Trail Rider Magazine

November 2018 13 September 2018 13 A er the news of keeping my spot on the team, we remained at the pub for a while. I finally started to relax and se le down. I wandered the room. It felt like my first Steelers game and I'd just scored locker room passes to hang out with the sport's finest. Wow! These guys were the world's fastest moto- cross riders and we're all just hanging out at a big picnic. It was a me when the motorcycle indus- try was exploding — Malcolm Smith, Lars Larson, Torsten Hallman and Rolfe Tibblin, to name a few, were exchanging conversa ons — all from different places around the world, congrega ng around the one thing we all have in common, our passion for the motorcycle. I was used to reading about these guys in Dirt Bike magazine and Cycle News. They just jumped off the pages at me and we're all hang- ing out in a rus c pub, just south of Munich. It was early the next morning. I'm not even sure I slept. I look back on it now and felt as though I was sleepwalking into Park Ferme that day. I collected my thoughts and my bike and pushed right up to the star ng line. This was it — Day 1. As I watched the minute hand pulse upward on the me clock, I couldn't wait to kick start my Penton. It was a 125cc. It was Penton's big debut and mine as well. At home, I rode a 250cc Husqvarna. It didn't mat- ter; I was determined. I knew the 125cc didn't have the torque I was accustomed to, but I s rred the gear box, upshi ing, all day. I think back on those riders who were on the smaller 50cc bikes — how many shi s did they make in an hour, a day or six days… Berkshire ISDT Qualifier, 1973 (three-day event) Forty-five years later, I reflect upon this me and grin like a Cheshire Cat. Don't be misled by Team USA, for during those days we were all individuals vying for the same birth. We competed for posi on at qualifiers held throughout the United States that year. Races were in Ohio, Texas, Oregon, Missouri, California and Massachuse s. Massachuse s was especially exci ng though. Not only did the race draw the best, most dedicated riders together for an event, but we also knew this was it — the prerace to the ISDT, the 6 Days. The days were tough; the mud was swampy and relentless; the rocks were immense, and there were wicked climbs and jumps in ght woods. This was my backyard and I was pumped. I love the technical, ght moves through the New England countryside. You see, the West Coast riders were high-speed, sand demons and those of us from this side of the country were sure to show our compe tors how to grind in the grueling terrain Berkshire had to offer. There was a bit of a rivalry going on between the Eastern and Western riders of the United States, and to be honest with you, it was fueled by the two Cycle Newspapers—Cycle News East and Cycle News West. Jake Fischer, Dave Mungensast, and I formed a team and we were like pigs in mud, smiling as it rains. This was a big deal. Our alliance was there to give the country a snapshot into how to ride in these condi ons, ght trees and mud- slides. I can remember seeing the California girls in high heels and furs. It's Day 3 and my brakes are dangerously wear- ing out. I need to milk them through the trans- fer. The demands of the race require daily brake changes. On this day, I realize that my brakes are not going to make the full race day. It was the fi- nal, high-speed cross country test, part of which was a mber drag lane. I recall the score keeper showing me the five seconds to go clock. As I leaned over the front of my bike —WE'RE OFF! All is good, my reflexes are quick as my vision is scanning far and close. No, now the rear brakes are used up, spent. I know I have one brake le and fortunately it's my best, the front and a compression release. Diving into the corner, my RPMs are high and the compression release drowns out the specta- tors screaming. I take the corner, slamming into the overhanging root ball. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lars Larson roo ng me on. I have this picture etched into my mind and many years later it's s ll so vivid. Many strong com- pe tors, the best in the world, come together for the love of this sport. Larson pulling for me is a super awesome memory — this one I have awakened to smiling many mes. Our team ended up winning the Berkshire Qual- ifier and I won the overall; this wasn't my first. I truly have been blessed.

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