The Hardest Part is Not Riding the Bike
Hey fans! Well my FMX vacation is over and it was back on the road last week as we headed into Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a two night show. The shows rocked and everyone left the building feeling pretty good about how things went. No one got hurt, all the riders rode well and the locals welcomed us all and showed us a little of the night life in this town by the river.
Panic Rev for Casey Higgins (the Cool Hand) this weekend. After a great practice Friday afternoon, Casey was on point and ready for an awesome show. He was warming up the bike on his sighting lap of the arena when he decided to crack some wheel stands for the crowd. When the front came down on one, something felt really wrong and his suspension looked like it was full of cold maple syrup. Closer inspection by the track officials saw oil running out from the right fork seal, so there was no syrup. However, there was a broken fork spring! I have not seen that happen in a long time and neither had anyone else. Luckily for Casey, it happened when it did and not when landing. The results could have been very ugly. He had to drop out for the night, but was on the phone brainstorming a way to get it fixed so he could do his job and get paid. It just so happens that Ryan Logan was about 30 minutes down the road and had a spare bike. Trouble is, the spare was a two-smoker and Casey rides a big thumper. Rather than try to learn a new machine and trick on it, he just swapped the forks over between the YZ and YZF. In practice the next day, he had to adjust to the forks slightly which had different valving but said they worked real well. He was able to rock the show on Saturday and you could not even tell that there was an issue. Casey wanted to throw mad props to Ryan Logan for loaning him some parts.
This brings me to a question from Phil P. in Niagara Falls, NY. Phil is curious about the bike setup and maintenance and had this to ask: “Do FMX riders have a crew or mechanics that travel on the road with them?” Well Phil, most riders do not. The reason is the cost for another person. You gotta feed them, house them on the road and of course pay them something too. FMX is still a growing sport so the number of riders who are making enough bank to afford the luxury of a mechanic is very small. Probably small enough to count on the hand of a three toed sloth. That is where rider’s friends can come in real handy. You see a buddy can be enticed to travel with you for next to nothing. Promises of adventure, nightlife, and all the Slim Jims you can wolf down at the truck stop can go along way!
Seriously, most riders do their own work. Some do none at all (no names given here!), but luckily, on the road most work is limited to chain upkeep, filter swaps and a top end every now and then with the more complicated tasks are left for when they get home. Good question Phil and I will open up my OGIO swag bag when I get home and see what I have for you.
Huge props go to Kevin Windham for winning the Daytona Supercross, jumping on a plane and flying home in time to watch FMX in Baton Rouge. Many will remember that Kevin was one of the first group of racers doing tricks while racing. Big heel clickers on the track and legendary whips too! Kevin came down backstage during intermission and talked with the riders and then came out with me for an interview in front of his local fans during the show. He had seats for the show, but reportedly never sat down once. I wonder if it has anything to do with soupy sand, MX and chafing. Anyway, congrats to him for his second win on the year and he now only trails Chad Reed by 23 points! I cannot wait for the Las Vegas Final! I will be there for sure (Troy?) and hope you are too. Get signed up for Inside Dirt right on this site and the Cross Club to for great news, photos, interviews and special offers.
