Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1529273
Flashback! December 2024 5 As I sit here banging away at the keyboard wrapping up the December issue, it's hard to believe 2024 is a wrap. Without a doubt, we had a ton of fun in '24 with so many memorable events such as MX Rewind at Unadilla, AHRMA Northeast Stateline in Vermont, the always famous Hancock Quarry Run, Touratech DirtDaze, the Moonshine Enduro, and a handful of others. Truth be told, I'm feeling blessed as I rode the en re season, as if I had a guardian angel on my shoulder at each and every event. Few years are this perfect, and I appreciate all those who contribut- ed and supported Trail Rider during such a fine year! Looking forward, Trail Rider Magazine will be celebra ng its 55 th anniversary in January. I look back upon the years with fond memories. Although I grew up riding minibikes, it was during the summer of 1974 that I purchased my first real motorcycle, a Hodaka 125 Wombat. The learning curve was steep, and I'd made regular trips to our local Hodie shop, Cape Ann Cycle, in Beverly, MA, for parts, accesso- ries, and countless spark plugs. -Un l shop owner Charlie Hildebrand introduced me to Golden Spectro 2-stroke oil. That was a nice gesture I've never forgo en, and I'm sure Charlie took a cut in pay from all those lost spark plug sales! It was during one of those visits that Charlie tossed me a copy of New England Trail Rider magazine. Having been a fan of Dirt Bike and Super Hunky for a few years, I was excited to be introduced to a magazine that seemed to be wri en just for me and the type of riding I enjoyed the most, woods riding. Even more exci ng was this cool publica on was created only a few miles from our house. During that season, I'd become friends with Trail Rider founder, Bob Hicks and his son Rick, an NESC Ex- pert motocrosser. I'd tag along on my Hodaka during test rides, watch Rick prac ce at our local private MX track, Cherry Hill, and occasionally score their old res. Over the next several years, I became all consumed with dirt bikes and the lifestyle. As the family's youngest child, my folks didn't know what to think about me. My brothers and sister were focused and clean-cut. I was a punk who ripped around town on a dirt bike with seemingly no life plans or goals. My mom would get frustrated at mes and ask me what I wanted to do with my life. I'd say, "I wanna work with Bob at Trail Rider"! Mom would roll her eyes, shake her head, and walk away. Sadly, my mother was taken by cancer only a handful of years later, and who knew back then that I'd be making a living doing what I wanted to do 50 years ago? I hope she's looking down upon me and smil- ing as this crazy lifestyle has been a perfect fit for this now old punk. Where am I going with this, you ask? Well, I'd just like to thank Bob Hicks for crea ng Trail Rider and, like Super Hunky, giving so many young, possibly misguided people something to shoot for and excel at. As for myself, I'm tremendously proud of this publica on and how it guided me as a young man, kept me informed in the sport I loved as a kid, and, later in life, allowed me to achieve that goal I men oned to my mom so many years ago. Fi y-five years as a monthly print magazine is a long me, and I can't thank our adver sers, subscrib- ers, and supporters enough. Living this dream come true is a special feeling and I've got to think my mom had a hand in the cards I've been dealt with during this wild ride. I greatly appreciate you all and hope 2025 treats you as well as 2024 has treated us!