Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/694092
It was during this me that I really got interested in woods riding, and NETRA events soon were a big part of this kid's life. During the late 70's my buddies and I would enter the NETRA Junior events, and man, what a great way for a kid growing up in the suburbs of Boston to keep focused and out of trouble. We'd ride the NETRA event, look for Bob Hicks in the woods and try to pull off some stunt that just might get your picture in Trail Rider. Back then, Trail Rider was the only source to find out who placed where, what bikes were wor- thy of the woods. And if you got your picture in the magazine, forget it, that magazine would be dragged to school every day for weeks. I've been involved in many forms of power sports over the years but will never forget how special it felt to be photographed in New England Trail Rider. Fast forward over the past 40-plus years, I'm proud to say off road riding has never le my life. A li le over three years ago, and as a result of the economy crash, my career (hi performance marine industry) had pret- ty much dissolved. It was then I decided to fall back on my hobby of waking up vintage motorcycles and see if it would put food on the table; fortunately it worked. Over the be er part of the past four years, we've been able to earn a living resurrec ng old bikes. Whoever says one should never turn their hobby into their livelihood is wrong. I can't think of a be er way to earn a living. It's been a very relaxing lifestyle no doubt. Not sure if you could ever pinpoint the draw of off-road riding, is it the people? Very possibly, the people involved in dirt bike riding have always been some of the best people I've ever met. Searching out the lat- est and greatest of bikes and equipment? Yeah, the research can be a lot of fun. Wrenching on the bikes? Personally, I enjoy wrenching equally with riding. Spending me in the shop with my Black Lab "Lucy" by my side will always be me well spent. Spending the winter wrenching the months away on a vintage bike project? Nothing be er. Our plans for Trail Rider are pre y simple. We are shoo ng to bring it back a bit to the beginning with trail reports, group rides and the an cs that result, along with product reviews and bike tests. We are also shoot- ing for a "Past to Present" theme, covering the latest and greatest bikes and products that apply to woods riding, but also a vintage flair covering recent and past bike builds we have done here at our shop. In closing, who would have ever guessed we'd be behind the bars at Trail Rider Magazine, Certainly not I, but so glad to have had the me and opportunity to purchase this fine magazine from Kevin Novello and we promise to do our best to give our readers what they're looking for in a woods riding magazine! See ya in the woods! -Kurt 6 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com