On The Pegs July 2020 - Volume 5 - Issue 7 | Page 117

On The Pegs VOL. 4 ISSUE 7 - July 2020 117
I’ve had my heart broken. I’ve been so stressed and angry I thought my head
would explode and leave lumps of grey matter splattered across the ceiling. I’ve
had dreams turn to dust and had things fall apart without even a polite warning.
But no matter what else was going on in my life, one thing has always been the
same – there was a garage, and in that garage there was a dirt bike.
For whatever reason, I have a hard time getting out of my own head. Especially
when I’m worried or upset, I will turn the same thoughts and ideas over and over
in my brain, ruminating on them until there’s nothing left but the cud. Riding is
one of the few things that can make those thoughts go away.
I don’t know why, exactly. It could be that it takes all of my concentration not to
end up with a face full of tree, so there’s no extra room for any other thoughts.
Maybe it’s because it’s one of the few things I’m really good at, so every time I run
a fast laptime or make it up a gnarly hill, I get a little glow of pride and satisfaction
inside. Heck, it could just be because dirt bikes are really fun.
Whatever the reason, being on a dirt bike always makes me feel better, at least
in the moment. Sure, the world is still going to be waiting for me when I park the
bike and take my helmet off, but while I’m out riding, all that evaporates like a
shallow mud puddle in the dead of summer.
For all its beauty and wonder, the world can still be a stressful and generally
unpleasant place. Especially in the last few months, with the threat of COVID and
the undeniable economic setbacks that have resulted (RIP Obermeyer Yamaha). If
nothing else, it certainly cost us two precious months of the 2020 racing season.
Whether you’re sick, worried about your job, miss your grandparents or are just
angry that you missed x number of races, it’s more important than ever to find
and take part in that thing that takes you out of your head and into your happy
place, whatever that may be.
For most of the people reading this article, I’m willing to bet you’re like me, and
it’s riding dirt bikes. Or maybe working on them. Looking at all the cool pictures
of dirt bikes Shan takes and shares with us here in On the Pegs probably helps
too. But whether it is all of those things or none of them, remember that life is
about enjoying the ride – take time to do the things that make you happy and
make life worth living.
Sometimes you need to leave the rest of the world parked back at your truck,
right next to your empty gear bag. In the meantime, take care of yourselves, your
families, and your communities. Better days are ahead. n