Hola all...

It has been quite awhile since I have been on here, lots of crap happening during the silly season, people that should have rides don't have them (Tedesco), others are on easy street (Hansen), and others are hiding out in the prison showers with their back to the wall (J-Law); Getting my account active again, looking forward to being in the states again and getting to some SX/MX races this year. Plan on at least getting to the Dallas SX in 2010 and hopefully get to Vegas as well. Have to wait and see what happens...can't wait to see Dungey and Villopoto mix it up w/ guys like Reed, Stewart, Josh Grant, Windham, Milsaps, etc...it's gonna be a real good season in SX this year I believe. Hopefully Ezra Lusk can get something set up and get to some of the SX races as well, if not all of them--I would like to see him out there mixing it up with the kids/lol. Oklahoma will be a new experience for me as well, SE Oklahoma is a really nice area from the times I have been out there to visit but where in the hell do you go riding out there? MX tracks would be cool but it would be nice to hit the trails as well, any kind of suggestions to throw my way??? When I do get a bike I plan on gettin' a paddle tire for it as well, Waynoka (Little Sahara) is only 4 1/2 hours away from where I will be and I plan on making an effort to get to the sand dunes there at least 4-6 times a year and possibly a Glamis trip once a year as well, just gotta do it. Anyhoo, if anyone wants to correspond about good ride spots in SE Oklahoma/Texas or discuss/argue about the upcoming race season, give me a holler. Take care and ride safe...

Harry

Hello All,

Need you all to get involved w/ this; if you haven't read anything on it, the CPSC is trying to ban the use of ATV's/Minibikes to kids under the age of 13 due to a Bulls--t CPSC rule (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Title I, Section 101), If anyone of voting age out there can do so, I would write to your elected officials of your state (Congressman/woman, Senators) and let them know how you feel!!! There are links below that you can use to contact your elected officials for your state.

Harryg

http://www.house.gov/

http://www.senate.gov/

Hola All,

It's me again; just chilling at home on a day off after a LONG week at work. Spent the start of my evening getting everyone fed and getting the little ones washed up and into bed. Did dishes, had a big ass bowl of Neopolitan ice cream afterwards. Spent some time on Craigslist looking for good deals on bikes/quads and just started thinking about home (the Imperial Valley/CA). Yep, miss the days when we'd get up early on Saturday and head out to the desert for a day trip, or if we were lucky, we'd camp out there for the weekend, that was real fun. Me and my cousins would rip around the desert on our bikes without a care in the world...the trips were fun out to the dunes as well, Glamis was a real fun time as well but the dunes can be gnarly, especially when you're a little guy. Damn near every year we would do our annual trip out there for Thanksgiving, that was way cool cause we'd spend 3-4 days out there just thrashing around having a good time, the adults would usually pitch horseshoes, play cards and drink beer in-between rides while the kids would go out and ride until the tanks were empty/lol. Those were good times; I am sure the adults would take bets on when I would crash something as that was a Thanksgiving tradition in itself. One year, they had to get my uncle's truck and go pick up my bike caused it was so tweaked at the time. Even though he didn't admit it, I am sure that my dad was pissed at me when it came time to fix it the following weekend. For the folks that aren't accustomed to a weekend out at the desert/dunes, I'll let you in on some of it: There would be a LOT of riding, grilling meat (Carne/Pollo asada was the best, mmmm....), for the older folks (parents, uncles, etc...) there would be some pitching horseshoes, shooting, and drinking beer afterwards, or if they were pitching shoes, drinking beer at the same time cause that was hard work/lol. Those trips were memorable, real good times...makes it all the harder to go to New Jersey after here, just means I'll have to wait FOUR MORE YEARS before I get to do that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not ripping on that part of the country as I plan to get some bikes when I get out there so the kids can start riding and I can get some seat time on a dirt bike as well. I am sure that there are some good riding spots out in that part of the country as well, but to me, it just isn't the same. I've been to NJ before and it just doesn't do it for me. Not one bit. For all of the folks that live near the SoCal area, trust me, I am envious of you. I really can't wait to get out there and mix it up with you all, whether it is at Plaster City, Superstition Mountain, Glamis, Ocotillo Wells...Good times and great places. For you all out there, if you have any stories of any cool riding places that you go to or where you are from, please share them, and if you are from the NJ/PA area and have any knowledge of good riding areas, please share those as well. Ride safe and keep the rubber side down, catch you all on the flipside...Harry

What's up all,

Three races into the season and it is safe to say that it's been far from predictable. Josh Grant has been on fire (1st/3rd/5th) and not showing any real signs of slowing down (BIG Congrats to him), Reed has been strong and consisent (Points Leader), and Stewart has been fast, even though he had a horrible race at A1. Lot of people have been talking about how bad his bike has been but the Yamaha of Josh (Grant) has been looking good according to the reports I have heard on the internet. Anyone thinking that someone over at San Manuel doesn't know how to set up bikes??? Reed was complaining about them last year and apparently Stewart has been struggling on them. Yeah, I know, he has won two races in a row, how is that struggling? Apparently from the reports online, getting the suspension and chassis dialed in for JS has been an issue and they have (from what I have read...) been working on it from week to week so they can get him a good bike. JS winning two races in a row is a testament to his abilites, regardless of how people feel about him, good or bad. Kevin Windham finally had a good race at A2 finally, but it is hard to tell with him, he can be on fire for awhile, then next thing you know, he is just mailing his rides in. He's harder to figure out than that crazy ex-girlfirend you used to date a long time ago. Ryan Villopoto has got a lot of criticism so far but it isn't deserved, let him get his legs under him with the big bike and as many others have mentioned, he will get a race win under him this year and a handful of podiums as well. He has been steadily improving and will improve as time passes. Onto the 250F West...Ryan Dungey came out strong, no real suprises there, Ryam Morias and Jake Weimer are really looking impressive--they will be fighting for the 250F West title all year, not to use an "overused" cliche--you could throw a blanket under those guys they are so close (and fast). Trey Canard should have stayed back east and defended his 250F East title this year. He has had some really bad luck so far this year--some of it was his doing, some of it was beyone his reach of responibility, hope that he can get healthy and come out swinging outdoors and show everyone what he is capable of. Now onto Jason Lawrence...first off, I AM NOT a fan of his, in any way, shape or form. Is he a talented and fast racer? Of course, you would have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see that. My problem is this: He has the means to win a LOT more than he should have, but he has too many distractions in his life and has been given way too many opportunties to be successful, but hasn't. Unless he can catch his second wind and put all of the cockiness and B.S. that he is known for aside, then he will be a winner, but not until then. Yes, he has won a 250F West title, but he is capable of doing better than that, he knows it, his sponsors know it and the folks in his circle that coddle him and handle him w/ kid gloves knows better, yet they are too afraid to push him and show him some tough love. If he could put his attitude in check and get some discipline in his life, someone like a Mitch Payton could work with him and get him to where he could be at. I am nothing more than a fan of this sport and don't consider to be an "Expert" on anything in regards to the sport of MX/SX, I am just throwing out an opinion and encourage you to put your two cents in on this, good or bad. Till next time, you all take care and hope to hear back from you in Motocross/Supercross land...

Harryg

Hello All,

Guess what? The supercross season is around the corner, and all of the SX/MX based websites are posting all sorts of info on who is still injured, who will be racing what region (for the 250F guys) and who is wearing what, race schedules, etc...Looks like the 250F West Regional Series will be an interesting one, on the flip side though, the 250F East is looking a little thin on talent. If there is a few top-3 capable racers (and they're are) that are looking for an easy (easier...) title to win, that is the region to do it in, cause the 250F West is loaded for bear. Trey Canard, J-Law, Ryan Dungey, among many others...that is a strong start to a class that is loaded w/ talent. I think that Dungey will get the title this year out West, it is inevitable, he ended last year on a roll and I think that he is done w/ the rookie mistakes that has haunted him in seasons' past. I think that J-Law's time is came and went, I don't see him doing anything big; he might get on the podium once or twice during the series but that's about all I see J-Law doing. YoT/Monster has lost their backing and they will be using leftover (race parts) from last year so they will be behind the curve against the other established teams in the series. I can see DNF's coming from a mile away, and that is what will hinder J-Law in the series, and I'm sure that he will blame the team for that, not his irresponsible behavior that caused Yamaha to pull support for the team, after they foolishly decided to keep him. Onto the big boy's class, the 450's...Obviously the big players are going to be James Stewart and Chad Reed, new bikes, new motivation and they had successful seasons last year, both are anxious to win. Haven't heard a ton of buzz about Ryan Villopoto, I can't say that I see him winning a SX title this year but I wouldn't count him out to win a race or three, and finishing in the Top-5 every round this year. Count on quite a few podium finishes this year for sure from RV. I think that Davi Milsaps and Andrew Short will do well for Honda, get a couple of wins for them and get some time on the podium as well. Don't see them as contenders for the SX title this year but solid Top-5 guys that will reflect well on themselves and their sponsors. Tim Ferry will do good this year as well, Kawasaki can count on him staying inside the Top-10 barring any injuries this SX season. Josh Hill, well...if he can keep his nose clean and stay on the straight and narrow, I think he can win a SX race and get some podium finishes as well this season. If you didn't see anyone else mentioned on here it isn't intentional but I just don't see anyone else making a big impact in the 450 class this year. Keep in mind I am merely a SX/MX fan and don't claim to be an "expert" but just a fan with an opinion. I would be more than happy to hear yours as well, good or bad. To All: Happy Holidays and I can't wait for the start of the SX season!!!

Harryg