Intimidation

[Dapper]

The closer it gets the more nervous I get. I want to participate in some of the events but I have not ridden that much this year. In fact I have only put 30 miles on the bike this whole year. It's just been so busy. I don't want to look like a smuck. I was never that good a rider 25 years ago and I have not improved. It's like golf I don't play enough to get better and I don't ride enough to get better. But when I do ride I always have fun. I had to get that off my chest. I feel better. :confused:

 

[biglou]

Originally posted by Dapper
The closer it gets the more nervous I get.

I was the same way back in 2000. Takes about 30 seconds to realize that you're hangin' with family here (the good kind! :laugh: )

But when I do ride I always have fun. :confused:

You'll be just fine! There's a lot of smack talk that goes on between the long-time members, but I think you'll find that most are average riders, and above average people. :thumb: There are some who are true beginners, and still others who are smokin' fast. You'll learn something from everyone, I guaranty it. Well, everyone 'cept me! :)

 

[Philip]

Dapper You can ride with me that way you'll have the satisfaction of being in front of someone and I can look like the smuck. :laugh:
This is my first trip as well but I can't wait. :yeehaw:

 

[oldguy]

Big lou said exactly what I was going to. Once you get there you will realize that your riding is on par with 80% of the group. Besides I don't even plan on riding this year and still can't wait to get there.

 

[Patman]

Oldguy is mistaken that he won't be riding, he may not be riding fast but he WILL be riding. Remember Dave slow is good and I can just about guarentee I have the slowest bike at DW so plan on spending lots of time on it :thumb:

Oh and Dapper, consider this. I have just gotten my new bike into a ridable state. This is the bike that I had just started before last years DW. So far I have ridden it for about 1 hour.

BTW I suck at golf!

 

[Okiewan]

Ride around with me bud, I'll make ya a hero :laugh: For some reason some use to assume that because I run this website I'd be one of the fast guys. People found out different :) The first time I got on the track at DW 00, I felt like I had a target on my back, lol.

What's been said is true. There is a wide range of "talent" riding around at DirtWeek. From the very fast, down to first time riders. The majority are just average, weekend riders out having fun. That competitive atmosphere you are used to on a typical race weekend does NOT exist at DW. We are all there because we love the sport, not because we want to win a race.

You'll hear me say the same thing every year to everyone on the gate for the MX races... "this is for fun, please do not ride over your head... don't get caught up in the moment and get yourself hurt... there is no money to win".

 

[GETMETOCA]

Dapper, from what I saw and experienced last year, you will feel no sense of intimidation, just a lot of fun.  It truly is just like a big family reunion (with the good side of the family, like Lou says!)

Yes, Patman, Oldguy IS mistaken.  He will ride! :flame:

 

[Green Horn]

Another slow ass rider chiming in here. :thumb:

 

[Timr]

Originally posted by Patman
Oh and Dapper, consider this. I have just gotten my new bike into a ridable state. This is the bike that I had just started before last years DW. So far I have ridden it for about 1 hour.

I'll believe it when I see it...and not before!  :)

Don't worry Dapper, you'll be faster than Patman.  He doesn't even ride.

Seriously, you're no different than many who will be there.  DW will be only my 4th time on the bike this year.  Last year, I believe it was my 3rd.  I've had two kids in the past 3 years.  So, I can't get away from the house too often.  That's the beauty of DW.  Even though it will be only my 4th ride of the year, it'll be 4 solid days of it.  I look forward to it every year.  I wouldn't want to ONLY ride at DW each year, but I could if that's what the circumstances dictated.  You'll get you fill of riding there for sure, and you'll find out how much you can improve by spending 4-5 days straight on a motorcycle.

Enjoy!  :thumb:

 

[Farmer John]

Dapper,

When I went in '01 I was really concered w/my ability to keep pace. I was sure I was going to be looked down upon because of my slightly hammered CR250 & complete lack of riding skill.
As it turned out none of that matters...at all!
I do not know how to ease your concerns. Nothing eased mine until 1/2 way thru the tag team hare scramble when I came up behind PapaKeith (who was teamed w/ Billywho) & I realized it was just fun. No egos. No points series. I would say no BS, but there was a lot of that. ;) :thumb:

Originally posted by Timr
Don't worry Dapper, you'll be faster than Patman.  He doesn't even ride.

I have a feeling Patman will be riding everything & anything this year in order to eliminate his current reputation, not that I ever made fun of him. :laugh:

 

[zio]

Ditto. Last year was my first. The year before that is the LAST TIME I EVER MISS A DW. I'm with Timr- I have two kids. I'm riding this afternoon for the first time in 4 weeks. Before that, it was 8 weeks. I just can't find time. I usually save all my riding tokens for October thru April (prime riding season here).

When Oldguy dragged me out on the motocross track for the first time, I was scared (I'm a woods guy). But then I realized he's slow like me. From that point on, I was in love (with riding, not Dave- although he does sort of remind me of Tom Selleck with that big macho mustache).

There were fast guys in the Harescramble race (Bundy), but most everyone else was hooting & hollering & having a blast. I sat out the MX races to score, because I missed the sign-ups. I was relieved later on. I had more fun doing that than if I had chosen to let testosterone get the better of me. I didn't really want to race, but sort of felt internal pressure to get out there with everyone. This year, I'm volunteering to score all day. It was fun, and I felt like I was more a part of DW by helping out.

 

[biglou]

Hehe, there will be plenty of us out there "pushing the envelope of mediocrity"! :yeehaw:

 

[Patman]

Originally posted by BigLou
Hehe, there will be plenty of us out there "pushing the envelope of mediocrity"! :yeehaw:

This year my bike runs and carries me to mediocrity!

And no Farmer Jane I don't ever recall YOU giving me a hard time :silly:

:laugh:

 

[Tony Eeds]

Originally posted by BigLou
Hehe, there will be plenty of us out there "pushing the envelope of mediocrity"! :yeehaw:

Great quote ... I haven't ridden since the SX and only managed 2 rides between getting back on my foot and the SX. None since and likely only one trip between now and DW to breakin the 200 that has been waiting in my garage for over 3 months for me to fire it up.

I only rode my bike 10~15 minutes last year at DW. :p

 

[Timr]

Originally posted by Tony Eeds




I only rode my bike 10~15 minutes last year at DW. :p

I hope you can break that record this year.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Originally posted by BigLou
Hehe, there will be plenty of us out there "pushing the envelope of mediocrity"! :yeehaw:

I will be somewhere behind that mediocre group but I don't know about pushing it. :)

 

[Jamir]

The only reason that I am not a sandbagger is because there is not a class lower than beginner!

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

I hate to be the different one here but I've gotten fast as lightning. Only bad part is I can't make it past the 2nd turn before I get tired :silly:

 

[Jaybird]

It's all "Mind over matter".

Nobody minds, and it don't matter. :)

 

[DWreck]

Originally posted by Timr


I hope you can break that record this year.

Don't say break! :)

 

[Treejumper]

Originally posted by DWreck

Don't say break! :)

Yeah, what he said! I've broken my "break" record 2 years straight. :laugh:

 

[Dapper]

You all have eased my mind somewhat. :thumb:

 

[Senior KX Rider]

:cool:

 

[Tony Eeds]

Originally posted by Timr


I hope you can break that record this year.

I'm with TJ and DWreck ...

Don't say break!! I only meant record. :thumb:

 

[zio]

Originally posted by Jeff Gilbert
I hate to be the different one here but I've gotten fast as lightning.

Me, too, Jeff. Though I'm a bit quicker than lightning. Remember Gene whatshisname in Blazing Saddles? I'm so fast, you probably won't even see me. You'll just have to take my word for it.