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People are sheep. It is in our nature to want to be accepted by others, praised by others, wanted by others. It is a difficult thing to overcome, even if you are conscious of it. To be different makes you weird, it makes you vulnerable to ridicule by the sheep who want to bring you down to build themselves up.

As a parent, how do you convey the gravity of life to your children but not make them grow up too quickly? You don't want them to be outcasts, but you want them to find their own identity based on their wants and not to try to please the crowd. I find this especially tough with my daughter, who I try so hard to keep young, innocent and tomboyish despite very strong influences that base their life on looks, money, vanity and perception. I struggle with the meaning of it all, and I have settled on (at least for now) that my sole purpose is my children. My job is what I do, my hobbies are my entertainment but my family what makes me who I am.

In spite of the bad decisions I've made and the irresponsible things I have done, good thing have blossomed and flourished. I have tried to give religion and god a chance, but I find myself back at the same point pertaining to people following one another because it's our nature. It is the reason why religions vary by region, by ethnicity. All we really have is our relationships and our family to make a lasting mark and to influence the future.

The Real World

When you are young you lack perspective. You can be well-educated, have a good bit of common sense and have the world by the short and curlys, but there is just no way to actually know how well you have it because you don't have a basis of comparison. Unless you were born in a third-world country or your parents were migrant farm workers, chances are pretty good you had a decent childhood. If you are reading this from a war-torn North African country, I apologize for generalizing my audience.

Today in line at Rancho Market I was behind a man and woman who bought $250 worth of Totino's Frozen Pizzas, ice cream and Monster Energy on a welfare card. WTF? If you want to eat and drink overpriced heart attacks, get a job and pay for it. Until then eat peanut butter and jelly. It's maddening.

The cliche "Welcome to the Real World" was not just what the emcee of MTV's hit reality show would say on the first episode of the new season, it was a warning my dad would give me when trying to cue me in on how great I had it. And I did. I made good money, not great money, but good money. I traveled like dust in the wind, not just around our county but all over the world. People wanted to be my friend, not because of my sparking personality, but because I was fast on a dirt bike. It was a peculiar life, but I lived the shit out of it.

These days I live a normal life. I cannot use my celebrity to get free stuff or negotiate deals to get paid to take European vacations. I go to work and pay my bills, I shuttle my kids to a from an endless array of events and meetings. I watch my bank account dwindle each week before getting replenished on pay day. I can honestly say I am in the real world. The unforgiving, thankless, stressful and often infuriating "real world". It's a far cry from moto-stardom, but nothing can last forever. I sure do appreciate the good old days...

San Diego Supercross Event Update

Awesome shot by Austin White. Check out www.insidermx.com
for more of his work and race updates.

Ryan Clark Event Update

San Diego Supercross

Qualcomm Stadium - San Diego, CA

February 11, 2012

Round six of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series rolled South to San Diego for the final event before heading East. I had a decent week of training, cut a little short by a broken radiator on Wednesday which left me scrambling and unable to ride on Thursday. I was able to repair the radiator before the weekend, and was really looking forward to a positive result. On top of that, Ross Miles lent me a hand with the mechanical duties and freshened up my trusty steed before battle.

Saturday was an early morning, as my family and I were staying in Huntington Beach with a friend. I got through tech inspection and sound with ease, and headed out to the track walk. The track looked fairly technical, with a really long whoop section and a few treacherous rhythms. I was excited to get on my 2012 Kawasaki KXF450 and get it dialed in.

Practice went a little better this weekend, and I was easily into the program with a 50.3 lap time. This left me with the 14th gate pick in the first 450cc Supercross Heat Race. I had a couple good laps in practice, but I was having a tough time finding a flow around the track.

The first heat started off great, with a solid jump off the gate and a great position around the first corner. Unfortunately, the guy ahead of me opted not to jump the rhythm section and I went from around fifth back to 12th in one fell swoop. It was really frustrating to be up that far and lose it all at once, but I guess I should have chosen a better line. From there, I was just off my rhythm, much like in practice. My lap times were okay, but I made mistake after mistake, and failed to make the transfer with a 14th place finish.

In the LCQ there were quite a few solid riders, so I knew I would need the start if I had any shot at the transfer. Out of the gate I was decent, but going into the first corner I got pushed wide and was near the tail end of the pack. I started picking off riders right away, but being that buried in the pack never leaves you a good line choice. I was able to methodically work up to eighth place by lap six, but that was six places shy of the transfer to the main event. 

I was extremely disappointed with my ride at San Diego. I felt that I had a really good opportunity in the heat race, and I was unable to take advantage of it. My arm is now almost 100%, but my mind is still struggling to get in the racing groove. I am hoping that a change of soil next week at Dallas will give me the boost I need to pick up my pace and get in the all-important main event.

Thank you to all my supporters for sticking with me through the injury and recovery. I am doing all I can to get back on track as quickly as possible.

All the best,

Ryan Clark

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I use and endorse the following products:

Motivite Nutritional Products, Mastel Linens, M2R Helmets, HoyFox Toyota, LeoVince Exhaust, Nuclear Blast Records, Enjoy Mfg, FLY Racing, Vortex, RK Chain, Excel Rims, Dunlop, Graeme Brough Suspension, Hinson Racing, North Valley Racing, The Dirt Lab, All Balls, Motion Pro, Dragon, Leatt Brace, DT1 Filters, CP Pistons, ARC Levers, ITAS, Rockwell and Gaerne.

Horseshoes and Hand Grenandes 2

Welcome to 2012. Cassandra and I were talking about how old we are the other day (apologies to anyone older than us) and began reminiscing about childhood. It dawned on us how many different musical devices have come and gone in our lifetime. Eight tracks, 45's, cassette tapes, cds and now MP3's. Then you have video tapes from Beta to VHS to DVD to BluRay and on-demand video. My kids will never have to drive a standard transmission, reach across to unlock the passenger car door or blow on the cartridge of a video game to get it to play. My point being, it is crazy where we are now and I am sure it will be just as crazy where we end up 33ish years from now.

I took a few involuntary weeks off from riding my dirt bike. Exactly 23 days after I fractured my humerus just below my shoulder socket, I got back on the beast that caused the injury in the first place. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good. I am going to forego the race this weekend in Phoenix, not so much a sign of my maturity as lack of preparation (no graphics, one bike, bent subframe, no money). I am hoping to have at least two of those four rectified by LA next weekend; not sure which two yet.

My kids are awesome. Unless you are a relative of mine reading this or you have kids yourself, you probably don't care. And neither would I when I was your age, so don't feel guilty for feeling that way. I am good at making babies...maybe not so much the act as the end result. My new little man is just a bustling little bundle of snorgulance. What is even cooler is the fact that my vowels have taken to their new little brother like Techron takes to Chevron. So in spite of my injury, lack of money and my complete loss of self-respect via the purchase of a gold minivan, I am happy. And in love. And that may be all I have right now, but somehow that is enough.

"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.