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Wheel Spin THE TYRANNY OF SUCCESS by Kevin Novello M y successes on a dirt bike are pretty modest: some good overall finishes, some year-end class wins and the occasional red plate in my local enduro series. Even though those perceived successes are modest, they still come at a price, albeit small—at least for me. One thing I've noticed over the years is that it doesn't take much in the way of dirt biking success for it become a bit of a tyrant. he knows that he will, at least for a while. His past successes won't let him make the move. His close friend is in a similar position and says, "Every time I go out and ride or race, I feel like I have a bull's eye on me. People are always coming after me and if they beat me, regardless of how little I can ride these days, it drives me crazy." His past successes are today's tyrant and bleeding the fun from the game. Photo by LynnHollis A buddy that rides the B class is in I have a few friends with impressive the same boat. The problem is, he racing resumes—national successes, crushes it during our practice sespro licenses, regional championships. sions. He gives me all can I handle Many others have less prestigious reand if I'm truly honest, he beats me sumes, but one thing they all share is around our practice loop. But that their successes can be tyrannical. come race day, he folds like a panTake "Friend A" for example. Friend A cake and is lucky to crack the top had a great year in 2012; he earned a three in the B Vet class. He has it in red plate, won his class, gained speed the back of his mind that because and was poised for a great 2013. And he can kill it in practice, around a then life got in the way. Suddenly, he loop he's familiar with, he ought to had no time to ride and his results be able to do it on race day. He's began to slip. He'd race, get smoked got the skills to ride the A class and and hope for a better showing the he knows it. It eats him up. following week. Regardless of his good intentions, he never got near his To say I've transcended the tyranny dirt bike and became completely deof success would be pure exaggerafeated by not living up to his past suction. Most of us still want to win cess. He was no longer having fun regardless of the circumstances. But I do understand that and racing became a drudge, another obligation, a tyrant. you get what deserve, be it win or lose. My eight year old has a saying: "You get what you get and don't get upset." As another example, Friend B is extremely successful in one discipline and would benefit immensely from fanning Easier said than done. After life truly gets in the way, you out into other disciplines like grand prix or moto. His cur- reach a point where you're just happy to be there—at least that's what you tell yourself. The truth is, you never rent skill set could use a little expansion and he knows it. You would think that recognizing this weakness and the really forget your success, but slaying the tyrant may just obvious solution would make it easy for him to jump in be your greatest victory. and address it. Nope. He doesn't want to get smoked and 4 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com