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