We’ve raced at Rio twice in the last month. First race was an AHRMA national, which I always enjoy. It’s really just a good time and an opportunity to see people we just don’t get to see often. Having it at our home track is really cool because it’s a place I love to ride. We had a great time, the racing was good and the friends even better. The second race was the EVO finale and the track was fantastic! I enjoy the racing in that series, as well as the people. My absolute favorite moment of those two weekends was watching Mike Hance on his newly acquired ’79 Yamaha TT500. He’s very fast and very smooth on it. Yes, I’m sure if he reads this, he’ll be shaking his head…but it’s my web page, that means I wear the cape, I make the woosh noises and I get to write what I want! Anyway, back to my favorite moment… There’s a step-up on the track, followed by a left-handed bowl turn. It’s not a particularly big jump, but you do need to carry some speed to make it and then be able to slow down. We’ve all seen several people go up and over the bowl for various reasons. Heck, I don’t even jump it on my modern bike. I don’t think Hance does either. But here he comes, that big ‘ol four stroke sounding so sweet as he’s on the gas down the straightaway through the trees. About that time, I realize he isn’t letting off and is going to jump it. I guess it’s no big deal really. Except when you take into account that it’s a 33 year old motorcycle that weighs about 300 pounds. No big deal, he throws it around like it’s a kx-65! Makes it look easy as I stand there, arms up in the air, yelling like I’ve just won the lottery. Maybe that’s the best part of this sport, it’s not the things I accomplish on a dirtscooter, it’s watching my friends accomplish little things like that on a bike. And it’s people like him that I get to learn from.
the man is a BA!