Ok, Motoheads, it's almost time to head back to school and it's more than likely that your friends will ask you what you did over the summer.  

You'll say something like, "I raced a lot."  

"What kinda of racing?", they'll ask.  

You say, "Motocross."  

They'll say, "Oh, yeah, I have a dirt bike, too.  I rode a lot this summer in my back yard.  You should see the cool jumps I've got!".  

Then, you'll roll your eyes and politely say, "No, I race Motocross.  It's a competitive sport.  It's takes a lot of training and hard work."  

They'll say, "Yeah, so, what's the big deal?  So, you race Motocross.  What's with the training, ya know, the bike does all the work anyway, right!?"  (snort, giggle)

So, how do you respond to this type of dialogue?  Maybe this hasn't happened to you, yet.  But, trust me, sooner or later you are going to run into some serious lack of understanding by those not involved in the sport of Motocross.  

That's why we here at Kids In Xteme Sports really enjoyed a recent article in Racer X Illustrated by David Pingree (September Issue).   He addresses this very topic.  Even David Pingree hears comments like, "Why would you get tired racing motocross?  All you do is sit on the seat and turn the gas thingy on the bars."  As Pingree explains, "My stock response, after turning bright red like Ryan Villopoto's face after a long moto, was that Motocross is the most physically demanding sport in the world, aside from maybe World Cup Soccer.  It requires the stamina of a Kenyan marathon runner, the agility of a Russian gymnast, the flexibility of a Chinese trapeze artist, the strength of a lumberjack and the testicles the size of cantaloupes (Sorry ladies of the WMA, but you know what I mean)  There isn't an aspect of athletics that is left out in motocross; everything is required."  

David Pingree has a great writing style that is hilarious and sarcastic.  He's a retired Supercross and Motocross Pro Racer and has the sense of humor of a stand up comedian.  If you can get your hands on a copy of the whole article, you'll  enjoy it.

Meanwhile, if your friends still don't "get it", have them check out some of the videos here on Kids In Xtreme Sports, especially Ricky Carmichael's (on the video page) or as Pingree suggests, "Simply smile and walk away." and know that there are plenty of us who know exactly how hard racing motocross is and what it takes!  

Safe racing...