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