touches on the new training area.  I am looking for some suggestion on what to name our new training facility, so if you have any good ones please submit to me for consideration.  If I choose your suggestion I will give you some shit that will blow your mind.  Promise.  My personal best thus far is The Moto Asylum, with the tag line "commit yourself".  I know, I am pretty awesome.  I am also upgrading our marketing proposal for Team Solitaire (read: me).  If you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and want to support the oldest guy in the Supercross Series, give me a call.  You may get some free perks from AARP or Good Sam travel vouchers for your next visit to Luby's Cafeteria.

My dog sleeps a lot.  She also smells a lot.  I will bathe her today.

Unamused by your shenanigans.

My kids and I have been having a lot of fun lately.  If you have kids, you can relate to just how amazing the little moments are.  Things like falling asleep while watching a movie on the couch, cuddling first thing in the morning, or cleaning up piss off the toilet seat.  Strike that last one.  They are also a lot more independent than ever, and this only leads me to believe that sooner than I am ready for, they will want to be at their friend's house rather than watch Despicable Me at home.  But for now, they are content playing in the backyard with broken beer bottles and dirty syringes.  Capricious youth.

I will leave you with something my dad used to always say to me, which has been my mantra over the last several days.  "All there is to it is to do it".  I am sure he stole that, the plagiarizing bastard, but it stuck with me.  Tomorrow I am buying a new Kawasaki KX450F from North Valley Kawasaki.  I am working on my Supercross track.  I am finishing this god forsaken proposal.  I am cuddling with my clean Boston Terrier.  I am updating my blog.

 Click this link to be dazzled by my performance in this video. 

I Didn't Say I Was Powerful, I Said I Was a Wizard

The last three weeks got away from me.  I am the first to admit that it didn't go exactly as planned.  The important stuff in life is grand.  My girlfriend is amazing (and very pregnant), my kids are the eternal holders of my heart and I am still feeling physically strong.  On the flip side, I am not amassing enough money to launch a serious push for 2012 Supercross or really begin to claw my way out of post-marital-monetary-debt.  I am also in mental purgatory.  I need to get a job to earn money to get to Supercross, but doing so would surely eliminate any chance I have at making Supercross my job.  It's a bit of a conundrum.  At this point I just have to believe in myself enough to go with my gut instinct, which tells me that if I just twist the throttle than all the other things will work themselves out.

My view over the last two weeks has looked like the photograph above.  I have spent many, many, many hours in everything from a Skid Steer to a Skip, a Water Truck to a Rubber Tire Loader.  I have built a new Arenacross track, rebuilt my Supercross track, pounded dozens of T-posts, set concrete poles, strung wire, graded roads and picked up trash.  All of this was done to improve our training compound in hopes of having a better facility to prepare for the rapidly approaching Anaheim 1.  The tracks are all but complete, the fencing is nearly congruent and the concrete for the new gate posts is set.  I am excited for this place, there is much potential.  Potential far beyond what I set out to create.

Vet Rider Clinic participants Chris Kelly and Michael Larance talk lines.

In between all day tractor sessions, I have been doing some group and private training sessions at Speedworld.  It is rewarding for me to see riders improve, especially when they may have been stuck in a bad habit that I was quickly able to correct.  Like anything, it takes consistent training and a lot of repetition to break bad habits, which is why I decided to focus on small group training as much as possible.  For $100 per month, you get two, three-hour small group sessions.  With continued training, we can address issues and keep focused on improvement throughout the year for a much more reasonable cost.  If you are interested in joining either the Vet or Young Rider group classes, please e-mail me at mxculture@yahoo.com.  We meet every other Thursday at Speedworld.

Colonel Clark commands his little sister's attention.

I will leave the best for last: my kids.  Although they wear me out, they also keep me grounded and focused on the future.  I realize how fortunate I am to have them, and how much motivation they give me to succeed.  Three years ago I loved them and enjoyed being their father, but I didn't exactly know what that meant.  Today, a little better for the wear, I understand the things they need from me as well as the things I get from them.  Every day I am thankful to know them and, hopefully, lead them toward their own successes (and failures). I am so excited to add to my family a new baby boy.    

I try to teach my children to reach for the moon.

Monster Moto

Monster Energy Cup Photo by Chris Ganz - Brown Dog Wilson

Well, the Monster Energy Cup has cometh and goneth.  I put down some solid preparation leading up the event, but I wasn't really sure what my expectations were going in.  It had been a while since I have lined up next to the best riders in the world.  I emerged pretty happy with my progress.

Good points: I charged forward in every race, despite taking a spill or two along the way.  I was very in the moment every time I was on the track.  This may not seem like a big deal, but honestly it has been a while since I have been able to focus my mind on racing and racing alone.  I was looking forward to each drop of the gate, where as for the last two or three years I was looking forward to just getting home.

Bad points: I need to pick up some speed between now and January.  I was about a second off from being a legitimate threat to make the main.  It was possible that I could have snuck in, but it would have taken a stroke of luck, or at least a great start.  I want to be to the point where I can pick off riders and earn my way in each week, regardless of my start.  I also had a few little fire-drills with my bike, from a broken fork guard/holeshot device to a small electrical issue.  We were able to deal with them quickly, but you never want that on race day.

Our M.E.C. set up.  Thanks to Kyle Defoe for use of his truck. 

Stunt bikes and drift cars ALL DAY LONG.  Drifting is stupid.  There, I said it.

After the race, we jumped in the truck and pinned it back to Phoenix.  Did I mention we left for the race Saturday morning at 5:30 AM?  It was a very long day for all involved in the Clark program.  We arrived safely back in Phoenix at 1:30AM Sunday morning.  Five and a half hours later, my alarm woke me up.  It was time to head to my soccer game.  I know, it doesn't sound like a great idea, but honestly, it seemed like a good idea at the time.  Plus, I really enjoy soccer and I didn't want to let my team down.  It was a good thing I ended up going because I scored on the best goals of my young career.  Of course, then I rolled my ankle so I probably should have just slept in.

Sunday was a sobering day for motorsports.  We lost four prominent figures in the same day.  Dan Wheldon, the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, lost his life at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a horrific crash that involved fifteen cars.  In addition, Nick Hoffman, who was a fixture on the professional scene as a mechanic for Butler Brother MX, passed away.  He was engaged to be married next week.  Lastly, Rick Huseman (Off-Road Truck Driver) and his brother, Jeff, died in a plane crash just outside Barstow while returning home from the Monster Energy Cup on Sunday.  Such a truly sad day across the board.  It really puts things in perspective knowing just how fragile life can be.  You truly never know when your number might come up, so live each and every day to its full potential.

What is really important in life.

Looking forward, I have a lot of work to do in the next three months.  I hope to have you along on my journey.  It isn't going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it.  RC

Montreal Supercross - The Trilogy

It was a good weekend in Montreal for many reasons.
Awesome photo by my old friend JGR (Johnny G Rollin). 

Back to the story. This be the final installment of my Montreal 2011 adventure. When we last conversed, I was delirious and in bed (which is the best place to be delirious, by the way). I slept better than a baby, because as anyone with children knows babies don't sleep for shit. I slept like a teenager, despite the fact that my mattress was harder than Ron Jeremy and older than, well, Ron Jeremy.

The next morning I awoke excited to ride my Laliberté-supplied 2012 Honda CRF450R (shameless plug). Practice went really well again, and I was able to set the fifth quickest time in the final qualification session. This left me with a good position on the gate for the night show. The only thing I was worried about at this point was my back, which started nagging me about a month ago after picking something up, and my right arm that seemed to be pumping up and/or hurting after a few hard laps.

At around 18:30 (do the math) we walked the track and started getting geared up for the show. I was in the first heat and gated fairly far inside. I cleared the first turn in fourth, and would have passed into second in the next corner if not for a little miscue. I stayed on Cole Thompson, nearly passing him before the whoop section. The race was short, but on lap four my arm literally exploded. At that point I had to back down my pace significantly and just ride it out while jumping through the whoop sections. I held off a hard-charging Chad Johnson for fourth and rode back to the Laliberté Honda pits to regroup.

I don't normally get arm pump. If I do get it, it isn't usually very bad. I used all my little tricks - Aspirin, compression, ice, massage. None of these things seemed to be helping. The only thing I could think of was that my back issue was somehow connected to my arm, since only one arm was having problems. I headed to the gate hoping for the best, but fearing that my time was limited.

On the line before the Main Event.  Photo by James Lissimore www.directmotocross.com

Right out of the gate I locked bars with Jason Thomas, and we both bobbled and nearly crashed. I rounded the first turn much closer to last than to first. I was quick to begin picking off riders, grabbing lines anywhere I could find them. My aggression level was high, much higher than it has been in the past few years. In one corner, the sand turn entering into the longer of the two whoop sections, I knifed under two riders in one fell swoop. By the halfway point, I found myself in sixth place. It was at that exact moment that my right arm gave up on me. I tried to hold my pace as best I could, but it was getting downright difficult and dangerous. In the sand corner before the whoops, the one that I was coming out of and manualing the first three bumps, I was now reduced to single/doubling and just riding through as safely as I could. Three riders, all riders I had easily passed on my way to the front, creeped back by. I limped it in for ninth, both back and arm in rough shape.

Although my finish in the main could and should have been better, I left Montreal very excited and motivated. My speed is better than it has been in a while, and my aggression is finally back. I know there wasn't the talent level of an AMA Supercross at the event, but there was definitely some talent and it was a great opportunity to see how I stacked up against them. I was pleased with my progression.

As Danny and I crossed the border back into the USA, we were already reminiscing about the weekend. The Laliberté family took us in as one of their own, and made everything about the weekend easy and predictable. The promoters and track crew did an amazing job with everything, and the show went off without a hitch. If I have the opportunity to do Montreal SX again next year, show me where to sign up. I will be there as long as they will have me.

My Sunday travel day was long, but not nearly as long as on the way up. I made it back to Phoenix around 5:30 (17:30) in the evening. My beautiful CC was waiting for me at home with dinner and some kind of delicious Pumpkin Monkey Bread. I fell asleep on my 800-thread count sheets and my Posturepedic mattress and slept like I was home. And all was right in my world.

Montreal Supercross Part Deux

This is my Friday outfit.  I really like the new FLY Kinetic gear, it looks even better in person than photos.

Well, I made it to Montreal.  You know the problem with being broke?  You have to half ass everything, and it just makes you more broke.  Last time we spoke, I was sitting in the airport in Phoenix feeling all warm and fuzzy about being early, getting to Montreal and having a nice afternoon/evening with my friend Danny Nappi.  Since I have more friends than money, a good friend of mine is kind enough to donate his buddy passes to me so I can get to races.  The problem is, I am always on standby.  My easy PHX to Chicago to Albany flight turned into a PHX to Houston to Newark to NYC via train and then up Albany.  Once in Albany (my train arrived at 1:20 AM), Danny Nappi picked me up and we pinned it in his FJ Cruiser the rest of the way to Montreal.  We checked into our room at 6:00 AM.

The alarm went of at 9:00 AM, and we headed to Timmy Horton's for our morning nomulence.  It only took us about an hour to get the suspension and other parts on the bike.  I was really disappointed to find out that my head pipe was stolen out of my gear bag, so I have to run a stock exhaust instead of my bad ass LeoVince.  I am guessing a stoner somewhere is working on a sick new bong.

We pretty much sat around all day waiting for practice, but when it did finally arrive things went pretty well.  I was obviously a little tired, but I managed to set seventh quickest time in practice.  I am really pleased with the way I felt on the bike, and I have a few changes in mind that I think will help my lap times a bit.  I think my forks were a touch stiff, and as a result I was having a few issues holding a tight line through some of the corners.  Other than that, though, my bike was working great.  Thanks to Honda Canada for supplying me a brand new 2012 CRF450R.

Dinner at Pacini Langelier.  They have a bread bar, or at least they did before I got there.

After practice we grabbed some dinner at Pacini Langelier, a tasty eye-talian joint.  We are now back at the hotel watching the tele and on the verge of passing out.  Tomorrow will be a good day; A day that starts with a solid nine hours of sleep.

Bon Soir,
RC

Montreal 2011 Part One

Back in 2007 I won the Montreal SX.  To date, it is my biggest win.

A look at the very impressive stadium.

I am writing this update from Gate D-7 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.  Bound for Montreal via Albany, it is only 6:30 AM and I have already been up for three hours.  I am fighting coffee at this point, in hopes of getting some additional sleep on the plane.  This weekend will be my first time racing my dirt bike since basically April.  If you have been keeping updated on my blog, you already know that I have been steadily increasing my training, with Anaheim1 being my ultimate test.  The race this weekend should be a good measuring stick to see where I am at and what I need to improve on.  I am excited to be back on the bike and living my "Peter Pan" lifestyle.

The things in I brought are as follows:
MB1 Supercross Suspension
ASV Clutch Perch
Vortex Bars/Sprockets
Leovince Exhaust
Breathe-Rite Strips
All my gear (hopefully), including the new 2012  FLY Racing apparel.
New Dragon/FLY collaboration helmet
MacBook Pro
Neck Pillow
iPod mini
Clothes
Baby Wipes (The best thing I've learned as a parent)
Camera (for this blog)
Passport

That doesn't sound like a ton, but it took me a while to get packed last night.  As a result, I am at a mere five hours of sleep right now.  I will post some updates over the course of the event.  I don't have too many expectations, but I obviously want to do well.  I could use some of that purse money right about now.

I have to board my flight now.  Peace.  RC

The Origin of Team Solitaire

I started writing for RacerX Illustrated back in 2001.  I was a struggling privateer and Davey Coombs was familiar, and sympathetic, with my plight.  He had offered for me to stay in Langers (Dave Langran/RacerX Designer) old apartment on the property of the old RACERX/MX Sports Headquarters.  We were out drinking one night after Mt. Morris and he asked me to write for his magazine.  He was drunk, I was lubed up myself, so I didn't really think anything of it.  Low and behold, a week or so later Davey asked me for my first story.  I wrote up a quick story and submitted it, titling it "Solitaire" to embody my one-man race effort.  Everyone seemed to like it, as it sort of coincided with the whole privateer movement.  It ran on the RACERX website for about a year before moving to the magazine as a monthly column.  For several years it was a staple of the mag, and Davey even did some Ryan Clark Bobbleheads and other fun promo items.  My column had its up and downs, and looking back I did bitch about a lot of stuff that I should have just sucked up.  There are injustices in every part of life, and no one wants to hear about that shit.  I don't.  Suck it up and move on.  Excuses are like Chrysler 300's, everybody has one.

After my column went away, I just started writing for myself in my personal journals, and also writing music.  I went so far as to playing music at some bars on open mic nights.  It was something I never thought I would have the guts to do, but I did it.  I have no problem racing in front of 70,000 people, because I figure they are all watching Bubba anyway, but playing guitar and singing in front of thirty people was a challenge.  After a few times (and a few Boddington's Pub Ales) it became easier.  Most of my music was about negative things, as I have a difficult time writing songs or poems when I am in a good mood.  Now I figure no one wants to hear that negative shit anyway, so I have put them away for a while.  I don't.

Lately, I have been writing a sort-of monthly blog on Vurbmoto.com.  Vurb is a really cool site, and it kind of embodies the new generation of the sport, in my opinion.  If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, cruise over to www.vurbmoto.com.  I wrote a new one today that should be up soon about growing up in Albuquerque with the Johnsons, Tedescos and Justin Buckelew.  It was a good time, and we all experienced success at the professional level.  Check it out.

I also appreciate all the comments and feedback on my rants.  I know that our common thread here is that we all like motorcycles, but it goes a lot deeper than that.  I appreciate you all taking the time to read and throw the occasional comment or story about yourself, bike or family.  I enjoy reading them.

Davey promised me one more thing when he was drunk a few years ago, and that is a RACERX cover.  I am going to hold him to that one day, but I would like to earn it rather than push the charity angle.  No one wants to be given something they don't deserve.  I don't.

RC

Prep work

Sanding the stretch limo fenders and running boards

The time is moving right along and Anaheim1 is inching closer and closer.  I feel like I am really starting to  see some improvement in my fitness, as well as my riding in the last few days.  I had some great workout sessions in the pool, on the running trails, and mostly while playing soccer on one of my two league teams.  Soccer is brutal.  I feel like I just run wide open for hours on end, but somehow I still have fun.  If you can find a way to run yourself into sheer exhaustion and actually enjoy it, you might be on to something.  Maybe Seiji can chime in here, but as long as I don't get kicked in the face or roll an ankle, soccer seems like great training for moto-athletes.

Unfortunately, I only have my kids 50% of the time.  When I don't have them, I have enough time in the day to get my training/riding done and also work on some other projects.  Lately, I have been spending a good bit of time at my friend's shop, TM Customs.  Travis McGuire builds some ridiculously amazing hot rods and custom cars.  He is a really talented fabricator, and has been kind enough to help me with my welding and other trades of use.  Today, I helped him do some sanding and prep work on the stretch limo pictured above.  It is tedious and time consuming, but I am really looking forward to getting another coat of primer on, then paint.  When the car is finished, I will shoot some pics for everyone to see.

Does anyone else use the Entertainment Book that school kids guilt you into buying?  I pretty much live my life by that thing these days.  Sorry for the random thought.  This is not a paid advertisement.

Well I am off to soccer (again).  Rock on with your bad selves.  RC

Blood Blisters and Tongue Twisters

Justin Buckelew racing Arenacross a few years back.  Check out his website, www.motocrosscoach.com

The last several days have been a whirlwind of activity.  I don't want to bore you with the mundane shit, but life is comprised of mundane shit.  As I have been saying, most of my training has been off the bike up to this point, but the rain beckoned me to the desert on Wednesday for an impromptu shred session with my little minions Tristan and Tyler.  We had a lot of fun searching for jumps and trying to avoid getting incarcerated by the authorities.  The places we were riding were bordering subdivisions, and I am sure the trophy housewives and didn't want the CCV stickers on their SUV's to get dusted out by my MX71 roost.  Regardless, we traversed the area without incident, all the while finding new and interesting hip jumps, rut tracks and enduro sections to annihilate.

Someday kids, if you are the top privateer in SX and finish 4th in the World SX Championship, all this could be yours.

Early this morning I loaded up the Corolla/Trailer with my trusty steed and my two sleepy-eyed children to embark on this glorious day.  I dropped the grommets off at their respective learning institutions and punched the accelerator (which got me just over 54 mph) toward my learning institution.  Awaiting my arrival was Professor Justin Buckelew, along with two of his other pupils.  The track was pristine, as the recent rain coupled with the previous evenings open practice session left many a line and plenty of moisture.  After a good set of sprint motos on the MX track, we switched over to some off road riding.  Justin's students are preparing for a WORCS race, so they had laid out an off-road course for us to moto.  They were doing an hour moto, but I told JB I was only going 30 minutes.  I was having so much fun and feeling good at the pit stop, so I decided to double down and run the whole jalapeno.  Don't you agree that sounds better than enchilada?  Good, me too.  Anyway, I did it and now I am feeling it.  My hands are covered in blood blisters, but I am really happy to have put in some seat time.  I know I will be thankful come October, as I have some sizable events on my calendar.

Seamless transition from dirt bikes to roller skating...

Tonight I took the family to GreatSkate, an old-school roller rink, for my son's school skate party.  Both my kids did pretty well for their first (and hopefully last) time on roller skates.  Hey GreatSkate, 1982 called and they want their hobby back.  Nowadays we sit on the couch and gorge our faces while murdering people in video games and watch reality tv while complaining about the President and/or the state of the economy.  Oh, is that just me?  Capricious youth, how I miss thee.

Alright, that is enough information for one blog post.  Big days and weeks ahead.  Get to it.  RC

Quads: Not Just for Girls Anymore

Dustin Nelson shredding his couch.  Photo courtesy Dustin Nelson.

Question: What is the hardest thing about riding a quad?
Answer: Telling your parents you're gay.

I am not going to sugar-coat it, I have had a long-time hatred for quads.  Let's face it, they ruin more motocross tracks than all encroaching subdivisions combined.  Ten or so years ago, my childhood friend/competitor and someone I always tried to emulate, Dustin Nelson, switched from two wheels to four.  He was (and still is) a Yamaha test rider, and during quad testing realized he was pretty damn good on four wheels.  He was amazing on two-wheels as well, but just had a string of injuries that prevented him from reaching his full potential.  Dustin was one of those kids that was not just good at everything, he was GREAT at everything.  And it drove me crazy.

Seven months ago I was forced to re-evaluate my stance on quads.  The girl I was falling in love with had worked in the quad industry as a magazine editor for years, and she swore to me that quad racing was fun, relaxed and just a totally different atmosphere than the pompous, overpaid assholes I have always been forced to hang out with.  After meeting many of them at the Indy Trade Show, I had to agree.  I was slowly being won over by the couch racers.

This weekend the QuadX Series made a stop at Speedworld MX, and my old pal Dustin Nelson was rolling into town for the event.  He came over to the house and had breakfast Saturday morning, and we did a little bench racing and reminiscing about old times.  I had actually moved in with he and his family in El Cajon, California for the second semester of my seventh grade year to compete in the Golden State National Series.  That evening, we caught the tail end of his second moto, the moto that clinched yet another championship for Dustin.  Congratulations, Dustin.  You are still the bad ass I remember you to be.

So to sum this quad story up, I still don't like them but I no longer hate them.  They should not ever share a track with a dirt bike, and in my opinion anything with four wheels should have a steering wheel.  And Can-Am Spiders can suck it, while we are on the subject.

9/11 also marked my daughter's fourth birthday.  She is and will always be my little girl, and words just cannot describe how much joy she and her brother bring to my life.  Happy Birthday to my baby girl.

This weekend was also my first soccer game of the outdoor season.  I played pretty well, but my feet are killing me, likely due to my ten year old shoes.  My mom is in town and she is buying me a new pair tomorrow since I am broke at the current moment.  Thanks, Mom.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and best wishes for an amazing week.  RC

Swingers

The attire is questionable, but she's got the swing.

I really appreciate teachers.  More so since I began giving lessons to grommets somewhere around when the money tree dried up two summers ago.  With my racing career/Team Solitaire in shambles, I was desperate to make some quick cash and pay a few bills.  I've always enjoyed passing knowledge along, but never had been forced to do so for basic survival until then.  I learned quickly that, even though I am a patient person, my patience for kids that only rode for their parents or as a social outlet wore thin rather quickly.  It wasn't that I couldn't appreciate how they were using dirt bikes (we all have our own goals and reasons for riding), it was just that I was frustrated because no matter what I told them to do they wouldn't listen, and it felt like a waste of time and breath.  I still do lessons today, although I am a little more selective of my students.  I prefer to teach either Vet riders, who are spending their own money, or kids that are truly thirsty for knowledge and will try the techniques, not just go on thinking they are the next RC (not me, obviously).

Today I spent two hours in my daughter's preschool class.  She only goes to school Tuesday thru Thursday, but today was picture day and I felt that I would be doing her an injustice if I didn't force her to take pictures we would later mock at family gatherings.  I love kids.  I really love kids.  I have patience for all kinds of shenaniganizing and tomfoolery.  After an hour in that class I was ready to start lecturing kids on manners, hygiene, whininess and respect for your fellow man (in this case kid).  I have to tip my hat to teachers.  Preschool teachers.  My daughter's preschool teachers.  There is not enough money in the world...

After leaving the aforementioned learning establishment, my day got much better.  I went down to TM Customs and worked on a fabrication project I have been concocting.  I put the finishing touches on it today, painted it and mounted it to the trailer I pull behind my trusty 1994 Toyota Corolla.  I will snap some pictures of my set-up if you all promise not to be jealous.  Deal?  Deal.

The thunderstorms rolled in tonight just as the kids and I began a game of miniature golf for the ages.  It began with my daughter scoring a legit hole in one on the first hole (she is three).  I see a future in a ball with stick sport.  Maybe you all can relate to me on this (or maybe you will think I am delusional) but I don't want my kids chasing a career in motorcycle racing.  Yes, I love my life.  No, I would not change it.  But I want more for my kids.  I want them to find their identity in something else, not in what I did (unless that is absolutely, positively the one thing they love).  All the broken bones, concussions and sponsor deals gone awry have left me a little bit cynical.  There are likely easier ways to put food on the table than racing a dirt bike, none more fun, but definitely easier.  RC

The First Breakfast.

I wish could wake up and eat breakfast here every morning.

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  With that in mind, I decided quite some time ago to make sure my kids never leave my house without a full stomach in the morning.  As such, I have relegated myself to a life of little sleep, extremely early mornings, and lots of dishes.  I don't know what this stemmed from, but I have fond memories of my dad's Sunday morning breakfast buffets aplenty.  Coupled with the fact that my son may, in fact, be the world's pickiest eater and you have the perfect storm for delirium.  For whatever reason, he loves basically all breakfast foods, but nothing else.

The menu this week has consisted of but is not limited to the following items:  eggs, Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage, waffles, cereal, pancakes, fruit smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, french toast, coffee (for me and CC), fruit plates and powdered sugar (that deserves it's own food group in my house).  So as you can see, we do it up right and we wake up early to do it up.  CC handles the dinner most nights, but I have breakfast smothered, covered and slammed.

I really need to go riding, as I just realized I wrote two paragraphs about breakfast.  I am hoping to have the Supercross track out at Speedworld MX up and running by the end of next week.  At that time, I promise to right more about motorcycles than morsels of delicious breakfast fare.  Until then, eat it up and drink it in.  RC

Futbol

My soccer skills have never been compared to this man, but at least my girl has musical talent.

I have been in a really good routine for the last four weeks since my son went back to school.  On paper I have my kids half the time, but as is normally the case with divorce/custody/breakups, the only constant is change.  Anyway, I pick them up and then come home for a quick snack, quiet time, homework, playtime, showers, movie time, reading and bedtime.  The routine often gets upset due to other commitments, but for the most part it remains some hybrid of this.  Everything went like clockwork last night, and after the kids were off to dreamland I left my lovely lady, CC, at the helm and snuck out for my second indoor soccer game of the season.

Since I trained pretty hard yesterday morning at the pool, I was dragging by the afternoon.  I thought I would sneak in a quick nap during the kids "quiet time", but no such luck.  I headed out to the game with my Motivite bottle, sweet new uniform and a fear of running myself into complete exhaustion.  The game was great, but unfortunately we ended up losing 9-7 after the opponents scored two quick goals in the waning moments.  I was able to notch two goals myself, which was pretty cool considering I am very out of practice.  I am using soccer as a fun way to get some additional cardio in during the week.  I have my first outdoor game of the season this Sunday.  The big field doesn't wear you out as much since you aren't involved in every play.

When I arrived home, all three of my favorite people were fast asleep.  I laid in bed for a while with my mind racing a million miles an hour.  I gave up on sleep around midnight and picked up my Martin Acoustic.  Sitting on the couch strumming for a half-hour calmed my nerves and shut my mind off, and I was finally able to drift off to dream for a while before my daughter came calling somewhere in the middle of the night.  Oh, the joys of parenthood.  I am off to nap now...

The Beginning of the End

View from the top of the ski ramp.

Overlooking Iron Mountain, Michigan.

There is so much that has happened in the last six months (the last time I updated this blog). In reality, there is so much that has happened in the last three years of my life that has changed me (for the better, at least that is what I believe). I titled this post the beginning of the end because I know that my days of competing as a professional at the top level of this sport are numbered. According to many, they have already passed. They may be right, but I believe I have one good season left in these old, pinned-together bones. This industry is as shallow as a shower, and someone my age with my results would be lucky to a free set of gear let alone some budget to go racing these days. I am fortunate that I have forged a few strong relationships, and enough people still believe in me that I can make a go of 2012 on an actual current year bike.

I was prompted to begin blogging again after going through old papers and photographs in a marathon organization session yesterday. I came across some printouts of my old website, TeamSolitaire.com, which chronicled my day-to-day training and personal life. I enjoyed reading it, and seemingly so did the thousands of people who frequented the site. Team Solitaire was huge back then, not just because of my results but because of the "do it yourself" attitude and against-all-odds mentality. Well this season is definitely going to be against all odds, and if I am going to do anything I will have to do it myself. No matter what anybody says about me, I believe in me. I believe I can have a successful season and live my life on my terms. That is what I am setting out to do.

Today wasn't exactly day one of training, I have been pretty focused for the last couple of months. I swam just over a mile this morning at the local country club (which, btw I do not belong to but has lackluster security in the pool area). I don't condone this type of behavior, mind you, but I am broke and I need large amounts of water to navigate. My fitness is pretty good right now, but it needs to be amazing.

I am actually still sore from my Saturday morning training up in Iron Mountain, Michigan. I ran the local ski area, Pine Mountian, which dons a giant ski jump that stretches up toward the clouds in an impressive manner. I ended up traversing it three times, top to bottom, which left my calf muscles feeling balled up and barely functional.

And thus my morning concludes at Starbucks with my amazing gestational partner and a Artisan Breakfast Sandwich. This day is far from over, as I have some afternoon activities planned, including an indoor soccer game and my son's Karting practice. Check back often or follow this blog as I will be posting a lot of useless (and useful) information here. RC

Atlanta SX

Took a week off to attend the Indy Trade Show last weekend. Fortunately, it was kind of a muddy race in San Diego that I missed so it wasn't that big of a deal. This weekend I am trying to get to Atlanta on a few bucks and a dream. I'll let you know how that works out.

I also launched a new vitamin line called Motovite. Check it out at www.motovite.com. I am really excited about this as I have been into nutrition since my career started and am looking forward to putting something out there that I believe will help people achieve their goals.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your week.

RC85