Having just read George Orwell’s essay on Politics and the English language, I cringed at Thursday’s headline in the South Florida Sun Sentinel: FBI offers $10,000 reward for ‘Motocross bandit.’ 

Really? A motocross bandit? What, was he robbing banks in a Fox jersey? Wearing Scott goggles? Riding out on a KX250? Curious, I clicked on the news story and saw surveillance photos from inside the Bank of America and the suspect in a black motorcycle helmet and jacket. I found nothing ‘motocross’ about him! Now, to the average reader, I’d be splitting hairs, but not to a motcrosser! According to Orwell, “The writer either has a meaning and cannot express it, or he inadvertently says something else, or he is almost indifferent whether his words mean anything or not.” Hmm…

Check out the New Zealand Herald’s coverage of Ben Townley: keen, fit – and back with vengeance.

Today, take a second to remember Mike Cinqmars, a pioneer of freestyle motocross and X Games silver medalist. He was 31.

Just the other day, a new friend sent me a chain letter text message that said:

 ”2009’s is nearly over so pass the smile to anyone that made u smile this yr. It might suprise u how many u get bac.”

I shook my head and smiled at the obvious spelling errors. Text messaging is making us lazy! But that’s another topic, altogether. Read more. I thought back to the beginning of this year and who was making me smile and how much that’s changed since I moved to Syracuse for school. Now, an entirely new circle of friends makes me smile, along with my professors, my Canadian roommate, other acquaintances and just New Yorker’s in general. I’ve noticed how some have a tendency to end every sentence with a question and they’ll use phrases like, “It’s wicked cool,” instead of “That’s sick.”

Speaking of slang, ESPN’s Brian Tunney came up with a list of reasons why BMX is the better action sport. With tricks called the grizzly air, which I had to Google – it’s a type of one footer –  maybe BMX is better?

Now, from motocross.com, here’s what really happened at the 2009 Mini O’s, but not one mention of Orlando’s factory-backed 9-year-old Jordan Bailey except that he won both supercross and motocross championships and three out of four motos in the 51 (7–8) Stock class. This week, I’m giving Jordan a call to set up an interview for the January issue of FLmx! Stay up.

“”A writer can spin on about his adventures after thirty, after forty, after fifty, but the criteria by which these adventures are weighed and valued are irrevocably settled in the age of twenty-five.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Instead of waking up early to hit the malls and go shopping, I spent Black Friday (my birthday) surrounded by sunshine, my true family and friends at the 38th annual Thor Winter National Olympics in Gainesville, and that’s worth a helluva lot more than what was on sale at the mall.

By the time I arrived on Friday, the weeklong event was winding down, but that morning, we paid tribute to Oscar Diaz and set up a table full of custom designed t-shirts (Thanks J-RO!) next to his #468 Honda and a collage of smiling photos of him.

A number of people stopped to ask who the shirts were for: “What happened to Oscar?” I tried to explain it…if that’s you, click here.

Rest In Paradise

I stood there all day catching up with friends and talking business with the big whigs, watched FL’s Ian Trettel win all of his motos, (He went on to win ALL four championships in 250 A Stock and Mod and Open A Stock and Mod), saw Malcolm Stewart in his street clothes, still nursing his injured shoulder, chatted up Kyle Williamson about his new PintoMX Web site. (Check out his voice interviews with guys like Trettel and Gannon Audette.) I kept hoping to see Ricky Carmichael walk by so I could wish him a happy birthday, too, since RC tweeted about being at the Mini O’s earlier in the week, but I missed him.

Driving home, I figured I’ve fit more into these past 25 years than I ever thought possible, which makes me more excited for the next 25 years!

Check out more Oscar coverage, here!

38 years strong!

…I was snapping pics at Gatorback, watching guys like Justin Barcia and Taylor Futrell tear it up in the 250A/Pro-Am Stock class, both of whom have since gone on to become professionals and household names might I add. What’s more, Barcia won rookie of the year! Now, as I sit here sifting through these old photos, I wonder who will go out on top this year at the Mini O’s, and who might be signing autographs next year; Barcia’s signing all week at Mini O’s. Without further ado, I offer you a snapshot in time…

If looks could kill...

The 250A/Pro-Am Stock class started things off

Barcia gave chase to Mike McDade

Futrell, 277, got tangled in one moto

This year, one thing's for sure: All eyes are on this guy, Malcolm Stewart, who went 8-0 last year on a two stroke! Now that he's in the A class, can he repeat?

]]> http://no1jenn.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/one-year-ago-today/feed/ 0 no1jenn 26 stagingA sx_startA barcia_A tangledA stewart http://no1jenn.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/sunday-fun-day/ http://no1jenn.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/sunday-fun-day/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:09:10 +0000 Jennifer Sheppard http://no1jenn.wordpress.com/?p=1536 ]]>

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s called motocross and not motorcross…read this for a laugh. There’s even a reference to being lazy! “As all motocross people are in a race to get to the end of everything including words.”

Legend has it: Carey Hart’s up for FMX Rider of the decade. I <3 Hart!

To ride or not to ride? That’s the question for MX 691, Rhode Island’s newest exclusive off-road riding park, which happens to be zoned for residential use. Whoops!

Also, some very light reading with the essentials of air filter cleaning! That’s one of the few things I learned how to do as an amateur! Thanks, Dad. (Oh, and by the way, I received a letter from Ford Motor Company in the mail notifying me of a defect (09S09) in the Explorer, and until I can have the recall service performed, I need to park my vehicle outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading! Seriously?)

One week until the 38th Thor Winter National Olympics presented by Pro Circuit at Gatorback in Gainesville!

First up Monday is the supercross track

Let the shenanigans begin!

Did anyone else see Vanilla Ice on the Early Show last week? Notice who was in his entourage? “A scary barefoot clown dressed up as Santa.”

I remember meeting Ice a few times, mostly at his Holiday Block Party in West Palm Beach. (This year marks the 4th annual on December 5.) He was always pleasant to his fans, collecting toys for tots, showing off his cars, bikes, etc.

Ice playing with his car

One time, I approached him, ”Hey, Vanilla!” I said, smiling still like a teenager. “It’s Ice,” he said, sort of barking at me. I laughed. I’d blown it. Whoops!

Ripping a burnout on the Wes Kain Mafia mobile

Ice is back? Word to your mother!

Christie Hefner is brilliant and named by Forbes as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women.

Once the recognized president and CEO of Playboy, Christie was responsible for turning that bowie-wearing-bunny into a globally recognized brand. In 2009, Christie retired after more than 20 years as chairman and CEO. Last week, she was invited to Newhouse where she spoke about the future for Playboy and in general.

Although she never envisioned herself working for Playboy, in 1982, Christie became president. This, at a time when her father’s business was facing serious financial difficulties. This, also at a time when feminism was sexy, respected and desired.

Still, “I wonder at myself,” she said.

From the beginning, Playboy was something people could self-identify with, but her father likened Playboy to a lifestyle full of intellectual content.

You remember the jokes, “I read Playboy for the articles?”

So, Playboy was the first to publish the Roots and Fahrenheit 451, Christie said. Recently, Playboy purchased the rights to Vladimir Nabokov’s last, unfinished novel, The Original of Laura.

Playboy also became the first national magazine to publish on the Internet.

When asked how Playboy envisions social media, Christie said, “We wrote the book on it,” by setting up partnerships and creating more audience interaction, but she also spoke of an emerging role reversal in business,where the mentor becomes the mentee, she said.

Someone asked her how on Earth could he get into one of “those parties,” and she laughed. “Well, there’s a few ways. You could pay for a ticket which proceeds would go to charity. You could become friends with Hef. Or, you could become a very beautiful woman.”

She was full of advice. “Do more work; seek feedback; understand what’s being evaluated of you,” she said. “Go to school on other people.” When looking at your competition, try focusing on what they didn’t do; it could offer more insight.

Then, the greatest question, from yours truly: What’s going to happen when there is no more Hef? Younger generations may recognize Playboy, but they still don’t know who created it. (I referenced this New York Times interview with Hef.)

Well, she said, there might be a movie made about his life, but there is no heir apparent. That’s the point of building a legacy.

Truly a remarkable woman.

Also remarkable: The new Los Angeles Police Department chief is also the department motocross champion?

Remember Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell? Apparently, in the 15 years since then, Mark-Paul Gosselaar put on a pair of spandex as,”perhaps the best celebrity-slash-bicyclist in America,” according to this New York Times article. Right now, Gosselaar’s in NYC making his stage debut on Broadway and riding through Central Park on his carbon road bike. Next time I’m riding through the City, I’ll be on the lookout for him.

This weekend, I stayed in TriBeCa, the triangle below Canal Street, biked the Hudson River Park and watched tens of thousands people attempt the 40th annual NYC marathon, which one has to qualify for, including Edward Norton and Sal Masekela.

Lower Manhattan from Pier 40

Here’s 7 Facts you didn’t know about the NYC marathon.

View of Statue of Liberty from inside Brooklyn Ikea

One of the best things about attending Newhouse is…celebrity guest speakers! Christie Hefner, former chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is coming to SU a few weeks, and Lord knows I won’t forget to RSVP!

Cute story from the Golf Channel on Rickie Fowler, a motocrosser turned pro golfer who feeds off trying to hit the tough spots. Sounds like it runs in the family. “Fowler’s father, Rod, won the Baha 1000 on a four-wheeler(!) in 1986 and had Rickie on a dirt bike when he was 3 and racing a few years later.”

21-year-old-ex-pro motocrosser Maxwell Jordan, 21, did some trash talking in this article from San Antonio’s first Cyclocross race of the season. “Motocross racers are all babies compared to cyclocross,” he said. “And I thought motocross guys were tough.”

Tevin Tapia’s making more news since signing with KTM. He’s relocated his family to the hills of Southwest Virginia with Florida boy Mike Picone where they’re living the dream. “I want to do my best to be ready for the East Coast Supercross season,” Tapia said. “This is my life and I want go as far as I can.”

And, I never thought it possible, but the city of Hesperia, Calif., just outside Los Angeles, actually purchased a motocross park the other day for $4.5 million. “By purchasing the property and allowing the use to continue, we allow for off-road vehicles to be used legally in the city,” said the city’s director of economic development. Ya think?

Guess how Travis Pastrana plans on bringing in the new year? With another world record! In his rally car, though, as part of Red Bull’s New Year, No Limits. Gotta say, the AP did a fine job covering the story because they actually reminded TP about the stunt he pulled in 1999 when he launched his dirt bike into the San Francisco Bay. That was awesome!

Find out what Tony Hawk thinks about freestyle MX in this Q&A with San Diego’s North County Times.

November is my favorite time of year, and not just because my birthday happens to be right around the Thanksgiving holiday. No, my favorite thing about November is the Mini O’s – the last race of the season and weeklong celebration in Gainesville, Fla. – which I wouldn’t miss for the world! Right now, I’m conjuring up questions for my next interview with one of the sport’s hottest mini-cycle riders, Adam Cianciarulo! I’ve interviewed Adam a few times, so naturally this time has to be better. Plus, with all the fancy tricks I’m learning at Newhouse, this has potential to be one of the best (phone) interviews, yet. Yes, there’s one downside to living in New York. All my work for FLmx must be done over the phone. Until next time…

AC at Reddick | 2007