Kelly’s Korner: It’s Mid-2014…Do You Know Where Your Riding Goals Are?
Last Updated: November 30th, 2020
We’re halfway through 2014 and now seems a great time to assess riding goals. What did you set out to accomplish this year, and how far have you gone? I’ve achieved one key aim: having more fun. After all, riding absolutely should be a blast. If it’s not, we’ve turned riding into something mundane; we’ve lost the magic. For me, adding dirt biking to the riding repertoire and using that same dirt bike for the track met my goal of having more fun.
Let’s back up. Last fall, I was re-introduced, after a long hiatus, to dirt biking, an experience that made me see how much I was missing when it came to playing. We adults need play in our lives, and when there’s a bike and jumping, sliding, rocks, hills, sand, who can’t play? With that in mind, earlier this year I bought a 10-year-old Honda CRF 230. Since then, I’ve put it to good use at Four Peaks, near Gila Bend, out at Rio Verde and more. I’ve also ridden it on Horsethief Mile at Willow Springs — more on that next month — and had my best track experience to date.
Overall, my 2014 has featured more fun and play, which are necessary as I deal with the typical stresses that come from work and life.
The cool part about pursuing “fun” through dirt biking is that the method sneakily has contributed to my street riding. You see, dirt biking builds a whole different skill set than street or track, yet it translates to those types of riding. Because you get used to the bike slipping and sliding underneath you, being a dirt biker can save “oh s—” moments on the street. Case in point: A couple of weeks ago I was leaving a dirt parking lot. Just before I reached the asphalt, I twisted the throttle more than intended and my back wheel slid side to side. Had I not had dirt biking time, I probably would have freaked out, grabbed the brake (never grab the brake, FYI) and crashed. Instead, I rode it out as if I were on the dirt bike and didn’t even realize until after the fact what had happened.
I’ll take it. I like that dirt biking and my CRF give me varied, new experiences and make me a better rider as a whole. So no matter your goals when it comes to riding, how are you going to achieve them? It doesn’t just happen, we have to put thought and effort into the desire. Start by listing what you want out of your riding career; write about ways you think will help you meet those aims. From there, talk to your TEAM Arizona coaches and your riding friends, get advice from your favorite dealer. Make use of the resources available to you and then put the feedback into practice. Be prepared to see, in December, how far you came over 2014.
Riding rules. Be safe, and have fun.
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