Independence

Today, the nation’s 233rd birthday, I’m reminded of the country song by Rodney Atkins: “The Declaration of Independence, Think I could tell you that first sentence, But then I’m lost.” 

When actually, it’s the second sentence that most people know, one of the best-known sentences in the English language and perhaps the most important words in American history: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I had to memorize that sentence back in grade school, and it’s still sticking to me today, in my orderly pursuit of happiness.

This is Freedom

Check out this LA Times article for some great truths on the Fourth of July. From the Detroit Free Press, there are nine reasons to celebrate your independence. Also, a fine editorial on freedom from the Miami Herald. And, if you’re feeling smart, test your knowledge of the Fourth of July, here.

Here in New York, (and Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island,) all types of consumer fireworks are banned, so instead of celebrating from my own backyard, I’m heading out to watch the pros do it up at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse!

Wet Weather

I’ve lived in New York for less than a week and already it feels like home; it rains everyday!

The ‘Cuse

Well, I’m a New York resident. I just moved into my apartment in Syracuse. School starts next Monday, and I can’t wait!

There’s a New York artist named Ryan Humphrey who actually turned a whole room of BMX bikes into an artisic phemonmenon. Check out the “Bicycle: people + ideas in motion” display in Philly here.

Interesting article out of Temecula Valley’s alternative paper on the hip-hop band DGAF, meaning “a lifestyle that says you live your life the way you want to.” Motocross is mentioned.

There’s talk of a 10-acre motocross track to be built on some 550 acres in Manatee County, Fla. “The site would include “bumps and jumps” designed by a leading national track designer, said landowner Peter Shirk. Here’s hoping it becomes a world class attraction.

Don’t miss this DZP interview with the Thundercross girl Brinsley Dyess, and watch out for her at Loretta’s this year! She’s fast!

Kenny G was here in the ‘Cuse this weekend for the 27th Annual Jazz Fest, and some 50,000 fans showed up for the free event!

Last but not least, make sure you read this article in Esquire magazine on just how hard it is to find a job these days. Scary, but true.

Summer

It’s official. Yesterday was the first day of summer, and the longest day of my life. Seriously! See – Sunday: The Longest Day of the Year

More time outdoors calls for a celebration. If you were in Seattle yesterday, you could have celebrated the summer solstice with a naked bicycle ride! Check out the video from the Fremont Solstice Parade!

This summer in N.Y., you might find country music’s Gavin DeGraw riding motocross in the Catskill Mountains.

Speaking of New York, last week, the Red Bull NASCAR of Brian Vickers made a historical pit stop on 7th Ave. in NYC during the busy lunch hour. Leave it to Red Bull to pull off something like this! Check out the GoPro helmet cams.

Debonair Dad

deb⋅o⋅nair /[deb-uh-nair] -

Origin:
1175–1225; from Old French, of good lineage or disposition

–adjective
1. courteous, gracious, and having a sophisticated charm: a debonair gentleman.
2. jaunty; carefree; sprightly.

The Debonair Dad: 25 Perfect Presents for Stylish Fathers.

My pops and me - circa 2006

I’m not sure whether this attire classifies as debonair, but my dad sure is charming and carefree!

History

For the first time in history, a major network is set to air a big time dirt bike race live on T V! The High Point MX national will be broadcast Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Check it out!

There’s great news on the Alaskan Peninsula! “When the economy goes bad, I’ve heard racing goes up. People are just looking for things to do closer to home.”

…How is it that I was just about all set to interview FL’s own Matt Goerke for the next feature in FLmx, and he injures himelf? Man, he was hauling up at the first few rounds, having just jumped on the 450 for outdoors! Get well soon, Beef!

It was not long ago when I blogged about a twelve-year-old boy named Joey Gibbs who was paralyzed in a motocross accident. Well, that didn’t stop him from riding! Recently, the Dream Come True Foundation sponsored the Gibbs family on a trip to Hawaii. Joey was able to tandem surf in Waikiki! Killer!

Right now, I’m in Charlotte scoping out my sister’s soon-to-be almamater Queens University. She’s playing lacrosse for the Royals and will be majoring in one of the sciences! Go, Shep!

TyBo

I’m sure eighteen-year-old-rookie Tyler Bowers is the youngest 450 rider in the professional motocross class this season, and he has already earned a name for himself, so much that Transworld had to catch up with him about it. [Scroll down to the Kentucky kid's responses at the bottom.] Tyler rides for MotoConcepts and will be gaining more national attention now, with the gnarly highspeed crash right in front of the camera in the live second moto broadcast from the Texas national. Not mentioned in Trans interview was that my dear friend Nick Hoffman is Tyler’s mechanic now and working for MC these days, living in SoCal, spending all of his time working, testing and training with his best bud, TyBo, whom he used to wrench for back in their amateur days, at Loretta’s, before either of them turned pro. It was always something listening to Nick re-live the thrills of their victories, the nostalgia – Nick was always ten years older. I wondered when they would be together again, and since he got the job, I bet it’s sooner than later!

There’s a guy in Jax that thinks he has the name Team 186, but there’s actually a real Team 186 with a real owner, Alex Hunter. He and I actually have a few things in common. I love how he’s finding a way to carve his niche in the sport. Find out here.

Here is some not so good news from the North Country. I did not find J-RO’s name on the results from Canada. #2 Heidi Cooks went 1-1. Something went down…

Strange how some environmental rules recently shut down a motocross track on Prince Edward Island that’s been open for years. Check out the reader’s comments on this one.

Also, here’s some added cause for concern, eh? Canadians are fighting over how much money it costs to respond to the motocross track!

Down in the Sunshine State though, there’s a cool article in Florida Today on a 10-year-old surfer dude from Melbourne who used to ride dirt bikes and now surfs for Fox.

Check out this interview with Florida’s Fox JP$! Show some love!

Apparently, there’s a southern rock artist named Skeeter Biscuit who has just filmed a music video out of the Orlando area where he was riding around on his dirt bike! Can’t wait to see that…

News

Today, someone told me, “If it’s good, they’ll read it on toilet paper,” which pretty much confirmed my plan to launch a new East Coast motorcycle magazine! The opportunity to publish a first class publication could not come at a better time for all of us.

After years of writing for Florida Motocross Magazine, I have come to love the small joys of grassroot reporting. Plus, the people love a free publication, so we both win. They’ll actually sit down and read the flimsy rag, word-for-word most of the time and there are always some people reading more of that than reading anything else.

On a lighter note, I was supposed to have a meeting with the defending Canadian motocross women’s pro national champ, my good buddy Jacqueline Ross, but she had to rain check at the last minute! This weekend is the first round of the series for J-RO, but I guess that will have to wait! I’ll talk to her after she gets ‘er done at the opener with the #1 plate. If you haven’t checked out her race bike, click here.

Summertime

The list of invited athletes for X Games 15 in Los Angeles, and check out the Florida talent!

Moto X Best Whip – Josh Grant, Todd Potter, Ronnie Renner, Myles Richmond

Moto X Super X-Men – Mike Alessi, Matt Boni, Justin Brayton, Josh Grant, Josh Hansen, Broc Hepler, Josh Hill, Jason Lawrence, Jeremy McGrath, Ryan Morais, Travis Pastrana, Chad Reed, James Stewart, Kevin Windham

Moto X Super X-Women – Sherri Cruse, Ashley Fiolek, Vanessa Florentino, Tarah Gieger, Steffi Laier, Jessica Patterson, Jen Price, Tatum Sik, Jolene Van Vugt, April Zastrow

A up-and-coming company called Damzl Ridewear is for girls who like gears.

There’s a 120-acre £200,000 six-track motocross facility in the works for Great Britain.

JT$

I just got off the phone with BBMX’s Jason Thomas, AKA JT$. He was getting ready for Glen Helen this weekend and told me that he feels 100 percent. Now, that’s good news!

Look for #45 on the cover of the next issue of FLmx!

It looks a little something like this!