Riptide's World

HS 13 – 11th Place

2010-05-04T15:31:00.001-04:00

Brooksville, FL

I haven’t been to a race in 3 months so I was only hoping for a top 12 finish. The track was a smooth flowing, fast, dust free course. I got a lousy start but stayed in the top 12 the whole race. After finishing 4 laps and just coming 7 seconds shy of being able to make a 5th lap, I was more tan satisfied with 11th place. I am looking forward to running some enduro events next year.

100000 Miles on the BEAST

2009-12-08T10:39:00.001-05:00

Yesterday on the way home they “Beast” finally rolled it’s first of hopefully many 100k increments.

More Pics and Info

Upcoming Race this weekend – HS #7 Old School Dirt Riders

2009-12-03T15:12:00.001-05:00

I can’t wait the race this Sunday, it is at my favorite properties of the season. It just rained yesterday so the course should be perfect for the weekend. It’s been a while since I have seen everyone at an FTR event so I hope to have a great time racing with my son Cody.

9th Place – Bartow, FL

2009-10-01T16:17:00.001-04:00

This was the toughest race I have raced to date. “Rough” is an extreme understatement to try an describe this terrain. I have never seen so many riders screaming “Uncle” half way through the race, and I have to admit that I did not enjoy this race at all and am proud to have just survived it. My goal was to finish in the top 10 and I am more than happy with a 9th place finish in the new “B” class (Those guys are fast!)

Cody in his new class “C250”

Getting Ready to Race!!!!

2009-09-21T11:54:00.001-04:00

Cody and I have been getting ready to go to our first race of the season this Sunday in Bartow. It seems like forever since we were out racing and having fun. We are planning on heading up Saturday and camping out overnight. This is the only course last year that we didn’t race so we are both excited to get started this year on a new (to us) course.

Local Practice at our track

2009-08-10T09:28:00.001-04:00

Went to our local spot to get some good practice in… Man, was it hot!

2008-2009 FTR Championship Awards

2009-08-01T23:44:00.001-04:00

August 1st was the year end championship awards banquet for FTR. I was presented with the class 1st place year end championship trophy and jacket. Sherry and I had a great time and a fun night at the event. Thanks to Matthews Currie Ford for all there support this year as well as Action Power Sports in Nokomis.

1st place… It’s all about the jacket!

Sherry, my biggest fan of all.

I got into this sport when I came across a website called Daveintheusa.com . It was a blog about hare scramble racing by Dave Francis who has been racing just about everything on 2 wheels most of his life. I was so inspired, I started training and racing in FTR. At the banquet a family asked if they could join us at our table and the man said “Hi, I’m Dave Francis, nice to meet you” … Seriously, How cool is that. What a great way to end the season.

My biggest competitor and friend, Jerry Mena. The season would not have been as great as is was without him pushing me though every rut, bump, rock, tree, mud-hole, and whoop. Whoo – Whoo! See ya’ on the line next year bud.

Not bad for my first season… 13 races 2-1st, 2-2nd, 2-3rd, 1-4th, 1-5th, 1-6th, and one 1-7th

11 trophies in a row with the overall Championship and a Championship Jacket… priceless!

Awesome Croom Ride!!

2009-07-12T19:14:00.001-04:00

The ride to day was awesome. No other way to say it… 20+ FTR’s finest blasting our way through the woods for hours on end playing follow the leader. Great way to practice and have fun!!!!

Fun ride at Croom!!!

2009-07-11T10:54:00.001-04:00

Jonny’s track is flooded so everyone is meeting at Croom Sunday morning for a fun ride. I can’t wait to blast the trails with some of my FTR buddies. Croom should be perfect with moist sand slightly packed and best of all… No Dust!!! I can’t wait!

Another ride at Jonny’s Place this Sunday!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-07T10:49:00.001-04:00

Jonny Simpkins is having another ride this Sunday at his place. Awesome!!!

Quote from Jonny via FTR forums

“I will be having another ride here at my house, south of Clermont, on next Sunday the 12th. Last time we had 23 FTR racers show up for the riding, swimming and eating. It was a blast and also great training for the upcoming new season. If you think you can make it, please email me at mxracer36@msn.com I want to make sure I try to keep the number of riders around 30. I want to say it again that this course is single track, not high speed at all, some mud, some water, palmettos, roots, big spiders, face slappers, huge mosquitoes that will take you off the bike if you stop anywhere in the shaded woods. This course is not like Crooms, it is tight and tough and will work you the whole 5 mile loop. The food afterwards is always great and prepared by the perfect cook, Wendy. The pool is always full and some crazies attempt to do back flips. I just did get 2.5 inches of rain here today, so we will need to keep an eye on how much rain we get before Sunday. I will post a note here on Friday and Saturday letting everyone know if I have had too much rain to have the ride. Email me if you have questions,
Jonny Simpkins
www.jonnyjpeg.com “

James Stewart having fun in his backyard!

2009-07-05T10:15:00.001-04:00

Jonny Simpkins Ride!!!!

2009-06-29T17:39:00.001-04:00

Had a blast at Jonny’s place this Sunday. It was awesome to follow riders like Eric McCain, Joey Medina, Jonathan Bell, and of course Jonny Simpkins. Watching there technique, following there lines, and trying to learn from the best will help me improve my skills. I wish my son Cody could have rode with us… oh well, next time. It was good to see my friend Jerry Mena after the season, all healed up and blasting through the trails. I can’t wait till the next ride at Jonny’s!!

Jonny Simpkins group ride. I can’t wait!!

2009-06-14T09:22:00.001-04:00

“Planning a big ride here at my house on Sunday, June 28th. The course is tough, tight and will wear you out quick. It is not for the weak, but it will get you used to dealing with the demons that attack you during a regular Hare Scramble. It consists of palmettos, tight woods, mud, stumps, some water, a little open areas. Riders are encouraged to bring family members to enjoy the pool. If you bring a youngster, please bring a baby sitter to watch while we are all riding. Camping the night before is welcome as well. If you think this is a fun, easy, relaxing course..... then you would be thinking wrong! If you want to be ready for the first race by sweating, pushing yourself into your endurance limits with no frills... then this is it. I need to set a limit to around 30 riders, so if you want in, please email me soon. This course is really not good for Pee Wees or any rider that cannot go a complete lap of a regular Hare Scramble. I plan on having at least two more rides before the season starts, so if you can't make this one, maybe you will make the next one. Email me if you have any questions at mxracer36@msn.com I need to be ready for next season.... will you be ready?
ROCK ON!!”

HS#14 - Okeechobee, Fl - Helmet Cam

2009-05-13T19:24:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

This is the last race of the 08-09 FTR Hare Scramble season. I managed to win 1st place and the Season Championship by 2 points.

HS#14 – Okeechobee 1st Place – Season Champion!!

2009-05-11T10:00:00.001-04:00

I started out with a good start right behind William Campbell and by the third corner I was in 1st. About half way through the first lap of the 12 miles course I had a nasty wreck and Jerry Mena took the lead. I managed to fight my way back to 3rd place on the 1st lap and came across Jerry on the sideline holding his shoulder screaming “It’s all yours” (He had dislocated his shoulder)… I was heartbroken… I wanted to battle Jerry to the finish, but I knew I had to win this race to win the championship (2nd place would make me lose overall by 1 point to Jeff Moan) so I just focused on the rider who was in front of me. I battled back and forth with Tom Healey #630 for the next hour. With about 5 miles to go I made the pass and put some distance between us. When I came through the chicane I knew that not only did I win the race but I won the Class Championship.

William Campbell on the right with another hole shot!!

After the race, relaxing and giving Jerry some pointers on how to avoid the trees and roots! Ha Ha (I hope you get better soon)

The toughest trophy I have earned yet!!!

My bike took the worst beating of the season. I broke my left radiator cage, my left hand guard, both of my radiator shrouds, crushed my silencer, broke my headlight, and knocked a 2 inch hole in the trans cover There was actually palmetto root jammed in the hole which helped keep the fluid in. But it was all worth it!

The Final Race is here!!!

2009-05-09T20:56:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow, Sunday May 9th is the final race of the 2008-2009 Hare Scramble season. The adjusted points for top 3 in this championship going into this race are as follows:

Jerry Mena– 413
John Wishon– 408
Jeff Moan- 406 (taking work credit for this race – auto 50pts)

So first for me beats Jeff by 2 points... second place means I get beat by Jeff by 1 point.
Jerry needs at least 2nd to beat us both, If he gets 3rd and I get 1st... we tie!
So no matter what...

I got to get 1st this race!

After 9 months, 13 races, 450 miles of trails…
To many bumps, bruises, ER visits, MRI’s, X-rays, and medications to count…

It all comes down to the last race where I have to get 1st to win the overall championship…

No Problem, No Pressure!

Thanks to everyone that has supported me through this season. My family, friends, and sponsors. (Matthews Currie Ford, DeCal Works)

HS#13 – Bunnell, FL – 2nd Place – 1 more to go!

2009-04-28T11:01:00.001-04:00

What a great tough race… I got a great start at about 3rd (important to be up front because this one was going to be dusty) and in the 3rd corner Jerry had a nasty dirt sandwich to put me into the trail in 2nd. When I came around the first lap I looked at the counter and I was in 2nd, 30sec behind the leader. At about the 5 mile mark I caught the lead rider and passed him, 6miles later I came through the chicane expecting to see first… 2nd!! what the @#%$! Everyone was screaming he’s right in front of you (I am still not sure how that happened when I was never passed by any rider in any class this entire race). In the middle of lap 2 I caught the lead rider, again! I screamed for him to move over (Whew Whew Whew), again! When he did, I passed him… again!, and then I made sure I pulled away from him, after 5 miles or so with the magical lead rider way behind me I came into the finish and saw… “2nd Place!” WHAT THE %$@#!!.. He some how mysteriously finished a minute ahead of me… (Of course the first race without my helmet cam)

I just hope that those 3 points I lost doesn’t cost me the championship in the long run. Oh well! That’s racing!

Shaking hands with Jerry Mena (secretly plotting to block Jeff Moan) at the start.

Jerry just getting the jump on me at the start…

Jerry being nice enough to wait for me at the 3rd corner… (ouch!)

Me thinking “how nice of Jerry to throw himself in front of the other riders to let me go by” ;)

One note… Jerry managed to catch up and finish 3rd… With a possible broken leg!! You are the man Jerry!
Get well soon!

Coming around for lap 3… no Jerry of Jeff in sight!! Whew!

2nd Place… 1 more race to go for the season championship

Current adjusted points into the last race. (Too close to call)

Jerry – 413
John – 408
Jeff - 406

See you guys at HS14 !

HS12 - Senior C Helmet Cam

2009-04-16T11:42:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

This is up to the middle of "The BEACH" on lap 1... That's when a tree ripped my helmet cam off.

HS#12 – Ona, FL – 7th Place

2009-04-15T11:49:00.001-04:00

This is a race that I shouldn’t even have raced… I went into this race sick with bronchitis and slight fever. Not to mention my back had been bothering me pretty bad (racing with the massive herniated disk against doctors suggestions). But as stubborn as I can be I raced anyways. The points championship is to close to not give it my all. Well I got a good start 3rd place and within the first 5 minutes I was in 2nd with a pretty good lead. Then my body started letting me know that I shouldn’t be out here. I could got get into my groove, my hands were weak, forearms were killing me, short of breath, and the whoops were killing my back. After a few minutes Jerry Mena was right on my ass yelling for me to get going or move. I didn’t think I would make even 1 lap. Well, after 3 - 10mile laps of the most insane sugar sand whoops I have ever seen I managed to pull a 7th place finish (my worst in the last 8 races). Since the race I have been in bed sick as a dog for 3 days straight…. I hope I can recover before the next race or I can kiss my chance of beating Jerry and Jeff for the championship goodbye!

Some different views of the Enduro Cross section

New Graphics for the YZ450

2009-04-11T11:27:00.001-04:00

New graphics for Cody’s YZ450…. Sweeeettt!!

OSDR HS#12 Preview

2009-04-08T13:04:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

This is a preview of the Old School Dirt Riders Race this weekend Apil 11th and 12th in Ona. FL

My first Holeshot - FTR HS #11 - Samasula, FL

2009-03-30T11:08:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

FTR HS #11 - Samasula, FL - 6th Place

2009-03-30T11:01:00.006-04:00

My first holeshot of the season... after 10 races of just missing it... I finally got it! Got a good lead then let evey one catch up in the first mud section when my bike decided to take a nap in the mud. After explaining to my bike that this was not the time to be laying down on the job... I spent the next 8miles battling Jeff Moan back and forth for the lead. That was when my rear brakes went out!!!!! I ended up finishing 2 laps in 6th place. Congrats to Jeff Moan for his 1st place finish!!! This season is getting to close to call. I started this race with an 8 point lead... now here is the calculated points standings with 3 more races to go!!!

Jeff Moan - 322

Jerry Mena - 321

John Wishon - 321

HS#10 – Bartow, FL – 5th Place

2009-03-16T11:01:00.001-04:00

What a race!!! The hardest earned 5th place I have ever got. This was a dusty, rough 3 lap 12.5 mile course that just beat the hell out of me. As always… I loved it! I also managed to pick up a couple more points for the season championship which is looking like it is not going to be decided until the last race (4 more to go). Right now, only 10 points separate the 3 top riders (Myself, Jeff Moan, and Jerry Mena) Good luck to you guys and I will see you at the next one.

“B” - Official FTR Promotion

2009-03-16T10:55:00.001-04:00

I received my letter from FTR that I have earned my promotion to “B” class. This was my goal at the start of the season. I will finished this season in C class due to the tight points battle for the C class season championship. After 4 more races I will start wearing my “B” with pride.

FTR HS 9 - Gatorback - Senior C - 02/2009

2009-02-24T21:39:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

This is the start of the race and the pile up at the first hill.

HS#9 – Gatorback Cycle Park – Gainesville, FL – 3rd Place

2009-02-22T22:01:00.001-05:00

Got off to a good start right on the rear fender of Jerry Mena in 4th… came around to the first hill and 1/2 way up I got taken out by another rider and spent 2-3 min underneath everyone's bikes. Then spent the next 10 miles trying to catch Jeff Moan and Jerry. This was a monster of a race 4 laps and 40 miles later I ended up in 3rd… My son Cody who ran Open-C on his 450 finished 3 laps and ended up 16th in his class… (his class is a hell of a lot harder than mine) Awesome job Cody!!!

My son Cody on the track section of Gatorback

Cody taking a break on the first lap… Ouch!!!

Way to dig deep Son!

HS#8 FTR - Myakka, FL - Senior C Helmet Cam

2009-02-13T12:23:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

HS#8 – Myakka, FL – 1st Place

2009-02-08T20:03:00.001-05:00

What a grueling race! I got a bad start again… coming off the line in about 12th place. I knew this was a nasty course with deep mud, deep sand, and tight woods with bad roots to try to overcome. The course was about 13 miles long and I knew that it was going to be a long tough 3 lap race. After the first lap I had moved my way up to 8th place and on the second lap I had climbed to 5th. Jerry Mena once again gave me a run for my money and kept us both at a blistering pace. We spent the last two laps going back and forth with each other fighting for the lead. This time I managed to get the edge and at the very end when Jerry got hung up on someone stuck in the mud and I made my move and got the pass and the 1st place win. Yea Baby… 1st place!!! Sounds so good!!! Congrats on 2nd Jerry… See you at Gatorback.

My buddy Jeff never made it out of the Mud Hole!!

New Sponsor Graphics

2009-02-04T10:05:00.001-05:00

Here is the first look of the new graphics for my sponsors… MatthewCurrie.com and Decal Works… Pretty Sweet!

FTR HS #7 - Brighton, FL

2009-01-30T17:14:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

Florida Trail Riders Hare Scramble #7 01/25/2009 - Seminole Showdown V - John Wishon #139 Senior C

HS#7 – Brighton – 3rd Place

2009-01-28T08:39:00.001-05:00

I got a terrible start on this race and ended up at around 8th into the first corner. That is Jerry Mena below with the hole shot 100ft in front of me. I spent the first 13 mile lap in bad traffic fighting my way through the pack as well as other classes. All I kept thinking was how the leader must be just pulling away farther and farther. After 41mins of grinding my way up through I was surprised to find out that I worked my way into 2nd place. 200 yards later I was passed by Jeff Moan and that's when the fun began. I knew that we were fighting for 2nd and we went back and forth for the next 8 miles. I was ahead of Jeff trying to get some distance when as I come through a berm I see Jerry just picking up his bike and realize I just moved into first. For the next 5 miles the 3 of us had an all out battle going back and forth between the top 3 positions. Jerry got ahead of me near the end and I washed out in a corner trying to catch him back and ended up in 3rd. Jerry got 1st, Jeff got 2nd, and I had a blast… It was anybody’s race and this time Jerry got it… I will try to get him next time! What an awesome race!!!!

Jerry just in front of me as I am trying to reel him in.

Replacing the Case on Cody’s YZ450

2009-01-27T12:57:00.001-05:00

During practice last week my son Cody broke the chain on his 07 YZ450. The chain got bound up against the motor and broke the left side of the case. So I had to order a new case which meant a massive teardown and rebuild. So this is where we are so far with the motor gutted and swapping over bearings. I HOPE we remember where everything goes (gulp)… If not we will know soon enough.

First Practice Since my Injury

2009-01-18T19:11:00.001-05:00

Well today I went to our practice track and tested out my back for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks since my injury. I was a little leery about being able to ride without pain. That being said I haven’t felt this good in 20 years. I was able to ride hard for 5 hours straight and felt 100%. Now I will have to wait and see how I feel over the next couple of days… because the next race is next Sunday and this is basically whether or not I can finish the season.

HS #6 - Brooksville

2009-01-06T13:53:00.001-05:00

I had to sit this race out and get a work credit due to the back injury, but I hope to be recovered enough to race the next one in a couple of weeks. The race looked great and I would have loved to be out there battling it out with the rest of the guys in my class. Jerry Mena (214), the current class leader, had the holeshot off the start and raced a good race to finish 4th… moving me just a little closer to him in the points since my race credit will give me 2nd place points… So I think now we are only separated by 5 points… Hey, every little bit helps :) As long a no one gets promoted before the season ends it looks like we are going to have one hell of a battle for the season as there is only about 30 points separating the top 5 before this race. Awesome!

My buddy Jeff (166) got his best start yet and was in the front pack at 6th just ahead of the winner (16)

Now What?

2008-12-28T17:05:00.001-05:00

A couple of days after the last race I started have severe pains in my lower back that was getting worse every day. By the 5th day I was flat on my back in incredible pain and my left leg and foot were becoming numb. I ended up have to go to the ER and they took some x-rays to see if anything was broken and put me on some kick ass pain killers. X-rays showed nothing…. Off to get an MRI… There it was, between my L4 and L5 vertebra was a massive herniated disc that was pinching the nerves in my spinal cord causing the pain and numbness.

For those of you who know me, know that I am no stranger to back pain… I have just gotten used to dealing with the pain and try to do what ever I can to try to prevent any unnecessary abuse (Yea Right… I Race Motocross!)…. Whatever!!! Anyway It looks like all the pain in the past was probably a tear in the tendon like material that connects the vertebra together and I just keep injuring it over and over… Well it finally just tore fully open and then chunks of the inside (cushion) shot out against my spinal cord. OUCH!!!

Now What???

I worked my self up to the 2nd place spot for the season championship in my class only 9 points behind the current leader Jerry Mena… Now the future in unsure for me as far as racing goes. I am going to try to get a work credit for this Sundays Race (Jan 4th) and then I still have about 4 more weeks until the next race. So I am just going to try to heal as fast a I can and hope that I get the OK from my wife and doctor to give it my best to catch Jerry before the end. We will just have to wait and see!

Ice Ice Baby!!

2008-12-18T17:40:00.001-05:00

My wife and I Chillin with Vanilla Ice (Rob Van Winkle) and his daughter at his private party he put on at Dr Feelgoods Bar in West Palm Beach courtesy of Vince Neil from Motley Crue.

For those that didn’t know Rob happen to be an avid MX rider, he even brought his bike with him to the party.

As well as some other toys…

Thanks to Rob, and Toys for Tots for putting on a rocking party.

My home boy and home girl Eric and Christy having a nice get-a-way from the kids.

HS #5 – Sarasota – Finished 2nd Place

2008-12-08T12:48:00.001-05:00

What a great race… I started of the line first, got a little sideways in the second corner, and gave up 3 positions. By the 2 mile mark I had worked my way back up to 2nd place and started the battle for 1st. After fifteen miles of racing I managed to get into 1st place and kept it for a couple of miles. The last hour of the race I spent going back and forth for the lead with Spencer Paddock (current series leader)… The action was Awesome! Less than a quarter mile to the finish I made my last attempt to get the jump on Spencer by trying to get across a creek on a different line than Spencer was taking… I ended up plowing into a palm tree and giving Spencer enough time to seal the win by 20 seconds. Well, That's racing… I will get him at the next race.

My 2 biggest fans… Hailey and Heather

OSDR HS #5 Sarasota, FL

2008-12-04T17:10:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

This is a helmet cam view of the Sunday track for HS #5 for FTR put on by Old School Dirt Riders in Sarasota, FL

HS Practice Track

2008-11-25T18:35:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

This is a practice track we use for race practice. It is 2.35 miles long and is great for sand workouts.

FTR HS 4 - Okeechobee, FL 11-09-2008

2008-11-11T19:03:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

John Wishon - 139 Senior C - 4th Place

HS 4 – Okeechobee 4th Place!

2008-11-10T08:21:00.001-05:00

My best finish yet… 4th and only 4 seconds behind 3rd. This now moves me into 3rd overall for the season.

Not to mention I get to hang my first trophy on the wall… AWESOME!!!

4th Place for the Season so far…

2008-11-01T18:59:00.001-04:00

Currently through 3 races I am in 4th overall.

DeCal Works Sponsorship

2008-10-23T18:42:00.001-04:00

Just got an email from DeCal Works:

“Congratulations! After reviewing your resume, you have been selected as a team rider for DeCal Works for the 2009 race season.”

One Word…. Awesome!!!!!

HS #3 Palatka, FL … 7th Place – Moving Up!!

2008-10-22T18:23:00.001-04:00

Ready to Go…

I got another good start and came off the line first. It was a long run to the first corner and in my head I kept thinking “I got the Holeshot”… But I am not on my 450 any more… The electric start on this CRF250X is nice for the quicker starts, but the lack of insane power that my 450 had, allowed me to get chased down in the long straight away and passed by 2 riders at the turn, giving me once again a 3rd place start. (Not complaining.. I will take those every time as opposed to being in the back of the pack sucking dust from square one)

1 Hour 44 min, 3 quarts of dust, 5 Laps, 32 Miles, later…

Priceless !!!!!

HS #2 Chipley, FL … 8th Place

2008-10-07T19:04:00.003-04:00

3 laps around the 11 mile course in 1hr 55min to finish in 8th place… Not bad for the first time out on the new CRF250X. A smaller bike than I am used to but hey, “electric start”, got me off the line in 3rd place at the first corner. Awesome race but dusty as hell.

The following photos courtesy of DaveInTheUSA.com

The new Enduro/HS Creation

2008-09-23T14:05:00.001-04:00

2006 CRF250x

White Plastics, Gripper Seat, Recluse Clutch, Devol Radiator Guards, Skid Plate, Protaper Fat Bars (cut to 30.5”), Scotts Metal Oil Filter, Enduro Engineering Hand Guards, High Temp Race Coolant, High Pressure Cap, Trail Tech Endurance Computer, Modified Electric Start, Flu Designs Graphics, and Decal Works Numbers… Ready to go!!!!

HS 1 Pinetta, Fl 13th Place

2008-09-12T09:12:00.001-04:00

Well we got to Pinetta early in the morning to get set up and ready for the race. My buddy Jeff came along to run his first ever Hare Scramble. When I got out on the 13 mile course for a practice run, about 2 miles into it I cased a whoop the wrong way and sprained my back. I spent the next 9 miles in massive pain just looking for a way back to the trailer. All I could think about was all the hard work and training I had put into this and now I was not going to be able to race. When I finally got back to the trailer I could hardly stand and certainly did not know how I was going to “run” to my bike to start it for the race. My plan was to at least run 1 lap so I would not get a DNF… who knows maybe someone bike would break and I might not be last.

So I am at the starting line dying in pain… the horn sounds and I limp to my bike, get up on my step stool to start it… first kick… awesome! I start to ease off and look across.. what the hell!! I am in the top five off the start. I get excited and grab all my throttle sucking up the pain knowing that if I can get to the first corner there is no passing room for quite a while.

(I am in the white helmet at the first corner in 5th)

So I am excited… not a bad start considering the events taking place. The next thing I realize is after 3 miles I have passed 3 riders, now I am so pumped up on adrenaline that I am numb (or dumb for riding in this condition). I start pushing as hard as I can despite the pain. I hold strong for the first 13 mile lap and blast through the check point for my second lap. On the back side of lap 2 I pull a third gear wheelie to get through a muddy section and my rear wheel catches a rut and sends me face down hard in the sand. Due to the pain I can’t even get my leg to push down on my kick starter. A spectator sees me in pain and come to my aide and tries to start my bike for me…. (this is where a 4stroke sucks) On about his 9th or 10th try I see a pack of riders in my class blow by me and now I am starting to get depressed thinking about what I have gone through to get here and just watching my position slip away when he finally get it started (God bless Him) and I am back heading toward the finish. When I rolled across the line gate and saw 13th place I was relieved… Hey I wasn’t last… I will take it. Thank God for my buddy Jeff (who finished 14th for his first ever race… Great Job) who was able to let me lie down in the back of the truck and drive the 4.5 hour trip home. With out Jeff and most importantly my son Cody I would have never made this trip. Thanks.

Now I have 4 weeks to heal before the next race in Chipley, Fl…

Enduro #1 Big Scrub Trail Riders Lochloosa, FL 08/24/2008 - 3RD PLACE!!!!

2008-09-04T10:14:00.001-04:00

The scores are in for the first enduro of the season and I finished 3rd place…. Awesome! Not bad for my first enduro, now I am stoked for the race this weekend which is the first for the HS season… I can’t wait and thanks to my sponsor MatthewsCurrie.com for their support… I will try to make you guys proud.

Awesome Birthday Dinner for Sherry

2008-09-03T12:01:00.001-04:00

My son Cody and I took My wife Sherry to dinner for her birthday at Hyde Park Grill…. All I can say is….. AWESOME!!!!
We had a great time… To my wife, Happy Birthday, I love you.

Ready for the First Race of 2008-2009 Hare Scramble Season

2008-09-01T11:54:00.001-04:00

Finished my last practice today at the Serris track in North Port in preparation for the race this weekend in Pinetta, FL. This is what I have been training for over the last 3 months. I can’t wait to get the first race out of the way and get this season started. I am trying my hardest to convince my friend Jeff to go to this race… I know if he goes to one he will be hooked. I would like to thank my wife Sherry for all of the support she has given to me to be able to race in these events. Thanks also to my Son, Cody for pushing me out at the tracks… You Da’ Man! Well, now it is just time to rest and relax until race time.

Lochloosa Enduro was Awesome!!!!

2008-08-25T12:21:00.001-04:00

Sporting my new gear with pride…

Suited up ready to go for the 66 mile enduro…

My son got a great shot of me missing the refuel point…. Something I would eventually regret at the 38 mile mark when “I ran OUT!”

Thank God for the kid on the Kawasaki who stopped and just happened to have a Gatorade bottle of gas in his fannie pack that got me going again… I made it back and only lost about 7 min of time.

Checking in at the end after an extremely muddy, long, and grueling race. (3hrs 45 min)

Sand Practice in North Port

2008-08-22T10:34:00.001-04:00

Nothing like some good sand practice to help prepare for the upcoming race season. I will be at the first Enduro for FTR this Sunday. It is a 66 mile race up in Lochloosa, FL. I am not a enduro racer but it should be a good warm up for the Hare Scramble season.

Dodged another storm…

2008-08-22T10:30:00.001-04:00

Hurricane Faye took a turn east and went below us… So we lucked out and missed yet another one. Yea!

First Day of School and Hurricane Faye

2008-08-18T09:28:00.002-04:00

My son Cody starts his first day of High School today… How Cool is That! Boy do I feel old.

Hurricane Faye is closing in and is supposed to be here tomorrow. Nobody quite knows were this thing is going, every update is different. One is above us and next is below us. Below us is good… Above us is Bad…. Now we just keep watching and wait to see.

Hurricane Faye is Coming

2008-08-17T09:10:00.001-04:00

Sunday morning and time to get ready… This is the first threat to us since Hurricane Charlie about four years ago.

Finishing up at Lakeland Regional Medical Center

2008-08-14T16:38:00.001-04:00

I have been at LRMC for 3 week now working on a consulting project for their IT department… Friday is my last day and I get to go home. My Son is back from Georgia and I haven’t rode in 3 weeks…. Can’t wait to have fun!!!

Sweet Dancing

2008-07-18T10:28:00.001-04:00

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

New Suspension

2008-07-16T12:32:00.001-04:00

I finally got around to have my suspension professionally tuned for next seasons races. I just got it back from Randy Jackson at R2 Performance ( http://www.r2performance.net )and hopefully will get it tested tonight at the track... If it ever stops raining.

Rain at the Track

2008-07-03T10:34:00.001-04:00

I went to DeSoto last night to get some practice in. It was pouring down the whole time and was a complete mud bath. But it made for some good practice.

Hare Scramble Helmet Cam

2008-06-04T11:25:00.001-04:00

Here is a helmet cam video of this last Sundays race in Samsula. It is done by Dave Francis who was two rows in front of me in SSB class. His website is http://www.daveintheusa.com/ .... Thanks Dave and Great Race.

Click Here ----> Helmet_Cam_Link

Showing Cody how to set up his blog

2008-06-03T19:17:00.000-04:00

My son Cody is going to Georgia for the summer to spend time with his Mother. So I am setting him up with his own blog so he can keep me and his friends updated on his happenings.

http://codeman294.blogspot.com

Smooth Air

2008-06-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

I Survived

2008-06-02T15:51:00.000-04:00

The last race of the season in Samsula,FL

This course was the most challenging of the season, Hot, Dusty, Tight, Bumpy, Rutted, and oh yea... Hot!

2hrs and 39 miles later with both of my legs cramped from heat exhaustion, my hands went from blisters forming, blisters coming off, fresh skin underneath tearing and bleeding. Not to mention the 12lbs of dust I inhaled...and the 3 trees I met up close and personal.
The Best Part of it....... I FINISHED IT!!!!!!!

Last Race for FTR

2008-05-31T12:18:00.000-04:00

Today we are getting ready for the last race of the Florida Trail Riders Hare Scramble season in Samsula, Fl. tomorrow. Glad to, because it is getting to hot outside for this kind of riding (2hr races).... Well wish us luck, we will post the outcome and pics later.

Getting Eric Started with his own Blog

2008-05-30T20:16:00.001-04:00

He really needs one....

Http://zemonster.blogspot.com

Cody's 8th Grade Graduation

2008-05-29T13:25:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to my son Cody!! We just went to his 8th Grade Graduation so he is now oficially a High Schooler.... Great Job Codeman!!!!

Happy One Year Olds!

2008-05-21T14:51:00.000-04:00

Happy 1st Birthday

Hailey and Heather

1st Blog

2008-05-21T14:37:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I have decided to start my first blog mostly for my wife Sherry due to the fact that I travel so much. Also a way to keep track of some of my hobbies and interest now that I am getting to old to remember everything.

My son, Cody and I have been racing hare scrambles around Florida and I will start posting the results of those races here in the future.

I will also keep track of my 2 beautiful additions to our family... Hailey and Heather with updates on there new experiences in life (they just turned 1 in May 08)

Riptide's World

HS 13 – 11th Place

100000 Miles on the BEAST

Upcoming Race this weekend – HS #7 Old School Dirt Riders

9th Place – Bartow, FL

Getting Ready to Race!!!!

Local Practice at our track

2008-2009 FTR Championship Awards

Awesome Croom Ride!!

Fun ride at Croom!!!

Another ride at Jonny’s Place this Sunday!!!!!!!!!

James Stewart having fun in his backyard!

Jonny Simpkins Ride!!!!

Jonny Simpkins group ride. I can’t wait!!

HS#14 - Okeechobee, Fl - Helmet Cam

HS#14 – Okeechobee 1st Place – Season Champion!!

The Final Race is here!!!

HS#13 – Bunnell, FL – 2nd Place – 1 more to go!

HS12 - Senior C Helmet Cam

HS#12 – Ona, FL – 7th Place

New Graphics for the YZ450

OSDR HS#12 Preview

My first Holeshot - FTR HS #11 - Samasula, FL

FTR HS #11 - Samasula, FL - 6th Place

HS#10 – Bartow, FL – 5th Place

“B” - Official FTR Promotion

FTR HS 9 - Gatorback - Senior C - 02/2009

HS#9 – Gatorback Cycle Park – Gainesville, FL – 3rd Place

HS#8 FTR - Myakka, FL - Senior C Helmet Cam

HS#8 – Myakka, FL – 1st Place

New Sponsor Graphics

FTR HS #7 - Brighton, FL

HS#7 – Brighton – 3rd Place

Replacing the Case on Cody’s YZ450

First Practice Since my Injury

HS #6 - Brooksville

Now What?

Ice Ice Baby!!

HS #5 – Sarasota – Finished 2nd Place

OSDR HS #5 Sarasota, FL

HS Practice Track

FTR HS 4 - Okeechobee, FL 11-09-2008

HS 4 – Okeechobee 4th Place!

4th Place for the Season so far…

DeCal Works Sponsorship

HS #3 Palatka, FL … 7th Place – Moving Up!!

HS #2 Chipley, FL … 8th Place

The new Enduro/HS Creation

HS 1 Pinetta, Fl 13th Place

Enduro #1 Big Scrub Trail Riders Lochloosa, FL 08/24/2008 - 3RD PLACE!!!!

Awesome Birthday Dinner for Sherry

Ready for the First Race of 2008-2009 Hare Scramble Season

Lochloosa Enduro was Awesome!!!!

Sand Practice in North Port

Dodged another storm…

First Day of School and Hurricane Faye

Hurricane Faye is Coming

Finishing up at Lakeland Regional Medical Center

Sweet Dancing

Sponsored !!!!

New Suspension

Rain at the Track

Hare Scramble Helmet Cam

Showing Cody how to set up his blog

Smooth Air

I Survived

Last Race for FTR

Getting Eric Started with his own Blog

Cody's 8th Grade Graduation

Happy One Year Olds!

1st Blog